Feldenkrais for Life podcast

In this deeper exploration of language and identity, Al and Donna discuss how the words we use shape our sense of self. They examine Moshe Feldenkrais' later shift away from the word "body" toward the idea of the integrated "self," and explore how language influences sensation, belief, emotion, movement, and human possibility.

Al and Donna examine how simple words like "yes" and "no" affect sensation, emotion, movement, and relationships. Through stories, metaphors, and practical examples from teaching and clinical practice, they explore how language shapes experience and how supportive communication can foster connection, learning, and healing.  

Why is uncertainty so important for learning? Al and Donna explore curiosity, experimentation, confidence, willpower, and the role of exploration in human development. Drawing from babies learning to crawl, athletic performance, and Feldenkrais® lessons, they discuss how staying with uncertainty can open the door to profound learning and change.  

Inspired by James Clear's Atomic Habits , Al and Donna compare conventional "top-down" habit-building strategies with the sensory-motor learning approach of the Feldenkrais Method® . They explore how subtle changes in movement, attention, and awareness can transform deeply unconscious habits and reshape how we move through life.

Al and Donna explore what actually happens during a Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® lesson. They discuss sensing, scanning, unconscious habits, sensory awareness, and why audio lessons can create such profound learning experiences. Along the way, they contrast Feldenkrais learning with exercise, meditation, and top-down approaches to change.

State shifting is the art of transforming how we feel, think, and act. Al and Donna reveal how Feldenkrais lessons gently guide us from stress to calm, rigidity to fluidity, and hesitation to confident action.   Key Takeaways:   • State shifting is the ability to move between emotional states with ease. • Extended exhalation calms the nervous system and promotes neutrality. • Movement practices en...

How do the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives? In this episode, Al and Donna explore how the Feldenkrais Method can help reshape personal narratives, moving from limiting beliefs to empowering self-images.   Key Takeaways:   • Our self-narrative influences confidence, creativity, and resilience. • Challenging limiting narratives opens doors to personal growth. • Feldenkrais practices suppor...

Donna and Al discuss the fascinating world of memory, including how implicit and explicit memories shape our experiences. They reveal how Feldenkrais lessons can soften the grip of old patterns while cultivating new, positive self-perceptions.   Key Takeaways:   • Implicit memories from early life shape our unconscious habits. • State influences how we recall past experiences calm states recall po...

In this episode, Al and Donna explore vertical integration, the seamless connection between body, brain, and self. They discuss how Feldenkrais practices cultivate this integration, fostering a more embodied and responsive way of being.   Key Takeaways:   • Vertical integration links sensory input, emotional processing, and conscious thought. • Feeling the whole self improves coordination, clarity...

This episode dives into the concept of lateral integration, emphasizing how the Feldenkrais Method fosters communication between the brain's left and right hemispheres. Al and Donna share how balanced hemispheric integration supports clarity, creativity, and emotional well-being.   Key Takeaways:   • The right hemisphere handles holistic awareness, while the left focuses on details. • Bilateral in...

Al and Donna explore how habits shape our movement, self-image, and overall well-being. They discuss how the Feldenkrais Method offers practical strategies for breaking unhelpful patterns and forming new habits that align with personal values and motivations. Key Takeaways:   • Integration involves smooth coordination between movement, emotion, and thought. • Recognizing early signs of disintegrat...

What can interoception, body scanning, and proprioception reveal about your overall "body budget"? We try a left eye awareness lesson as an example. Visit https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings. Visit the show website: https://FeldenkraisforLife.com.

When should we use willpower versus effortless flow in practicing movement? We explore how willpower decreases as ability increases and how too much willful effort gets in our way.   Visit https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings. Visit the show website: https://FeldenkraisforLife.com.

Mindful movement can create greater harmony between the voluntary and autonomic nervous systems. We discuss this important brain-body connection for wellbeing. Visit https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings. Visit the show website: https://FeldenkraisforLife.com.

Answering listener questions on topics like yoga, emotional release in practice, and why we don't stretch in the Feldenkrais Method®. Visit https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings. Visit the show website: https://FeldenkraisforLife.com.  

How do convergent and divergent styles of thinking relate to creativity? We explore how Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons can stimulate flexible, creative problem-solving. Visit https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings. Visit the show website: https://FeldenkraisforLife.com.

As our physical abilities improve through practice, so does our confidence to meet life's challenges. We discuss how the Feldenkrais Method can cultivate resilience for aging well.   Visit https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings. Visit the show website: https://FeldenkraisforLife.com.

Ancient civilizations often referred to the sacrum as the "holy bone." We discuss the "holy bone," the social impact of our self-image and the pelvis, and the birthing process. Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings.

In his book, The Potent Self, Dr. Feldenkrais puts forward four criteria for coordinated, well-learned action: the absence of effort, the absence of resistance, the presence of reversibility, and breathing and posture. We discuss each of these with examples. Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerin...

Cross-motivation is when we enact more than one motivation at the same time. By becoming aware of our cross-motivations and sorting out our intentions so we are acting in a mono-motivated way, we use less energy, feel better, and get more done in our lives. Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offering...

We discuss trauma resolution from the perspective of psychotherapy and the Feldenkrais Method. Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings.

We discuss how mistakes are essential to learning. Hear a story about how a music teacher encouraged a little girl to make mistakes to help her learn; and how trying to do something correctly limits our success.   Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings.

We discuss why we move slowly when doing Feldenkrais lessons. And how essential that is for learning. Experience the difference between going quickly and going slow. Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings.

Working within your range of comfort, Exploring variations at the border of ability, discovering a greater capacity, Doing too much, Involving more of yourself Visit: https://AchievingExcellence.com and https://DonnaRay.com to learn more about Donna and Al and to explore our class and product offerings.