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Show I M The Rail Lake Trlbunp, Runday, Otriher IT, 1312 Its back to the basic concepts of body movement By Ann KjJ bourn Tribune Lifpstyle Wrifpr featherless Thprp arp some bipeds" who dont pay enough attention to the way they move, according to Mnshe Feldenkrais. A "fcathrrlcss biped," also known as a human be ing, might be able to get 8round He just doesn't do it as well as he could Mr Feldenkrais, a physicist and engineer, changed careers to develop a system of reeducating people in mastery of anatomical function Carol Ler, singer teaches the Feldenkrais Method to students in classes at the University of Utah Division of Continuing Education. She also gives classes at the Phornix Institute. Ms Lessinger explained the basic concepts of Mr. Feldenkraiss theory on movement. Awareness of Body "Teaching Feldenkrais is teaching awareness of the body through movement. It isn't strenuous exercise. Techniques used in the Feldenkrais Method never go to the extent of requiring effort. The movements are gentie " Emphasis should be placed on the term "gentle," she said The undemanding routine of the program allows a participant to got away from lifes clutter. Gentle flexing, lifting, raising, free the mind to follow the bodys movements. A person isnt aware of how his body works. He just knows that it works for him. Feldenkrais stresses the importance of realizing what is going on when a person stands, walks, reaches. Feldenkrais is taught to students as they lie on the floor. On the floor, postural reflexes arent needed. The individual lessens neural demands, she explained. Once these neural demands are eased, a person has time to think about how he moves the way he always falls back on them Habitual movements slow an individual down ' Some people are resistant to i hange because the habitual moves are reliable Sometimes they cause discomfort, but even the discomfort is reliable," Ms Lessinger said. "This predictability is not a positive thing Feldenkrais ran change the way a person moves. Simplest movement requires the attention of many neural centers. It is logical for a person to learn the most efficient, effective, positive way of coordinating body movement. Feldenkrais teaches that the reorganizing of body functions im. proves Feldenkrais method takes the participant hack to basic concepts of movement. An insignificant exercise such as lifting a leg, rotating an arm is done so that the individual ran take the time to observe which parts of his body are used. Often, an individual will use one part of his body to compensate for insufficient development of another, Ms. Lessinger said Yet as soon as the brain is aware of the simplicity of a directed exercise 8nd recognizes demands made of muscles long ignored, it adopts them. Practical Moves Feldenkrais Method teaches that the mind and body remember the most effective, practical ways of moving even if those methods aren't being used any more. "Sometimes, a person discards the simplicity of movement for more elaborate, complicated, often awkward methods. There is probably a better way but the individual has stopped looking. Learning to pay attention to what his mind and body are telling him is difficult for the individual. He has established a method of movement and doesn't acknowledge his body after that. he learned does, Ms Lessinger said "By being aware of how his body works a person can, if he choo&ps, change. And changes he makes will mean improved physical attitudes. Learn to Move ' Human beings take lunger to become functional in their environment than do other animals They are born with no inherited learning. "Man's movements are learned through exposure to the environment. Like many other things, walking has to be Iparned By the time he is an adult., the individual has probably had to neglect inner feeling in favor of realizing what others think is correct." As a result, the person has indirectly stopped developing further use of his body Feldenkrais wants the person to pay attention, spp what sensations have been dulled over the years "When someone recognizes new alternatives, he is able to alter movement. "Everyone can change and learn to improve basic motions in life But many are tied down to the 'shoulds.' The 'shoulds' limit the individual to a type of tunnel vision as far as his concepts of movement well-being- go "He learned, early on, a certain way to move. He isn't able to explore alternatives because he thinks I cant move that way I have always moved like I do now. This is how I must move, " Ms. Lessinger said. As soon as a person can let go of the "shoulds," he can make adjustments, create improvements appropriate to him. Hanging on to the "shoulds," such alternatives wouldnt occur to him, Ms. Lessinger said. Find Options "A person who has successfully discarded his notions of mandatory ways of moving can see options. The person confined to the solutions "But Feldenkrais say it is possi- ble to relearn, to work on coordinating the hows and why of moving. Feldenk-rai- s Dawne student at the U. of I,', for three university quarters, said she was surprised at the effectiveness of educating her mind and body as a single unit "When I began, I didnt realize what went on in my body when I moved And I didn't anticipate the depth of change Feldenkrais would make." Being a Skeptic Stan Novak admits being a skeptic when he started. "My wife said there was a program where they taught you how to move. 1 had read an article on Feldenkrais and thought it was just another fad. "But I agreed to go to the class with her I wasnt planning to put myself out In class, the Instructor told everyone to lie on the floor. She said lift one leg, rotate it, not work too hard That was fine with me. I didnt plan to exert myself at all." No Strain Mr. Novaks decision to not put himself out allowed the Feldenkrais Method to work. "I have had back surgery twice. My back always hurt. It doesnt hurt constantly now. "I dont know how it works but the Feldenkrais Method makes a difference. If you stick with the exercises, you feel better. "Yeah, there is still some pain in my back, but nothing like it used to he. And it beats taking pain killers all the time." The Feldenkrais Method can allow you to rearrange your neurological game plan; possibly realign your physiological makeup. Ms. Lessinger says you will feel better, move more effectively. Just pay more attention to what, how and why you move the way you do. And let the Feldenkrais Method "seduce your nervous system. Stuart-Gruher.- a Carol Lessinger, Feldenkrais teacher, said routine of program allows participants to get rid of life clutter. He wants to move; she wants to stay By Joyce Lain Kennedy Dear Joyce: My husband has been offered a promotion if hell move to another state. Although he is eager to go, I am not. I have a job I like and feel that my best chances for furthering my own career are right here. Im with my torn between going husband -- 1 love TT him and stayR.W.Y., San ing behind. Advice? Diego, Calif. Social convention and family economics until recently have sent women packing when their husbands were transferred. Now, as my associate Sue Moore has found out, wives are beginning to say no to relocating, sometimes at the expense of their marriages. Husbands too, increasingly, are questioning the calue of transfers when their wives and probably will suffer as a the family budget result. Cairol Lessinger, seated, instructs a class in basics of Feldenkrais, an awareness of the body through movement. I Tough Decisions Your decision will be a tough one and the best I can do is suggest questions to help you focus on what you really want: Will your relationship sour if you become unhappy because your new locale offers you inferior job opportunities? Would your husband relocate to further your career? (One study of mobile managers says career conflicts with spouses tend to be resolved in favor of the career with the higher compensation, or less frequently, the career that offers potential.) greater long-ter- Movements are gentle. There is never a time in classes when the techniques require any strenuous effort. Is the move one that will benefit both of vou materiallv and emotionally? What do you gain and lose by slaying where you are? Whats harder to find and more a man you can important to you love and live with or a satisfying career? For families with children, espethe decision is cially fraught with even more potential for calamity since the youngsters' preferences must be factored in too. Offer Spouse Assistance Recognizing there are no easy answers, a small but growing number of companies are tuning up job programs. Some operate the programs in house while others retain such Chalconsultants as Chicago-base- d lenger, Gray and Christmas, a outplacement firm with offices in 13 cities. The firm offers mates counseling on marketing themselves, uncovering employment opportunities in the new location, obtaining and preparing for job interviews and using a resume. Although its a long shot, check to see if your husband's new employer offers any type of spouse assistance. A few companies will contact their customers to identify openings, or even forget about nepotism and hire the spouse themselves An employer occasionally will foot commuting expenses until the mate finds a suitable job. teen-ager- spouse-assistanc- e well-know- n READER NOTE: II vou decide to pack your bees, be sure vour resume is a sparkler. Send lor "Resumes: The Nitty Gritty" by Joyce Lain Kennedy. The booklet is available for $2.50 plus a 0 cents-stampeIona white envelope. Make check payable to Sun Features Inc., and mail to: Resumes, Box MiC, Cardiff, Calif. $201. . 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