Doing Feldenkrais –

which is an experiential based system of learning

to explore the way one does things –

expands one’s toolbox, so to speak,

and offers to one’s intelligence

(or central nervous system),

a kind of gift

of being able to do any particular thing

in many different ways…

This in itself can be empowering,

an act of becoming ever more flexible,

spontaneous,

and honest;

less stuck in old ways

that are no longer relevant, for sure,

and open to the possibility of many possibilities.

An interest for learning

what you may not know about yourself,

grows into a deep appreciation for the process –

as well as an acceptance

of the whole of your self and your not-your-self,

interwoven, interdependent,

happening.

 

I just read a few lines from the blog of an experienced Feldenkrais’ teacher, Steve Hamlin:

The neurological activity in the brain – and the rest of the body also – is concerned mostly (some physiologists put the figure at 95% others at 97% or higher) about movement. Logically, then, a modality must include some type of movement work to include “the whole person.” Human movement includes proprioception, balance, self-image, muscular coordination, vision, hearing, touch, environmental mapping, and memory of movement patterns, release of extraneous tension, etc.

 

The implications of that

which is quoted above,

clearly,

are that if we wish to get to know ourselves,

accept ourselves,

and see ourselves

as dynamic, whole,

and wonderful-as-we-are-in-the-process

human beings,

then such a learning

will surely

be one of a movement-exploration kind.

******

And that if we can open the doors

to novel exploration as regular adventure,

we may then learn to learn –

and enjoy this for its own sake.

Contrary to the dreadful singing

of current culture:

that we ought to change

or try to improve, constantly –

we may see

that this “change”

is already what we are,

and never something we were not,

in the first place.

Hamlin comments:

When a person becomes aware that a certain habit is tormenting him – perhaps he wants to stop smoking, or improve his posture, or change his diet – it is a very common experience to encounter many difficulties and repeated failures in the process of trying to change. Yet, when The Feldenkrais Work enters the picture, the situation takes on a different aspect. We no longer have to work so hard to change a habit, to learn new ways of doing things. It can happen playfully, effortlessly, easily!

 

I quote him again, that

“The human body and mind is the teacher” –

to which I must add,

that we seem to not give credit enough

to how smart we really are,

underneath our thinking

about how smart we are.

We learn,

we grow,

and naturally so,

through a kind of sensing –

a giving of attention –

to that pleasing activity

which is already at play,

if we see our activity as play.

No trying about it.

 

 

*******

As an after-food, Hamlin comments that,

If you attend a Feldenkrais Training, be sure your spouse or partner attends with you.

Otherwise – and it’s a common event – you’ll see a lot of relationship break-ups during a four-year training.

******

 

 

Experiencing

the experience

of experiencing

your self,

unmessed with by gravity or judgment,

may profoundly change the way you look

at what is happening.

 

But you can’t just think

about doing it;

you must simply

go out and explore the dancing.

 

What we play… is life

~Jazz Musician Louis Armstrong