What people with spinal cord injury say about Feldenkrais
In January 1991I crushed my spinal cord at C3/C4 in a diving accident and was told by doctors I would be a quadriplegic for the rest of my life. With the help of an experienced osteopath I undertook an intense rehab program which included exercises using the Feldenkrais method. After several weeks I slowly began to regain movement. Although we were exercising and massaging all parts of my body I only achieved positive results where we used the Feldenkrais exercises. Over a period of six months I regained the use of my legs and after a further three months the use of my arms and hands. Despite the negative prognosis of traditional medical experts Feldenkrais helped me achieve an almost full recovery. Kevin Hitchcock, Former Director of News, Channel Ten, Sydney
In the beginning, I was surprised that unexpected movements were possible again. Important for me, above all, was to learn to feel myself once more, although I have a complete loss of sensation. I could feel once more my feet and legs through pressure, movement, warmth and the orientation of my legs in space. In the session, I could feel myself whole again, as Helga gave me an impulse for organisation to stand, compressing from the foot to the head. And because of that, the pain diminished. (Translated from German) Michael Willems, Marpingen, Germany
The Feldenkrais method taught me to refine my sensory awareness by combining visualization with intelligent moving, leading to more mobility. Becoming a Feldenkrais practitioner was then a four-year physical and mental therapy and teaching how to maintain, improve, and refine my balance and awareness of myself as a whole. Irene Lober, MA, Feldenkrais practitioner, incomplete paraplegia after lesion L 3/4
I had experience with Feldenkrais prior to rolling my car and sustaining the C5-6 spinal cord injury. I was able to call upon its basic premise, that of bringing awareness to the parts of the body where the energies are blocked or stagnant, feeling from the inside-out and the outside-in. From the beginning, even though I was “paralyzed” from the shoulders down, I could feel the difference in my right and left sides energetically. Feldenkrais work assisted my body’s cellular knowing, allowing what was ordered in my left side to inform my right side. The consistent patterning practice of Feldenkrais, whether the movement was a visualization or actual hands on work with a practitioner, enabled my body to keep reclaiming more of itself. Molly Hale, BS(Psychology); Keynote Speaker, “Endless Possibilities” Conference, G.F. Strong Rehab Hospital, Vancouver, 2005; Aikido 3rd degree black belt; Olympic torch bearer, 2002; injured 1995
I have been in a wheelchair for 18 years now and came across Cindy and Feldenkrais while I was working at Burwood Spinal Unit towards the end of last year while working with new spinal injuries. I am a T12 Paraplegic complete and live an active life. I have had about ten sessions with Cindy and noticed improvements in my balance and the way my posture is in my chair since seeing Cindy. I would recommend Feldenkrais to anyone with a spinal injury. Mark Sullivan, Rolla Blacks Captain; previously Independent Living Coach, Transition Programme, Burwood Hospital
I have found Feldenkrais beneficial in increasing the awareness of my paralyzed limbs through an easy and enjoyable series of passive movements. With practice the awareness would return with less effort and for longer durations of time. The progress that has been achieved over a relatively short period of time has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to the future possibilities that Feldenkrais can provide. I would recommend it to anyone who has is looking at furthering their rehabilitation. Damian Frires, Manager, Aotea Electrical, Wanaka
Feldenkrais has made a huge difference for me. I did Feldenkrais work with a physical therapist after having developed bilateral elbow and wrist tendinitis from computer work. The symptoms became chronic enough for me to stop my work as a computer graphics designer and manager in 1992. To have gained a full sense of how my body moved and where my power was made a huge difference. Three examples:
I was amazed at how much improved physical function I acquired after having completed the Feldenkrais training program, given that I was over 20 years post spinal cord injury at C5 &6 with partial paralysis in all extremities. Edward Muegge, MA(Counselling Psychology), Feldenkrais practitioner
You feel so relaxed, and at the same time, you're doing something really good for yourself in a physical sense. Andrew Hall, BAgCom, CEO NZ Spinal Trust 2006-2011, injured 1983
I really enjoy working with Cindy and her ideas make a lot of sense to me…I found that over the course of our sessions I noticed improvements in awareness and sensation…I have adopted Cindy’s techniques into my daily routine and believe as a result they relieve my pain and spasm, keep my body supple, and increase the potential of recovering sensation so much more than if I was to neglect these techniques. I totally recommend the ideas and techniques that Cindy offers. Johnny Bourke, Psychology student, Massey University; Spinal Network News Editorial Team Member; initial diagnosis - C4/5 ASIA A
It never ceases to amaze me how after one session with Cindy, I notice dramatic improvements in body awareness, often in places where I have little sensation or movement. Feldenkrais should be a mandatory part of the rehabilitation process I believe. Claire Freeman, MA(Health Sciences, majoring in Rehabilitation), BDesHons, PG Dip Mk; graphic designer, NZ Spinal Trust, injured 1995
I came to the Feldenkrais Method (in 1997) nine years after my spinal cord injury. The Method has helped me see the intricacies of movement. Each session reveals new possibilities that can overcome a lifetime of conditioning. It has been and continues to be valuable to my ease in movement. Rich McLaughlin, BA(Archaeology and Religious Studies)
I have being using Feldenkrais for almost a year now and as a result have a new awareness of my body which I feel not only benefits my wellbeing but also helps with my posture and balance. Hamish Ramsden, BAgCom; company administrator; Spinal Network News Editorial Team Member; C5/6 tetraplegia; injured 1994
My first session with Cindy was incredible - I experienced tingling on the soles of my feet and I could sense a circling motion as well. Previously my partner had massaged my feet and I had not been aware of any sensation at all. This continued throughout our sessions and by the time it came for me to go home to Wellington I was able to have a sense of where my legs were and constant tingling in my feet.
I am still experiencing this now…Cindy also taught me how to roll onto my side with ease and to use my body more economically…I am very grateful to Cindy for introducing Feldenkrais to me. Anthea Gunner (Dixon), 28/6/06; Para Equestrian, 2012 Olympics, initial diagnosis - T10/11 ASIA A
It's fantastic! Been able to move things that I thought I couldn't. Jo Elliot
In the beginning, I was surprised that unexpected movements were possible again. Important for me, above all, was to learn to feel myself once more, although I have a complete loss of sensation. I could feel once more my feet and legs through pressure, movement, warmth and the orientation of my legs in space. In the session, I could feel myself whole again, as Helga gave me an impulse for organisation to stand, compressing from the foot to the head. And because of that, the pain diminished. (Translated from German) Michael Willems, Marpingen, Germany
The Feldenkrais method taught me to refine my sensory awareness by combining visualization with intelligent moving, leading to more mobility. Becoming a Feldenkrais practitioner was then a four-year physical and mental therapy and teaching how to maintain, improve, and refine my balance and awareness of myself as a whole. Irene Lober, MA, Feldenkrais practitioner, incomplete paraplegia after lesion L 3/4
I had experience with Feldenkrais prior to rolling my car and sustaining the C5-6 spinal cord injury. I was able to call upon its basic premise, that of bringing awareness to the parts of the body where the energies are blocked or stagnant, feeling from the inside-out and the outside-in. From the beginning, even though I was “paralyzed” from the shoulders down, I could feel the difference in my right and left sides energetically. Feldenkrais work assisted my body’s cellular knowing, allowing what was ordered in my left side to inform my right side. The consistent patterning practice of Feldenkrais, whether the movement was a visualization or actual hands on work with a practitioner, enabled my body to keep reclaiming more of itself. Molly Hale, BS(Psychology); Keynote Speaker, “Endless Possibilities” Conference, G.F. Strong Rehab Hospital, Vancouver, 2005; Aikido 3rd degree black belt; Olympic torch bearer, 2002; injured 1995
I have been in a wheelchair for 18 years now and came across Cindy and Feldenkrais while I was working at Burwood Spinal Unit towards the end of last year while working with new spinal injuries. I am a T12 Paraplegic complete and live an active life. I have had about ten sessions with Cindy and noticed improvements in my balance and the way my posture is in my chair since seeing Cindy. I would recommend Feldenkrais to anyone with a spinal injury. Mark Sullivan, Rolla Blacks Captain; previously Independent Living Coach, Transition Programme, Burwood Hospital
I have found Feldenkrais beneficial in increasing the awareness of my paralyzed limbs through an easy and enjoyable series of passive movements. With practice the awareness would return with less effort and for longer durations of time. The progress that has been achieved over a relatively short period of time has exceeded my expectations and I look forward to the future possibilities that Feldenkrais can provide. I would recommend it to anyone who has is looking at furthering their rehabilitation. Damian Frires, Manager, Aotea Electrical, Wanaka
Feldenkrais has made a huge difference for me. I did Feldenkrais work with a physical therapist after having developed bilateral elbow and wrist tendinitis from computer work. The symptoms became chronic enough for me to stop my work as a computer graphics designer and manager in 1992. To have gained a full sense of how my body moved and where my power was made a huge difference. Three examples:
- Given my T12-L1 level, I have full use of my hips. When I do transfers into and out of the wheelchair, I now use my trunk and hips while rotating my body, rather than doing it mostly from the arms and shoulders.
- When I open a door, likewise, I don't just use my triceps to pull with my arm, but rotate my trunk.
- When I push my chair, I involve my trunk much more.
I was amazed at how much improved physical function I acquired after having completed the Feldenkrais training program, given that I was over 20 years post spinal cord injury at C5 &6 with partial paralysis in all extremities. Edward Muegge, MA(Counselling Psychology), Feldenkrais practitioner
You feel so relaxed, and at the same time, you're doing something really good for yourself in a physical sense. Andrew Hall, BAgCom, CEO NZ Spinal Trust 2006-2011, injured 1983
I really enjoy working with Cindy and her ideas make a lot of sense to me…I found that over the course of our sessions I noticed improvements in awareness and sensation…I have adopted Cindy’s techniques into my daily routine and believe as a result they relieve my pain and spasm, keep my body supple, and increase the potential of recovering sensation so much more than if I was to neglect these techniques. I totally recommend the ideas and techniques that Cindy offers. Johnny Bourke, Psychology student, Massey University; Spinal Network News Editorial Team Member; initial diagnosis - C4/5 ASIA A
It never ceases to amaze me how after one session with Cindy, I notice dramatic improvements in body awareness, often in places where I have little sensation or movement. Feldenkrais should be a mandatory part of the rehabilitation process I believe. Claire Freeman, MA(Health Sciences, majoring in Rehabilitation), BDesHons, PG Dip Mk; graphic designer, NZ Spinal Trust, injured 1995
I came to the Feldenkrais Method (in 1997) nine years after my spinal cord injury. The Method has helped me see the intricacies of movement. Each session reveals new possibilities that can overcome a lifetime of conditioning. It has been and continues to be valuable to my ease in movement. Rich McLaughlin, BA(Archaeology and Religious Studies)
I have being using Feldenkrais for almost a year now and as a result have a new awareness of my body which I feel not only benefits my wellbeing but also helps with my posture and balance. Hamish Ramsden, BAgCom; company administrator; Spinal Network News Editorial Team Member; C5/6 tetraplegia; injured 1994
My first session with Cindy was incredible - I experienced tingling on the soles of my feet and I could sense a circling motion as well. Previously my partner had massaged my feet and I had not been aware of any sensation at all. This continued throughout our sessions and by the time it came for me to go home to Wellington I was able to have a sense of where my legs were and constant tingling in my feet.
I am still experiencing this now…Cindy also taught me how to roll onto my side with ease and to use my body more economically…I am very grateful to Cindy for introducing Feldenkrais to me. Anthea Gunner (Dixon), 28/6/06; Para Equestrian, 2012 Olympics, initial diagnosis - T10/11 ASIA A
It's fantastic! Been able to move things that I thought I couldn't. Jo Elliot
I can safely say that Feldenkrais lessons have been a significant factor in my recuperation…I am very thankful that I found Feldenkrais and I'm sure I wouldn't be where I am today without it. Amanda Salas, C4/5 quadriplegia
I understand the benefits of Feldenkrais® education because of its impact on my own recovery from a spinal cord injury. Amanda Lynn Halldorson, Feldenkrais practitioner
We've used Feldenkrais to really improve what I feel and to control the subtleties of the movement…Before I met Penina I wasn't able to walk or stand up myself...Feldenkrais has been a big part of that. Michael Forbes, triathlete, quadriplegia
Image: Functional Integration Lesson
I understand the benefits of Feldenkrais® education because of its impact on my own recovery from a spinal cord injury. Amanda Lynn Halldorson, Feldenkrais practitioner
We've used Feldenkrais to really improve what I feel and to control the subtleties of the movement…Before I met Penina I wasn't able to walk or stand up myself...Feldenkrais has been a big part of that. Michael Forbes, triathlete, quadriplegia
Image: Functional Integration Lesson