Mobility of Hips & Connecting Legs to Spine:
Excerpts from Q & A with Deborah:
Experiences from the Intro:
Body feels so alive.
Legs lighter and looser
Breathing so much deeper
So very interesting how the breath becomes so expansive w/o specific breath work.
Started out very tight sore hip, and much looser and no discomfort by the end
Feet more alive and connected. Feel very upright and strong on both sides.
My shoulders are more in balance
Legs were lighter and hip area defined!
Impressive connections in such subtle movement -more centered
the difference between the bones and line of force really lit up for me
Breathing much deeper. Feeling a sense of relief, letting go.
Awakening and even flatter without effort, true skeletal support
Thank you! That my hips are doing figure 8’s again
Felt playful at the end. Some knee discomfort went away
I feel like the arch in my lower back has appeared for the first time
Easier to get up from floor. Like I was standing on very strong bones.
my leg was lighter and easier to lift after we worked on the back. Fascinating. Thank you!!
Very good class, look forward to walking now.
wonderful, light, relaxed legs and hips
More fluidity in my body when I move
so much more connected
Space. Space in the hip
Lighter... more flowing...
Feet feel great
feel balanced
more volume
my legs feel strong
So many changes. I feel like I have new legs!
Hips feel MUCH better. There was pain to start with. Definite flow up the body.
My feet feel grounded, my head is floating.
Excitingly instructive, enlightening, so fantastic.
Connected with the lengthening of the spine.
Long legs very supported by my back
It's was so much easier. It's like magic! Feeling so altered and refreshed!
My knees hurt less.
Neck and shoulders looser
More even on both sides of body
At end lifting legs with ease. In standing legs feel like a strong support for the rest of the body. lying down now more of spine in contact with the floor.
Didn’t know that keeping that obtuse angle with our legs bent on the side was a better more comfortable position overall for our (bursitis) hips, for long periods on the side. Thanks for that. My hips did feel less pain over the course of the exercise. yay!
Huge change in my standing lying walking body. Could not imagine lifting leg with ease. But it sure can.
I always appreciate your ‘language of the work’, I found the outside of my feet better.
helping to find the weight better on the outside of the foot
A very valuable and joyful experience! With deep gratitude, 🙂
Beautiful and simple and incredibly helpful and fully integrated through my torso
Much more fluent and easier. Good support in standing.
Feel so much lighter.
More connection
Wonderful to feel the lightness of the legs
a wonderful exploration of subtle support.
Always so clear and inspiring.
Legs start under my arms
Legs in Action
Begins March 1
Attend live on Zoom or via recordings at your convenience.
About Deborah Bowes:
Deborah Bowes is a Feldenkrais® Teacher and Trainer. She initially trained as a physical therapist at Columbia University in New York and later earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in Virginia. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Physical Education from Rhode Island College.
As a Guild Certified Trainer of the Feldenkrais Method® since 2000, she has taught widely in the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Colombia in over 35 training programs. Her other related in-depth studies and practices include Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, yoga, sensory awareness, meditation, and dance.
Deborah had a private practice in San Francisco at the Feldenkrais® Center for Movement & Awareness for over 30 years. She now teaches and consults online. She is an adjunct faculty member at Saybrook University, teaching Movement Modalities for Wellness. Her doctoral research demonstrated the benefit of her Feldenkrais Method program, Pelvic Health & Awareness for Men and Women. Her other courses are on Movementandcreativity.com
What People are Saying about Deborah's teaching:
“Astonishment! Deeply grateful for her clarity of understanding and articulation of the power inherent in the small and subtle movements.”
“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Deborah. She doesn't shy away from complexity and teaches in a way that is crystal clear”
“Excellent teacher. Clear and precise instruction; kind but no-nonsense demeanor.”
“I truly appreciate Deborah’s amazing breadth of knowledge, experience, and skill. I feel like I am in such a well organized, safe space when I am with her in class.”
“I have had a hip injury and arthritic pain is ongoing. When my abdominals are better coordinated it takes the strain off of my hip. Wonderful! She gives us confidence. Her teaching style is calm and competent. Her instructions are clear. Her answers to the Q&A are very helpful. Her deep knowledge of the principles of Moshe Feldenkrais that she shares is wonderful.”
“I love Deborah. She is so clear in her instructions. I also love how she always reminds me to take care of myself, and to not do too much. She has so much knowledge and I always learn so much from her.”
“Deborah is clear, easy to follow and presents with a calm and easy manner that translates to my own increased sense of ease and calm. Her explanations and added comments are most helpful. Love her approach and appreciate the insights!” “I really appreciate her clarity, her knowledge, her focus, and her sensitivity both during the ATM lessons and during the Q & As.”
“I love her clearness, her wisdom and her wording.”
“She gives really great cues that bring the attention to key places and actions. She is precise, calm and kind at the same time. She fields questions with great skill.”
“This series supported my longing to be well-guided - to work with subtlety - without compromising the challenge and integrity of the lessons. Deborah provided the perfect balance of guidance - permission - structure and encouragement. The highlight, was how much pleasure there was to be had in feeling so 'safe' in a class. ”
“I love her warm teachings, her voice, the structure of her lessons, how she answers the questions and explains the background. She is very clear and I can follow her well, although English in not my native language. She answers many questions that I had in my subconscious for many years and has a lot of knowledge and experience. She is one of my favorite teachers.”
“Deborah has an engaging teaching style - I appreciate her enthusiasm - the depth of her knowledge and experience - her creative, innovative teaching focused on areas of the body that are so often either misunderstood (as in the case of the Abdominals) - or largely ignored (as in the case of the Pelvic Floor). Studying with Deborah has been a privilege and a joy!”
“I find Deborah very gentle, informative, supportive, and encouraging. I always learn something new from her!”
“Deborah’s gentle, intuitive and knowledgeable approach helped me trust and relax into her direct approach. I loved how reassuring, supportive and confident she was in her work and in our abilities.”
“She is a no nonsense and ethical person who I would study with again and again.”
“I loved how informed and experienced Deborah is as a teacher. It was so enjoyable to follow her through lessons and questions.”
“I found amazing the teacher, Deborah. I learned so much from her sweet way of teaching, the use of her voice. It's a pleasure to be in one of her classes. She creates a wonderful safe environment”
“I appreciate and admire Deborah's gentle, calm, voice. the fluidity of her instructions. I love her presence.”
“Deborah usually highlights her thoughtful explanations of principles Moshe wrote about and applies those principles to well-organized ATM lessons. She also brings to her teaching a depth of wisdom about the existential challenges of being human and how the Feldenkrais Method can be helpful for working with them.”
“My experience was trusting and her teaching is brilliant.”
“Wonderful. Precise, many interesting theoretical insights, caring, to the point.”
“Gentle and supportive, very clear instructions.”
“Phenomenal, charming, engaging.”
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Image credit: Alyssa Sieb