Learning to move

By Dion Teasdale
FELDENKRAIS practitioner Jenni Evans is in the business of teaching people to make the most of their body’s abilities.
Jenni, who trained in the Feldenkrais method for four years and has been a practitioner for a further four years, runs Heartland Feldenkrais at Lilydale.
Recognised as an expert in the technique, she presented a workshop at the International Feldenkrais Federation Assembly in Berlin last year.
“Feldenkrais is for anyone who wants to improve the way they move,” she said.
“It’s not about a correct or proper way of doing something. It’s about becoming more aware of the choices your unique body has, and making the most of those choices.”
The technique was developed by a judo expert and physicist, Moshe Feldenkrais, in Israel. He set out to explore how to re-educate his body after being told surgery on an injury could leave him unable to walk.
“We establish which bits of the body are available to move, which are forgetting to get involved and, in some cases, which are overworking.
“We then use small, very gentle movements to get more of the skeleton carrying and supporting the muscles to hold you up and move you around,” Jenni said.
Feldenkrais can be beneficial for people of all ages and at all levels of fitness and wellbeing.
Commonly, people who have pain or discomfort that limits movement – for instance as part of rehabilitation after a major injury or illness – use the technique.
It is also used by people looking to improve performance in sport, singing, theatre – any activity where the body benefits from being as good as it gets.
For those who sit at computers all day, in cars, or in front of the television, it can be a way of reconnecting with the vitality they might have lost.
Getting the body moving in a gentle, low impact way is also an excellent start for anyone wanting to get fit.
Jenni said practitioners are also starting to work with babies who have developmental problems.
At Heartland Felden-krais, Jenni does individual consultations and runs classes and workshops.
For further information, contact Heartland Felden-krais on 9738 8525.