Feldenkrais® for Old People, Prime Ministers and Mothers
This week I faced an opinion that the Feldenkrais® lessons are for old people, like some kind of geriatric gymnastics. Is it true?
Surely, the ex-Prime Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion was in his 60s when Moshe Feldenkrais taught him to stand on his (Ben-Gurion's)) head.
Does it mean we have to wait for that long or to become a Prime Minister before we start taking care of ourselves?
Of course, some research and evidence is showing that the Awareness Through Movement® lessons improve elder citizens’ balance, mobility and coordination, as well as provide pain relief. But on the other side of the spectrum of those who find the Feldenkrais Method® helpful are athletes, top musicians, singers, dancers … we might call them high-performers, right? And yes, they improve and refine their performance by attending to themselves in this special way.
But you know what? Behind any high-performer, there is a greater high-performer: a Mum.
We give a lot: we provide a safe and fertile haven, we grow a human being, we give birth, we are the baby’s food, sensory provider, emotional guide and leader of all kinds. Is it rewarding and stimulating? Oh yes. Is it exhausting? I hear you! Perhaps you would agree that many problems women experience after childbirth and through ageing are related to how much of themselves they “give away”. But does it have to be so? Can this experience be revitalising, energising and filling us over the top with creativity and emotional bliss? I invite you to question that.
I strongly believe that the child-bearing and child-rearing age is a beautiful place to start questioning your habits – postural, sitting, moving and first of all, thinking.
Our modern culture is highly praising coming back to your “before-childbirth” self as quickly as possible after welcoming that cute new human to the world. But there is no way to come back. A new mum needs to find her new identity and start a new story of her life: it’s a point of no return. While we’re desperately trying to fit into our old skin (or jeans) we’re just losing such precious learning time and opportunity. We have to learn so many new movements involved in breastfeeding, co-sleeping, rocking, baby-wearing, and adapting to live with a new person around us … Do we do it the “right” way?
Do we learn the way our babies learn: exploring, being curious and playing?
Most of the time we don’t even come to ask the question, we fall into a single habit that may be comforting because it’s familiar - but does it serve us well?
And what about all the conflicting parenting advice, how do you keep on to your values and find authority within yourself?
By the way, if you’re still reading I admire you!
There IS a way to learn that there is gain with no pain.
There is a way to meet your new self and fill in your body with joy and your mind with curiosity. Your body knows who you are and what your values are, it’s the only witness of your whole life. There is a way to tune in and listen. There is a way to build resilience and open you to new learning.
Unfortunately, many people are coming to the Feldenkrais Method® because of pain, when other modalities don’t help. Don’t wait till you become older or get chronic pain to find out whether these lessons are for you.
Check out the Events page, chose one and get in touch - I am totally excited for you and looking forward to meeting you soon!