“I’m hoping to make you redundant by Xmas” said one of my clients today – with a smile! Sad though I will be to say goodbye, this is a sign of success – after 8 Feldenkrais sessions, my client with Parkinson’s has made such great progress in his walking, coordination and balance that he can do without me…I’m happy to be made redundant under such circumstances.
Category Archives: Latest News
Give some well-being this Xmas!
It’s that time of year again. Stuck for ideas for presents or want to find something different for a loved one? Why not buy someone an individual session or class? The Mindful Body vouchers come in multiples of £10 and are valid for 12 months after purchase.
Keep It Simple – KIS Feldy!
A happy client!
Here is something a recent client wrote: “I had a wonderfully interesting and brain-boggling FI with The Mindful Body this week, and something Dianne said has stuck with me and got me thinking (uh-oh!) I discovered a very fundamental but not-simple-at-all connection in the bones of my lower body (foot to sitz-bone) and became quite enamoured with it. But then when I moved slightly I felt like I couldn’t find it any more because it didn’t feel the same so I grabbed onto a muscular action that I’ve been ‘trained’ to create. Dianne’s words were ‘Its still there, it hasn’t gone away!’ and lo and behold when I came ‘back’ it was there again. But that’s what hypermobility does to you, you simply can’t always feel those connections so you go to what you know and cling to the ones that you’ve had to develop yourself as a result of getting through and getting on! But thats not a bad thing….because the wonder I felt when I felt my body as it is is incredible, and if we all took moments like that of feeling ourselves as if for the first time instead of looking out there, at them or at that then the possibility is there to make changes. Its incredible what reconnection to the self, or in my case actual connection can do! #MelPonder”
A happy customer!
I always enjoy teaching either a class or working with an individual, but recently, it seems to be especially rewarding. This weekend, I spent some time teaching one of my clients to find more ease in sitting and standing. The first time he stood up without effort and with ease, his face lit up and the happy grin told me that I had done a good job. His happiness was my happiness.
Relieving hip cramp
On 17 October I’m taking part in Night Strider – a half marathon to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice. I’ve run distances for charity but I think walking is more of a challenge. Why? Because it’s easy to “throw” yourself at speed over a certain distance and pay the penalty afterwards. But walking asks for integration, co-operation and if difficulties present themselves on the way, you have to deal with them.
Saturday workshops in Sheffield
We had a really enjoyable workshop yesterday on Releasing Neck and Shoulders – a very full class but everyone managed to find room on the floor! I hope to continue our monthly workshops in Sheffield so watch this space for the next date and theme
Class feedback
Last Saturday I ran a class focussing on the Carriage of the Torso. One of my regulars posted this fantastic comment on her Facebook page: “Fascinating Feldenkrais ATM lesson with The Mindful Body this morning. Gots me thinking all about movement patterns developed through fear, and the instinctive holding that keeps these patterns in place. Its becoming increasingly clear that my obsessive perfectionism in doing things the absolutely best possible way is a fear developed protective mechanism…I’m shit scared of not being exceptional, so I force myself to be. Feldy has brought me closer to awareness and observation, and I’m quickly learning that there is actually something wonderful in a hyper sensitive nervous system and isolated, discombobulated body parts…and it also leaves me feeling like a fish, which is pretty ace! #MelPonder #Feldyfun #whoselegsarethese“
My latest article is published this month
Part of my Feldenkrais practice is working with theatre and dance students in universities. There are around 30 Feldenkrais teachers in the UK who include university teaching as their ongoing work. My article “Teaching the Feldenkrais Method in UK Higher Education performer training” is now published by Taylor & Francis online and you can access it here:http://www.tandfonline.com/…/full/10…/19443927.2015.1043468…
Feldenkrais for Dancers and Yoga
Last Saturday I worked with a dancer who had problems bringing her bottom to her heels and being comfortable in Child’s Pose (Balasana or Adho Mukha Virasana ). You can see what happened here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8JdqOOrxXc&feature=youtu.be