Tag Archives: Restore Your Body

Building Resilience for Uncertain Times

“Nothing is permanent about our behaviour patterns except our belief that they are so”
– Moshe Feldenkrais 

I think that many of us will look back on 2022 as a time of great change and turbulence. It is increasingly important that we can find some sense of stability and control when outside events seem so uncertain. Personally, I am very grateful that I have some things that I can turn to in order to build my sense of resilience and inner calm one of those is my regular practice of self awareness through The Feldenkrais Method.

How can exploring physical movement help with anxiety? The Feldenkrais Method encourages self acceptance and the notion that change is possible.  Although we cannot always change outside events, we can develop a mindset that helps deal with feelings of being overwhelmed. In every Feldenkrais class, you are encouraged to explore a simple pattern of movement, perhaps reaching with one arm or pushing with a foot in order to connect to the pelvis. Gradually, more variations are introduced and you have the chance to explore how your body can respond positively to new patterns and levels of complexity. As you progress through the session, you will discover how your whole body can be engaged, giving a sense of connectivity, grace and yes, power. Because we practice these movements without stress or a sense of competition, the nervous system is calmer and the mind refreshed.

At the end of a Feldenkrais class, you will feel more connected to yourself and you will have built some inner resources that can sustain you.

“In order to change our mode of action, we must change the image of ourselves that we carry within us.”
– Moshe Feldenkrais

If you would like to take part in a live Feldenkrais class, it’s not too late to book!

The Feldenkrais mini courses continue next week with the start of  Restore Your Body: Jaw, Neck and Shoulders. In times of stress and anxiety, it is easy to develop unconscious habits of holding and clenching – particularly in the jaw and around the shoulders. This leads to discomfort, pain and restricted movement which in turn increases anxiety and stress. Break this circular habit by exploring a set of focussed Feldenkrais lessons designed to release tension and find better and more integrated ways of moving.

Each Restore Your Body course is for four weeks’ duration and follows a specific theme.

Here are the available dates for this year: 
Restore Your Body 2: Jaw, Neck & Shoulders. 12th, 19th, 26th November & 3rd December 2022.
Restore Your Body 3: Balance & Coordination. 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th January 2023.

You can book one or all of these courses by  clicking this link . All RYB classes are recorded and are available to attendees. If you can’t attend class in person, it is possible to purchase the audio recordings only.

Restore Your Body mini courses are £30 for the four weeks. Audio only recordings are £25

Feldenkrais Short Courses 2022

Here we are in April and I hope that 2022 has been kind to you so far. This year, I’ve enjoyed meeting and teaching newcomers to the Feldenkrais Method as well as the lovely “regulars” who have been enjoying my classes and workshops. 

In January, I launched a new series of Feldenkrais short courses: Restore Your Body. These four week programmes focus on a specific theme, such as tension in the neck and shoulders, so we get the opportunity to really explore how The Feldenkrais Method can release unhelpful patterns of movement and produce some real physical change.

Third in the series is: Restore Your Body: Hips and Pelvis and this starts on Saturday 23rd April from 10 – 11am at Room 4, All Saints Church Ecceshall. The dates are: 23rd & 30th April, 7th & 14th May.

The fourth in the Restore Your Body series is: Restore Your Body: Balance & Coordination. Dates are 11th,18th, 25th June and 2nd July 2022.

Each short course will be 4 x 1 hour sessions on a Saturday morning and by the end of the four weeks, you will feel a real benefit to your body. Class recordings will be available after each live session.

Venue: Room 4, All Saints Ecceshall, Ringinglow Road, Sheffield S11 7PP.

The price is just £30 for one course, buy both for £50. You can pay by bank transfer, card or PayPal. Please click here to email me your booking.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT RESTORE YOUR BODY COURSES

“My shoulders have dropped a mile – thank you!”

“My feet feel so soft and flexible, it’s like power walking on clouds!”

“Each session built on the last one, I feel that I have really learnt something about how my body works.”

Self-care for 2022

Happy New Year to you!
I hope that you’ve had a chance to rest and relax over the festive season. Feldenkrais classes start again this week so it’s a chance to get into a routine of self-care for 2022.
If you’re not ready to come back to live classes, Wednesday Feldy Online continues at 6-7pm. This weekly online session explores a range of classic Feldenkrais lessons that help reduce muscle tension and improve your range of movement.  The drop-in rate is £8.00 and you can book here . Alternatively, you can buy a Class Pass which is valid for 12 weeks – that’s five classes for £35. Please email me to get this.
I’ve created a new live Feldenkrais course for people to try! The “Restore Your Body” course is for four sessions where you’ll get the opportunity to delve a little deeper into a theme. Many of the Feldenkrais lessons address a certain subject, e.g. stiff shoulders, flexibility in the spine. I’ve put together four lessons on one topic only so that you can feel the real benefit and change from a concentrated approach.
The first course is ‘Relieving Tension in the Neck and Shoulders”, the dates are:

15th, 22nd, 29th January and 5th February 2022

​The second course is “Releasing Stiffness in the Feet and Ankles”, the dates are:
19th, 26th February and 5th, 12th March.
One four-week course is just £30 or buy both courses for £50. Email me to book or ask any
questions.
Venue: Room 4, All Saints Church Eccleshall, Ringinglow Road, Sheffield S11 7PP.
My 1:1 sessions (Functional Integration) are continuing on Mondays from 11-2pm at The Practice Rooms in Sheffield. I’m observing safe Covid measures for these and will continue to do so for the time being. These 1 hour sessions can be a real benefit to addressing long term issues around stiffness, lack of mobility or poor posture.
I am continuing a small amount of 1:1 sessions online for people who are either isolating or can’t travel into Sheffield to see me. During lockdown, this online work has proven surprisingly successful and I’m delighted that so many people have benefited from gentle encouragement and exploration. Again, if you’re interested in trying this, let me know.
I hope to see you soon – in the meantime, all best wishes for 2022!