FORMATS OF FELDENKRAIS MOVEMENT LESSONS
ATM Classes
In Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) classes you are verbally guided through an unusual movement sequence. Classes are often done lying on the floor using soft mats for comfort, with the standing and seated positions also used. Vanessa’s weekly classes last an hour and typically are delivered as a block of 6 weekly lessons.
Classes are a pleasant, affordable way to learn and improve your self-awareness and begin to feel better and better each week. They are done slowly to give you time and space to notice what exactly you are doing. This allows you to find a way to move with less resistance and more flow. You can notice your unique little habits about holding unnecessary tension in your jaw, neck, chest, anywhere in fact. You get to know yourself better, learning to become your own observer. This 2018 article in The Washington Post explains it well.
While Feldenkrais classes are of benefit to every age group with a range of physical abilities, Vanessa’s classes are not suitable for people with severe mobility problems. Attendees need to be able to get up and down from the floor with minimal assistance.
ATM classes are not suitable for those with more severe developmental and disability issues, the very old or the very young. Individual Functional Integration® is better suited to help in these instances.
This 5 minute YouTube video gives a feel for the style of learning in a Feldenkrais class.
For many people one hour a week immersed in a class is the ultimate “me time”, a way to hit the reset button to find calm and tranquility in a busy world.
Functional Integration
Functional Integration® (FI) is a private one-on-one lesson, tailored to your individuals learning needs. In FI you are fully clothed and the Practitioner works with you using guided gentle touch. You will never be forced, stretched or manipulated into painful positions.
FI can help athletes identify what interferes with them improving in their field. Some of the effects of aging that we take for granted can be diminished with FI. Become that person who ages well, is more engaged and capable with a renewed zest for life. FI is also used where people face large challenges, developmental issues or disability where ATM classes are not suitable.
While a minimum of 3 visits is highly recommended a single visit is also possible. The number of visits and the spacing of them depends on the severity of your situation and how quickly you want to improve. The schedule of pricing is clearly explained here.
Since 2024 Vanessa has added the use of large blankets in her body work, especially good for if you have high tone or anxiety. The extremely gentle movements done with the blanket down will down regulate the nervous system to a wonderful place.
Functional Integration® is available at premises in Nedlands. Contact Vanessa to inquire or make a booking.
“Nothing is permanent about our behaviour except our belief that it is so.”
Moshe Feldenkrais