Holiday and 2014 Feldenkrais Schedule

2013 Reno Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) classes ended on December 21, Winter Solstice.

Classes will resume on Thursday January 2, 2014; the schedule is the same as last year. I am posting the schedule for you below.

You are welcome to come to as many of the classes each week as you wish. We study one lesson all week long, so that you have an opportunity to refine your understanding and improve you capacity within the movement sequence. It is certain that the more you do Awareness Through Movement, the better the effect it has on your body, your brain, the general level of stress you feel and your overall well being.  Many people do ATM every day (I do...).

My New Year's gift to you is that I will not be raising the cost for classes or private sessions/lessons and will continue to offer my need-based sliding scale for group ATM and for individual private Functional Integration.

Awareness Through Movement Class at Midtown Fitness

Socrates said "Let those who would move the world first move themselves."

And in truth, the more movement you have in your system, the more comfortable you will be, the more wonderful you will feel. Pain is reduced, balance, energy and capacity return. When you move with more attention, your level of performance will reach a higher level, whatever you do, or wish to do. Everything becomes better.

Movement should be pleasurable, fun, easy and safe. You can regain this kind of movement for yourself by working with intention and attention, even for short periods of time.  Come to class and find out for yourself!

The first THURSDAY classes will be held on January 2 at 4-5 pm and 5:30-6:45 pm at the Reno Buddhist Center on Plumas at Taylor.

The first SATURDAY 3-4:30 pm class will be held on January 4 at MidTown Fitness (formerly Achieve Fitness), 600 S. Center St., in Reno.

The first TUESDAY 10-11:30 am class will be held on January 7 at MidTown Fitness.

Happy New Year to everyone! 2014 will be a year to make the impossible possible, by making your movement joyous and strong! Welcome the return to the light in our hearts, bodies and minds!

Pelvic Floor Workshop, Midtown Fitness, Dec. 29 - SOLD OUT

Who Benefits From Pelvic Floor Work?

Working with the pelvic floor system can greatly help people who have issues with SCOLIOSIS, BALANCE, BREATHING, pelvic pain, ED and other subtle, but critical functions that follow pelvic surgeries, injury, hip replacement, in addition to UROGENITAL FUNCTION, in both men and women. Working with the pelvic floor also provides a very refined sense of pelvic balance for athletes, dancers and equestrians.

The pelvic floor sits at the base of the pelvis and includes external muscles running from the pubic bone to the tailbone and between the two ischial tuberosities known as the seat bones (also sitz bones, sitting bones, etc.).  Inside the pelvis a large bowl shaped muscular compartment holds the pelvic organs, and includes fascia that support organs within the .  In addition, muscles running from the pelvis up into the lower spine and down into the hip joints work together to balance, support and extend the function of the pelvic floor system. Using Feldenkrais movements as a foundation for pelvic movement, we will access all parts of the pelvic floor system

The importance of moving from the pelvis, using it as the focus of movement initiation and support for the rest of the body cannot be overstated.  We want mobility and responsiveness in the pelvic region which allows the body above and below to function with much more stability, effectiveness and finesse.

The workshop is based on the work of renowned Feldenkrais practitioner and EPT, Deborah Bowes.  I took an advanced training in Feldenkrais Pelvic Floor work in San Francisco in June of 2011. This advanced training segment covered Deborah's decades long pelvic floor work and detailed research into the structure, function and relationship to the rest of the body. Deborah has since completed her doctoral degree in physical therapy based on her Feldenkrais pelvic floor work.  An interview with her about this work is available here:  http://www.feldenkraissf.com/pelvichealthinterview.cfm.

Working with your Attention in Sitting to Improve Hips and Spine

This is a wonderful short Feldenkrais lesson sequence that you can do at home to improve many conditions that cause discomfort -- scoliosis, hip pain, kyphosis and tension in the shoulders -- or if you are a recipient of hip replacement surgery.  You will be amazed at the results, the improvement you may discover with these small, slow movements.

It is presented by Dr. Lori Malkoff, one of the few medical doctors who is also a Feldenkrais practitioner.  She uses the Feldenkrais Method extensively in her practice to provide non-drug, non-surgical effective, holistic treatment for her patients.  If you are in the southern California area, you would do well to look into her specialties.  Among these are pain relief, restoration of physical function and improved healing.

The mindful, slow and attentive movement that Lori demonstrates is a wonderful example of  Awareness Through Movement work.  If you do the sequence, try to do it with the same care and slow speed for best results.  The slower you move, the more you will feel.  All you need to do is try doing any movement both quickly and slowly to see the depth of this truth for yourself.