FAQ

What are your best tips for doing the audio lessons?

- Do slow, small and gentle movements to improve your awareness.
- Explore movements with curiosity and experiment with different variations.
- Look for ease and comfort in your movements by reducing muscular effort. Adjust your range and speed to find what feels good for you.
- Rest anytime you want. Never “push through” a movement. Either pause the recording or simply join back in when you feel curious again. Use the rests to reflect on what feels different before doing the movement.
- Enjoy the process of new movements — and let go of achieving an outcome.
- Integrate your learning by noticing how each movement relates to your entire body, not just isolated parts. Identify how movements apply to everyday functional activities, such as walking, sitting or reaching.

Who can benefit from Pauseture™ lessons?

Pauseture™ lessons are suitable for people of all ages and physical conditions. They can be beneficial for people looking to improve their posture, reduce pain, increase flexibility, enhance athletic performance and increase awareness of movement patterns. In addition, lessons can help you stay calm and improve focus and productivity.

What results can I expect from doing Pauseture™ lessons regularly?

The small and gentle movements may also reorganize your musculoskeletal organization that you move with greater efficiency and comfort. Regular practice of Pauseture™ can lead to a variety of benefits, including improved posture, greater flexibility, reduced pain and tension, enhanced coordination, increased calm and focus as well as a deeper sense of bodily awareness and mindfulness. Improved efficiency in movement also helps with athletic performance.

What should I expect during a Pauseture™ lesson?

A Pauseture™ lesson will guide you through a series of movements. These movements are often slow and gentle, designed to help you become more aware of how you move and to explore new ways of moving. Most lessons are done lying on the floor, but we also offer seated and standing lessons as well as outdoor walking and running lessons.

Why are there no video demonstrations?

Every person’s musculoskeletal system is different, based upon genetics, development, injury and self-movement. If we were to show you how to move — based upon someone else’s physical structure — they may not move in a way that you need to move to feel good. This may be a huge shift: listening to what feels good to you, rather than doing something “correctly,” based on another person’s definition of “correct.”

Is there a particular progression of lessons?

Pauseture™ lessons do not follow a progression and can be taken in any order. Each lesson stands alone and focuses on different aspects of movement and awareness.

Should I repeat the same lesson?

Repeating a lesson in a future date will have benefits. However, research shows that brain rewiring (neuroplasticity to change your habitual patterns to new patterns) is most effective with novel movements. So experiencing new lessons is beneficial. You may find some “go to” lessons for releasing patterns that bring you into more comfort,so it is fine to repeat your favorite lessons. And, repeating lessons you did not like the first time later on, will help you to sense the changes that are happening with regular practice.

How is Pauseture™ different from other forms of exercise or bodywork?

Pauseture™ lessons differ from traditional exercise in that they focus more on the quality of movement and awareness rather than on physical exertion or achieving specific fitness goals. They also differ from bodywork therapies, like massage, since they involve active participation and self-discovery rather than passive treatment. Some students report needing fewer massages after developing a regular practice.

Is this an exercise program that will replace other fitness regimens?

No. Research shows benefits for both cardiovascular and strength-training regimens. Pauseture™ lessons will improve your form and efficiency in these activities — so consider Pauseture™as a complement to your fitness programs.

Can I do Pauseture™ lessons instead of meditation?

Many people report that the calming nature of Pauseture™ lessons has a benefit similar to meditation. Because you are intently listening to the verbal cues in a lesson and how you feel — and other thoughts wait until after class — the result is a meditative-like benefit.

What is The Feldenkrais Method®?

A form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve and enhance human functional movements. It is based on the principles of physics, biomechanics, and an understanding of learning and human development.

Who created The Feldenkrais Method®?

The Feldenkrais Method® was created by Moshe Feldenkrais. He was an engineer, physicist, and judo expert whose diverse background in these fields significantly influenced the development of his unique approach to movement and somatic education. A severe knee injury led him to explore alternative methods for being able to walk on his knee. His self-study and experimentation with movement, combined with his knowledge of anatomy, physiology and neurology, laid the groundwork for his method. He integrated principles from various disciplines, including biomechanics, psychology, and martial arts, to create a comprehensive approach to somatic education.

Where do I do the lessons and do I need equipment?

Most lessons are done lying on the floor. The lesson will indicate whether a firm floor with cushioning is recommended or if a frictionless floor is recommended. For the frictionless floor, avoid sticky yoga mats and consider putting a moving blanket on a hard floor. This provides some padding for comfort while being able to move without friction. If you feel you need padding behind your head when lying on your back, having towels nearby can be helpful. And for side-lying lessons, you may want a stack of towels to keep beneath your head to keep your head in-line with your spine. A great alternative for behind the head or on the side of the head is a stack of garden kneeling pads. And when lying on your back for a while, some people like to have a bolster behind their knees.
Some lessons will indicate if you need a firm armless chair.
Some lessons will be in standing and others walking or running outdoors.

Can I do the lessons lying in a bed or on a sofa?

Some lessons will be okay to do on a soft surface, such as eye lessons. However, for most lessons, the firmness of a floor helps you to make a skeletal connection with the floor, which is part of the learning.

Can I listen to the recording at a faster speed to save time?

The functionality exists, so technically yes. We do recommend doing the lesson at 1.0x speed the first time you do it – to give you the opportunity to sense, feel and explore new ways of doing the same movement (more repetitions). When you’re time-constrained and have found a lesson you want to revisit, speeding up may be okay – as long as you don’t feel rushed to do the movements. Keep the movements slow and easy.

Can I do a lesson if I have an injury or a medical condition?

Pauseture™ lessons are generally safe for most people, including those with injuries or medical conditions. Of course, check with your medical professional and always listen to your body’s cues and how you are feeling. Do not do any movements that cause discomfort or pain. Modify the instructions. A great alternative is to listen to a lesson and visualize doing the movement, instead of doing the movement.

How often should I do a Pauseture™ lesson?

Consistency is the key. We’ve included short lessons to encourage building a daily practice. Whether you are doing lessons less frequently or daily, remembering the movement patterns during your daily activities will help to fully integrate the new movement patterns.

What is the best time of day to do a lesson?

The best time is when you want to do the lesson. Some people report doing a lesson in the morning increases calmness and focus. And some people report that doing a lesson before bed improves sleep. You can search for “calming” or “energizing” lessons to find what works for you at that time.

Frequently Asked Questions