A Feldenkrais Blog

Dear Students:
Through the Feldenkrais Method we learn to become aware of our thoughts and as they change to more positive ones our movements & actions reorganize with them.  This is why transformation is possible for any one that applies the learned principles from this wonderful method.

At the Town Hall meeting on November 16th, Concerned Men & Women Against Smart Meters came together from Lancaster county & surrounding areas and formed powerful, new thoughts.  Our dream of creating a Pennsylvania without the existence of smart meters is materializing with each of our aspirations & actions.

Throughout history, Bards have had the power to change the collective thought through parables & song. I share with you a song that helps me move through challenging moments. Sing along with  Amos Lee and me to help secure these parting words into the ether!

“When the lights go out, all that I can dream about is how we’ll see better days” ~ Amos Lee, Singer, Song Writer & Bard

May your words & desires create a better tomorrow for all!
Wishing you and your family peace during this holiday season,
~Donna

F.Y.I.: To get a smart meter removed from your home the following videos will explain the successful steps you need to take: episode 1 and episode 2. After watching both episodes print out the documents.  If you have any questions when filling them out feel free to call me at 717.898.3359 and I can help you.

Dear Students:
Whenever someone comes to me for help I always search for the root cause of their problem.  For instance, if I work with a person experiencing back pain, I focus on seeing what he is doing to induce it.  If I find that the culprit is due to the way he habitually sits I bring this to his attention.  Then I embark on the process of teaching him how to sit more efficiently through hands on Functional Integration sessions and Awareness Through Movement lessons.  When he senses the difference between sitting his habitual way versus a more efficient way then he can choose the way that results in comfortable movement.  Understanding what the root of a problem is opens one up to new possibilities and empowerment.

For me the root of my problem is wireless smart meters.  As many of you know I no longer have an office to work at because of the harmful effects of smart meters. The fact is, Lancaster county has smart meters on every building except where people are lawfully fighting for their rights.  A solution for me and everyone is to create a smart meter free environment and will require community effort.  Here are the steps I am taking so I can work again in a healthy location!

First I am educating people about the truth regarding radiating, trespassing smart meters.  SecondIy I am organizing a town hall meeting to teach people how to take the proper steps to successfully get smart meters removed from their homes, work places and surrounding buildings.  Next with a seed group of like minded individuals, we will support those that choose to stand up and we will walk on this journey together.  I have been privileged to witness the transformation in a company of people that are already doing this and am grateful and honored to strongly stand with them.     

The video that I have included is very empowering and I highly recommend to take the time to watch it.  Following is a quote that I think appropriately describes the men that are leading the InPower movement, Josh del Sol and Cal Washington.  I feel blessed that they are living on the earth today!

“When there are many men lacking in decency, there are always others who have in themselves the decency of many.  They are the ones who rebel with terrible force against the robbers of their peoples’ freedom – hence robbers of their decency.  Such men are the embodiment of thousands, of a whole people, of human dignity.  Such men are sacred.” ~Jose Marti, quoted by Gregoriao Seiser in Sandino (Light and Truth, Dec. 1984).

I hope to see many of you on November 16th to begin the process of creating a better tomorrow for everyone!
~Donna

F.Y.I.  After watching the video you may want to watch episode 2.  If you need help filling out the documents, people at the town hall meeting can help you or call me at 717.898.3359.

Dear Students:
Halloween is an opportune time to become aware of what it feels like when wearing a mask or costume.  Notice that the simple act of changing your clothes has the power to change how you behave, talk, walk and move.  Use your attention during your halloween dress up to feel the transformation in yourself.  Later use it to notice the many invisible masks that you wear daily.  How many hidden faces do you assume in one day?  Which one do you depend upon most often – the parent, boss, employee, coach, sister, brother, rebel, hero, etc.?  Remember that you are much more than the masks that you utilize.  Only by first becoming aware of your disguises can you choose to find out what lies beneath them. 

Since I am unable to work in buildings with smart meters, I have involuntarily taken off my Feldenkrais Practitioner mask and I have learned more about who lives behind it.  The main thing I have deeply realized is that the we are all One and we are a Community.  If one is harmed by something all of the community is harmed.  For example, currently if a student needs my services they can not receive them from me.  The person wanting my help is the first in the community to be effected because he/she will realize they will have to find another way to help themselves or, they will live one day longer with pain, discomfort or not being able to fully participate in their art form.  The next people effected are that person’s loved ones, and so on down the line…..

If you want to have a smart meter removed from your home there is an effective way to do it and the following videos will explain the successful steps you need to take: episode 1 and episode 2.  Each step can bring you to a new understanding of how imperative it is for us to stop the smart grid in it’s tracks to save humanity and the earth.  I thank you now for listening and promise that by taking action great things will come because of it.
~Donna

F.Y.I.  Video Links: https://inpowermovement.com . After watching both episodes print out the documents, fill them out and send them in.

Dear Students:
During Saturday, September 23rd’s workshop, Enhancing Your Intelligence, the Feldenkrais lessons I have chosen to teach, will keep everyone on their toes due to extra mental twists that accompany the movements. 

Following is an example of an easy way for you to explore on a daily basis to help boost your speed of thought.  Choose one simple task that you do often and never give any thought to how you do it because it is so habitual.  I will pick the task of opening and closing the blinds for this example. First, open the blinds with your dominant arm and pay close attention to how you organize yourself while doing this action. 

Do your shoulders turn when you open the blinds or stand still?
Do your eyes look at your hand as you pull the cord or elsewhere?  Does your head follow your eyes?
Does your pelvis turn to the left, right or stay in the middle?
Which direction do your feet point as you do this task?
Do you inhale or exhale during this action?
What kind of thoughts are linked to this habit?

After you become aware of how your organize your dominant side to open or close the blinds then you are ready to teach your other side to move in a similar way.  When you first open the blinds with the non-dominant side ask yourself the same awareness questions as above.  You may be surprised to find out that this side may only rely on one part of your body to do this job.  Over time, that lonely part of yourself may become over worked.  This is why it is so important to teach this side to become more intelligent. Thoughtfully teach the non-dominant side to organize in a similar way as your dominant side whenever you open or close the blinds.  (Can you see how differently I organize myself in the photos?)

The longer you explore the greater the rewards will be. May you better your concentration skills and become a sharper thinker along the way!
~Donna

Dear Students:
Over the last several months as I have been taking actions to keep my home and work space free from the harmful effects of smart meters I have been knocked down more than a few times.  Every time I struggle to get back on my feet, I notice remarkable changes in myself, afterwards.

I now have novel moments of carrying my head in it’s central axis, which has been a long search for me.  The experience of living with my head in a balanced position has enabled me to recognize when I unnecessarily hold it off center.  This awareness allows me to instantly stop the unwanted holding.  As a result, my posture has improved immeasurably and I have become empowered beyond my wildest dreams.  The movement pattern that goes with my new behavior of standing up for my rights (to a corporation & a commission) is exactly what I need to“keep my head on straight”!

I feel like this baffling experience is a lesson on Dr. Feldenkrais’s definition of health: “Health is measured, not by the capacity to stay standing, but by the ability to be knocked down and then return to standing.” ~Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

I am beholden to the Feldenkrias Method for making it possible to take my stance due to over two decades worth of lessons under my belt.  When this chapter in my life plays itself out, I believe I will prevail and will help others in ways I never could have before.
~Donna

F.Y.I:  If you already have a smart meter on your home, you can protect your family, neighbors, animals and plants from it’s emissions by shielding it.  This will not solve all the problems that smart meters cause but it will help considerably.  You can purchase a smart guard;  or you can learn to make one on your own from many youtube videos.

 

Dear Students:
While at the beach, my Dad read a newspaper survey that said, “What Americans like to do most on vacation is nothing”. This statement made me realize that doing nothing is not beneficial during one’s time off contrary to what most people believe.  I know that people are very busy and many are too tired to want to think about change let alone develop a new habit during vacation. But I hope to succeed in showing you it is worthwhile to use a little bit of your holiday time to create one healthy habit.

Following is an example of how to form a favorable habit.  Instead of drinking *soda during your free time, replace it with a homemade glass of *lemonade.  For a more bonding and enriching experience prepare it with a child or relative and sweeten it with honey or stevia.

If you make the effort to develop your chosen new habit, it will slowly replace the bad habit that ultimately zaps your energy.  As you drink your novel creation, sense the difference in how you feel afterwards.  Remember this feeling every time you crave a *soda, and before you know it, you won’t even want soda any more.

By replacing *soda with *lemonade, I am positive you will feel a noticeable difference in your vitality and will realize that making *lemonade is a valuable activity.  Each day open your awareness and sense the cumulative effects the behavior change has on you: physically, emotionally and mentally.  This will help you to continue on your altered path.

This summer I hope you discover, that revamping can happen painlessly any time you want.  Also maybe you will find out that you like yourself and others a little bit more because of it!
~Donna

  *Replace the words, “soda” and “lemonade” above with words such as: thoughtless words & thoughtful words; mindless exercise & mindful exercise; treadmill walking & nature walking; texting & talking; watching television & watching a sunset; future tripping & being present in the moment; over working & taking a break, etc.

Dear Students:
My first full time summer job is etched deeply in my mind because it left me feeling old & worn out at the young age of 18.  I had a repetitive desk job during the day and afterwards I went to gymnastics practice.   When I got to practice I was shocked how stiff and exhausted I felt after “just sitting” all day.   To no avail I tried my hardest to get my energy up to go through routines. I had the worst practices that I had ever had in my entire life. I didn’t have the power, strength or flexibility that I had had only days prior to beginning the job.  This feeling lasted all summer long and didn’t go away until I started college and went back to more active way of spending each day.  

Looking back at that time, I now understand why I felt so worn out.  I was sitting in a way that required my muscles to isometrically hold my skeleton in an off balanced and still position.  By the time I got to practice my body felt like a rigid board because my muscles were still tense.  Because I wasn’t moving dynamically during the day like I was accustomed to doing I noticed a considerable difference in my energy level & my flexibility.  I felt devastated. 

The hardest thing for the muscles to do is hold the skeleton in place and that is what I was asking of them.  The easiest thing for the muscles to do is to move the skeleton. 

Today I know how to sit in a skeletally supported posture and am excited to teach how in the workshop, The Art of Skeletal Sitting on Saturday, June 3.   Finding support in this way will allow you to move easily while sitting so you can be ready to do whatever you want went you get out of your chair!
~Donna

Hi Students:
Due to technical difficulties FeldenkraisBlog is entering a partnership with .net and is parting ways with .com. Please let all your friends know and if you have any trouble with my website please email me about the details.  Thanks.

My next workshop, Softening the Face, Jaw & Eyes will focus on the parts of ourselves we use and sense the most!  I have included a homunculus photo below to help you understand how much of the brain is dedicated to these areas. Notice that the the face, jaw, tongue & eyes are drawn much larger than the legs and feet to visually make this point.  

Some benefits students have experienced from softening the face are:  improved digestion, easier breathing, & relief from neck & shoulder pain.  One of my favorite stories came from a student in San Francisco after I taught a similar workshop.  She told me that when she was walking home from the workshop she heard some whistling.  She looked around to see where it was coming from and realized that she was the one spontaneously whistling.  She was delighted because until that moment in her life she had never been able to whistle!

I am confident that I will hear many more wonderful stories like this one after the workshop! I hope one of them is from you!
~Donna

Dear Students:
One of the reasons I love to study movement so much is because we use body language to communicate what there are no words for.  I know that by teaching people how to enhance their movement repertoire I am ultimately helping them express themselves more clearly & completely.

This year you don’t want to miss Netco Modern Dance company’s performance, Outside Lies.  Artistic director, Jen Berlet’s choreography will demonstrate that she needs no words to deliver her potent messages!  As she tackles very serious subjects, her dances may leave you sitting with the hairs standing up on your arms and chills running up and down your spine. That’s what happens to me every time I watch the dances during practice sessions.

To lighten the mood of the show Cindy Nehr’s quirky dance may bring a smile to your face at the moment most needed in the show. It becomes evident when watching her choreography that she has an ear like no other!  Sometimes it seems difficult for me to distinguish if she uses the dancers to accentuate the musical score or the other way around.  This playful dance is precisely timed and has made me become a better listener. 

I am going to explain the process I take myself through after every dance rehearsal so all of you can apply it to what ever you want to be able to do in your life.  As you will see the process I go through is exactly what we do in Feldenkrais® classes.

This is my second season dancing with Netco and I am challenged every time I dance with them.  Since most of what happens during rehearsals is new for me I have to practice often on my own.  When I get discouraged I remind myself, that when learning something new it must first be done slowly before it can be done quickly.  As I study the rehearsal videos at home I am only able to teach myself the choreography after I recognize what all the dance steps are.  Then I slowly do the movements over & over until I can do them faster.  When I can imagine myself dancing all the steps, I know I am one step away from successfully dancing it with the troupe.

“No matter how closely we look, it is difficult to find a mental act that can take place without the support of some physical function.”
-Moshe Feldenkrais

I am grateful to have been taken under the wing of this dance company so I can grow as a person.  I am also greatly appreciative to Moshe Feldenkrais because without the knowledge he bestowed upon us I would be a spectator in the stands for this upcoming show.  I can’t encourage you enough to keep coming regularly to Feldenkrais® classes, workshops & private sessions because in time you can learn how to discover your dreams and before you know it, creatively expressing them!
~Donna

P.S.  To schedule a Functional Integration® session for yourself or your child call me at 717.285.0399.

 

Dear Students:
When I hear people say, “I’m getting old and can’t do that anymore”, it always makes me want to have a conversation with them.  I want to explain that in most cases it is not age that brings pain, rather it is an accumulation of a habitual & unhealthy way of moving that is the culprit.

When a person carries out a harmful movement pattern for too long the body’s complaints are warnings of the damage that is occurring.  People often ignore these cranky alarms until years of repeating a bad habit results in their neurological system screaming out in pain!  Extreme pain will literally stop individuals in their tracks.  This situation can be considered negative because typical functioning becomes impossible.  But looking at it on the bright side it forces one to become aware and creates an opportunity for a big change to take place.

Let’s compare a harmful movement pattern to dripping water on a rock.  After only one year of continuous drops hitting a rock, it’s change may be difficult to detect.  But in 25 years the structure of the rock will alter so much that anyone could see it.  As soon as a person recognizes “dripping water” in some form of dis-ease he/she can act before crucial damage is done.  Fortunately through the Feldenkrais Method®, students can learn how to become aware of their habits and improve the quality of their movement & overall well being.

With that said, standing is one of the hardest things we do as human beings and many are unaware of how they do it.  In my next workshop, Increasing Your Wingspan, learn how to mindfully transform your standing.

Discover through classes, workshops & private sessions that growing healthier & wiser is only an exploration away!
~Donna