Study tip: Complete one movement before beginning the next. You’ll improve faster if there’s enough time between movements that you feel fully at rest.
Recorded live in a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) class, the lesson below is copyright Nick Strauss-Klein, for personal use only. All our audio lessons are ad-free and 100% donor-supported.
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11 Comments. Leave new
I like this lesson a lot. Just a question. When doing the movement of rolling on the head when u are on your forearms, when I finished i felt like I was going to get a nosebleed. I didnt get one but just had the sensation. Was I doing something wrong? Thanks
As you explore and follow the “only do what’s comfortable” instructions, that guideline goes for any kind of experience/sensation during the lessons. Assuming you were moving slowly, smoothly, and comfortably you were doing just fine by the movements – but, if you have an unpleasant sensation or even an uncertain one, it’s best to do less, go slower, or take a break. Later, if you come back into the movement or repeat the lesson, stay curious about those sensations.
Really enjoyed this lesson, Nick. As a long time meditator, it’s fascinating to feel grounded and full in a new and different way. Also, loved your question on sensing into which breath is more pleasurable. Thank you for the reminder of pleasure, and for your precise instruction!
Thanks
Again I want to remark, at first I only did the first 16 minutes 2 or three times because I have been discovering how my breathing is mostly belly with my ribs very retricted in movement. this is am\n incredibly valuable learning for me. I’m learning to “point my breath” to teach my body how to move more “fluidly” ?!
Second time doing the whole lesson,usually only did first ½. There was a definite shift in how much more I breathe with my whole body! I notice my shoulders even moving, not only my belly.thanks I believe my chest rib constrictions will lossen. Thanks, Nick
Thanks for sharing your process with me and other users! Great to hear that you’re discovering new options. I love that you took my up on just doing the first 16 minutes the first few times!
I did this one and the next, the simple floor clock yesterday morning. Afterwards, I felt really cold (even after putting on sweats) and nauseous. After about an hour, I started to feel normal again. Did I try too hard??!
It may be that the two lessons one after another were too much, or as you suggest you overdid something. Hard to say from a distance. Did you feel any straining or unpleasantness during either lesson? This is an unusual response, so please take it extra easy for your next lesson and don’t hesitate to ask more questions.
Today was my first experience of paradoxical breathing in an extended lesson. While I was introduced to aspects of this during FI sessions several months ago, it was enlightening to move through the process more slowly and with these variations. I plan to repeat this lesson several times and then do the other two you mention. Thank you Nick!
Another magic lesson! as you say Nick everything is related! I’ve been struggling with on and off stiff neck and shoulders for the past month, so when I lay down to do this lesson, I was only expecting to “relax” and breathe deeper. Well that did happen in a very interesting way in so far as my belly expanded much lower and deeper and my chest was willing to swell> Wonderfull feeling, but the best feeling of all was doing the bit at the end on our hands and knees, and discovering that my neck was free to join in! and is still free to write this email (-;
Thank you so much Nick for your fantastically clear and slow-paced instructions!