Feldenkrais classes this week: A 40 sec video of moving the distal with the proximal -- from the central parts of oneself!

Do you want to feel lighter, more open, and breathe better? 

In class this week, this lovely lesson teaches how to invite the entire body to support and move the shoulders, arms, hands, especially initiating movement from the chest, back and pelvis. We decrease pain, tension and tightness, while increasing flexibility and range of movement. As an extra benefit of the lesson, the ribs and chest open and expand, breathing gets much deeper, easier and more comfortable. It is a wonderful lesson and useful for improving quality of movement and life as well as post-surgery or post illness. It will also help your golf game. 

In the video, you can catch a glimpse of how each little movement in a slightly different direction changes the conversation through the body. This is a fascinating lesson, when done very small and slowly, feeling and learning to use arms in a new way. Then beginning to use the chest and pelvis -- to move from a completely different part of oneself -- to move the arms. The movement shifts from very distal to very proximal and central, becoming more powerful and adaptive, and beautifully balanced. This is very pain relieving, restorative and heart opening. 

If you'd like more information about Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® classes or individual Functional Integration® sessions, or to discuss related health questions, please use the contact form at the top right of this page. 

Pelvic Clock -- Awareness Through Movement classes this week.

Learn how the movement of your pelvis impacts comfort and ease of movement through the whole body.

The Classic Pelvic Clock lesson this week. We are utilizing Dr. Feldenkrais' amazing invention of movement of the pelvis around the face of a clock to reveal and improve movement in areas of the body which are out of alignment or not well-organized.


And as we explore in this way, movement improves everywhere, initiating from the pelvis and its contiguous parts, including the spine.


Next classes are 5 pm tonight at the Reno Buddhist Center, Hiroma Hall, enter from Taylor. 10 am at 250 Bell St., Saturday. Contact me for info and come 15 mins early if you are coming to your first class.


You can also contact me using the form at the top right of the page.

Looking forward to hearing from you!  With best wishes, Carole 

Want to make the difficult possible and comfortable? Awareness Through Movement

Increasing the comfort and range of movement in hips, feet, toes, ankles and shoulders, AND elongating the spine - photo from last week's (9/8/18) class.

Nearly every lesson we do in a Feldenkrais class, workshop or clinic includes surprising physical and mental improvements because of the very specific way Dr. Feldenkrais created each lesson. And because we are learning to use our 'feeling and sensation' to find movement in a way that actually works with our bodies rather than pushing through or ignoring our movement limitations. Each lesson is structured so that our movement intelligence increases as we continue through a lesson.

This lesson is a great example of how this works, gently, safely and rather amazingly. It started by our separating out our toes from each other individually, which increased the feeling of width and length of the bones in our feet. So we began in a simple, child development sort of way, playing with our feet and creating awareness skeletally from the bottom up. 

We also awakened connections through the whole body, as we supported ourselves with one hand and arm, as we did the movements of toes, foot, ankle and leg with the other hand and arm.

We followed these movements up into the body, exploring many variations, extending the focus of the movement upward into the hip joints, through the knees and ankles.  Our hands, arms and shoulders participated more intentionally and intelligently. We played with movement in shoulders and elbows too. Lots of non-habitual, interesting movement.

We found balance, through the sit bones in the pelvis, as all parts of the movement lesson began to come together in a cohesive whole way -- we had a sense of shape, feeling of balance and counter balance, in space and on the ground.

The interesting surprise for many was the impact at the end of the lesson on our walking, our upright spines, and feeling of much better alignment and organization, pain relief and ease of movement.

Every lesson has this wholistic impact but also hidden benefits that differ from person to person because of our different history and anatomy.  

I hope you will join us soon and see what your surprises might be! Please use the contact form at the top right of this page to contact me easily and quickly if you have questions or want to find out more about classes and private sessions.

Best wishes, 

Carole 

Carole Bucher, BA, GCFP

Rolling, playing with toes, and deep core work to find balance and skeletal organization.

FEET, TOES, LEGS, BALANCE, and PELVIC CORE WORK.

 

A splendid Awareness Through Movement class this week that takes us back to childhood and forward into graceful, stable, well-organized movement. A new lesson from my practitioner's class (#401).


Tues noon-1:30, 250 Bell St. Thurs (beginners' class) 5-6:30 pm, Reno Buddhist Ctr., Sat 10-11:30 am, 250 Bell St. Contact me and come 15 mins early to your first class.

Waking Up Your Weekend -- from the inside out

Do you want a new approach to a few things? Or just about everything? Try Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® Classes and Functional Integration®.

The 10 am Saturday morning Feldenkrais class at 250 Bell St. in Reno is an interesting mix of people, young, older, very diverse backgrounds, professions. What we all share is our common interest in exploring and improving our movement patterns and habits; wellness; physical, mental and emotional possibilities; individual growth, consciousness and self-awareness. We use carefully designed movement sequences as the vehicle with which to study ourselves and these aspects of our lives. What is comfortable and easy? Or limited and difficult? Where do I lose track of myself? Where and how can I find a new approach to my limitations, but gently and mindfully?

This is the essence of meaningful learning and self-care. When this approach is embodied, there is virtually nothing that doesn't improve -- we are more alive, alert and balanced. More comfortable and aligned. We can even breathe better, because our ribs are freer, our diaphragm releases and working with our attention and sensation de-stresses our bodies and brings calm within.

If these ideas touch something authentic in you, I hope you will join us. You'll find out for yourself how much wisdom you have in your body when you wake it up with your brain and attention, how much better you can feel and move. I also teach classes TUES from noon-1:30 pm at 250 Bell St; and THURS from 5-6:30 pm at the Reno Buddhist Center, Plumas at Taylor (and of course SAT 10-11:30 am). I am a certified Feldenkrais practitioner and teacher. I did my 4-year Feldenkrais training in Berkeley, CA and teach the only ongoing Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes in Northern NV (since 2009).

Please use the form at the top right of my webpage to contact me for information about the Feldenkrais Method, for a class handout, for info about group or individual work or to discuss related questions. Meanwhile,

Happy weekend!
Carole
renofeldenkrais.blogspot.com
carole@renofeldenkrais.com

Short video - Better walking, brain function, aligning shoulder/arm, hips, legs; empowering pelvis:

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement class for the coming week:

I'm teaching a terrific new lesson again the week of Aug 27-Sept. 1 that has a powerful effect on your walking; it also works with shoulder and hip joints moving mindfully, separately and together, with the eyes and the head. Sometimes all 4 parts are doing something different. Here is a tiny clip of part of the lesson, with my voice.

It is simple and fun lesson that is wonderfully challenging for the brain, and has great impact on the organization of upper and lower torso, particularly the pelvis; it also reseats the arms in the shoulder joints and the legs in the hip joints, improving balance while working the eyes actively with, and in opposition to, other movements. 

Walking well requires that the pelvis move over the advancing foot so the entire body can organize with stability in the movement. This lesson strengthens the relationship between femur, hip joint and foot so that stability becomes possible.  

The lesson also helps us to be aware of and reduce unconscious tension in the muscles around the joints, so that the movement of our limbs is lighter and more efficient and comfortable, whether we suffer from joint discomfort, arthritis, cartilage issues or limited range of movement. 

Classes Tues noon-1:30 at 250 Bell, Thurs 5 pm-6:30 at the Reno Buddhist Ctr., and 10 am-Noon Sat at 250 Bell St., Reno.

If you want more information about classes, private Functional Integration lessons/sessions or the Feldenkrais Method, etc., please use the contact form at the right hand top of this web page to contact me quickly and directly.

Best wishes,
Carole Bucher, BA, GCFP

Organizing the whole body -- Feldenkrais lesson this week

Do you want to feel better in your whole body? Then this is your Feldenkrais lesson, though the video is just a tiny snippet from the very end of the lesson.  :-)

The lesson is a flowing body lesson and is one of my top favorite Awareness Through Movement lessons in nearly 10 years of teaching. It works on non-habitual movements through the whole body, in a very clear way and leaves you feeling aligned and great.  So I teach it many times a year. 

Classes generally seemed wonderful this week. I'm not sure why, they just sometimes do ... people really appreciate the lessons, or get a lot out of them. Or we just feel more connected, not only to ourselves but to each other and to life in general. You can turn up the sound and hear my words or read the captions, which I have added for the first time. <3 span=""> 

If you want information about classes or private Functional Integration sessions, please use the contact form in the upper right hand corner of this page to reach me directly and quickly.  

Your will be surprised how much you can do to improve the quality of your movement and your comfort. This improvement enhances creativity, performance at work and even how you approach life's ups and downs. It is a shame to settle for less. 

Looking forward to hearing from you. 
Carole 

Better posture in the garden will save your back!

Deep summer wellness:  Staying fit in your organic garden.

• Healthy Beginnings Magazine, JULY 25, 2018
 
• |
• BY CAROLE BUCHER, BA, GCFP| RENO FELDENKRAIS INTEGRATIVE MOVEMENT

Weed season is upon us — is your body ready for it? 

Dry, windy, sometimes horribly hot … Northern Nevada summer is shifting theatrically into high gear now. You know what I mean if you live here. If you have kids, pets or a garden — or all three — it’s a busy and challenging time, especially for we who want to keep gardens thriving organically during our tiny growing period.

In my backyard, it feels like war! The insatiable bad bugs are giving me a brutal run for my money this year, causing intensive maneuvering — stealthy companion planting, setting bug traps, going on weeding raids and applying chemically-neutral deterrents, like diatomaceous earth, not to mention sneaking in ladybugs and other ‘good’ bug saboteurs.

It’s ironic how the weeds don’t suffer the same problems that the other plants do! Survival of the fittest, I guess. Consequently, we have to defend our veggies and flowers, pull the weeds and keep toxics away from kids, pets and garden.

To that end, I’ve created a “weeding best-practices” list below. It’s short and Feldenkrais-based and will help you work fast and efficiently, which is so important during our harsh summer conditions.

Be sure to invite your kids or grandkids to help you. They need the work experience and contact with nature. And you can teach them to not rip the weeds off at ground line — how to get those roots out — something that has broad application in life!

Weeding Best-Practices

Start by doing a brief inventory of your body while standing or lying down. Scan your entire self, comparing right and left sides. Notice where you have pain and tension and where you don’t.

Just doing this will wake up your brain, stop autopilot mode, and help you not hurt yourself. Plan to pay attention to your body the whole time you’re in the garden. It’s worth the effort. Now here are the tips.

Smart weeding postures, 101:

1. Feel where your feet are. Create a stable platform under your body.
2. Organize diagonally over one leg while pulling with one or both hands.
3. Grasp the weeds close to the ground so that you have maximum leverage and success getting roots out.
4. Look at your hands as you use them, so your eyes can organize the rest of your body optimally. This is one of the most important, safety-related jobs that your eyes do, even if you don’t notice it.
5. Alternate using your right and left hand, arm and leg — switch them up. Don’t stay in one position too long.
6. Use your non-dominant hand and arm, alone or with your other arm to grasp weeds to pull. Your brain needs and benefits from nonhabitual, unfamiliar movements.
7. Don’t bend at the waist through your spine. When bending forward, bend only through the hinge of your hips.
8. When bending from the hinge or over either leg, push your bottom backward and up through your seat/sit/sitting bones.
9. And last, keep paying attention to yourself while cleaning up — it’s easy to strain tired muscles.

Have a wonderful August, dear friends! Happy gardening and harvesting. Pesticide-free food is the best investment in your health you can make.

If you want to learn more about the Feldenkrais Method or Awareness Through Movement classes or private Functional integration sessions, you can contact me quickly and directly using the online form above. You can also learn more https://www.facebook.com/RenoFeldenkrais/ and PM there as well. 

Carole Bucher, BA, is a Guild-Certified Feldenkrais practitioner/teacher and owner of Reno Feldenkrais Integrative Movement. She has been teaching the only ongoing Feldenkrais classes in Northern NV since 2009. 

A testimonial from a new student about her experience in a recent Reno Feldenkrais class.

We do Feldenkrais because it works! A spontaneous testimonial.

























I write a monthly article in Healthy Beginnings Magazine about improving your movement, balance and all the things doing this affects, especially doing the things you love. When we move better, all of life gets better. We are more alive, vital, creative, positive.

Here is a spontaneous testimonial from a friend who attended my class once a few weeks ago, then found one of my articles in a Healthy Beginnings magazine in a medical office waiting room.

'Sitting in the Dr.’s office to get results from a test, feeling completely out of balance when I pick up the Healthy Beginning’s magazine and “accidentally” open it up to this article by Carole Bucher of Reno Feldenkrais Integrative Movement. I’ve only been once and I can tell you I was amazed at how much better I felt when I left that evening. I felt a sense of peace that night and again just now. This week I shall remember to be there.'
Tami C., Reno NV

Please contact me using the form above if you want more information about classes, have questions, or are interested in Functional Integration session. 

Do you have scoliosis, stenosis or disc degeneration? Does your diaphragm move? Why you should care. This week's lesson connects the dots.

Diaphragmatic breathing -- Feldenkrais Seesaw Breathing - activating your true core, lengthening your spine. 

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement class this week focuses on freeing the diaphragm and finding more flexible, fluid movement in the ribs, hips and along the spine. This really matters if you have scoliosis, spinal stenosis and/or disc issues, especially degeneration. 

Among the almost unlimited aspects of movement that Dr. Feldenkrais explored and implemented was a form of breathing he termed 'seesaw breathing.' What is involved is breathing into either the upper or lower part of the torso, chest or belly, holding the breath and moving the volume of air via the diaphragm from above to below, then pulling it back up to the chest, pushing it down again to the belly, and so on, for 1-4 cycles. We hold the breath while doing this, so the number of times of 'pushing the breath down and pulling the breath up' is dependent upon how easily you can hold the breath for a short period. It should never feel violent, difficult or dangerous. This movement of air up and down the torso, from top to bottom, so to speak, activates the diaphragm. The video upload from youtube below gives you an idea of the potential power that can be directed through the diaphragm.

When the diaphragm is not activated, a great deal of movement is inhibited (stuck) through ribs and the entire spine; compression can occur. Your lumbar spine movement might be hypermobile in response. Neck and throat issues may also develop.

Thus freeing the diaphragm and allowing the breath to occur in your entire breathing container, i.e., the torso, is critical for coordinated, comfortable movement throughout the body, not just the ribs and lungs. It is also responsible for much of the power that one assembles in the core, whether thinking of the core as the 'Hara,' the abs, the pelvis, the Tan Den, and so on. The diaphragm is an almost mythic organ of breath that very few people appreciate. Find yours and see what happens! <3 span="">