What is your best impulsive decision you have every made in your life?

Ten years ago, I was lying on the floor at a musicians’ injury workshop at Ithaca College and was flooded with relief from my pain and in total relaxation.  I had never felt that kind of bliss from just doing movements in my imagination. It was my first experience with the Feldenkrais® Method, and I was hooked.

One year later, with just that experience and talking to a colleague about the Method, I enrolled in the four year teacher training in Toronto.  People close to me know I’m a planner.  I researched about occupational therapy for six years prior to enrollment.  I enjoy meal planning when I’m entertaining.  Planning is safe and structured.

I followed my intuition and sought to learn more about the Feldenkrais® Method to obtain pain relieve.  What I gained from the training and the Feldenkrais® Method, was much more and life altering.  I was given the tools on how to navigate my life.  The Feldenkrais® Method taught me how to do research in my life, by posing a series of questions such as where is it easy? In what situations do you hold your breath? What happens when you focus on quality and not quantity?

Moshe Feldenkrais created the Method to resolve his knee injuries.  By doing small, gentle movements slowly and with awareness, he discovered that he improved his function.  Today, there are Feldenkrais Practitioners® all over the world.

Curious? Are you a lifelong learner? Here’s a mini Feldenkrais® lesson.

Lie on the floor. Bring your attention to your inhalation.  Where does your inhalation start?  In your abdomen?  Your chest?  Use your index finger to tap the length of your inhalation.  Just notice without judgement and with openness.  Does your exhalation start at the same place as your inhalation?  Tap the length of your exhalation.  Which one is longer?  Inhalation or exhalation?  Exhale; hold your exhalation till you feel ready to inhale.  How long is the pause after your exhalation? When we are stressed, the pauses between our inhalation and exhalation become longer and longer.  Rest.  Is your mind a bit clearer?  Come to standing and walk around the room.

I welcome you to join me on Sunday, September 13 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm  for my free workshop on the Feldenkrais® Method to start the journey for you to learn more about your habits and learn new ways on how to move with less pain.

Susan Yee has been a registered occupational therapist for 18 years in the areas of physical medicine and mental health. She has an interest in helping vocalists and musicians stay healthy. She also practices the Feldenkrais Method®. She is the owner of SoundPerformance: Occupational Therapy.