Julie Peck

This book is the result of a journey that started in 1987. What a project and learning process it has been. I was first introduced to the Feldenkrais Method in 1987. I was already working as a physiotherapist in private practice, and brought that knowledge and experience to this new learning adventure in Feldenkrais - finding more ‘concrete’ ways of understanding movement and learning that were based on MY kinesthetic experience rather than a mainly abstract understanding. The journey has been at times enlightening, confusing, exciting, daunting, intriguing, fascinating, frustrating – all the attributes of a great learning adventure - a journey that has kept me curious and passionate about improving my skills, knowledge and understanding ever since…….in my professional life as a teacher and practitioner of the method, and in my personal development finding a more authentic and aesthetic way of being. Learning and movement are inextricably entwined in the FM through the sensorimotor process, and as I taught more (becoming an accredited Feldenkrais Trainer in 2003) I needed to find better ways to explain, to both students in trainings, and clients in my practice, some of the essential understandings that I used as a practitioner of the Feldenkrais method, that could help them to clarify and further enhance their own learning and development. I never imagined that this would lead me to becoming the co-author of this book. Moshe Feldenkrais always talked about making the impossible possible, the possible easy and then aesthetically pleasing. This book is a ‘concrete’ example of that process. From beginning my Feldenkrais learning in the late 1980’s up until now, that saying has become a background idea that I think of applying to all areas of my life. Learning collaboratively is always a powerful part of learning and in terms of this book, Lesley, my wonderful friend and co-author has ‘lead’ me on this journey – allowing me to find my way to feel that with her help I could share these ideas with a wider audience. We started simply with having conversations where she skillfully facilitated me to bring my ideas more clearly into a coherent structure, and then to do webinars where we presented the ideas in a simple structure to our colleagues. From these webinars and more conversations and iterations Lesley has done a remarkable job of utilizing her ‘voice’ and understanding of these ideas in bringing these conversations to a wider audience through this book. She has done a wonderful job. The principles outlined in the book are ones that have been clarified and consolidated throughout this process. I use these principles every day in assessing and developing programs for my clients and students, and also as a way of working with myself, always within the ‘lens’ of ‘becoming more human’. The evolution and development of this book shows how entering a process, allowing yourself not to get caught up in the goal, finding options and proceeding in ways that are challenging, but not threatening, AND having the support and belief of a wonderful friend and mentor can lead to amazing things. My wish is that this book brings to a wider audience some of the ideas that have made a huge difference to both my clients lives, and my life, and I hope that it can be a beginning of a journey for many others to more clearly know themselves so that in the words of Moshe Feldenkrais – “If you know what you are doing you can do what you want.”