Welcome to August News
Two August Awareness Through Movement Series (see side bar for details)
This month we'll explore various movement patterns with particular attention to the fundamental qualities of Awareness, Attention and Inclusion. Whatever activity you are engaged in, whatever improvement you wish to make, developing these qualities will be of enormous benefit to you.
Has Pain Got You Down?
3 Things You May Be Doing That Keep You From Feeling Better
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Whether chronic or episodic, there are multiple ways of approaching pain. Each situation has a myriad of conventional and alternative solutions. Regardless of the treatment path you choose, there are three things you may be doing that keep you from feeling better.
Guarding is a protective neuromuscular and biochemical response that naturally arises with injury or trauma. The response is meant to resolve as healing takes place. Often though, an unconscious holding pattern sets in. Someone who has had whiplash may be reluctant to turn her head and eyes even after her neck has healed. Someone who has broken her foot may continue to favor her "good" foot even though her injured foot is fully functional. How do we change something that is unconscious? With awareness.
Too Much, Too Fast. We are an impatient culture with enormous demand for speedy accomplishment. Many injuries happen when we do too much, too fast. Imagine sinking your shovel in the wet ground on the first beautiful spring morning, lifting rich, heavy soil and twisting quickly to toss it behind you. . . Ouch! Or we re-injure ourselves by returning to vigorous activities before healing is complete. How do you know if you're doing too much, too fast? With attention.
Exclusion. We can become consumed by our condition to the exclusion of the rest of our experience. I've noticed myself answering the question "How are you today" by referencing the degree and effects of my pain rather than what may be a more genuine answer like, "I'm so happy the sun is shining"! How can we embody the richness and wholeness of our lives, even as we may be suffering with a painful condition? With inclusion.
Is Feldenkrais Right For You or Someone You Know?
Schedule a free phone consultation and learn how Functional Integration (private lessons) and Awareness Through Movement (group classes) can help with your specific needs and concerns.
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Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education, Functional Integration and Awareness Through Movement are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America.
Helen's photograph by Laurie Fronek. Watercolors by Helen.
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