Participating in a Feldenkrais method session with Robert Boyd of Triangle Feldenkrais was a unique and refreshing experience. Feldenkrais, although a foreign word to some, is a universal modality orienting itself around teaching the body new mechanisms and ways of moving. Triangle Feldenkrais is homely situated in the Whole Life Center on Ridge Rd., across from Whole Foods in Raleigh. The room where the session occurs is small and centers around a massage-like table where the participant either sits or lays to begin a form of bodywork.
Before starting the session, minor intake and background on the individual is performed in order for the educator to see where the client is currently and where he or she wants to go. Feldenkrais can help anyone who wants to regain movement and benefit from progress to the nervous system’s function, no matter if they are athletes, dancers, or chronic pain sufferers. Robert asked me what I hoped to get from the session and really encouraged me to think in the form of one tangible activity or change I’d like to see take place. Although this seemed vague, with some imagination, it was not hard to translate my shoulder and neck pain into the idea of being able to turn my head in either direction while driving. Something so simple actually requires a change in what has become restricted movement and neurological pathways dictating that movement.
Although Robert’s mission is not to address the years of dysfunction and structural problems that led to my rotation problems, he does assert that there are ways to regain this movement and reorder the body to perform such an action. The muscles can be re-taught through the interplay of stretches, strengthening the student’s awareness, and altering nervous system impulses and coordination. My session appeared very much like a collaborative effort between the practitioner and participant in order to reach our goals. Still, it is comforting that Robert was “in charge” of navigating through and changing the pace or patterns for movement, especially since he is the expert. Sometimes, Robert noted, the course of the session will change once he lays hands on limbs or areas that need to be moved in different ways.
Feldenkrais is gentle and intimate, in that there is an exchange of ideas, thoughts, and movement going on during the session. It is non-invasive and unlike many other named systems or techniques that improve function, like physical therapy or even yoga. I found that the stretching and reorientation of my muscles did create changes in how my body felt and moved after the session was over. Feldenkrais does not seek to cure one’s ailments but to reform and work with the body one has. I think repeated sessions would help the progress and especially the neurological work to “stick,” but it is not a requirement to begin with a practitioner. There is merit deciding to any time spent opening the body up to fulfilling its capabilities.
The Feldenkrais method is an almost unexplainable technique for changing movement and gaining awareness of one’s body. It was an experience I hope to repeat and I know each time I go I will learn something different about my body and how it is able to move and change. I believe that the relaxation and rejuvenating rest I received afterwards and during sleep that night was a surprising bonus. I also ado not think any two experiences would be alike, even for me as the same participant. There is much to explore and I would desire for everyone try Feldenkrais at least once to achieve goals for bettering their mind, body, and soul alike.
|
