Posts Tagged ‘Feldenrkais Method’
September 7, 2010 -Releasing shoulder and neck tension
Posted by Vita in Mindful Movement Tips on September 7th, 2010
As everyone goes back to work and school we start to spend more time in front of the computer, which can result in neck strain and tension between the shoulder blades.
Take a break every 20 minutes. During one of your breaks try the following:
• Sit at the front of the chair with your feet firmly on the floor and about shoulder width apart.
• Bring your arms up to the sides, parallel to the floor, at shoulder height. Make loose fists.
• Rotate your arms down so that your thumb moves toward the floor. Try not to drop your arms and keep them at shoulder height. Feel your shoulder blades rounding forward.
• As you rotate your arms, look to the floor, feel your chin coming closer to your chest and gently exhale. As your head drops, imagine your neck getting longer.
• What do you feel happening in your chest around your breastbone? Do you sense any weight shifting on your sitting bones – e.g. does your pelvis move forward or back a bit?
• Return to the upright position and repeat a few times.
• Pause for a few moments with your arms resting on your lap.
• Bring your arms to shoulder height again and make loose fists.
• Rotate your arms the other way – so that your palm begins to turn toward the ceiling. Feel your shoulders rotating back, toward your spine. Inhale and look upward as you rotate your arms up. Again notice the response in your pelvis, sitting bones and back.
• Stop after a few rotations.
• Pause and then combine the two movements.
• Drop your arms and rest for a few moments before getting up and taking a brief walk before resuming your work.
Fall Awareness Through Movement® classes begin next week, September 14. Call (604.729.0060) or contact us for more information or to register.
Day 10- February 21, 2010
Posted by Vita in Olympic Experiences on February 21st, 2010
After 3 days off I headed back to Whistler this morning for an 11 am start. I was assigned to “Path 20″. The path is an 800 m walk up from the bottom of Creekside to the top of the chair lift that leads to another path to the viewing stands. I thought the picture posted at the top of the path said it all: “As beautiful as the scenery is around you, it’s not as beautiful as you are right now for making this hike! 
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The race started earlier in the day so I was part of the second shift. My hosts and I didn’t have much to do as the crowds had already gone up to the race. There were only a few late comers and we just waited for all the spectators to leave the stands. Since the top three racers were decided fairly early, the crowds started to leave early. It was a quiet day for us and not as busy or exciting as the previous two days working the downhill.
The only excitement we had was a family with two children in a double stroller and a German Shepard dog. Only service animals are allowed in the venue. There was a lot of chatter on the radio as staff were not sure what this dog was doing in the venue and were even more confused when the family said their daughter has allergies and the dog works for her – sniffing around for things she might be allergic to. My nursing background came in handy here as I understood what they were saying. When the family was leaving the venue we discussed with them that in Canada we easily identify service animals who wear coats or other identifying marks. We got some more information from them about their needs so that when they come again on Tuesday, all staff would understand their needs and hopefully their visit would be more pleasurable, without so many stops and questions.
I am now back in Vancouver for a couple of days. Next work day is Wednesday with another late start at 10:30.