If you ever were to observe me working with a baby, you’d hear and see at least one hundred variations on a certain theme. With my hands and my words, I will communicate to each baby ideas like, “Good idea toes, let’s curl! I can even help you with that!” And then after a while, … Read more

The Paradox • If you bring attention to your mild to moderate chronic pain with open curiosity, it will often ease. (And sometimes the same will occur with severe pain) • If you bring attention to chronic pain with the hope of repeating that same ease and relief, it will often stay the same or … Read more

“Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence. Not only can trauma be healed, but with appropriate guidance and support, it can be transformative.” Peter Levine, Waking the Tiger Many clients tell me that to be healed, the whole thing would just go away. Trauma is a … Read more

You may have tried, when difficult memories come up, to console yourself that the thing troubling you is from the past. “No use dwelling on the past,” except it’s not so easy — the past colors our present​I distinctly remember similar advice given in the first week of the training program I wrote about these last … Read more

(Why Does Everything Affect Me So Deeply And What Can I Do?) A few years back a mom in class shared her personal practice which helped her handle her baby’s crying. She had felt as if her baby’s cries were going straight to her heart where they weighed heavily on her. So she came up with … Read more

“I can’t do these sessions anymore, it makes me too nervous to relax.”  Why would it make anyone anxious to relax? It sounds so paradoxical. And yet, about 5 years ago, after a few challenging sessions, a client told me this after a couple of challenging sessions.  So, why would it make anyone anxious to relax? Maybe … Read more

A client tells me about the physical pain she’s been experiencing that has significantly affected her life, and makes an off-hand comment about whether her pain is “real pain.” What would fake pain be I wonder? As we talk more I come to understand that for her, “real pain” is pain that has a traceable physical explanation. A broken … Read more

“Every time you say yes but your body is saying no, your nervous system finds a way to say no for you.” I read this online today, (scrolling through instagram…ugh!) and at first it really resonated with me. Maybe it does for you too. It sure can take a toll when we ignore what our body is telling … Read more

It’s hard when the people close to you don’t understand what you’re going through with anxiety and panic attacks. The NY Times put out a great article this month on “The Anatomy of a Panic Attack,” which may give you a little more insight into either your own experience or that of someone close to you. Plus, my response to the article as a somatic educator.

New York Times columnist Jane Brody recently published an account of how trying Feldenkrais has helped her with hip and back pain.  She tried sessions at the Feldenkrais Institute where I formerly worked as a practitioner and teacher before starting my private practice.  She says of her session, “Having, temporarily at least, released the muscle … Read more

I’m amazed that no one has made Moshe Feldenkrais’ life into a movie yet!   Read a chapter from Norman Doidge’s book, “The Brain’s Way of Healing” which gives background on Feldenkrais’ life and work.  Published on Salon.com here

Did you know that tendinitis is no longer believed to be caused by inflammation of the tendons?  There’s a great article today in the New York Times on this idea and why pain relievers may slow healing of tendinitis. It certainly fits my own experience and that of my clients. The article goes on to say … Read more

I’m very excited that a new book on the New York Times bestseller list,  “The Brain’s Way of Healing”  by Norman Doidge has two excellent chapters on the Feldenkrais Method.  Dr. Doidge’s first book, “The Brain that Changes Itself” was important for me, as it helped me understand neuroplasticity and how it might applies to the Feldenkrais Method. … Read more

Dan Rindler, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner What does the brain have to do with my Neck & Shoulders Feldenkrais workshop?  One of the things that makes the Feldenkrais approach unique is that it doesn’t teach a limited set of exercises that one repeats mindlessly every day.  One can’t practice Feldenkrais effectively with headphones on and a … Read more

First Posted on September 15, 2013 The water was inviting and clear, and I couldn’t wait to jump in.   My family and I were at a Catskill swimming hole on our vacation.  No one else was there, and it was absolutely serene and beautiful; I couldn’t believe our luck at finding such an idyllic place.  I dipped my foot in the water, and it was … Read more