Very often when people come to see me, it’s around pain in the shoulders, neck or back. Pains in the neck are a common problem! The neck is one of the many areas where the cure is often in a different place to the problem. What do I mean? The neck has 7 cervical vertebrae, … More Do you have a pain in the neck?
One thing that often changes is the breathing. I was performing a concert this evening. The sensation of playing on stage was very different from the rehearsal in the afternoon. I wasn’t particularly nervous myself, so I was asking myself what feels different and why? I did a self scan: a technique I’ve learnt in … More What’s different for you when you’re on stage, compared to in the practice room?
After a Feldenkrais lesson, you might feel different. Some of you report having more sense of groundedness, breathing more freely, of moving with greater ease, or relaxation. Other people feel their balance or co-ordination has changed. Or something about the way they move or feel about themselves has shifted. Students often ask how can I … More How can you keep the feeling alive after a Feldenkrais Lesson?
What if it’s not really useful to breathe into the belly? When they tell you to breathe into the belly, most people actually mean diaphragmatic breathing. Belly breathing is a version of it at least: to access the lengthening of the lungs as well as outward expansion. But that’s not always the only effect. The … More Belly breathing: A hidden cause of back pain?
Since becoming a Feldenkrais teacher, now a decade ago, I’ve become more and more fascinated with our anatomy. We’re so fortunate to have access in our digital world to teachers all around the world. I’ve been particularly taken with the dissection work of Gill Hedley. And took some time in the preparation of these lessons … More Ribs and the Intercostals: A team in the movement of breathing and moving
Some of you may aware of tension in their torso, (which is made of the many bones of the ribcage). but many have forgotten what having a comfortable, supple ribcage feels like. A flexible chest allows healthy movement through your whole body, and improves your ability to breathe. Your ribs are designed for flexibility. With 12 pairs, … More Why should you care about freedom in your ribs?
For many musicians, breath is thought of as fuel: the more you inhale, the more you have to give. It might seem logical to “take a big breath” before a demanding phrase or passage. More air should mean more sound? Yet this pursuit of volume often makes breathing harder, not easier. The act of trying … More The Myth of the Big Breath
This last ten days I’ve been a little under the weather with a cold. Not unusual for this time of year of course. It’s been interesting to think about the experience of having a cold from a movement point of view. And to notice the change in holding patterns that come with illness.The most noticeable … More The adaptive breath: how illness affects breathing and what to do about it
As it’s the Jewish New Year this week, (Shana Tova to those of you that celebrate!), I thought it might be interesting to share a Hebrew concept many of you may not have heard of. Hafshata: “the virtue that arises when something is taken away.” I was introduced to it recently, when a Feldenkrais colleague wrote about … More Freeing your Ribs: Part 3
The ribs appeared during the period in evolution when we were fish. And although they weren’t primarily designed for breathing, but rather movement, today they’re also quite crucial for optimal breathing! If the ribs are stiff, we can’t move the lungs to their full capacity. And although we don’t need that ability all the time, we … More Freeing your Ribs
Transform how you move, feel and live 