A large number of the people I see in my practice have had recurrent episodes of back, neck and shoulder pain. When I work with them in an individual session we explore patterns of movement of the affected area as they relate to the whole body. We are looking for ways to make movement in the painful areas more possible and to reintegrate them into a full body scheme.
But now the secret of how we work is out! As Michael Sigman writes in the attached article in Sunday’s Huffington Post, Feldenkrais practitioners will often begin to explore movement in an area far removed from the one in pain. When we are in pain we protect and guard the painful area making movement exploration challenging. By starting remotely we can enhance movement in areas not in pain, help the whole nervous system relax and then the whole body is more receptive to learning new movement patterns.
But if you have episodic pain in your neck and shoulder area, perhaps as a result of being hunched over your computer too long or sitting in traffic, you can try the following short movement exploration:
- Sit comfortably on a chair with your legs uncrossed, feet firmly on the floor, hip width apart.
- Raise your left shoulder a TINY bit toward your ear as you inhale. Drop it as you exhale. The amount you raise it can be so small that someone standing in front of you might not notice. Repeat 2-3 times.
- Return to the starting position and then lower your left shoulder. Can you feel it moving down over your ribs? Repeat a few times.
- From the starting position bring your left shoulder a little forward (in front of you) and return it. You might notice your right shoulder coming a little backward and your head turning slightly right.
- Finally bring your left shoulder a little back, noticing the effect in your right shoulder, chest and sternum and your head.
- Try to move your left shoulder to all 4 points, describing a small circle. Breathe easily as you do so and go very slowly so that you can clearly feel the circle.
- As you make all the movements pay attention to your neck and try to make it soft and tension free. Also take note of any movement in your upper chest, sternum and upper ribs.
- After a brief rest explore the same movements on the right side.
- This whole sequence can be completed in 3-5 minutes and is a good way to take a quick break periodically throughout the day.
- Before resuming your work or getting up, let your shoulders rest and notice what position they rest in.
Summer classes begin July 11.
We have two classes a week in the summer:
July 11-August 15
6 classes for $90
Drop ins $20, space permitting.
Wednesdays at 9:30 am
Wednesdays at 7 pm
Because of our reduced schedule our summer classes fill quickly. Register today to save your space.
