The No-Pain-No-Gain approach to exercise may be out of fashion but most people still believe that exercise requires exertion and the more the better. But movement is more than just physical action. Every move we make is a form of communication with the brain, feeding back information on posture, balance, level of effort, and coordination.
This normally unconscious process, known as neuroplasticity, can reinforce unhelpful habitual patterns that we build up over a lifetime. It’s the reason we find it so difficult to let go of habitual behaviour that means we move leaves us unknowingly moving with unnecessary effort, tension and poor coordination.
A Feldenkrais Method lesson brings mindfulness to the process of neuroplasticity. The gentle varied movements in these lessons are deliberately small and slow. to give the brain time to recognise and develop new, more efficient movement patterns.
Scientists today are using state of the art imaging techniques to demonstrate the brain’s remarkable ability through neuroplasticity to change, adapt, and form new neural connections throughout life. It’s the process by which we learn new skills, recover from injuries, and adapt to change.
Exactly this process is the driving force behind Feldenkrais lessons. We learn to recognise excess effort and unhelpful movement patterns that cause pain and fatigue. Then through mindful movement, we can create patterns that feel more natural and involve less effort.
Stories of people regaining mobility, reducing chronic pain or enhancing performance show how powerful the method can be.
Neuroplasticity is always at work. Regular Feldenkrais lessons enable us to turn an unconscious process into mindful movement. It’s a chance to actively participate in a process that leads to easier movement and better balance and posture.
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