Testimonials from Nick Strauss-Klein’s ATM class students:
Fall 2011:
“Feldenkrais classes put me in control of learning about my body. As someone who is prone to injury the moment I walk into an exercise class, I truly appreciate Nick’s creativity and the wide range of options he offers. I have made significant progress away from a therapeutic lifestyle and toward normal, enjoyable movement.”
“The class is amazing – just makes me feel good to be there.”
“After each class my body tells me how happy and grateful it is. There is a buoyancy and looseness that is immensely satisfying.”
Summer 2011: [Nick, the instructor] A student stopped me after the last class of the summer this morning to tell me that she was feeling remarkable quality of life improvements after only 10 lessons (she started this summer), and that people in her life, from acquaintances to her husband, were spontaneously commenting on her more upright posture. She explained that women in her family tend to have very bad backs and posture as they age, and that for the first time she felt she might not have that future. “The best thing is,” she said, “is that it’s so easy. I stand up straighter but I’m not pulling myself into it, or working hard. I feel wonderful.”
Summer 2010: “I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it (and probably didn’t have to), but my right hip has been seizing-up (I feel like Grandpa McCoy sometimes) for the last year, getting progressively worse and a little dangerous on stairs. Things had gotten to the point where shaving the right side of my right leg had become an ordeal as I twisted every which-way, trying to get the razor all the way around to that side of my leg — and I’m right handed! Imagine my amazement when I started the leg-shaving ritual this morning and reached right down and shaved my leg — just like the good old days! I was so excited, I hopped out of the tub and clipped my toe-nails. I could reach them! A miracle! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!” — Jeanne, 60, data analyst
“Superbly beneficial.”
“Try it — you’ll love it! The physical and emotional benefits are priceless.”
“I always feel better afterwards.”
“[I can] transfer what is learned to life experiences outside the classroom.”
“[Nick] explains why being aware of your body in relation to movement is vitally important. His teaching style gives confidence.”
Testimonials from Nick’s Functional Integration (FI) one-on-one students:
Fall 2011: I recently received this e-mail from the mother of a four-year-old I’m currently working with:
Hi Nick -
Thank you for your wonderful work with my daughter.
You have helped her transition from kid who found it so stressful to attempt any fine motor tasks, that every OT session ended in tears – to a happy, comfortable girl who is eager to try out challenging things! What she has been able to achieve through your work is a comfort in pushing her limits – and that gives her a great foundation on which to build hundreds of skills. We used to spend long days – even weeks – trying to master individual skills (holding a pen / buttoning / using a spoon or a fork). Now she moves through skills a lot easier – and most improtantly, she does it with excitement and joy.
- Manpreet Kanwar, MD
Dr. Kanwar has expressed an eagerness to speak about her daughter’s experience working with me to parents considering Feldenkrais for a child. Please contact me (nick@twincitiesfeldenkrais.com, or 651-252-4094) and I can put you in touch with her.
Fall 2010: “Why FI sessions? Taking time to listen to my body regularly is good all by itself – but the real benefits go on and on. More flexibility. More energy. Fewer headaches (and neckaches, and shoulder aches, and more.) The easiest fall allergy (and asthma) season I’ve had in 15 years. More than anything, more awareness of how I spend my attention and focus, so I can do more of what I want, and do it in ways that best reach toward my dreams and my goals. Why Nick? A wonderful balance of conversation and silence, a willingness to explore, but also to suggest. An external perspective who not only notices what he sees – but also what he hears and feels, and what that says about the body and response. I look forward to my sessions, no matter what else happens in the week, as a chance to stop and breathe and focus on just one thing: listening to what’s good for my body.” — Jane, 34, librarian.
Fall 2010: “So the lessons involve roughly two things: helping me become aware (but without judgment) of the habits I’ve developed that are aggravating my problems, and helping me find different ways of moving that are easier, gentler on my knee, and more graceful…. Unlike massage therapy, a Feldenkrais teacher doesn’t try to complete the process through external manipulation. Rather, he leaves you a little bit hanging, allowing your brain to chew on it a bit and find the best solution. This results in a more sustainable change, even if it’s sometimes a bit disorienting. If you’ve ever left a great massage session only to have your muscles become tight again the next day, you’ll appreciate the difference.” — Sharon, publisher/blogger (click here for her whole blog post on her Feldenkrais lessons)
“I was relatively unfamiliar with Feldenkrais when I had the opportunity to work with Nick. As a chiropractor who takes fairly good care of my frame, I was curious to see how the lessons could benefit my body. During each lesson, Nick helped me feel and understand the patterns of tension I had created and upheld in day-to-day living. As a result of Nick’s gentle guidance, I left feeling more balanced, more naturally at ease, and with a greater connection to my body. I would whole-heartedly encourage anyone seeking greater range of motion, release of tension, or an increased sense of fluidity and grace to experience theFeldenkrais Method with Nick. He is an excellent practitioner, and I thank him for his help!” — Bari, 27, chiropractor
“After just a few lessons I have increased awareness
of my body movementhabits. I can now consciously choose different
motions to develop improvedhabits that help me move more effectively
to avoid muscle stress and pain.” — Renae, 51, industrial
hygienist
“Nick helped my whole body to work better. The
stiffness in my joints and muscles that I experience due to
Fibromyalgia were alleviated. I stood taller and walked with more
confidence after each session.” — Bethany, 29, teacher”
“I enjoyed three remarkableFeldenkrais
sessions with Nick Strauss-Klein this summer. I have arthritis in both
knees and two artificial hips, and I needed Nick’s help to make
walking easier, pleasanter and more nearly pain-free. Nick delivered.
His gentle touch and total command of Feldenkrais taught me to walk
from my neck down, not from my hips or knees. That would have made no
sense to me before my sessions with Nick, but now I find myself
walking more easily and sure-footedly, with a sense of integration
between my legs and the rest of myself. Nick quickly observed the
smallest nuances in the way I was carrying myself and my old habits of
moving, and, after just two sessions, I could change my gait and
balance and find walking truly enjoyable. Nick explained the process,
cheerfully answered my questions, and took personal interest and
delight in my progress. I have been recommending him to some of my
friends, and I enjoy their thank-yous when they have the same
wonderful experiences that I’ve had.” — Yosi, 65, rabbi
“Each week I noticed improvements in my physical experience. My chronic back pain was alleviated and I was able to move to a sitting position with ease and grace. It had been 3 years since I had been able to do so.”
“As of Feb. 2007, a year had passed since I had experienced heart failure and had been hospitalized at NYU… I know that the Feldenkrais classes have made the most dramatic contributions to my feeling better and dealing with life’s challenges with more confidence. I learn to be more aware and gentle in my movements and in cultivating flexibility, balance, and harmony in my daily life. I look forward to many more wonderful realizations and a growing respect for the substance and authenticity of the Feldenkrais teachings as a learning experience in holistic healing of the individual… Thank you, Nick, for being a skilled, compassionate Feldenkrais teacher…” — Mary, librarian
[After passing the American Guild of Organists Certification Exam] “Your instruction in the Feldenkrais Method was instrumental in my success. Whenever I fell into the mentality of ‘no pain no gain’ or ‘more is always better’ I remembered the philosophy of Feldenkrais: that it’s the quality of the movement rather than the volume of effort or work performed which ensures maximal learning and benefit.” — Chris, organist
[Resume and extensive references from students, mentors, and teachers available upon request.]
Photos by Rosalie O’Connor www.rosalieoconnor.com