• Brigette on Smoothing the Movements of the Jaw and Eyes + Q&A
    (Members & Patrons bonus event)

    Wow, this lesson has had a profound effect on my nervous system. The first time I did it some tension in my lower back released and I also had a boost of energy after. The second time has been even more powerful. My racing thoughts and busy mind feel like they have been put on mute by about 80% and everything in life is feeling so much easier. I feel a greater sense of connection to a place of love, calm, and ease. It's very exciting!! I love Feldenkrais, I love these lessons. Thank you Nick for all that you do to keep this project going. I'm so grateful to have found your work, it's saving my life and enriching it more than I could ever have imagined lying on the floor and doing small little movements every could. I can't express enough how thankful I am.

    December 3, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Frequently Asked Questions

    Great questions! Doing Feldenkrais before exercise: Put time between Feldenkrais study and exercise based on how vigorous the exercise is. Taking at least a few quiet minutes after an ATM is always advised, but you might go for a walk 10 minutes later. If you're going to do strength training, I recommend waiting at least an hour, since the intensity of that stimulus may blast through the subtlety of your brand new Feldenkrais learning. Doing it after exercise: The reverse is also true. I can go from an easy walk to an ATM lesson with little break and still feel plenty sensitive for the Feldenkrais learning. But I wouldn't go right from strength training to ATM; I find it hard to feel the details of fine movements right after bearing heavy loads. You might also value these two discussions about exercise and Feldenkrais.

    December 2, 2024

  • Annika on Rolling to Sitting, and Beyond

    felt a little unsure about the second side, because I would have preferred to go through the same steps but id did not feel like it. My right side felt like heaven, left side was annoyed

    December 1, 2024

  • Jacob Slominski on Six Lessons for Anxiety

    The Morning Prayer lesson has a powerful calming effect on me too.

    December 1, 2024

  • Hanneke De Witte on Workshop: Balance Myths, Facts, and Practice, Part 2 (Patrons)

    I happened to do the periscope lesson the day before doing this workshop, unintentional but great combination! I never realised how much I limit myself in the whole torso while walking, have recently with the help of these lessons been noticing more activation of my whole axis

    December 1, 2024

  • CC on Calming Your Nervous System, Integrating Hands and Eyes (37m, Patrons)

    Thank you; this is my first experience with Feldenkrais. It is lovely.

    November 30, 2024

  • John Spurr on Spinal Support and a Powerful Pelvis (35m)

    I have a long drive today to Bordeaux so I have got up early to get this lesson In my body to sharpen me up . What I feel is a general and very enjoyable sense of ease and alertness. I have been attending an ATM class here in france( taught in french) for 2 years and often do several online classes a week because at 77 I am well aware of the importance of movement maintenance. Every Friday afternoon with a group of friends we do a downloaded class and because I know how inspiring your teaching is we will do this lesson next Friday It’s very important to spread the word and I will be upgrading to patron status next month . Thank you

    November 29, 2024

  • Judith on Turning from a Spacious Center, Connecting Torso and Legs (46m, Patrons)

    I’ve coaxed the most freedom within my frozen hips/pelvis/sacrum area from this session. I will definitely be doIng this on a regular basis. Thank you so much.

    November 28, 2024

  • Claire Gunn on Arms Like a Skeleton, Freeing the Shoulders and Neck (Patrons)

    Oooh love your description in curiosities section above: ' shedding layers of tension and futile compensation ' . Thank you... I was noticing exactly this in this lesson.

    November 27, 2024

  • B R on The Liminal Lesson: Transitions Between Action and Rest (Patrons)

    Ideal organization. And teaching. 👏👏👏👏👏

    November 25, 2024

  • B R on Spiraling into Circling the Arm Under (Patrons)

    B R A V O Thank you😭😭😭😭😭there is absolute freedom in rolling with body-happy rolling tears. This is a beautiful lesson. Sorcery, rather. It includes so many aspects and Many favors and benefits throughout the lesson. The reflection close to the end “how do you get up?” Why side turn rolling.!🙏 A lesson in and of itself - not to leave out beautiful and elegant. There is excellence and mastery in this lesson!!! Nick is superb here (and always!) in every detail. For some reason I had the image of an old train, the fascinating way the gears work ( don't know their names:)) like a perfectly oiled mechanics’ display in motion. The lesson done exactly as Nick notes helps, teaches so much more about the shoulder and arm areas, especially positioning the arm properly for other lessons and…life. Profound gratitude🤍

    November 23, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Stepping Down, with a Bias (Patrons)

    OK, first thought is, what happens on a softer surface? Can you do lessons like that comfortably on a firm bed, for example, at least in the short term? Yes firmer surfaces are best for sensing and feeling yourself clearly, but not if they're causing pain. A related option is to put some soft padding (in my studio I use packing foam) under your ribs, near your shoulder. Could be up to a couple inches of thickness. And to use high enough head support. Then your shoulder is in a kind of valley, relatively speaking, taking pressure off of it. Does that make this configuration easier? As far as specific lessons go, it is hard to say what the issue is from a distance, but if lessons that mobilize the shoulders are generally comfortable (whether they're lessons in this position or not) that's a good place to start. Check out our two shoulder-related Deep Dives. Let's now continue our conversation offline, since after this it's likely to be too personalized to be as valuable to others in this public forum. Please try some of these ideas and then email me if you have more questions.

    November 21, 2024

  • B on Stepping Down, with a Bias (Patrons)

    Yes!! Hi Nick🙏🤍. You got it exactly right: ✅ as you say: “ in side-lying, it’s more comfortable for you to have the ground side arm lying as if reaching up your mat, like a continuation of your spine, for your head to rest on? -Yes- And you’re asking how to be more comfortable having that ground side arm straight out in front of you on the ground instead? -yes- And if that’s right, is it that position that’s painful, or does it hurt more when you’re rolling -Yes- It hurts when I lie on it, albeit my proper adjustment. And then hurts even more when rolling.

    November 21, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Stepping Down, with a Bias (Patrons)

    Let me make sure I understand your question. Are you saying that in side-lying, it's more comfortable for you to have the ground side arm lying as if reaching up your mat, like a continuation of your spine, for your head to rest on? And you're asking how to be more comfortable having that ground side arm straight out in front of you on the ground instead? And if that's right, is it that position that's painful, or does it hurt more when you're rolling or shifting forward on your shoulder?

    November 21, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Rotating, Interlacing, and Integrating the Hands, into Palms Lengthening Overhead (Patrons)

    My pleasure! A joy to hear all this detail about your self-discoveries and process. Thanks for commenting. It's helpful that you're modeling an aspect of the subjective Feldenkrais learning process: the useful things we simply notice after lessons, the spontaneous observations that give us a chance to sense and change our habits. You described this phenomenon very well, and I hope your comment is an inspiration for others!

    November 21, 2024

  • Sara on Rotating, Interlacing, and Integrating the Hands, into Palms Lengthening Overhead (Patrons)

    I am fascinated to feel, through these explorations, how daily life habits cause me to tether my neck; and how that might originate in focused hand and shoulder actions. So that by playing with the whole body through the journey you take us on here, everything moves freely and together again, without any one part needing to hold on. So hard to describe this. The ending with one knee bent for the twist and reach was sublime! Thank you for your creativity.

    November 20, 2024

  • B R on Stepping Down, with a Bias (Patrons)

    👋 I prefer keeping the arm under me up so I can rest my ear. I usually prefer that position because I can feel pain, if I extend the under arm that is in front of me. Sometimes when I do this anyway to see the difference between the two positions, I noticed that there are other benefits that I get. My questions, I felt that I could not do the lesson with my underarm in front of me. But I am concerned that I cannot make more relationships and derive more connections and understanding. My under arm usually feels cramped or some nerve really gets very sensitive in my shoulder and arm area, not in my head or neck. Also, would you suggest any lessons that can address exactly that issue that I’m having with my shoulder arm that is kept underneath and in front in these type of exercises when we lay on the side ? I keep bypassing this, but I think it’s important, and it is time for me to address exactly that and the most conducive moves and lessons towards some success. Would love it so much. If you can suggest a list of lessons that can help me lay my under arm comfortably in front of me. Just in case it helps, I am an experienced student, And this issue is a skeleton in the cupboard for me 🙂 Thank you very much absolutely love the lessons.

    November 19, 2024

  • Martha D on Frequently Asked Questions

    My question is, How to integrate Feldenkrais work into my fitness routine, specifically in relation to strength training and aerobic exercise or walking? Theoretically, should I do Feldenkrais before or after these? Should I do them consecutively or separate them by minutes/hours? I can imagine arguments either way (i.e., before or after; close or distant). I'm sure it can vary for individuals, and I won't take your opinion as a "prescription", but I'm wondering how to think about this and what you yourself have found most effective. Thanks!

    November 11, 2024

  • Eva Linda on Frequently Asked Questions

    Thank you 🙂

    November 11, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Frequently Asked Questions

    Great question! Continuing through our Collections in order is usually best for newcomers before diving into the Deep Dives. Collections 2-4 in particular a great followups to Getting Oriented.

    November 11, 2024

  • shan shnookal on Patrons Quarterly, November 2024
    (ATM – Long Belly, Strong Back)

    The lesson worked well for me, in spite of it being short, and in spite of it being a bit of a direct challenge to my normal habit of over-using and over-extending my lower back! I'm active and fit, and can "do lots of stuff"... BUT i find STANDING still and erect really difficult, painful, and it even makes me dizzy with low blood pressure. I 'd had an active morning before doing this lesson, and my lower back was sore. I didn't do the beginning standing scan of the lesson, as i "knew" it would hurt and i'd feel wonky. During the lesson i concentrated on doing the absolute minimum with my lower back, and trying to find other places that could participate. I didn't really feel i'd "succeeded" in that aim, but i've done enough Feldenkrais to be comfortable with that. And i felt wonderful - free, strong, balanced and pain-free when i stood up! AND had more easy rotation than i expected! Thank you Nick for instigating this wonderful Project (and for the Update), and thank you EVERYONE for being part of such a beautiful, positive and healing community.

    November 11, 2024

  • Eva Linda on Frequently Asked Questions

    Hi! I am wondering how to proceed after finishing the "new here" section. I think I would like to do deep dives, but the one I chose first was a harder one "Walking with the spine". I would like to build skill and increase difficulty slowly. Any tipps on how to make a lessons plan?

    November 9, 2024

  • Javier Sánchez Álvarez on Integrating the Feet, Torso, Head, and Breath: Connecting to the Earth (44 min, Patrons)

    Hello! I have just read your question and I felt it mine too. So thanks for the opportunity to read me through you.

    November 8, 2024

  • Susie on Patrons Quarterly, November 2024
    (ATM – Long Belly, Strong Back)

    Thank you Nick for the class. I really appreciated your invitation to give attention to the front parts of the body (pelvic bone, sternum) as a way to come into extending the spine, somehow this took the pressure off my habitual pattern of over doing it in the lumbar spine and sacrum. I also felt more integration between the lower and upper parts of the body. The spaciousness of the front body together with the diffused engagement of the back seemed to welcome the breath more fully. I'm left with a lovely feeling of being more whole, and all the gifts that this brings. I look forward to trying the longer length version.

    November 7, 2024

  • mo on Calming Your Nervous System, Integrating Hands and Eyes (37m, Patrons)

    thank you so much

    November 5, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Calming Your Nervous System, Integrating Hands and Eyes (37m, Patrons)

    A fantastically soporific ATM technique. One of the reasons I made this lesson free on Election Eve!

    November 4, 2024

  • Ralph on Calming Your Nervous System, Integrating Hands and Eyes (37m, Patrons)

    Hi Lauren, Yes, I did exactly the same thing at the dentist a few years ago. A prolonged and uncomfortable procedure was made bearable, even easy, using the bell hand. Thanks for reminding me.

    November 4, 2024

  • Ralph Hadden on Calming Your Nervous System, Integrating Hands and Eyes (37m, Patrons)

    Good-oh!

    November 4, 2024

  • Martha on Drifting the Knees and Nose for Simpler Turns and Twists (Patrons)

    For me, the question was, What about the shoulders? Head seemed able to turn high up, but allowing the shoulders to turn really created a twist. Interesting: I became impatient rather than spacey as the lesson went on (about 10 minutes from the end). I am certain there's a message in that experience ! Thanks, Nick.

    November 4, 2024

  • Kelly Jones Hicks on Calming Your Nervous System, Integrating Hands and Eyes (37m, Patrons)

    Very calming and soothing lesson today—to the point of unconsciousness. This was just what I needed today (11/4/2024). I will try this lessons again and stay awake next time.

    November 4, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Simple Self-Hug (31m)

    Fantastic! Yes, next time with even smaller and gentler movements, and you'll probably feel even better than the first time! This lesson is a great antedote for those of us who have spent too much time in front of computers.

    November 3, 2024

  • Pauline on Arms Like a Skeleton, with a Bias

    Hi Lorraine. I find this one very helpful also, in that my muscles in my back really relax. I have a spinal compression fractures in the thoracic area. And osteoporosis and bursitis of my hips. Getting rid of tension helps tremendously. Mobility is very difficult. But in time I feel that can improve. I hope you are well and continuing with Feldenkrais. ❤️

    November 1, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on In-Person Class, Oct 30 – Nov 20: Drop-ins Welcome!

    Yes, I'll have the drop in instructions posted on this page tomorrow.

    October 28, 2024

  • Martha on Free While Constrained: Quiet Head, Twisting Spine (Patrons)

    Wow. This has been the perfect exercise for my scoliotic twist. And there are so many different aspects! While lying, my head felt unusually free of my spine. When standing, my torso was more evenly balanced over my pelvis. I gauge this by how my hanging arms touch my sides. Usually (in my daily life) left arms touches but not the right. Also, usually , immediately after any Feldenkrais lesson or a massage, arms do not touch (even) but within a minute the left is touching (collapse). Today the evenness lasted longer. I will do this again. I'm hoping it is reaching the neurological mis-firing that is sustaining the twist. Ah! Even my shoulders are feeling some relief! Great lesson, thank you.

    October 28, 2024

  • Kelly on In-Person Class, Oct 30 – Nov 20: Drop-ins Welcome!

    Hi Nick, Can I drop in at this point? I may have to miss a class later in the month. Thanks, Kelly

    October 28, 2024

  • Judith on Rolling and Hips Like a Baby (Patrons)

    Beyond wonderful. Someone said "delicious" . . . absolutely. Ready for sleep. Thank you so much.

    October 27, 2024

  • Nick Strauss-Klein on Buttocks Organizing the Spine (Patrons)

    Great! Yes, get very familiar with as many Feldenkrais buttocks-related lessons as you can (we’ve got at least three here at The FP). As you’re more aware, you can think sometimes about how they’re involved in everyday activities and exercises. Playfully engage them a little more and see what else they make easier!

    October 27, 2024

  • Martha Dahlen on Buttocks Organizing the Spine (Patrons)

    Thank you! 1) In lifting my head I suddenly noticed that my shoulders were involved--totally unnecessarily. That is, when I relaxed them nothing changed about the movement! 2) In the very last variation, I first just tried to "do it": very difficult, oh, I thought, impossible. Then I clenched my buttocks. oh! Not exactly easy, but definitely doable. I repeated it, with mild amazement. The word "attitude" applies here for me in an important way, although different from your use. I have been hearing about How Important The Buttocks Are, being the largest muscle in the body, etc. But mine have always been small and (no coincidence) essentially uninvolved in my daily spontaneous activity. Here I have experienced how useful they could be. Awesome. How to increase my spontaneous buttocks use? More Feldenkrais lessons such as these? Again, thanks!

    October 25, 2024

  • Diane Amer on The Power of Prone: Twisting on Your Belly

    The first time I did this lesson two days ago I was aware - lying on my belly - of how wooden and stiff my movements felt. The pelvis, spine, neck and legs expressing minimal communication. Today, on the other hand, everything felt looser -my belly lying movements more fluid - everything working together. I could stay with the lesson (moving from back to belly) nearly the whole way through whereas the first time around I managed close to 3/4 of the lesson. EnJOYable! We'll see what happens when I repeat this lesson in a few days. Thanks, Nick.

    October 25, 2024

  • Lynne Burson on Legs as Free as a Baby’s

    This is in my top 5 lessons. So many benefits and secrets to be discovered here. Thank you.

    October 21, 2024