Creating Stability in an Unstable World with Feldenkrais

Life deals us a hand and we need to respond to it as well as we can.  Dr. Feldenkrais clearly based his work on the premise that no matter what our physical, emotional or mental status, we can always optimize our function. This optimization begins with self-sensing. Self-sensing leads to profound self-knowledge that comes from a more whole and neutral part of us, not our critical, fault finding selves.

So how to begin? Feeling your feet on the ground, locating your skeleton internally, realizing that your head is more or less parallel to the sky, will bring a new internal experience to you.  And from here, we begin to stabilize, improve and recover our natural selves, our natural movement and humanity.

(The sign above was created by Buffy Owens, Feldenkrais Practitioner and teacher in New York, who is a wonderfully expressive creator.)

Life Changing Feldenkrais - But WHAT is it?

Re-Presenting the Miracle of Empowerment that Feldenkrais®
Awareness Through Movement® and Functional Integration® Actually Give You

By using focused attention and internal sensing, the Feldenkrais Method works directly upon the neuromuscular system in a way that no other modalities do. Whether young or old, athlete or couch potato, if you have physical limitations, injuries or just don't feel as good as you want to, you can optimize your movement and improve how you feel.

A profound reconnection happens between brain and body; you tap into the innate physical intelligence each of us has internally. You will develop appropriate, easy, comfortable movement; improved flexibility, stability and coordination occur. You begin to move with grace and ease as you learn to distribute movement throughout your whole body again, as you did intuitively as a child.

In these wonderful, short videos by the renowned Feldenkrais practitioner and teacher, Crish Kresge, you will hear and see what this might mean for you. Chrish will leave you with a clear sense of what regaining a deeper connection with your body might look and feel like. I hope you enjoy them both. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you want more information.

Learning a SEATED TROT

I know what a SEATED TROT is now!

I have listened to my Feldenkrais colleague Heather Beachum talk about the seated trot for sometime now.  I didn't realize until today that seated isn't a simple descriptive device.  Suddenly many things came together in my understand. And why?  Well I had never really experienced being seated before.  This is what I wrote about the experience, before I got what 'seated' meant.  

The real riding part of my riding lesson yesterday with Rebekka Rhodes was thrilling (again). I AM finding my seat in a bareback trot! Finding how to use my upper and legs and pelvis in a more controlled way - not just balance. It did come back and it got better. Rebekka didn't know, but i went and rode the little wooden rocking horse for a few minutes before starting, to find my back in riding back, and the movement of the hips. 

Then Rebekka helped me find the control of this seat, learning clearly today which part of my legs to use on the horse where, in what way so that I communicate gently and clearly with my horse, and how to follow and feel both of us in movement.
And just like Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM), as i discover this, working intuitively and with my attention and body, I really am able to learn new things, at a new level. I wish i could figure out how to fit a second weekly lesson in. Yesterday was terribly, fabulously wonderful!  Stay tuned for more revelatory Feldenkrais and horse related experiences.  At some point before too long, I plan to do some specifically equestrian Awareness Through Movement classes or workshops in Reno.  My ongoing schedule is still the same as it has been for over a year, and you will find it to the right, in the side bar.

Feldenkrais Pelvic Floor class OFF-TRACK Till April

Just to let you know that the Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® PELVIC FLOOR class held at the Reno Buddhist Center will be off-track until April, 2013.

If you want information about signing up for this 6 week series or other ongoing Feldenkrais classes, the Feldenkrais Method® or Functional Integration®, please contact me.

A Very Special Workshop Fundraiser for the NV Crisis Call Center, Mar. 2.

This will be the first Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® Workshop to benefit Nevada's own Crisis Call Center.  You must reserve your spot by February 27, and the sooner the better!  The 20 spaces are going fast.  Don't miss your chance to attend this special 2 hour class and learn for yourself why people are so enthusiastic about the Feldenkrais method -- people who dance, play music, ski, golf, and also people who have physical issues and limitations, or have simply lost their joie de vivre, their 'get up and go' -- this will help you find it again!  

I hope you can join us!  Don't hesitate to contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com for information, questions, etc.  Thank you!  A great, low cost opportunity to make a big difference in your life and to help the Crisis Call Center -- don't miss it!

Reminder - no Sat. 3 pm class Feb 2 only

Just a reminder!  I'll be attending a Feldenkrais training session on working with children and adults who have special needs, including autism, next Saturday, Feb 2nd, so there will be no 3 pm class at ACHIEVE Fitness that day.
Saturday 3 pm classes resume on Feb. 9.

SAT 3 pm Feldenkrais Class, ACHIEVE Fitness Jan 26

Today's Saturday Awareness Through Movement class at ACHIEVE Fitness is a luxurious, full body ROLLING LESSON that lengthens and loosens and rebalances your entire body, from head to toe. 

The lesson is great for general stiffness and tension, scoliosis, neck, back, shoulder or spine issues; it supports better breathing because the ribs move, intercostal muscles soften and get really comfortable. It is done like all Feldenkrais lessons, slowly and incrementally, and is viable for almost everyone.

You will come away feeling taller, more centered, stable and all over aligned.   

Please note that there will be NO SATURDAY CLASS NEXT WEEK, FEB 2 - I'll be away at an advanced training that focuses on working with kids and adults with special needs, including autism and will also be learning new methodology to help you improve specific movement capacities.
 

--If you want to try a Saturday class, DO IT THIS WEEKEND, NOT NEXT

--Be sure to come 15 mins early if this is your first class.

If you want to schedule a free 15 minute telephone appointment to get more information about whether classes and lessons would be helpful to you, contact me via email, message me on my facebook.com/renofeldenkrais page, or through meetup.com/Reno-Feldenkrais-Awareness-Through-Movement-classes/ 

Hope to see you soon!  Best wishes,
Carole

2013 Feldenkrais AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT Class Schedule and DESCRIPTIONS

(1) TUESDAY  10 am-11:30 am - ACHIEVE Fitness, 600 Center St., Reno, NV 89501 (Down the hall to right, then keep going till you've completed 3 right turns.)

Starts January 8, 2013

LEARN TO MOVE YOURSELF OPTIMALLY WITH FELDENKRAIS

If sedentary lifestyle, surgery, injury or pain have disrupted your quality of life, Feldenkrais classes can help you. For more than 60 years the Feldenkrais Method has offered an effective, non-drug, non-surgical approach to movement improvement and pain management, helping you to find or sustain your optimum level of movement.  Regain and sustain flexibility, strength and balance, while improving cognition, coordination and overall well-being. Easy-to-do lessons you can learn and do at home. Suitable for beginners and ongoing.  $12 drop-in, affordable 10-class cards and need-based discounts. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers; contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

(2) THURSDAY 4 pm - 5 pm Reno Buddhist Center, 820 Plumas at Taylor, Reno, NV

Starts January 10, 2013

FELDENKRAIS PELVIC FLOOR CLASS 

Ongoing Pelvic Floor System class. The class is highly recommended for people of all ages who are concerned with pelvic floor and/or urogenital function, pelvic structure imbalance, injury and/or surgery; scoliosis, spinal problems, low back pain, and/or problems with balance or breathing.  The class is very effective for equestrians who want to improve performance and comfort in riding and/or who suffer from injury.  Many people experience significant improvement in symptoms and function in a only  few weeks time. Meets each Thursday before the ongoing 5:30 class.  You may combine classes or take them separately.  $12/class. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers.  Contact me (Carole) to sign up at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

 (3) THURSDAY 5:30 pm - 6:50pm Reno Buddhist Center, 820 Plumas at Taylor, Reno, NV

Starts January 10, 2013

MOVE YOURSELF HEALTHIER WITH FELDENKRAIS:

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement is a fascinating journey into physical and mental wellbeing and sustainability that is life changing for many people. Working with self-awareness, doing movement sequences slowly with focused attention, you activate the proprioceptive responses in your joints throughout your body. Connections in your neural pathways improve; range of movement, balance and stability increase and you relieve pain. You will remember the pleasurable and easy movement you had as a child. $12 drop-in, affordable 10-class cards and need-based discounts. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers; contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

 (4) SATURDAY 3 pm - 4:30 pm ACHIEVE Fitness, Reno, NV 89501

Starts January 12, 2013

MOVE YOURSELF HEALTHIER & YOUNGER, WITH FELDENKRAIS:

If things like injury, accident, aging or illness have limited your movement and quality of life, these classes can help you; for 60+ years Feldenkrais has provided non-surgical/non-drug support for pain management, movement improvement and stability, including scoliosis, stroke, chronic pain, and orthopedic issues. You'll find new strength and balance as you improve coordination and cognition. Slow movements done with focused attention help to reestablish and sustain communication between brain and body. $12 drop-in, affordable 10-class cards and need-based discounts. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers; contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

2013 Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Class Schedule and Descriptions:

(1) TUESDAY  10 am-11:30 am - ACHIEVE Fitness, 600 Center St., Reno, NV 89501 (Down the hall to right, then keep going till you've completed 3 right turns.)

Starts January 8, 2013

MOVE YOURSELF OPTIMALLY WITH FELDENKRAIS

If sedentary lifestyle, surgery, injury or pain have disrupted your quality of life, Feldenkrais classes can help you. For more than 60 years the Feldenkrais Method has offered an effective, non-drug, non-surgical approach to movement improvement and pain management, helping you to find or sustain your optimum level of movement.  Regain and sustain flexibility, strength and balance, while improving cognition, coordination and overall well-being. Easy-to-do lessons you can learn and do at home. Suitable for beginners and ongoing.  $12 drop-in, affordable 10-class cards and need-based discounts. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers; contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

(2) THURSDAY 4 pm - 5 pm Reno Buddhist Center, 820 Plumas at Taylor, Reno, NV

Starts January 10, 2013

FELDENKRAIS PELVIC FLOOR CLASS 

Ongoing Pelvic Floor System class. The class is highly recommended for people of all ages who are concerned with pelvic floor and/or urogenital function, pelvic structure imbalance, injury and/or surgery; scoliosis, spinal problems, low back pain, and/or problems with balance or breathing.  The class is very effective for equestrians who want to improve performance and comfort in riding and/or who suffer from injury.  Many people experience significant improvement in symptoms and function in a only  few weeks time. Meets each Thursday before the ongoing 5:30 class.  You may combine classes or take them separately.  $12/class. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers.  Contact me (Carole) to sign up at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

 (3) THURSDAY 5:30 pm - 6:50pm Reno Buddhist Center, 820 Plumas at Taylor, Reno, NV

Starts January 10, 2013

MOVE YOURSELF HEALTHIER WITH FELDENKRAIS:

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement is a fascinating journey into physical and mental wellbeing and sustainability that is life changing for many people. Working with self-awareness, doing movement sequences slowly with focused attention, you activate the proprioceptive responses in your joints throughout your body. Connections in your neural pathways improve; range of movement, balance and stability increase and you relieve pain. You will remember the pleasurable and easy movement you had as a child. $12 drop-in, affordable 10-class cards and need-based discounts. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers; contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

 (4) SATURDAY 3 pm - 4:30 pm ACHIEVE Fitness, Reno, NV 89501

Starts January 12, 2013

MOVE YOURSELF HEALTHIER & YOUNGER, WITH FELDENKRAIS:

If things like injury, accident, aging or illness have limited your movement and quality of life, these classes can help you; for 60+ years Feldenkrais has provided non-surgical/non-drug support for pain management, movement improvement and stability, including scoliosis, stroke, chronic pain, and orthopedic issues. You'll find new strength and balance as you improve coordination and cognition. Slow movements done with focused attention help to reestablish and sustain communication between brain and body. $12 drop-in, affordable 10-class cards and need-based discounts. Bring blanket or comforter, wear layers; contact me at renofeldenkrais@aol.com and come 15 minutes early to your first class.

My Apologies for Schedule Confusion

Dear Students and Friends,

I tried very hard to get the word out about the holiday schedule for Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes, and am sorry that the information did not get posted through the RBC.  My error. Thus to clarify, there will be no classes at any location during December 25 and January 8, and I am very sorry if you chose that time to come to your first class!

We look forward to your joining us in January, and in the mean time, please contact me via email, facebook or meetup.com to sign up and let me know about you.  Kindly make sure that I have your email and other contact information.  I really do try to minimize confusion and difficulties, and having adequate contact time and info helps very much.

Now more than ever, it is important to feel and move our best, to conserve our energy and use our most precious resource, our body, at its highest and best level, with ease and comfort.  I look forward to continuing in this quest with you in 2013.  There is so much more we can learn to do to feel and move well, and to continue doing the things we love for a very long time.

Best wishes and Happy New Year to all!  
Carole
renofeldenkrais@aol.com