Blog
Walking and talking...
- By: MaryBeth Smith
- On: 10/04/2016 15:08:00
- In: Blog
Walking the talk. Practicing what you preach. I had a chance to do just that over the weekend. I am here to tell you that the Feldenkrais Method makes a difference when the unexpected happens.
Last Friday morning, I was tending to my grandson. I accidentally slipped on a wet floor and fell into the splits - sort of. Having taught many people how to "fall well," I had no choice but to surrender to gravity. But friction was my enemy! My right heel slid, my left foot stuck - and my left knee twisted sickeningly. Although it was painful, I was quickly reassured to discover that nothing appeared to be broken or torn. I could straighten and bend my knee in most trajectories without any pain. I had to crawl to get my phone to call my son-in-law for help. I figured out how to stand up, and discovered that walking was very difficult and painful. Eventually I got myself up onto the couch, elevated my leg with a large pillow, and waited. Thankfully, my 3-year-old companion was content to play quietly and help as best he could!While I waited, and almost every waking moment since, I have been "doing Feldenkrais." I made gentle, easy dragging movements with my heel along the floor, supported by a scarf-sling, so that I could find speeds and pathways for movement that were painless. I explored soft bending of my ankle, while feeling the effects in my knee. I experimented with weight-bearing on my left foot, while sitting: outer edge, inner edge, ball, heel. I thought little circles of pressure around the perimeter of my foot. I luxuriated in slow frog-leg moves, and pushing through the foot to roll my pelvis. With each experiment, my awareness and my confidence grew.
I'm writing this on the following Tuesday morning. I was able to keep an out-of-town work commitment on Saturday, rested on Sunday, and rescheduled yesterday's appointments so that I could continue to rest. Today, I still have a few twinges, BUT I am walking and planning to fulfill my entire schedule for the week. In just a few more days, I expect my slight limp will no longer be necessary. I am so grateful for this work, and for the resilience and resourcefulness that emerges over time - especially in emergencies!
Life can be unpredictable, and accidents do happen. The Feldenkrais Method did not make me immune or impervious to injury. Instead, the Method has helped to accelerate my recovery, and return me to functioning in my daily life. I know it can do the same for you!
All for now,
MaryBeth Smith
Founder and Director,
The Feldenkrais Center of Houston
MaryBeth Smith, GCFP, MM, improves human performance, helping people to navigate the world of intention, action, and achievement. She holds degrees in music from the University of Illinois and the University of Texas, San Antonio. She is the Director of the Feldenkrais® Center of Houston, and is a nationally recognized authority on the improvement of human potential and performance. http://houstonfeldenkrais.com/