By Robyn Grant
Beautiful though it is, a slippery winter in Nakusp this year is posing some very real mobility challenges to most people, and even more so to people who feel fragile or may already suffer chronic pain or concerns with getting around. This icy, snowy weather is just a little risky. Although it’s gorgeous to look at and great for the summer forest health to have such a snow pack, right now, most people are spending added time shoveling hard and walking and driving extra carefully. Sadly, there have been people falling and hitting their heads, breaking arms and ankles, just doing the simplest of movements, wiping out on ice. Being vigilant about moving with care this winter is high priority. Even strong and healthy people can wind up putting extra burden on muscles, joints and tendons, which are forced to compensate to walk and move with balance in our winter wonderland. In addition, while snow shoveling can build strength and is good exercise, overstressing the back, hips, arms and shoulders can also lead to chronic pain, which can be a real downer when it acts up down the road. It’s worth finding a way to reduce tension and maintain body structural health with the added stress on joints and muscles.
So while last month’s theme was hot spring soaking for wellness, this month the focus is on one interesting and relaxing way to be more confident in our ability to move safely and support structural health, during this snowy winter in Nakusp.
Yes, it’s interesting and relaxing and it’s a really enjoyable class held at NaCoMo Wellness Centre in downtown Nakusp. It’s called The Feldenkrais Method and it can help any individual with any level of fitness, reduce pain, stay limber, and improve mobility, while also preserving structural health for the future and increasing daily performance. Tyson Bartel kindly travels from Winlaw once a week to teach three classes – Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. and Wednesday mornings at 9:15 a.m. and again at 10:30 a.m.
So, strange name? What is it then? The Feldenkrais Method is named after the man who developed it, Moshe Feldenkrais. He was born in 1904 in what was then known as Slavuta, in south-eastern Europe. A black belt in Judo, and a scientist, he wrote many books, including Improving the Ability to Perform, Body and Mind Behavior and The Potent Self. He instructed thousands of people with his method, which, simply speaking, helps any person move with less effort. Plus, because the Feldenkrais Method increases the awareness between movement and thought, students find that it improves mental acuity, performance in sports, daily activities and creativity.
When attending a Feldenkrais class, the simple movements are carried out by students listening to the instructor’s directions, while making the movements laying on a floor mat, individually, but in a group setting. Taking one or two classes per week is suggested to maximize benefits, and even after the first class, many people claim to experience improved capability to function in a variety of ways, including having better balance, moving with more ease and having reduced pain. Students range from those looking for natural ways to reduce achey joints, to relaxation seekers, to athletes needing the edge. Many attend because they feel it helps them age more gracefully.
Drop-ins are welcome for just $12 or get a discount when attending regular classes. The schedule and information about for Feldenkrais and other classes at NaCoMo is online at www.nacomo.ca or call Tyson at 250-265-3827 with questions. Feldenkrais is a gentle and highly recommended way to attend to the added body strains a winter like this one can cause. Check it out!
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Robyn Grant practices cooperative lifestyle health coaching in Nakusp. She opened Willow Wellness Studio, downtown on Jan. 1, where she offers one to one coaching and essential oil based therapeutic treatments. You can find Robyn and some free wellness resources on the web at www.breakthroughhealth.ca or call her at 265-9948 with questions.
