The Feldenkrais Method®

With Barbara McCrea

The Feldenkrais method is a gentle system of movement education renowned for its ability to free the body from stiffness, pain, postural and movement problems.

It can help with:

• Long term back or neck pain
  
• Headaches
  
• Frozen shoulders
  
• Stiffness and tension
  
• Recovery from strokes
  
• Post traumatic stress
  
• Arthritis
  
• Breathing difficulties
  
• Repetitive strain injury
  
• Poor balance or walking difficulties
  
• Improving performance for riders, sportspeople, dancers and musicians

Treatments
Treatments consist of an assessment of your movement patterns and postural habits which are contributing to your pain, and your body is gently released and repatterned, using soft stretches and deeply relaxing kneading, pushing, pulling and pressing strokes.

No specific number of treatments is required and the emphasis is helping you to gain control of your body, and to have the tools to help yourself.
Awareness is the key.


Barbara McCrea
Barbara McCrea completed the four year Feldenkrais Method® professional training in London in 1990, where she ran a successful practice for 13 years. She has attended advanced trainings run by US, Israeli and British practitioners of the method. She is also a member of the UK Feldenkrais Guild and teaches movement classes for opera singers at the University of Cape Town.

Origins
The Feldenkrais Method® of movement education was developed by Israeli physicist and judo master Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984) initially in response to his own knee injury.

Who uses it?
Among the fans are actresses Whoopi Goldberg and Greta Scacchi, the late violin virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin, New Age writer Lesley Kenton and US Track National Champion Chris Boyd.

How it works
Our brains control our movement and the tightness or freedom of our muscles. Using the powerful connection between our minds and bodies, the Feldenkrais Method® optimises the way you move.

HALF-DAY WORKSHOPS

Cape Town

DATE: Saturday August 14 at 10am-1pm
COST: R275
VENUE: Wynberg Pilates Studio,
18 Mortimer Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town

Strong, Light Steps: improve the functioning of sturdy, resilient legs by reducing strain through particular joints and improving alignment through hips, knees and ankles.

Johannesburg

DATE: Sunday Sept 19 at 9am-12.30pm
COST: R375
VENUE: Seven Star Studio,
86 5th St, Parkmore, Sandton

Transitions and Spirals – changing positions, from the floor into rolls, twists and spirals upwards. These are marvellous sequences for the spine and your fluidity, and are drawn from developmental movement patterns, and Moshe Feldenkrais’ martial arts influence of economy of movement with least effort and maximum efficiency. They are dynamic yet easy to do, patterned movements.

Booking directly with Barbara somatics@telkomsa.net

Feldenkrais Method® in Johannesburg

Barbara travels to Johannesburg every two months to give workshops and treatments. The venue for individual sessions is at the Beautiful Mind Pilates Studio, Medical Suites, Thrupps Centre, Oxford Road, Illovo.
Price: R400

BALANCE IN MOTION: FELDENKRAIS FOR EQUESTRIANS

Forthcoming workshops to be posted

Benefits:
Replace force with "feel". Improve posture, flexibility, balance and alignment Useful to eliminate rounded shoulders, tight shoulders and hands, aching backs and necks, hip, leg and knee problems. When your body is more supple, you can ride in a way which will encourage relaxation and suppleness in the horse.

What are the exercises like?
Feldenkrais exercises are done dismounted - lying down or sitting - they proceed slowly and gently as you listen to verbal instructions, often with your eyes closed. The exercises interrupt ingrained patterns of movement that may be unwittingly leading to asymmetrical movement or pain. Each workshop will feature different exercises, and will also be inspired by particular issues which the equestrians on the course bring. Many people believe that a supposed weakness or bad habit must be overcome through some rigorous, forceful routine. One of the most rewarding benefits of Feldenkrais is the realization that improvements in ease of movement can be learned pleasurably and faster than you think.