Why I Became a Feldenkrais^™ Practitioner

Six years ago, I had never even heard of Feldenkrais. I would have been one of the many people saying Feldenwhat?? But then, our beautiful daughter Nora Kate was born and diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

We started right away with all of the typical therapies available through the Early Intervention program. But when Nora Kate began crying hysterically through each of her PT sessions, we knew something needed to change. It was then that we were introduced to Feldenkrais^™, and it is difficult for me to describe how much this method has changed Nora Kate's life as well as my own. Funny how our children can send us in a completely different direction than we thought we were headed!

When we first started taking Nora Kate to New York City for Feldenkrais lessons, I watched as her Feldenkrais practitioner, Marcy Lindheimer, moved her in very gentle ways, but I had no idea what she was doing, really. Then one day, Marcy explained to me that she was working on certain movements so that some day, Nora Kate would be able to stand up in the middle of the room without holding onto anything. You know what? Three hours later, Nora Kate stood up in the middle of my parents' kitchen without holding onto anything! What clearer proof could anyone ask for that these lessons were really working.

I felt so deeply moved by the changes I saw and so grateful that whenever I got the chance, I began to talk to people about Feldenkrais. Then one day as I was sharing my enthusiasm with someone, she turned to me and said, "so why aren't you doing this work?" And to be honest, that thought had never occurred to me. I was, after all, a high school English teacher, not a movement specialist. But that one question changed the course of my life.

Now, after 4 years of intensive study at The Feldenkrais Institute of New York, I can proudly say that I am both a teacher and a movement specialist. And more importantly, I love what I do, and I believe in it wholeheartedly! So, every time someone comes up to me to ask what we have done differently with Nora Kate, I can offer some truly valuable answers, and I now understand very clearly how useful this work is for anyone and everyone.

Who can benefit from the Feldenkrais Method^™?

This Method is for anyone who wants to make everything they do simpler, easier, and more effective. The Feldenkrais Method^™ helps to bring your awareness to a new level where you can begin to understand how to use your whole self in every action, leading to a more effortless, graceful, and potent way of being. It can help you to lose the pain and regain the function of a younger self. Who among us does not want to move as if we were 20 years younger. Not only does it help you move to a younger self, but it also helps you to regain the curiosity and learning of a younger you as well! So many benefits to offer, and it is incredibly relaxing and stress-reducing as well!!

Some benefits of the Feldenkrais Method^™

• Relieve stress, pain, and tension.
• Restore lost function.
• Improve flexibility and posture.
• Renew your sense of vitality, health, and emotional well-being.
• Helps you to attain greater ease and pleasure in all of your physical pursuits.
• Instills a better sense of timing, coordination, and balance in athletes and performing artists.
• Taps into your brain's natural curiousity to keep your brain fit and flexible.