Jean Elvin Rocks Feldenkrais: A Hidden Treasure in San Francisco
Scott Mills, Ph.D.
A few weeks ago, my friend Bill invited me to a workshop led by Jean Elvin. Now Bill is 75 years old and one of the most vital, healthy people I know so when he suggests something I take it seriously. The workshop was an introduction to the Feldenkrais Method focusing on neck, arms and shoulders at City College and what a treat!
Jean led the group of 20 or so people through a series of very gentle motions while laying on a mat. For a yoga junkie like me I was skeptical that I would get too much out of it since it wasn’t a very “active” form of movement. But I poured myself into the movements and wouldn’t you know, by the end of the class I felt I had been in an advanced yoga class. My neck and shoulders felt so open and relaxed.
When I looked this method up on our old friend google to find out a bit more, I discovered that a physicist named Moshe Feldenkrais developed this series of movements to rehabilitate a serious knee injury in lieu of surgery. I was excited to find that this system is really about bringing deeper connection between the mind and body. In fact, Feldenkrais said, “What I’m after is not just more flexible bodies, but more flexible minds.”
In a group setting, the Feldenkrais method has been designed to offer verbal instructions to assist you in noticing old patterns that your body has gotten stuck in. Perhaps you are walking around with your shoulders in a weird position all day long and all you notice is neck pain. The gentle movements the method offers allows you to reset your system back to a neutral place. In individual sessions, the practioner works with clients on a low table manually adjusting the body to raise awareness.
For folks who are looking for a gentle way to connect deeply to their bodies and to relax their minds, I’m convinced that this a great path to go down. To make it easier for people to approach this work, Jean teaches classes at San Francisco City College where 14 weeks of this amazing method are only $45. You can also see her privately. Check out her website www.sweetagility.com for more information!
