When it comes to coffee, there might be two main reasons to drink it:
- Firstly, to enjoy the feeling—or the taste of it, the social setting and the (sharable) experience of consuming it, maybe also the ritual of preparation, and the act of purchasing.
- Secondly, to experience the effects—a stimulating boost, inducing a stronger heartbeat, increased alertness, and enhanced focus.
Maybe something similar could be said about exercise.
However, when it comes to rehab and physical therapy modalities, most people might do it mainly for reason #2, to experience the effects: to get relief from pain, or physical restrictions, or gain a better functioning body. With little regard towards how the therapy itself feels like, or enjoying the process. And maybe for good reason, for I myself, too, have experienced some therapies as not necessarily pleasant, rushed, and less effective than I’d hoped for; while resenting the monetary costs.
How do Feldenkrais-inspired lessons, and these kind of movement sequences, match up with that thought?
It seems that over the past few decades, Feldenkrais has been boxed into a therapeutic corner. As a result, potential clients may ask:
- Why should I do it?
- What will be the benefits?
-
How much does it cost and what can I expect from my investment?
When instead they could ask:
- How does it feel like?
- Why do you love it so much?
And regarding main reason #2, the benefits: Oh, it can do that? I didn’t know it can do that! Let me try!
