Feldenkrais Awareness with Physiotherapy

I have a long-standing, vital Feldenkrais practice working with individuals, groups and communities. I have come to this from a strong Physiotherapy private pratice working with people acute or chronic injuries of all ages. I was one of the original founders of community health practice in Victoria. Expanding the physiotherapy model to work with different cultures and broader needs.

I love the intelligence behind Feldenkrais work and how it continues to be so relevant to contemporary life, particularly as it is essentially the embodiment of neuroplasticity and the essence of mind body unity. I consider it an exquisite tool for lifelong learning, enabling people to adapt, change and become more centered, authentic and vibrant through their life. 

Philosophy and Values
I believe in empathy, being present-centred, establishing a transparent relationship and supporting clients through their learning process. I have a gift in seeing the potential possibilities in people. I retain my conviction for a person's ability to generate choice and change for themselves no matter how complex and difficult their situation is.

Recent advancements in brain mapping have shown the brain is malleable or plastic, called neuroplasticity, and can change itself and adapt, whatever the condition, age or stage in life. Often a person becomes convinced that change is not possible, particularly when there is a very strong diagnostic label and the condition may be long-standing or attributed to ageing. Neuroplasticity and Feldenkrais concepts have shown that change is ALWAYS possible. Neurons can reprogram themselves and new brain paths and maps are created daily. The implications of this can lead people to unforeseen and sometimes rapid improvement, hope and greater autonomy.

My practice's core beliefs are to meet someone where they are, make contemporary concepts clear and offer the work in a quiet systematic manner that leads people to engage with the essential elements of the Feldenkrais Methodology and practice. 
  
Skills
Skills include my ability to empathise, very close observation and analysis of complex body, mind and emotional patterns i.e. pattern detection. With 40 years of experience and a physiotherapy background, my hands are fine tuned to the intricacies of the human body. 
I have an equal love for science and art contributing to human potential.
I like to keep abreast of research and experts in the scientific, particularly neuroscience, arts and movement sectors to refresh my practice and adapt to new discoveries. 

MY PRACTICE

My process
At the initial session, I will be listening to your story, observing your body organisation and asking myself "What in your body is enhancing or limiting you?". Together we can explore and decide on what's next . The first session will also include a hands-on experience and direction of practice to follow at home. Your curiosity and personal engagement is what really assist you to create and sustain the changes you wish to make. Continuing work may include a learning plan of regular individual sessions (Functional Integration) and Awareness Through Movement classes. In case of complex or long standing conditions, it is recommended to have at least 4-6 individual sessions reasonably close together. You will be encouraged and given resources to follow up at home in your daily life. At this time, I always like to check that in the case of recovery from trauma or injury, you have been and feel adequately informed, cared for or are receiving appropriate support .

Benefits
My practice covers a wide range of ages (from children to seniors) and a broad range of conditions and personal circumstances. From back pain reduction, joint stiffness, mobility and flexibility improvement to performance enhancement in professional or "intending" athletes, dancers, musicians and actors.
Benefits can mean you walk better, sit better, reach better, sleep better. It can include a range of improvements such as regained curiosity, increased vitality, quickness of thinking, enhancement and shifts in one's self image, changes in breathing, posture, range of motion and reduction of pain. 
On a deeper level, you may feel a profound expanded consciousness and release from outdated habits. A new you!
It can complement your spiritual, movement and mindfulness practices such as meditation, Pilates, Yoga... Feldenkrais can also help if you are a performer and /or have an artistic practice such as dance, movement, writing and are feeling restricted, stuck or overwhelmed or you simply want to expand your consciousness or your heart practices.
If you are seeking to understand the impacts of early trauma (accidents, injuries, poor attachment) for example anxiety and body disconnect and how they are interfering with your normal development and emotional freedom, my work can be of enormous value to you.

Upcoming Programmes

Somatic Learning Centre coming soon! Watch this space!

Some great feedback:

• 'My body is a new body.' 

• 'Finding out about sensory amnesia and pandiculation has been amazing.'  

• 'A Great combination and so easy to follow.'   

• 'Change with the least amount of effort'.  

• 'Liberation from the Internal critic.'

Awareness Through Movement (ATM) CLASSES - Spring 2023

                          Tuesday Lunchtime Classes Starting!!

Popular classes. Can be fitted in at lunch time. Prompt start. Sitting or Standing. Simple, fun & playful. Easy to follow up movements through the week. Developing new habits!

Our experience of movement and vitality can be reduced by the long hours we spend sitting at our desks and computers doing work or even hobbies. Stiffness or rigidity can become a habit and lead to pain, back ache, neck ache etc.

Each lesson will be directing your attention to a particular way of creating a gentle dynamic through your spine, body and senses. i.e Eyes and head, shoulders and spine, pelvis and hips. Thereby expanding your ability to maintain grounded aware presence (GAP) in relationship to your inner and outer world.

Position   Sitting or Standing

Date         Tuesday 5th September - Tuesday 3rd October (every Tuesday - 6 week series)

Time         12 - 12:30pm plus 15 minutes conversation following

Classes can be done individually $20 or as a series $100 for the 6 classes.

Suitable for beginners or those with experience.