Sometimes we need something new in our lives to shake things up, or give us a different view point. It’s a role friends and family can fulfil, pointing out ideas we haven’t thought of. Or, it can be useful to ask someone outside our circle for help and advice. In a different realm, it’s the role of a holiday, outside our usual timetable, in a new place, where things are done differently to at home.
For some years, pre-Covid, I’ve tried to do something different every once in a while- to shake up my own thinking. Some of you know that besides being a Feldenkrais teacher and musician, I also make things. Bows and mutes for the violin family. Not so many these days, but it’s still part of my work portfolio.
Last week I went on a Wood Engraving course, for the same reason. To have a day off, and try something new, different to normal. It’s a form of wood-cut printing, that uses the end-grain of the wood so you can create fine lines. It was a lot of fun, and I discovered new tools that would be useful for my other making work, that I wouldn’t have known about, and perhaps a new hobby! (The picture is the rest- it is tiny.)
The brain thrives on differences
A fresh look, another view point, can be the answer whatever we’re learning, and wherever we are in that journey. Our brains thrive on novelty, and difference. After all, learning to differentiate (tell the difference between things) is learning. Differentiating between an in- and out-of-tune note is important if you want others to listen to you with pleasure. Or grading volumes and colours to create a palette of colours. They’re all ways of noticing differences in the way we do things.
Whatever we do requires movement for it to become action.
Otherwise it’s just thinking. So the work we do in Feldenkrais is fundamental. As we become masters of movement, we can do what we want more easily. And have more resources to track movements in ourselves and others. Whether that’s improving what we’re doing, or reducing physical pain or anxiety. So as I take a break over August, I hope you have a good pause or rest!
If you’re a member (paying weekly or termly), you’ll have access to the term’s recordings, which I hope will keep you busy! Otherwise I’ll look forwards to seeing you in September when we start again.
Would you like to work with me? Drop in for your first group lesson for free. Or contact me for a free short discovery consultation. Send me an email, or phone (07939277189). If I can’t pick up, leave me a message with some times to reach you.
Transform how you move, feel and live 