"Awareness makes a Difference"

A series of testimonials by a student of Feldenkrais "Awareness Through Movement" classes on the discovery of self-image.

1. "I was invited out to lunch in a restaurant where the seating was awful. The backrest of the chair was curved and the wood panels stuck into my back and the seat itself sloped backwards. I wriggled around trying to find some comfort but I either had to sit on the edge of the chair, unsupported, or sit back into a jabbing backrest. Neither of these options was appealing.
   
   I decided I'd have to find another way and wondered how I could sit and support myself. I imagined that my hipbones were encased in my pelvis, which was like a salad bowl, something I often imagined during my Awareness Through Movement classes. I thought about how my spine could sit in the "bowl" of my pelvis, and my feet could be planted on the floor to assist. I experimented with tiny movements until I found a sitting position that didn't rely on the chair to provide the comfort.
   
   I was able to remain comfortable for the entire luncheon and left refreshed, whereas the others complained bitterly about the uncomfortable chairs!"
   
   
2. "I often used to get lower back pain. One of my habits is to lock my knees, particularly If I am tired or stressed, and I discovered in my Feldenkrais classes that this was actually contributing to my back pain.
   
   These days I tend to check what my knees are doing, particularly if I have to stand for long periods or if my back pain re-appears. I can now consciously release my knees by gently and subtly moving my hips, knees and ankles, removing the strain from my lower back. With less pain and less effort, I can now walk greater distances, stand longer without tiring and I can help myself if I need to."
   
   
3. "I used to walk holding a shoulder bag in front of my body. My shoulder were rounded, inwardly, to allow me to clutch the strap with one hand and hold the bag in place with the other.
   
   I am now more inclined to walk with free arms, swinging by my side. Apart from the physical improvements I now experience, it is the emotional impact that continues to get my attention. I feel more confident. I am more relaxed and accepting of myself. I no longer pretend that I can hide behind a hand-bag and I no longer want to! I feel free and at times even carefree.
   
   This happened over time, slowly, gradually, but I know that this feeling of freed-up sense of self has emerged through awareness gained by attending regular Feldenkrais classes. In the past, I would never have paid that much attention to myself or my movement and postural patterns. I am continuously surprised by outcomes I didn't anticipate."
   
   
4. "My feet had ingrown toenails when I was born, so I learned to walk in ways that relieved the pressure from my painful toes. Unfortunately, by the time the condition was cured I no longer planted my feet fully on the floor and I was not even aware of this. My two big toes curled towards their respective second big toes and then upwards off the ground.
   
   After attending Awareness Through Movement classes for a time I began to notice that my feet "cracked" ! After a while, I was surprised to find myself feeling my toes touching the ground, and the sensation was so foreign that I was mesmerized by it. My large toes have now straightened and I walk with all parts of my feet touching Mother Earth at the same time! I had thought that my feet would be permanently deformed but this was not to be so."

More testimonials:

• "Helen" - "Inner Freedom with The Feldenkrais Method^®."
• "Awareness makes a Difference"
• "Frances"
• "Janet"
• "Learning Difficulties at School"