Your Questions
You Ask. I Gladly Answer.
Who do I work with?
I work with anyone who is interested in sensing, movement and attentional skills for whatever reason. It helps to have a curious mind because this practice involves reflection and engagement in the pursuit of transforming habits. It has so much to offer diverse population groups in living well, however it is not a "fix the broken part" model, although that can happen too. It is a process of learning how to shift your attention so your experience can change.
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My special interests are those moving through pain experiences, string musicians and contemplatives (given my background in these areas). Sometimes one person inhabits all these worlds!
What is Awareness Through Movement?
Awareness Through Movement is the term given to verbally guided group movement classes.
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What is Functional Integration?
Functional Integration is the one on one touch work element of the Feldenkrais Method. Clients are fully clothed and usually lie on a table while the practitioner moves them through a series of integrated movement patterns. It is the same approach as the guided group classes. Instead of being guided by voice to integrate body sensations and awareness while moving, you are guided by touch.
Which type of session would be best for me?
It depends on your needs and preferences. If you love attending group classes that are verbally guided try a series of these first.
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If you love one on one touch work and/or have specific areas of interest you'd like personalised attention for, then these sessions would be a good fit.
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There are really no right or wrong ways and you can always combine both elements of this method - they are designed to complement one another to give you the most complete experience.
Online or in person sessions: which is best?
Both work very well.
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In person touch work can help you to settle in your body. This can make sensing and noticing changes easier.
However online sessions are often ideal for chronic pain sufferers because the flares associated with getting to and from an appointment are removed and we can start the session from a more comfortable place. The session then isn't about getting you out of the pain from travelling but what you actually want it to be about. This will help you to improve more quickly.
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When you're in a flare at home, there's also no need to cancel and we can actually work together when you most need it.
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Experiences in online sessions can also be more effectively integrated into your life when you are already at home. Navigating traffic right after a session can often mean that unwanted habits are quickly retriggered and the changed experience lost.
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So, far from online sessions being a lesser approach, these can work extremely well, increasing your motivation and commitment.
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Can I access your online series at any time?
My online classes are offered in series and can be participated in live and/or streamed later for the duration of the course.
How does Feldenkrais relate to Yoga and the Alexander Technique?
​Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique as well as some forms of yoga are somatic mindfulness practices. They focus on learning from the body. This awareness helps you to cope with stressors by noticing which sensations are distractions and which are supportive.
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The obvious connections between all three are:
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learning to be able to attend to your experience
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improved movement
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expanded sense of self
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agency
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pain reduction and/or pain resolution
What Feldenkrais could offer your yoga practice?​
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freshness and nuance in the process of noticing how you’re doing a pose
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expanded capacity for attention
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ways to avoid injury
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self care – tracking for comfort, ease, precision and superfluous effort
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how to create playfulness with familiar sequences
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refined coordination
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ways to lower excess tension - improving/deepening practice
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How are Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique different?
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Both Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique seek to teach the hows of moving well. The main difference I have noticed is that Feldenkrais stresses the importance of exploration.
Feldenkrais:
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does not direct you with specific instructions, for instance where to position your head over your spine
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encourages you to explore ideas in a way that suits you and makes you come alive to yourself
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embraces novelty as a way to train attentional skills - classes are usually different every week
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teachers don’t demonstrate movements; we create an environment and conditions for you to explore and discover for yourself
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students follow the ideas/movement prompts but this may look very different to one another
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Is Feldenkrais trauma sensitive?
Feldenkrais sessions are safe and secure containers to explore specific movement patterns in ways that are meaningful for you. The principles behind Feldenkrais are trauma sensitive. You'll be guided to what you could pay attention to and how you make the movement but you are always encouraged to choose for yourself. You also won't be left in a vacuum of myriad choices.
You're encouraged to set the pace and timing of movements to suit you based on your sensations and to know what ease and safety feel like. This builds autonomy. Feldenkrais is not a method that attempts to subdue your body. It builds your capacity to notice more of yourself "with the goal of finding balance" and " spending time focussing on bodily signals even if they are a bit chaotic or stressed". (Mindful Movement p 12 Eddy). In this way, you form a solid and trustworthy relationship with all of yourself.
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If you have experienced trauma please get in touch via email so that we can make sure you feel comfortable and that this method is a good fit.
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I am a Certified Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner and these skills are integral to my Feldenkrais practice.
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Where can I read more about Feldenkrais?
The Australian Feldenkrais Guild has a lot of further reading material including links to research under Resources
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COVID Safe Policy
Safety is a hallmark of the Feldenkrais Method and is paramount to making movement changes and lowering pain levels. Working this way we will make the most progress together. This means that for in person touch sessions, I only work with fully vaccinated clients. I am fully vaccinated also.
During in person touch sessions my air purifier will be running. I will wear a mask and I ask that you wear one too because we are not able to social distance. Sessions are very slow moving and gentle so your breathing will not be restricted.
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If you would like to discuss this further please get in contact with me at my email address: annacondosfeldenkrais@gmail.com