Jane Ella Matthews, M.Ed,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner
GOFP, LMBT (Lic. # 1587)
jemtt@att.net
864.918.9281
Feldenkrais® Practitioner
GOFP, LMBT (Lic. # 1587)
jemtt@att.net
864.918.9281
news from feldenkrais greenville
Vol. 1, No. 2, April 2012
Vol. 1, No. 2, April 2012
Visit our main website at
http://feldenkraisgreenville.com
http://feldenkraisgreenville.com
Jane Ella: 864 918-9281 or jemtt@att.net
www.feldenkraisgreenville.com
www.feldenkraisgreenville.com
copyright ©2012 Jane Ella Matthews
Happy spring to you all!
What is efficiency? The dictionary defines "efficient" as "Functioning or producing effectively, and with the least waste of effort." This seems to be a clear definition...
The goal of the Feldenkrais work is to move more efficiently. The Awareness Through Movement (ATM) video I've prepared for you is one way to take a break while improving the quality of performing a simple task - picking something up from the floor.
Here's a variation: In the video you are instructed to do the movements seated. I encourage you to also try them standing.
What is efficiency? The dictionary defines "efficient" as "Functioning or producing effectively, and with the least waste of effort." This seems to be a clear definition...
The goal of the Feldenkrais work is to move more efficiently. The Awareness Through Movement (ATM) video I've prepared for you is one way to take a break while improving the quality of performing a simple task - picking something up from the floor.
Here's a variation: In the video you are instructed to do the movements seated. I encourage you to also try them standing.
During the past two centuries, industrial and technological advances have vastly increased what we can produce and the effect we can exert on our immediate and distant environment with the least amount of effort. Work environments - including furniture, appliances, and computers at home and in workplaces - have evolved over the years with this goal in mind.
So it is that we can sit down at 7 a.m. with our coffee and pay our bills, chat with friends, make business arrangements, read, get the news, conduct research, order groceries, create media presentations from start to finish, and attend a conference - and our sitting-bones do not have to move until we get into a car to go home at 5 p.m. or later - especially if we're extra-smart and bring our lunch to work!
There is a pattern here: "Waste of effort" seems to be equated with extraneous movement. Is it true that extraneous movement is wasted effort, and therefore "inefficient"?
So it is that we can sit down at 7 a.m. with our coffee and pay our bills, chat with friends, make business arrangements, read, get the news, conduct research, order groceries, create media presentations from start to finish, and attend a conference - and our sitting-bones do not have to move until we get into a car to go home at 5 p.m. or later - especially if we're extra-smart and bring our lunch to work!
There is a pattern here: "Waste of effort" seems to be equated with extraneous movement. Is it true that extraneous movement is wasted effort, and therefore "inefficient"?
Doctors James Levine and Seline Yager of the Mayo Clinic say "No!" Their research has linked a sedentary lifestyle to obesity, (which leads to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems), depression, and social isolation).
Moreover, their data shows that the practice of eliminating as much "extraneous" movement as possible in the workplace has a negative effect on productivity. Conversely, people who are encouraged to take movement breaks, "walk" messages to co-workers, conduct meetings on a walk, or even work while on a treadmill get more done, get sick less often, and healthcare costs go down. They also lose weight - and keep it off.
To me that is efficient use of energy
Moreover, their data shows that the practice of eliminating as much "extraneous" movement as possible in the workplace has a negative effect on productivity. Conversely, people who are encouraged to take movement breaks, "walk" messages to co-workers, conduct meetings on a walk, or even work while on a treadmill get more done, get sick less often, and healthcare costs go down. They also lose weight - and keep it off.
To me that is efficient use of energy
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you have a question about the Feldenkrais Method? Email it to me at jemtt@att.net , I will answer it, and may include it in the newsletter with your permission!
Q: How is the hands-on Feldenkrais session different from a massage?
A: I am a certified Feldenkrais practitioner and a licensed massage therapist. I offer hands-on Feldenkrais lessons and massage therapy, so I appreciate the value of both approaches.
A hands-on Feldenkrais lesson is called a Functional Integration lesson (FI). LIke massage it is often done with the client lying on a table. Both modalities relieve tension and overworked muscles, both improve circulation, and both can induce relaxation or alertness and feelings of well-being. Yet the two approaches differ in their underlying premise.
The purpose of an FI is to explore the way one moves. Therefore clients remains fully clothed except for shoes and usually jewelry and glasses. Clients are not draped during an FI so that they can move freely.
During an FI, the practitioner guides the client through a sequence of positions, movements and orientations within her easy range of motion. She is encouraged to notice subtle differences, to discriminate among different qualities of movement, and to allow the better options to emerge in daily life. It is estimated that most people use only about 5% of their brain's capability, so the practitioner wants to enable the client to perceive something about herself that she may have not realized before - or may have forgotten. Improving self awareness (the self image) by moving in nonhabitual ways is central in the Feldenkrais work. Relief from pain and improvements in circulation are secondary benefits.
During a massage the client's body is draped. Clothes are usually removed so that oil can be applied to the skin. The therapist uncovers each area as she works with it, then redrapes it so it will stay warm. Therefore the client does not move very much during the massage. (During sports massages the client remains fully clothed; still he is relatively passive). The therapist's goal is to recondition and improve blood and lymph circulation (oxygen and nutrient delivery, waste removal) in the tissues by applying kneading, rubbing, stroking, stretching, deep pressure, or percussion to them. Positive changes in the way a client sees himself or the way he moves are secondary to that.
So, FI and massage start at different ends of the structure - function spectrum, though both have the goal of improving one's quality of life. choosing which modality to use is a matter of personal taste and preference.
Massage therapy appeals to some. They may enjoy the chance to relax, to just "let go" of stress during therapy. They feel better during and after a massage. Some consider regular massages to be an essential part of their healthy routine and lifestyle. Still others employ a massage therapist to help their muscles recover faster between strenuous workouts, enabling them to continue a demanding training regimen without injury.
Functional Integration is favored by others. Many people find deep tissue techniques to be painful and do not enjoy or benefit from them. Others prefer to learn how to cater to themselves without returning to a therapist indefinitely every week or two for the same issue. Still others will return for more FI lessons after their initial problem has improved or been resolved. They are curious and enjoy self-discovery. They want to make more improvements - improvements that may be a surprise, especially to themselves!
You can access this newsletter directly any time at the address above, or through my website at www.feldenkraisgreenville.com I will add new content as it arrives. I plan to email a newsletter once per quarter, plus announcements of upcoming opportunities as they become available.
Subscriptions may be reserved by emailing subscriptions@metamoves.info (It's free.)
Do you have a question about the Feldenkrais Method? Email it to me at jemtt@att.net , I will answer it, and may include it in the newsletter with your permission!
Q: How is the hands-on Feldenkrais session different from a massage?
A: I am a certified Feldenkrais practitioner and a licensed massage therapist. I offer hands-on Feldenkrais lessons and massage therapy, so I appreciate the value of both approaches.
A hands-on Feldenkrais lesson is called a Functional Integration lesson (FI). LIke massage it is often done with the client lying on a table. Both modalities relieve tension and overworked muscles, both improve circulation, and both can induce relaxation or alertness and feelings of well-being. Yet the two approaches differ in their underlying premise.
The purpose of an FI is to explore the way one moves. Therefore clients remains fully clothed except for shoes and usually jewelry and glasses. Clients are not draped during an FI so that they can move freely.
During an FI, the practitioner guides the client through a sequence of positions, movements and orientations within her easy range of motion. She is encouraged to notice subtle differences, to discriminate among different qualities of movement, and to allow the better options to emerge in daily life. It is estimated that most people use only about 5% of their brain's capability, so the practitioner wants to enable the client to perceive something about herself that she may have not realized before - or may have forgotten. Improving self awareness (the self image) by moving in nonhabitual ways is central in the Feldenkrais work. Relief from pain and improvements in circulation are secondary benefits.
During a massage the client's body is draped. Clothes are usually removed so that oil can be applied to the skin. The therapist uncovers each area as she works with it, then redrapes it so it will stay warm. Therefore the client does not move very much during the massage. (During sports massages the client remains fully clothed; still he is relatively passive). The therapist's goal is to recondition and improve blood and lymph circulation (oxygen and nutrient delivery, waste removal) in the tissues by applying kneading, rubbing, stroking, stretching, deep pressure, or percussion to them. Positive changes in the way a client sees himself or the way he moves are secondary to that.
So, FI and massage start at different ends of the structure - function spectrum, though both have the goal of improving one's quality of life. choosing which modality to use is a matter of personal taste and preference.
Massage therapy appeals to some. They may enjoy the chance to relax, to just "let go" of stress during therapy. They feel better during and after a massage. Some consider regular massages to be an essential part of their healthy routine and lifestyle. Still others employ a massage therapist to help their muscles recover faster between strenuous workouts, enabling them to continue a demanding training regimen without injury.
Functional Integration is favored by others. Many people find deep tissue techniques to be painful and do not enjoy or benefit from them. Others prefer to learn how to cater to themselves without returning to a therapist indefinitely every week or two for the same issue. Still others will return for more FI lessons after their initial problem has improved or been resolved. They are curious and enjoy self-discovery. They want to make more improvements - improvements that may be a surprise, especially to themselves!
You can access this newsletter directly any time at the address above, or through my website at www.feldenkraisgreenville.com I will add new content as it arrives. I plan to email a newsletter once per quarter, plus announcements of upcoming opportunities as they become available.
Subscriptions may be reserved by emailing subscriptions@metamoves.info (It's free.)