Dear fellow somatic journeyer,
September is our traditional time for leaving the promise of summer heat and leisure in order to return to learning. And yet this September is like no other that we can remember.
COVID-19 has changed us. For some, it brought very painful experiences: loss of loved ones, loss of income or reduced socializing options (to name a few).
All of us have made changes to our daily activities particularly when being in public - getting groceries, or being at the stylist. We find we have to change our habits, and continue to monitor the changes.
Who hasn't found themselves in the middle of a store, suddenly realizing you left your mask in the car?
More and more I read news article asking, "When will things go back (to normal)?"
One aspect of the systemic thinking underlying the Feldenkrais Method is curiosity about "normal". The intentional movements in the lessons show us that we have options, and thus choice.
Often we find that the time spent in individual or group lessons gives us time to reflect on how we feel as a result of the intentional movements suggested in the lesson. And in this time of reflection, we have freedom to form choices.
My colleague Kwan Wong of San Francisco started an online program of "Daily Improvement" Lessons at the end of May. Kwan believes that, through daily practice, our whole system will begin to organically change, as reflected by the Organic Learning proposed by Dr. Feldenkrais.
For many of us, the daily changes we have made for COVID-19 have undermined our health and wellness. We need to add more healthy aspects into our lives now: less computer time, and more walking outside; less couch time and ... you guessed it-- MORE FELDENKRAIS time!
