Perceptive Feeling & Sensing

Dear Students:
A concept that many Feldenkrais® students struggle with, is knowing the difference between thinking, feeling & sensing. The other day a student asked me this very question & I was very happy that it came up for her. That is because I knew she was on the precipice of new a understanding within herself. 

I started my explanation comparing feelings to sensations. The heart of my talk went something like what you shall read next.

Talking about your emotions is not feeling an emotion.  Just as, telling yourself how to stand is not sensing how you actually stand.

When you complain to your friend about your spouse’s dishes in the sink, it is a way to stop yourself from experiencing your hurt, etc.  Similarly, instructing yourself to stand like an authority figure told you, fools you into thinking you know what you are really doing.

This is what I suggest. When an emotion comes up, feel it without projecting it towards another or judging yourself.  Witness where in your body it lives. Notice how hot, cold or intense it is.  Try to identify it as anger, fear, shame, remorse, grief, etc.  Attend to how long it takes for it’s energy to alter.

In the same way, when standing, mindfully sense if you are comfortable or not.  What part of you has discomfort?  Is your breathing uninterrupted?  What is it’s rhythm like?  What part of your feet are you giving your weight to?  Are your arms hanging in front of you, to your sides or behind you?  Is there any unnecessary muscular effort going on in your abdominals, buttocks, hands, feet, or jaw? By honestly searching for awareness you can experience changes happening instantly.  Try it & see what results you get.

Every second in life requires you to move, think, sense, & feel differently.  Trying to be a certain way every moment is not realistic or healthy.  Most people with a problem or in pain don’t know how to correct their situation & end up trying to think their way to a solution. Trust me when I say, this is a sure way to create new problems. 

The thinking mind is actually the least intelligent part of yourself.  Unfortunately society breeds us to be over thinking beings instead of encouraging us to rely on our brilliant & discerning emotions, senses & movements.

It is common for most beginners to the Feldenkrais Method® to get stuck in their heads.  By consistently exploring through Awareness Through Movement® classes, workshops & Functional Integration® sessions, I have observed students become pleasantly surprised by self-transformations when they put their thinking brains on the back burner. Peace to all!
~Donna