02052007: February Newsletter
Say what you will about Valentine's Day. Our commercial culture apparently needs some kind of holiday or observance each month to stimulate the sale of greeting cards, gifts, candy, and dinners out, so it's easy to be cynical. Do we really need a dedicated day to express our love to someone? Shouldn't that expression happen every day?
Well, perhaps it should, but the reality is, it doesn't. I'm reminded of the old joke about the long-married couple. She says, "You never tell me you love me anymore." He says, "I told you in 1981. Nothing has changed." Some things become so much a part of our lives that we don't think about them or notice them at all anymore. Until something changes.
The Feldenkrais Method® teaches how to notice. It is the best way I know of to refine your ability to become aware and observant, beginning with yourself. Small things --for example, your breathing pattern, the trajectory of movement as you lift your hand, the preparatory stiffness in jaw or belly before beginning an action -- are gently magnified, capture our attention, and offer clues for maintenance of what's good and improvement of what's not optimal. It does take a dedicated time to observe, or else you'd never notice. Greater awareness of self leads to greater awareness of others, as well as better choices for the actions we take.
How do you do What you do? It all begins with the noticing. Happy February, Happy Valentine's Day!
