Rib cage vs. Chest basket

One of the ribs’ prime functions is to protect the heart and lungs; therefore, the term “rib cage” might make sense. But if you move your chest like a rigid cage, you constrain your abilities, which will influence everything you do! Most of the time, we are unaware of how vital our ribs are in bending, extension, turning, and side bending. Limitations in chest movement will affect breathing and increase strain on the neck and shoulders. They will also affect posture and the way you walk!

In German, we use the word “Brustkorb”—chest basket—to describe the area of our rib cage, suggesting a wealth of movement possibilities. In fact, the ribs are the only bones in the body that are flexible and somewhat elastic! And movement is the key to keeping them supple and versatile.

These lessons in the Feldenkrais series are a powerful tool to help you unlock the full potential of movement and mobility in your chest. Get ready to be amazed by what your body is capable of! This series will help you discover your own “Chest basket.” You will be amazed by the transformative effects these lessons can have on your entire being.

This new 10-week series starts Saturday, January 11th, at 10 am EST, with a repeat on Wednesdays (beginning Wednesday, January 15th) at 5 pm EST.

COST: The entire series (10 classes): $150
The whole series (10 classes) & Audio recording of each class: $200.  
Single class: $20

Improve your Balance - 12 week series starts Saturday, Sept. 30th, 2023

When we lose or regain our balance, it is mostly recognized through HOW we move. For balance, we do not only use one sensory organ, but three different sensory inputs: the vestibular system (inner ear), vision, and proprioception (cells in joints that indicate to our nervous system their position in space).

The good news is that physical balance can be improved at any age through movement and exercises to develop your kinesthetic sense and the use of your vestibular system. The Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® lessons in this series will provide an opportunity to improve overall daily movement like sitting, standing, walking, and the transition in between.   

Join Uwe Mester for 12-week series and find out how to comfortably improve your balance.  You do not need prior experience to enjoy this 12-week series. The series starts on Saturday, Sept.30, 2023 at 10 a.m. Each lesson will be repeated on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. For registration, please go to: https://www.vermontfeldenkrais.com/online-classes

Research Studies on Feldenkrais Method® and Balance :

A number of peer-reviewed research studies have been published that show that a series of Feldenkrais® lessons enhances balance for both more and less active older adults, as well as individuals with multiple sclerosis or stroke.

 Connors, K. A., Galea, M. P., & Said, C. M. (2011). Feldenkrais Method balance classes improved balance in older adults: a controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Volume 2011. [Article ID 873672, 9 pages]. doi: 10.1093/ecamnep055/

 Hillier, S., Porter, L., Jackson, K., & Petkov, J. (2010). The effects of Feldenkrais classes on the health and function of an aging Australian sample: a pilot study. The Open Rehabilitation Journal, 3, 62-66.

 Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K. D., Moore, K., Webb, R., Hunt, S, & Dowson, L. (2009). Getting Grounded Gracefully: effectiveness and acceptability of Feldenkrais in improving balance. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1), 57-76.

 Stephens, J., DuShuttle, D., Hatcher, C., Schmunes, J., & Slanika, C. (2001) Use of Awareness Through Movement improves balance and balance confidence in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study. Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 25(2), 39-49.

 I found the photo from Miriams-Fotos on Pixabay.

Improve your Vision - A new series of lessons starts January 7, 2023

Learn how the movement of the eyes affects the whole person

For many of our activities, the eyes are the initiator of the action. In basically all daily activities and sports, the eyes are fundamentally important to helping us orient ourselves in our environment – and the body moves in response to visual cues.

While vision training may not reverse your nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, it has been shown to dramatically improve certain visual skills: depth perception, peripheral vision, field awareness, hand-eye coordination, contrast sensitivity, and balance.

The Awareness through Movement® lessons in this series are suitable for everybody. So if you know a friend who might benefit, bring them along! They can sign up here: https://www.vermontfeldenkrais.com/online-classes

This new 12-week series starts Saturday, January 7, at 10 am ET, with a repeat on Wednesdays (starting January 11th) at 5 pm ET.

Saturdays, January 7 – March 25, 2023

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 29, 2023

Finding the Alignment of the Head in Relation to the Spine

Finding the Alignment of the Head in Relation to the Spine – A Series of Lessons - Starts Saturday, Sept.24

The average person’s head weighs between 10 and 11 pounds. Properly supported from the spine below, the head can feel fairly weightless. However, many people find themselves challenged to find this alignment, and feel every pound of the head pulling on their neck, shoulders and back. Often this can affect their posture.

Moshe Feldenkrais once noted that if the head is not organized in relation to the rest of the self, a person cannot be fully functional.

This 12-week series will help you to reorganize the carriage of the head on your spine. You will discover how to find support and mobility within yourself through a series of Awareness Through Movement® lessons.

The lessons in this series are suitable for everybody. So if you know a friend, who might benefit from these lessons, bring them along!  They can sign up here: https://www.vermontfeldenkrais.com/online-classes

This new series starts Saturday, Sept.24th  at 10 am EDT, with a repeat on Wednesdays (starts Sept.28th)  at 5 pm EDT.

Saturdays, Sept.24 - Dec.17 (no class Nov. 26th)
Wednesdays, Sept.28 - Dec.21 (no class on Nov.23rd)

Improve your Posture - A new series of lesson - Starts January 15, 2022

Improve your Posture – A Series of Lessons

“Don’t slouch!”  “Stand Up Straight!” “Pull your shoulders back!”  These are a few commands that many of us have before in order to avoid “bad” posture. But even though we have tried hard to follow this advice, our posture has not improved much – often it has led us to think we have to lock ourselves into a static position.

Instead of being stuck in one posture, Moshe Feldenkrais had a very different idea about good posture and coined the expression “Acture.” The word “acture” expresses the idea of dynamic posture as a combination of posture and action. As human beings we need to be able to adapt our posture to different situations and to the environment we find ourselves in.

In this series of lessons, you will learn that you can move beyond your postural habits and have more options and therefore more choices.

You will discover that Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lessons have a much greater chance of being absorbed into daily life than commands like “stand up straight!”

"Find a way"......Awareness Through Movement® classes during COVID-19

On March 13, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19, the disease resulting from the novel coronavirus, a pandemic.

We are in the midst of a global health crisis, and quarantines, travel bans and cancellations are in place around the world. Here in North America, numerous states have taken steps to contain or mitigate the spread of the virus.

Like millions of other people, I am deeply affected by these drastic shifts both personally and professionally. I had to cease all one-on-one private lessons and cancel all live classes and workshops. My kids will be out of school for the foreseeable future.

From my own personal experience, I know that the Feldenkrais Method has so much to offer and has many times in my life helped me to overcome challenges. Perhaps now more than ever, there is a need to calm our nervous systems, counteract the fight-flight-freeze fear responses and return to ourselves. Building our resilience, balance, and ease will help all of us get through this challenging time. One of the core ideas of Feldenkrais is the ability to adapt. This is one of the guiding principles of the work!

Here is my plan:

I will teach 5 classes each week out of a very old barn in Vermont direct to your living room. Each lesson will be different. You are welcome to participate in as many classes as you want. For the full schedule and description of the classes, please go HERE. After the Tuesday class, Turner Osler (MD) is available to answer your questions.

How can I join a class:

I am using ZOOM as a communication platform. That service is free for you; please install it on your computer. Please click “Online Classes” at the top of the website, and register for the class you are interested in. You will receive an email from Uwe with a Zoom link. This link will be the same for all of Uwe’s classes.

What is the charge?

The payment is on a donation basis. In these extreme times, we want everyone to have access to these lessons, regardless of the ability to pay. For that reason, until further notice, payment is not required if you are experiencing hardship. For others, please donate with a suggested payment of $10 per lesson.  

For students of my previous “live in-person classes” who have a class card with me, contact me directly if you would like a refund. Alternatively, check with me about your current balance. You can use it towards the online classes you are attending.

Spread the word

I need your help to make this work. Please share with your family, friends, and neighbors, especially during these times of increased isolation and uncertainty. Please subscribe to my newsletter to receive updates.

Stay healthy,

Uwe