Feldenkrais Guild (UK) monthly newsletter

'Vera' - a musician re-discovers herself
by Emma Alter

Because such precision is needed, and the movements are repeated hundreds of thousands of times, how we use ourselves whilst playing is of utmost importance - not only for the performance, but our long term physical health. Vera came to me for problems with her viola-playing, she had shoulder and back pain whilst playing, and needed something to change. She had been seeing other professionals: including a physio and an osteopath, but didn't feel it was helping, and was feeling a little at the end of the line.

In the beginning I watched her perform. A clear place to start was her set-up: the positioning of the instrument. The viola was quite unsupported and she held it out to the side. I suggested swinging the viola inwards: so both her elbows were closer to the same distance from her centre-line. If the upper arms can be symmetrical (or thereabouts) then it’s easier for the shoulders and spine to stay mobile whilst playing. Starting playing with the thoracic spine twisted is not a good idea: it not only reduces mobility, but also power. We talked about her positioning of her thumbs, starting with the idea that they don't need to be fixed, and that my solution for her pain would be to help her find possibilities for movement she couldn't see by herself, within the constraints of playing the instrument.

We then moved to the table, and hands-on work (or Functional Integration). What I had also observed in her whilst she was playing was a rigidity across the chest, back and neck. There was clearly an excessive amount of muscular tension, and it was inhibiting Vera's ability to make a good sound. It turned out that much of the problem was a gap in Vera's perception and in her ability to feel herself, hence why she couldn't change anything to the better. She was unable to notice if a part of herself has just been moving, or identify which part it was: and this included her pelvis, so fairly large parts of herself! By working with separating and re-integrating the different parts of her in different movement patterns, using Feldenkrais, we were able to wake up her kinaesthetic ability.

After some sessions together Vera was able to play and move with more awareness of herself. She regained some of her former flexibility- which translated into relief from the back and shoulder-pain she had been enduring, and more energy and stamina (as she wasn't having to support herself muscularly in the same way). She reported being able to turn her head round to see behind her whilst driving which she "hadn't done for years", walk with more pleasure, as well as hear a noticeable change in sound quality and ease of playing.

When we focus on playing an instrument often our sense of our physical self can fade right into the wallpaper, leaving only the fingers, arms, head (if we're lucky) and music in the foreground. The problem of this is that we simply don't notice what we're doing until it's too late, and we're in pain. Its the same sort of thing as one doesn't notice a shoe rubbing our toe, until we have a blister. My role, if you like, is to help the person notice what their movement habits are, and help them bring all of themself back into focus, so they can stop inhibiting their full ability to move, and for musicians therefore play more freely and expressively.

Some of the effects in my longer term clients notice (over ten sessions or so) are a clear change of posture and way of carrying themselves. This was certainly true for Vera. I often also see a rise in self esteem: which sometimes even comes out as change in dress and hair style as they transform themselves through our work together. Who knew Feldenkrais could change one's wardrobe!

Emma Alter is a Feldenkrais practitioner who has particular expertise in working with professional musicians. She has been one herself for the last 22 years, and is based in King’s Cross, central London. See Emma’s website,
themovingbrain.com, for more information.

‘Vera’ is not a real person, but a composite example for illustrative purposes of Emma’s work with several musicians.

Screwing in a lightbulb...

Try this 20 minute lesson by Ed Bartram. Do you notice how the movement of your shoulder blade, ribs and spine change as you move your hand? Do you notice more openness across your chest by the end?

And, how many Feldenkrais practitioners does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: it depends on the environment.

Photograph by Yousef-al-Nasser

News from the UK Feldenkrais Community

Yoga Show, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st October

The Guild will have a stall at this year's show, which promises to be as exciting as ever. Do come along to find out more and deepen your understanding and experience of the method.

Classes and Workshops

Take a look at the Guild website to find a teacher or a class. For a list of Feldenkrais workshops taking place in the UK in the next month:

East of England
• Sunday, 28 October 2018
Yeu-Meng Chan: Body Mindfulness through the Feldenkrais Method
Quaker Meeting House, LEIGH ON SEA SS9 1NB; web link to workshop

• Saturday, 3 November 2018, 10am - 5pm
Ed Woodall: Move around your Centre.
NORWICH, venue to be confirmed; edwoodall@me.com

• Saturday, 24 November 2018, 2 - 5.30pm
Valérie Fabre: Feel better in your neck and shoulders with the "magic roller"
The Bodywise Studio, Unit 4 Dales Brewery, Gwydir Street, CAMBRIDGE CB1 2LJ
www.feldenkraisclassescambridge.co.uk

• Sunday, 25 November 2018
Yeu-Meng Chan: Body Mindfulness through the Feldenkrais Method
Quaker Meeting House, LEIGH ON SEA SS9 1NB; web link to workshop

Wales
• Sunday, 28 October 2018, 10am - 1pm
Veronica Rock: Bending, Folding, Arching & Turning; vhrock@feldenkrais.co.uk
Verve Fitness, Health & Wellbeing, 2-4 George St., LLANGOLLEN LL20 8RE

• Saturday, 10 November 2018, 10.30am - 4.30pm
Andrew Paget: Towards Lightness; Facebook link to workshop
Upstairs Room, St Peter's Church, MACHYNLLETH

• Thursday, 22 November 2018, 11.00am - 1.00pm
Andrew Paget: Awareness Through Movement; Facebook link to workshop
Penpynfarch Studio, LLANDYSUL SA44 4RU

• Sunday, 25 November 2018, 10am - 1pm
Veronica Rock: Improving Upright Organisation, vhrock@feldenkrais.co.uk
Verve Fitness, Health & Wellbeing, 2-4 George St., LLANGOLLEN LL20 8RE

North of England
• Friday, 19 October 2018, 12 - 3pm
Veronica Rock: Mobilising the Spine; vhrock@feldenkrais.co.uk
Romiley LifeCentre, ROMILEY SK6 4BN

• Saturday, 20 October 2018, 10am - 4pm
Caroline Scott: Finding Your Strength; web link to workshop
Hebden Therapy Centre, 9 Wragley House, Valley Road, HEBDEN BRIDGE HX7 7BZ

• Saturday, 3 November 2018, 10.30am - 2.30pm
Virginia Taylor: Shoulders, necks, arms - and STERNUM! www.remindyourbody.co.uk
Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, PENRITH CA11 7TR

Scotland
• Saturday, 20 October 2018, 2 - 6pm
Jackie Adkins: Releasing Jaw & Spine; www.movetolive.co.uk
Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Rd, EDINBURGH EH16 5AB

• Sunday, 21 October 2018, 2 - 6pm
Jackie Adkins: Articulating Knees & Feet; www.movetolive.co.uk
Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Rd, EDINBURGH EH16 5AB

Ireland and other countries
• Saturday - Saturday, 20 - 27 October; 4 hours per day
Tina Lehmbeck: Move With Ease - the Feldenkrais Method
CORTIJO ROMERO, Orgiva, SPAIN; www.cortijo-romero.co.uk

London
• Saturday, 20 October 2018, 1.30 - 4.30pm
Lou Coleman; loucoleman.org
Yoga Point 122 Dalberg Road BRIXTON SW2 1AP

• Saturday, 3 November 2018, 10.30am - 4.30pm
Sophie Arditti: Freeing your Back, simple strategies to change habits that cause pain
West London Buddhist Centre, 45a Porchester Road LONDON W2 5DP, www.feldenkraisplace.co.uk

• Saturday, 3 November 2018, 10am - 12pm
Jenny Hill: Pelvis and Hip Joints for Easier Motion, www.jennyhill.org
Good Vibes Fitness, 11 Tottenham Street, London W1T 2AG

• Sunday, 4 November 2018, 12.30 - 3.30pm
Anita Fenoughty (Morrison): Finding Space to Breathe, web link
The Vestry, St Gabriel's Church, Warwick Square, Pimlico SW1V 2AD

• Sunday, 4 November 2018, 2 - 6pm
Maggy Burrowes: Feldenkrais & Your Eyes: Better Vision, Better Motion, Better Coordination
The Sunflower Centre, 81 Tressillian Rd, Brockley, LONDON, SE4 1XZ, www.vocaldynamix.com/blog

• Sunday, 4 November 2018, 10.30am - 5.30pm
Victoria Worsley: Escape the Matrix: Develop Your Range (Feldenkrais 4 Actors)
The Actors Centre, 1A Tower Street, WC2H 9NP; www.feldenkraisworks.co.uk

• Saturday, 10 November 2018, 10.30am - 4.30pm
Victoria Worsley: A Dynamic Core; www.feldenkraisworks.co.uk
Dharma Shala, 92-94 Drummond Street, Euston NW1 2HN

• Saturday, 10 November 2018, 1.30 - 4.30pm
Lou Coleman: More connectivity: Eyes & Pelvis; loucoleman.org
Yoga Point 122 Dalberg Road BRIXTON SW2 1AP

• Friday, 16 November 2018, 11am - 3pm
Alex Frazier: Stroke Event, relaxing classes for Stroke Survivors
Archway; www.bettermovement.co.uk

South East England
• Saturday, 3 November 2018, 10am - 1pm
Sabine Schmid Blackaby: Expanding our movement repertoire
Blue Bell Village Hall, Kent; to book contact Jules julsw@blueyonder.co.uk; www.feldenkraisbrighton.co.uk

• Sunday, 18 November 2018, 10.30am - 4.00pm
Sabine Schmid Blackaby: Theme to be confirmed
Unit 4, 26 Round Hill Street, Brighton BN2 3RG; www.feldenkraisbrighton.co.uk

• Saturday - Sunday, 24 - 25 November, 11 - 4.30pm
Melinda Glenister: The Myth of Core Stability; www.melindaglenister.com
Berkhamsted Town Hall, 196 High Street, BERKHAMSTED, HP4 3AP

• Saturday, 24 November 2018, 10am - 4pm
Sabine Schmid Blackaby: Change versus correction; www.feldenkraisbrighton.co.uk
Bamford, Sheffield; to book contact Leslie, physioforyoga@gmail.com

South West of England
• Friday - Saturday, 19 - 20 October, 2 - 5 pm
Nikhila Mary Ludlow: 'Exploring Ribs & Chest 1: Integrating Breath'
The Forge Yoga Centre, Collins Road, TOTNES TQ9 5PJ; www.lifeworks4.me.uk

• Saturday, 20 October 2018, 2.00 - 5.00 pm
Nikhila Mary Ludlow: 'Exploring Ribs & Chest 2: Easier Turning & Twisting'
The Forge Yoga Centre, Collins Rd, TOTNES TQ9 5PJ; www.lifeworks4.me.uk

• Sunday, 21 October 2018, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Sharon Gimpel: Feldenkrais and non styled movement; web link
Landsdown hall, STROUD, GL5 1BB

• Saturday - Saturday, 3 November, 2 - 4pm
Iraina Clarke: Freedom in the Neck & Chest - Taster/Workshop
Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE; www.feldenkraisforyou.co.uk

• Friday - Saturday, 16 - 17 November, 2.00 - 5.00 pm each day
Nikhila Mary Ludlow: 'The Mindful Pelvis'; www.lifeworks4.me.uk
The Forge Yoga Centre, Collins Road, TOTNES TQ9 5PJ

• Monday, 19 November 2018, 3.30 - 5.30 pm
Shelagh O'Neill: Rolling; www.nicefeldenkrais.co.uk
Quaker Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BRISTOL BS6 6JE

• Saturday, 24 November 2018, 10.30am - 1.30pm
Judit Meixner: Mobile Ribs and Spine;
www.juditmeixner.com
Hex, Studio 30, Park Rd, Dartington, TQ9 6EF

Training to be a Feldenkrais Practitioner in the UK:

The Feldenkrais International Training Centre's (FITC) next training will begin in July 2019, with 3 day courses in January and March 2019 coming up for those interested. Click here for further information.

A bit more food for thought: a few recent articles / podcasts