My experience with the Feldenkrais method

I had heard a little about the Feldenkrais method in school and last year my yoga teacher recommended it as a method that might be good for me. I am a mum on parental leave and have now started work as an occupational therapist, after a long hiatus.

 As I don't completely avoid some of the strain on my back when working with patients and lifting my girls, I find the exercises beneficial.

The Feldenkrais method uses conscious movement and works with the perception of one's own body. We exercise slowly, concentrating, and observing what the movement does to us, and how it makes us feel... We often compare the difference in feeling between the exercising side of the body and the non-exercising side after each exercise. Sometimes, for example, it seems to lengthen or we feel more of its weight on the mat...

When I went to the first class here in Mníšek pod Brdy, I felt sleepy and my right trapezius area was hurting. It was uncomfortable, it was hard to turn my head to one side, I felt more tension in my neck muscles... I admit that I wondered if I would even go. But I finally buckled down and got going.

I yawned often as I walked, passing through the square, and continuing on until I reached the cultural center where the exercise was to take place.

I waited a while for the class to begin after the previous yoga session.  There were already people in the hall with yoga mats, and in a moment we were laying on our backs and becoming aware of our bodies. What we do when we practice, what areas are involved, and how we feel when we do it. We did most of the movements lying on our backs, but we were also standing for a while and then walking.

One exercise I found interesting was the lying on our backs exercise, where we moved our upper limbs out into the distance with the scapula extended and then put the scapula back on the mat.

It's not only an awareness of my body for me, but an awareness of myself as a whole.

After the exercise, especially when walking, I found that my neck muscles no longer hurt and I was more relaxed overall. At the same time, I wasn't as tired, but I wasn't as energetic either, just right. I felt refreshed not only in my body but also in my mind.

 With a smile on my lips, I let myself be driven home where I shared my experience.
I look forward to going again😊

What about you? Have you tried the Feldenkrais method? What is your experience?
Do you have a favourite way of exercising that suits you? What does it bring you?