Ankles & Emotions - Inside the Feldenkrais Learning Process

[@lisaswartz1475]

Big difference after doing this! The side I exercised has so much more mobility and relaxation that the other. And actually, that calf is less tight than the other, which is surprising because it did like ankle 50 reps! But something about the quality of my attention was able to release tension, despite exercising the muscle. So cool!! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@movewithseth]

This is great, Lisa! And yes, the key factor in this process is NOT the movement…what creates the changes you feel is the shift in your use of ATTENTION!

[@MirlaFernandes]

Wonderful lesson! Thank you so much 🙏

[@movewithseth]

You’re very welcome, Mirla!

[@stevem5917]

I liked how this lesson made me slow down and experiment with small movements in a variety of ways. I'm usually looking for a quick fix for an old ankle injury that I have but I'm learning that I can use my ankle differently. If I can better sense my toes, ankles, soles, shins, knees, and hips then I can have different walking options that minimise post-exercise pain. The ankle felt good when walking after this lesson. Thanks Seth.

[@movewithseth]

Great to hear this Steve! Yes, most of us would like to have "quick fixes" for our old injuries. Unfortunately, it's exactly that kind of thinking that speeds us up rather than slowing us down. In that mindset, it's impossible to cultivate the necessary sensitivity to make the necessary distinctions that can lead to actual behavioral change which will provide a longer lasting solution. I'm glad you made this connection today - and once you understand the logic of slowing down . . . you can do that more quickly in the future!

[@MarthaDiazTaylor]

Thank for this video. After doing these movements I finally figired out that my left ankle does not slide feont to back most of the time. After paying attention to the diffent movements I could get a bit of feont to back movement but is not consistent. I do have problems with balance and have had spine surgwry 2 months ago. Neurosurgeon told me the nerves affected do cause left foot weakness and hopefully i could get improvement with time. All makes sense now and have a roadmap to follow. Thanks again!

[@movewithseth]

Thanks for this comment, Martha. I’m so happy to hear that you feel that you have found a roadmap! Now you have the opportunity to engage more directly in the question of your well-being, with less dependence on the experts. Of course, the doctors should be listened to, but it’s such elaboration when we discover what we can do for ourselves. I’m excited for what you will discover. If further questions come up, feel free to be in touch. PS - there is another video on this channel, something about a “sprained ankle”, which you would probably also find useful.

[@imjustjules]

I am watching this before trying because I’ve been overdoing it looking up and trying whatever I find for my fibromyalgia pain :( I have an impingement in one of my ankles and so they crack all the time when I move them. When I got my fibro test I cried upon my ankles being evaluated and I literally had no idea they were in that much pain until then. So for me with autism and ptsd, I just need to find my pacing. I really align with this approach. It’s all stimming, and mindfulness. And I think it could help to improve proprioception, and it also divests from the “athlete mindset” approaches I find that don’t work for me. As much as some parts of me want to jump to try this, I know it’s enough I watched it. And since I’m feeling anxious and a mix of emotions just watching this, I know my nervous system needs rest. I also did find someone in my area who does this approach and reached out. Trying to stay hopeful. Thanks so much for showing an approach that slows us down. And shows the body that movement can be safe, comforting, and joyful. That’s what I need.

[@movewithseth]

Hi Jules. Honestly, I'm really impressed that you watched the video without following along the first time. Given everything you describe about your situation, that sounds very intelligent. Likewise, I'm very glad that you've found a Feldenkrais practitioner in your area. Individual guidance can be very helpful if you feel that slowing down is difficult for you. If you would like to actually try what I show in this video, here's a couple of ideas that could help you: 1) You can rest as often as you want. There is no reason to follow the pacing of when I say "rest" in the video or to do the same number of movements. Any time you feel discomfort that is strong enough to interrupt your awareness, resting is better than moving. The rests can help you refresh your attention and keep your nervous system in the feeling of safety - which is absolutely essential for learning and transformation to take place. 2) When you DO move, you can make the movements as small and/or slow if you want. Even if you are moving so small that a person looking at you would think you weren't moving at all - if your attention is online, you can get massive benefits from this kind of practice. Good luck and I'd love to hear a report if you follow this thread any further!

[@imjustjules]

@@movewithseth thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful response as well as the suggestions! I will keep that in mind. You’re so right though… everything out there has to be a workout because of diet culture. I even got a corrective exercise certification and was disgusted to learn they recommend to keep corrective exercise as challenging as possible at all times. It’s an approach for folks healing from pain, and emotions and trauma are usually part of that too. I also have ED history and a past with compulsive exercise so my body is still holding onto that, despite that I’m sick now and overdoing it looks a lot different these days with fibromyalgia. That’s all I want for my nervous system… gentle movement and rest when needed. This makes so much sense why lying down has regulated me all my life. There’s no shame in it. I really resonate with this approach and look forward to learning more about my body and its needs in an accessible, anti ableist and trauma informed way :)

[@movewithseth]

@@imjustjules Absolutely - this whole approach is about waaaaaay more than just “improving movement”. It’s about fundamentally rewriting the script of your relationship to yourself and your world.

[@annette4660]

This was so helpful for a hip and knee problem I was having! Amazing how important ankles are. Thank you!

[@movewithseth]

So glad to hear this, Annette. Yes, the health of your hips, knees and ankles is completely interwoven! If you need help with anything else, feel free to be in touch.

[@hegarklasye]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@movewithseth]

You're welcome you're welcome you're welcome! 🙃

[@Sharon732]

Great teacher

[@movewithseth]

@@Sharon732 Thanks Sharon!

[@baciusimona5338]

Wonderful! Thank so much

[@movewithseth]

You’re welcome, Baciu! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@cinmac3]

Thank you for sharing. Many people associate shoulders and emotions it's always good to help out awareness with more parts of our body working to ease our movements.

[@movewithseth]

Glad you found this helpful, Cindy!

[@BreaktheKarmicWheel]

I’ve been doing a lot of shadow work over the past couple years. I recently got a massage and was very aware that the tension I held in my back and shoulders was anger and in my hips and glutes I was holding a lot of sadness.

[@cinmac3]

⁠@@movewithseth sorry about my communication, but, i meant of course many people don’t , i am glad you understand. i learned a couple of techniques that help me to relax my shoulders, and if we spend time to listen to knowledge that you and others share from your years of your understandings the better we are and hopefully it future.

[@cinmac3]

@@BreaktheKarmicWheel me too !!!!

[@atievanonselen2628]

Thank you, my ankle is more flexibel now.

[@movewithseth]

@@atievanonselen2628 Fantastic!

[@OrganicToon]

Thank you!!

[@movewithseth]

You’re very welcome! 🙃

[@TheAbergel]

Wonderful. I was feeling a lot of stretching in my neck as I moved the ankle. Is there a direct connection between the foot and the neck? Thank uou so much.

[@movewithseth]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "direct" - after all, there are many bones in between! 😜 But yes, this is an incredibly important relationship. If the full potential of the gliding movement in your ankle joint isn't available, it will have a very negative affect on your balance - and whenever your balance is compromised, you will substitute compulsive and excessive muscular efforts to make up for your lack of skeletal support. In other words, instability leads to rigidity - and because you MUST be able to stabilize your head in order to be relate to your surroundings with your eyes, ears, nose and mouth, a very common solution to this situation is to tense the neck. It's not uncommon at all to feel an improvement in the neck when the ankles improve. Thanks for your question!

[@whoisbhauji]

@@movewithseth it's amazing how it feels like you've done a whole lotta work - i just wanna keep resting :). for me too the neck/ankle connection was obvious.

[@movewithseth]

@@whoisbhauji This practice shouldn't feel like a lot of *physical* work - indeed, you should rest any time you sense physical strain. At the same time, especially if you are new to this approach, it CAN feel like a lot of work for your *attention*!! And sometimes, you need to rest for that reason, so you can then refresh your focus.

[@bentheblackbutterfly222]

🔋🔋🔋🕴🏿 foot wave 🌊

[@leeniesevy-perahia7911]

Ok….i am in 12 minutes and I used to do reflexology so I am familiar with the foot and hand…..but this is moving way too slowly because I have no idea why, or the purpose and really I do not even want to do this to the end though I will watch….you say ankles and emotions…..i have not heard one word on this yet…..just saying….not an engaging video ….a good video but it does not engage me….but i will continue…..i am not meaning to be overly critical but i know nothing about Feldenkrais except the name and having lived at an ashram and know all the healing modalities since the 80s i think stating a purpose at the beginning would engage a newcomer right away….thank you….you know your stuff and this is a calming presentation….

[@analiabertoni9793]

I was looking for the impact in emotions too

[@eugeneano285]

Ankles is not usual place where emotions manifest themselves. Just because Feldenkrais said so is not good enough for me. In mindfulness you would focus on tense place for example (rarely ankle) and breathe in and out of that place.

[@movewithseth]

Did you watch the video? I am not saying that emotions are in the ankles, nor that Feldenkrais said that. This video is a guided process, using movement and attention for improving ankle mobility. What is explained in the video is that our emotions are a key factor in any learning process. The Feldenkrais Method includes the encouragement for the student to notice emotions while learning - for example, experiences of frustration or confusion when we are not finding what we are looking for just yet. I could have demonstrated this idea using movement in any part of the body.

[@katebronz6307]

Я занималась фельденкрайз.Израиль его не принял.Он уехал в Америку

[@leeniesevy-perahia7911]

But you don’t mention anything about benefits , specific benefits…..and secondly always start according to the ancient systems with the left side…..i guess this method is not for me having nothing to do with the video…..

[@movewithseth]

Sounds like your preconceived ideas about what my video should be about made it impossible for you to engage with what it actually was about.

[@leeniesevy-perahia7911]

@@movewithseth Actually I have been in the holistic field for decades and I watch many videos. I never have preconceived ideas at all. Your video just isn’t any good for me and didn’t engage me at all. Sounds as if you can’t handle anything different from what you want everyone to think and believe. Sorry you are so overly sensitive and really kind of ridiculous. I didn’t like your video. Period. I’m entitled. Get some maturity

[@rebeccabraterman7168]

Very challenging tha , you. I'm one of the people who often are total y unable to visual ise so not the most helpful start for some. Pp Pp L E .ll

[@movewithseth]

I understand. Apart from the specifics of working with the ankle, this video is about understanding that your learning process is bound to involve the emotions. If you know that visualization is difficult for you, then it could be helpful to examine if any frustration comes up when this approach is offered and offer yourself compassion for that feeling. And, of course, how might you design a different approach? One thing that might be helpful to you would be finding a Feldenkrais practitioner near you who can use their hands to provide tactile feedback for this kind of a process.