It’s a phrase that has many meanings, of course, but I was thinking in the literal sense. Often when we spend a lot of time on computers, screens, or simply sightreading or reading, we take our head forwards in space, like a turtle. But it’s not designed to stay there! Our head is optimal when … More Are you sticking your neck out?
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?
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
Exploring the Connection Between Tension, Voice, and Expression Sound is, at its essence, the oscillation or vibration of air. It travels through space as waves, ripples set in motion by something moving. When we speak, sing, or play an instrument, we’re the source of that movement. The quality of our sound is directly influenced by … More How Much of You Vibrates When You Make Sound?
Are you over-using your muscles to stay upright? We tend to think that if something isn’t working, the answer is to use more power. More force. Using muscular power without skeletal co-ordination tends to lead to fatigue, and over-compensation. Which in turn can add more tension that we need. Leading to more fatigue. So more … More Forget Force: Move smarter, not harder
This week I was teaching anatomy around the arm. You might be amused to know that the funny bone, the very end of the elbow isn’t actually the humerus bone! Like many, I used to think it was. But the pointy bit of your elbow is actually the ulna. That’s one of forearm bones that runs … More How funny is the funny bone?
In these last weeks, I have been teaching a series of lessons on Anatomy for Musicians. A little anatomical visit to the area, finding it on yourself, and then a Feldenkrais lesson to help free it up. This week we’ve been looking at the chest. As a Feldenkrais teacher who works with musicians, I see … More Can you feel your ribs move when you breathe?
The last week since coming back from Holland has sped past. I wanted to write a little about my experiences. After my travel disaster, (my passport whilst valid, was over 10 years old. Since 2018, this is no longer valid for the EU. And I only found out the day before my flight. Which meant … More What are your limits?
This week, I’m getting ready for a trip to the Netherlands, where I’ll be presenting a session called Feldenkrais in Practice at the ESTA (European String Teachers Association) conference. Each year, ESTA chooses a theme—and this time, it aligns beautifully with the Feldenkrais approach: From the Inside – Out. My presentation is based on a 4-week course I … More How long is short enough for a new practice?
the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter 