Experience Life - November 2009

at the front of the shins turn off in preparation for the weight shift. This is as true for bodywork as it is for exercise.

In ATM, clients perform movement “puzzles” applicable to their specific problem or goal. A client with an ankle problem, for example, may lie prone on

a mat with a book balanced on the sole of his elevated
foot. He then attempts to circle his lower leg while keep-
ing the book level, like a waiter holding a tray of drinks.
This is done while attending to small movements in the
other parts of the body. Upon standing, his foot and
ankle will have greater sensitivity to the floor, to weight
and directional shifts, and to movement in general.
Results vary based on the duration and severity of the
injury, and on the client’s willingness and ability to learn,
practitioners say. But most people will see marked improve-
ment in pain and functioning after two or three sessions,
and many will sense an easing of their symptoms right away.

As for clients seeking improved athleticism, results are immediate. “I don’t think anything improves athletic performance as quickly or effectively as Feldenkrais,” says Elgelid. A long-distance runner himself, he’s careful to add that Feldenkrais isn’t a substitute for a good training plan, which will likely be grueling, regardless: “If you want to run a marathon in 2: 10, it’s going to hurt; I don’t care how much Feldenkrais you do.”

Exceptional Results

Is it possible, though, that at least some of the time we’ve spent grunting and sweating to get better, stronger and faster would have been better spent doing nothing more than attending to subtle, often very relaxing movements?

Arton Baleci, 24, a recent university graduate from Stockton-on-Tees, England, is a believer. Last September, the self-confessed “below-average” athlete embarked on an odyssey to transform himself into an elite-level soccer player with the help of a team of experts (a journey he chronicles at www.thebeautifulaim.com). Included in his handpicked team of coaches, nutritionists, sports-vision experts and therapists are two Feldenkrais practitioners.

“I wouldn’t have started this project without Feldenkrais,” he says. “I was having serious knee pain when I began. A practitioner cleared that up in two sessions. Since then I’ve had a session about every three weeks to help both with injury recovery and performance enhancement, and it’s gone very well.”

Very well, indeed: After just six months, his results on most speed and agility tests fell into the midrange among pro footballers; now he’s shooting for the upper echelons. ;

Andrew Heffernan, CSCS, is a fitness coach and writer based in Los Angeles. He blogs at www.malepatternfitness.com.

For a list of Feldenkrais resources, see the online version of this article at experiencelifemag.com.

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Feeling
Is Believing

Not quite ready to believe that gentle, easy movements can really make a difference in your body? Try this test, adapted from a Feldenkrais Method Awareness Through

Movement lesson. It improves most people’s rotational flexibility by 10 percent (or more) in about one minute.

Stand relaxed, feet parallel at hip width, arms hanging naturally at your sides.

Lift your right arm directly out to your side, thumb up.

Keeping your arm straight and your hand at shoulder height, reach your right arm as far behind you as you can by rotating your torso. Be sure your hips face forward the whole time. Using a spot on the wall behind you as a reference point, note how far back you were able to reach your hand.

Return to a neutral stance.

Standing relaxed again, perform a series of five to 10
slow hip circles (think hula-hoop motion) in both directions.

Keep circles slow and easy. Don’t stretch! Simply feel the hips gently rotating.

Repeat the test.

From a neutral stance, now perform a series of five to 10 easy turns of the head, first looking right, then left. Again, don’t stretch the neck muscles or strain in either direction; simply bring your awareness to the action of the neck and head as it rotates on top of your spine.

Repeat the test.

Finally, keeping your posture erect and your head still, now turn your eyes as far to the right as you can, then as far to the left as you can. Move your eyes back and forth five to 10 times.