What is Feldenkrais?
Feldenkrais is a way of learning to move with ease. The method is named after Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984) who found that doing repetitions of simple but unusual movements with awareness can change the brain so that movement becomes easier and efficient. By focusing on how your body feels as you follow instructions to move in these various gentle patterns, you can increase your range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your natural capacity for graceful, efficient movement. Benefits of the practice are wide from pain reduction, improvement with physical or neurological challenges, to enhanced performance for athletes, dancers, and musicians. Watch this short video to learn more about the history and practice of Feldenkrais.
What is Iyengar Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient philosophy and practice that has many ways for you to learn physical poses (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and meditation. The practice of yoga brings awareness of and connection to your physical, mental, and spiritual self. BKS Iyengar (1918-2014) was a renowned yoga teacher and the founder of Iyengar yoga. He created many different and unique ways to approach the physical practice of asanas in his 75 years of teaching all over the world. One notable technique is the use of props such as blankets, belts, blocks and chairs. These useful tools can help beginners or those with injuries or limitations access poses safely and achieve proper alignment. Props are also used to learn particular actions and to deepen understanding of poses. In Iyengar yoga classes you are given assistance with and encouragement to work to your best capacity. Learn more about yoga and Iyengar yoga on our website.
Why Feldenkrais and Iyengar Yoga together?
Movement is a means for transformation in both yoga and Feldenkrais. Both practices focus on mindful movement and awareness of the body. The learning that occurs during both practices is experienced through the body but the ways you move your body in each practice is very different. The contrast and comparison of both deepens your awareness and enhances your mobility, stability, and freedom!
Whether you’re new to Feldenkrais or yoga, a seasoned student, an athlete, or simply starting your movement journey, you’ll benefit from the exploration of bending forward and back in our two workshops exploring these movements with Sandra Bradshaw and Valary Chidwick, Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioners, and Janice Loukras, Iyengar Yoga Certified Teacher. Our workshops offer a safe space for everyone to enhance their physical well-being.
Workshop 1: March 23, 2025 – Exploration of Flexion – Forward Bending. Wondering if you could touch your toes? In this workshop we will discover how awareness, control, and coordination of the flexors, our folding muscles, create the mobility and stability we need to bend forward in sitting and standing.
Workshop 2: April 13, 2025 – Exploration of Extension – Back Bending. Jumping, sprinting, strengthening the back, and improving balance are all benefits of exploring extension. It also counteracts the effects of sitting that forms part of our daily activities. Again, through building awareness, control and coordination we’ll safely discover the freedom that comes with extension.
Teacher Bios
Valary Chidwick
Valary is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada and is excited to share her passion for finding more ease in movement with others. Valary’s interest in Feldenkrais work began in 2006 when she sought to walk with less pain. Since then she has refined her ability to move with ease and completed a four-year Feldenkrais training. Valary came to this work because of pain and stayed because of the ease and well-being it created in her life. Learn more about Valary on her website.
Sandra Bradshaw:
As a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner and Functional Movement Specialist Sandra willhelp you to boost your capacity to move effortlessly. With a background in special education, yoga, functional movement, and music, Sandra integrates this knowledge with the latest brain research to help you find solutions that are effective and long lasting. Sandra has had a private practice in Kelowna since 1999.
Want to learn more about Feldenkrais? Find Sandra Bradshaw’s most popular Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Lessons: How to Climb a Ladder Safely and How to Recover from Whiplash on her website or YouTube Channel
Janice Loukras, IYCT Level 1
Janice began her exploration of yoga in 1998 for the physical benefits and blissfully discovered the breath and mindfulness that followed. Following years of attending classes with local and international teachers she entered the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training program under the mentorship of Krisna Zawaduk and was certified in 2019 as a Level 1 teacher. The inspiration continues through teaching and exploring the mysteries and evolution of Iyengar yoga with her students, teachers, and colleagues. Meanwhile, she was introduced to Feldenkrais with Sandra to address chronic injuries. She discovered it not only helped improve these, but had mutual benefits with her yoga practice that keeps her bending, riding and sliding through life.