Growing your Dignity

Dear Students:
Awhile ago, a fellow practitioner who was retiring chose to pass onto me some audio tapes of Moshe Feldenkrais teaching workshops.  I was grateful to him for such a priceless gift even though I did not have a device to listen to them on.  Recently, friends of mine found an old cassette player and knew I could use it.  When they gave it to me, I felt like I had received a key to a treasure chest of information!

Since then, I have been having fun rolling on the floor and hearing the skillful ways Moshe conducted his classes. I decided to share with you today, some of his wisdom & quotes from when he taught the general public in Dallas, Texas in 1981.

During the workshop, he created an atmosphere which gave each person an opportunity to become inquisitive.  He emphasized that when “as a baby, learning is the major occupation of the nervous system” curiosity comes easily.  As an adult, many have to learn all over again how to think, learn and help themselves.  Moshe went out of his way to spark his students’ interest because he knew this was a key ingredient for their development. 

When students took themselves too seriously, Dr. Feldenkrais lightened the mood with a good joke.  To halt over thinking minds, he told intriguing stories.  And when someone needed to become aware of what they were doing, he would surprise them by the manner in which he spoke to them.

Moshe explained how we in society have become like obedient robots to authority figures, which stunts our ability to freely evolve the way Picasso, Mozart & Shakespeare did during their lives.  He clarified: “The great majority of children are alienated to their feelings – they don’t dare to do what they want to do, all their life – and they don’t dare not to do what they ought to do.  In other words we have been trained almost like machines to do what you should do and not do what you shouldn’t.  But it is not a question of whether you like it or you don’t, whether it is good for you or bad, you just have to do it.”

He then continued and ultimately complimented his audience, saying, “Now therefore you see, that at a certain age many people realize that they feel that they are much better – they could do much better for themselves than what they actually do. And therefore I consider the people who do come to such sort of work like we do – I believe they are the cream of our society. In spite of being neurotic and having trouble but they are the only ones who actually have the feeling that they deserve and can be better than they do and actually do something about getting it.”

Upon closing the day, Moshe pointed out what he observed happening with his students stating, “when you feel yourself growing, you feel your dignity growing”.  I believe this statement to be the foundation of the Feldenkrais Method and am elated when I witness this occurring in my students.

May you utilize the plethora of golden tools the Feldenkrais Method  has to offer so you can grow into your own human dignity.  I hope to see you soon to encourage you along your way! Peace!
~Donna