Unbound! Gentle Movement Lessons for Breast Cancer Survivors

Rating:
Summary: Listening to your Body
Review: If you know someone recovering from breast cancer, surely the best gift you could give her is a set of Alice Brydges’ audiotapes: Unbound! These “gentle movement lessons for breast cancer survivors,” are twelve beautifully presented Feldenkrais Method Awareness Through Movement lessons which lead the listening student on a journey towards change and self-discovery. A beautifully illustrated booklet accompanies the set so that the student is given a clear sense of comfortable options for each physical configuration in which a lesson will be done. The need for gentleness and ease in all the movements is emphasized, and it is pointed out that the results will be greater if there is no pain or strain. The booklet concludes with a biography of Moshe Feldenkrais and a helpful list of resources for more information on the Feldenkrais Method as well as a reference section offering suggestions for further reading. The opening comments by students who have benefited from Brydges' lessons are testimony to the integrity of her approach, and to its powerful effect. The calm and strength of Brydges' voice encourage self-respect and appreciation, as she teaches how one can awaken the wisdom of one's body. This is a journey towards finding options in the way one moves as well as a more integrated sense of ones whole self. The key to success in these lessons is enjoyment of them; the inner journey they map out can be transformative. Each lesson is approximately 45 minutes long and develops from simple beginning movements through gradually more complex and challenging ones. In the “Pulling Silk” lesson which concludes the set, soft movements of the hand are joined by those of the foot, then mouth, navel, and pelvic floor, all accumulating into a wonderful lesson on bringing the whole of oneself to a totality of intention in every action. This lesson, in particular, reflects Brydges' experience in Tai Chi, drawing on images of water and waves flowing on a path of least resistance. These tapes are a wonderful way of learning how to listen to one’s body in order to avoid injury and find greater comfort in daily activities. Because they present such a thorough exploration of classic Awareness Through Movement lessons, they are as valuable for the Feldenkrais enthusiast as they are to someone discovering the work for the first time. ....

Rating:
Summary: Listening to your Body
Review: If you know someone recovering from breast cancer, surely the best gift you could give her is a set of Alice Brydges’ audiotapes: Unbound! These “gentle movement lessons for breast cancer survivors,” are twelve beautifully presented Feldenkrais Method Awareness Through Movement lessons which lead the listening student on a journey towards change and self-discovery. A beautifully illustrated booklet accompanies the set so that the student is given a clear sense of comfortable options for each physical configuration in which a lesson will be done. The need for gentleness and ease in all the movements is emphasized, and it is pointed out that the results will be greater if there is no pain or strain. The booklet concludes with a biography of Moshe Feldenkrais and a helpful list of resources for more information on the Feldenkrais Method as well as a reference section offering suggestions for further reading. The opening comments by students who have benefited from Brydges' lessons are testimony to the integrity of her approach, and to its powerful effect. The calm and strength of Brydges' voice encourage self-respect and appreciation, as she teaches how one can awaken the wisdom of one's body. This is a journey towards finding options in the way one moves as well as a more integrated sense of ones whole self. The key to success in these lessons is enjoyment of them; the inner journey they map out can be transformative. Each lesson is approximately 45 minutes long and develops from simple beginning movements through gradually more complex and challenging ones. In the “Pulling Silk” lesson which concludes the set, soft movements of the hand are joined by those of the foot, then mouth, navel, and pelvic floor, all accumulating into a wonderful lesson on bringing the whole of oneself to a totality of intention in every action. This lesson, in particular, reflects Brydges' experience in Tai Chi, drawing on images of water and waves flowing on a path of least resistance. These tapes are a wonderful way of learning how to listen to one’s body in order to avoid injury and find greater comfort in daily activities. Because they present such a thorough exploration of classic Awareness Through Movement lessons, they are as valuable for the Feldenkrais enthusiast as they are to someone discovering the work for the first time. ....