Frequently Asked Questions About Designed for Movement
General Questions
Is this a fitness program?
How does this complement Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and other martial arts?
How does Designed for Movement enhance other sports and physical activities?
I am in pain, how can this approach help me?
Who does this approach work best for?
What is the spiritual component to Designed for Movement?
Why has my doctor never heard of Designed for Movement?
How does this method work with other therapy approaches?
How many times should I do each session?
If I feel any pain as I do the movements, what should I do?
Will I lose my progress if I stop doing the sessions?
Is this a fitness program?
This is an approach that facilitates being able to pursue fitness programs and other activities by helping people learn how to move well within their structure. If you do not move well then pursuing any physical activity is fraught with difficulties ranging from stiffness and pain to actual injuries. Learning to move well will greatly reduce the possibility of injury and you will have fun! You don't have to have pain, sore muscles and stiffness to feel stronger and more flexible than ever before.
How does this complement Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and other martial arts?
All of these are primarily strength, flexibility and balance training tools in their physical activity although Yoga and martial arts incorporate a spiritual component as well. Many people use these methods to try to become more flexible. By integrating what is learned with Designed for Movement people become more flexible without stretching and can more easily perform the movements in their chosen art while concentrating on strength and balance. Designed for Movement enhances the spiritual practice of these arts because people can be in meditative positions with greater ease and comfort. The mind/body connection becomes more powerful when there is no physical discomfort to disturb the practice.
How does Designed for Movement enhance other sports and physical activities?
People learn how to move in total harmony with their structure which creates the ability to learn to optimize their technique for any pursuit or sport. No matter what the sport, people learn how to use their bodies in ways that reduce unnecessary effort, decrease injuries, improve coordination and transform performance.
I am in pain, how can this approach help me?
Pain is an important indicator from our brain that we are about to hurt ourselves or are in the process of injuring ourselves. Most of us stiffen up but continue to do the movement that is causing our pain! Designed for Movement teaches people to STOP doing the movement that is causing pain and to discover and look for a different way to move and still be able to achieve whatever it is t they are doing. People acquire a toolbox of practices that they have for the rest of their lives and that empowers them to stay out of pain. As pain decreases often our lives seem to 'lighten up' and we feel a greater sense of fun and well being.
How many times should I do each session?
It is recommended that you do the sessions in order the first time and thereafter you can do them in any order you prefer. For optimal learning it is better not to do the same session repeatedly, but mix them up and over time each one will become easier and more fun.
If I feel any pain as I do the movements, what should I do?
STOP doing the movements immediately as your brain is telling you that you are about to hurt yourself. You can visualize the movements and research has shown that you get the same benefit from visualizing as from actually performing. After visualizing you can try doing the movements again, but very small and gently, to sense if you have found another way to move that is pain free.
If I stop doing the sessions, will I lose my progress?
The approach is all about changing habits; if you have changed a habit such that you are not conscious of it, then you will retain those changes. If you must still be aware and pay attention to an existing habit that you are in the process of changing you may revert to the old habit more easily since the new habit is not yet dominant. The more lessons you do, the more you will imprint new habits and the less you will tend to revert to old habits. When under stress we tend to revert to old habits, therefore it is even more important to do the sessions when you are under stress. You may also find that if you take a break from the sessions and then go back to them you will progress faster. When you continue adding new sessions to your process you experience new levels of flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, and energy.
What is the spiritual component to Designed for Movement?
As you progress with the sessions and movement becomes more easeful your brain is not working so hard to keep you balanced in gravity which frees up the brain so that you may feel more clarity and more ability to concentrate. As the body becomes less stiff and more flexible and coordinated we tend to develop a greater sense of well-being. With improved movement and ease many people feel more stamina, energy and vitality.
Who does this approach work best for?
Since the method addresses learning and the underlying principles of harmonious, effective movement and action, in effect the program can be useful for everyone. The sessions have helped people eliminate pain, feel younger, increase energy, improve performance and discover a new ease in their body. Musicians improve their playing, golfers improve their stroke, injured athletes go back to playing, and the life of those choosing to partake in these programs improve. If you feel bad it will make you feel good. If you feel good it will make you feel great.
Do these lessons with your spouse, your friends, your kids and your parents and everyone will benefit!
Why has my doctor never heard of this?
Some doctors have heard of Dr. Feldenkrais but because it is difficult to create a way to test the efficacy of this work the medical industry largely ignores it. More and more doctors are becoming aware of it as more patients request it and as more practitioners are available to offer it. With a large part of the population coming close to retirement and finding out that they may not be able to do all the activities they were looking forward to doing, this approach will become more prevalent and accepted.
How does this approach work with other therapy approaches?
If a therapeutic approach is in direct conflict with what we teach then we suggest that you suspend that therapy while pursuing this method to see if it is beneficial. For more articles on this subject, click here.
There are some therapies that work very well with this method: conductive education, therapeutic horse back riding, homeopathy, computer based training of the brain, vision therapy, cranial sacral, massage, oxygen and other gentle approaches.