Have you ever worked with people who felt better on the table, but their problems began to recur as soon as they got off the table? Have you wondered if there is something else you could do?
About twenty years ago, I began asking this question. Not only did many of my clients come in regularly for the same problem (good for business, but not satisfying to myself or to them), but I also suffered from some chronic pains from which I could find no lasting relief. I began seriously researching the field of movement to find answers, as this particular approach had always appealed to me. I went to seminars, and bought tapes and books. I searched the library. Every day I spent time doing movement and exercise practices. I studied yoga, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, and Emilie Conrad’s Continuum Movement. I studied with Israeli therapist Meir Schneider. I finally enrolled in a four year Feldenkrais training, and found the answers that I was looking for. This study changed my life and my practice. I freed myself of chronic neck pain and sciatica. Not only did I have the physical relief, but through the body/mind integration, my mental and emotional life changed. When I could sense my spine, I no longer went through life feeling “spineless.” And I found that I became more successful in creating longer term changes in the lives of my clients. I started attracting clients with more difficult problems, and being more successful with them. The class “Movement and Posture: Addressing the Root Cause” (formerly called “Movement Education for Massage Therapists) came from my explorations during this time. The philosophy of this class is that many pains and disabilities come from habits of movement and posture. We apply teachings from movement pioneers Moshe Feldenkrais and Meir Schneider, as well as some from yoga, to create hands-on methods of active assisted range of motion. This affects people in a deeper level in which long held patterns of standing, sitting and movement begin to change. This can be the beginning of a more profound healing for many. We address spinal and pelvic movement, which is at the heart of many problems. We also deal with arm and hand movement, which can be helpful for disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Foot and leg techniques may address ankle and knee problems. We will discuss the “triad of balance” and the relationship of balance to neck problems and general anxiety and tension, and practice methods to improve balance. This class will be offered April 13-14, 2013. It provides 18 hours of continuing education, Florida and NCBTMB. The teacher is Ann Harman, retired osteopathic physician, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher®, and Licensed Massage Therapist.
