As we age, our reflexes become slower and less efficient. These age-related declines affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The entire signal chain is slower from sensation to muscle response. There is a process of brain atrophy occurring which reduces its ability to process information and send commands [...]
Doctors, Physical & Occupational Therapists are all taught to see and treat pain locally, I.E. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as an issue at the volar wrist, and Tennis Elbow in the lateral elbow. Yet as with my trained Feldenkrais eye, I have learned that these diagnoses indicate where the symptoms appear, [...]
In this article I’ll share with you some ideas to enhance your self awareness and some steps to help you sit more comfortably and improve your performance in athletic and recreational activities that involve seated positions. My own experience of injury and chronic back pain resulted in my inability to [...]
Horses and riding are my lifelong passion. One of my first memories of horses was sitting on my neighbor's horse as a very young child. Every time my parents tried to take me off the horse I would cry! There was an immediate electric connection between the two of us. [...]
For many people sitting and driving — two of our most common activities — are frequently challenging, or even painful. As a Feldenkrais® teacher I’ve noticed that most of my students who find sitting uncomfortable have the idea that if they could just find the “right” chair and the “right” [...]
Can you explain how skin affects balance? By Carol Montgomery, GCFP It is commonly known that loss of joint range of motion in the foot, ankle, hip and spine can impact one’s balance1-3, especially when trying to walk across an uneven parking lot, the backyard, down a gravel driveway [...]
By Carolyn Palmer, GCFP CM, Ph.D., for SenseAbility May 2022 Hands and feet are wonderfully sensitive, and they do so much! Here are some ideas for sensation and movement explorations focused on hands or feet. You can do these on yourself, or on someone else (who will thank you for [...]
By: Mary Susan Chen, PT, GCFP Dominic attended Functional Integration® lessons to smooth out his violin playing. He had recently joined a trio and wanted to improve the quality of his performance. During a summer trip to Cape Cod, he and his family dined in an old train car converted [...]
By Jean Elvin, MFA, GCFP Sitting down or standing up from a chair – what could be a more common daily action? Unwittingly, many people have the erroneous internal image of standing straight up from the chair, without inclining their weight over their feet, omitting the sense of counter-balance between [...]
Photo by Mark Williams on Unsplash By Dorothy Henning, GCFP, Havening Techniques® Practitioner As the lights dim darkening the circus tent, our chatter descends into a hush. The spotlights bolt on, illuminating the center ring where our eyes dash, riveted to the image of a plumber crouched under a sink. [...]