Method behind the Moves

A few years ago I had the pleasure of reading the beautiful, visionary and magical book by Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.  'Listen to your Heart', 'Read the Omens', 'Follow your Dreams', 'Embrace Change' all sound bites from this delightful parable.

I began to think about the word Alchemist and the practice of Alchemy and I started to read other books on the subject.  One of the books I chose which was highly recommended was also highly boring but I persevered and read about how to become an Alchemist.  Half way through the book, the Author suggested that if one were a Tantric Buddhist, one was already an Alchemist.  Yipee!!  I'm a Trantric Buddhist, but why couldn't the Author have said that at the beginning to save me reading the book.

One of the first things I learnt from Buddhism is that you cannot be a Buddhist without a willingness to change.  Every breath, every meditation is change.  Life circumstances constantly change and change us whether by choice or design.  Change will happen so why not embrace it.

In all the fitness and wellness practices I teach, change is inevitable and there is nothing more delightful than meeting a new client who comes in and wants to change from a lack of fitness, bad movement habits, bad sleep patterns, a client who wants to reinvent themselves, look different, think differently and behave differently.  I have never met a client who has not had a dream or motivation to change.

When a client comes to see me for the first time, I don't see them as their bad back, or their 20lbs of excess weight, or their tight hamstrings, high blood pressure, painful knees, I see them as their potential.  My job is to help them reach their potential, to help them realise their dream, to train, encourage, motivate with the knowledge and experience that I have accumulated over the years through realising my goals and dreams.  I like to light the fire under their butts and watch them take up the challenge of demanding from themselves the complete determination to succeed.

I love the quote from Rumi, "We Alchemists look for talent that can heat up and change.  Lukewarm won't do, half-hearted, holding back, well enough, getting by? Not here."

How do we do it?

"Movement is life, without movement, there is no life", Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

We design personalised fitness regimes which have the flavour of Feldenkrais/Pilates/Yoga/Martial Arts/Dance and bodymind practices to teach people to emerge from pain or lack of fitness, lack of confidence to complete physical health.  All of us are individuals, with different needs at different times of our lives, so we don't cookie cut our workouts.  Feldenkrais can bring the injured athlete to health quickly and can develop his existing skills, a personalised workout can bring that same athlete to a high fitness level to perform and recover in between performances or competitions.  That athlete may want to learn to meditate to improve his concentration and focus.  That athlete may need dietary advice, learn to sleep or maybe learn to have fun (eat well, drink well and play well).  All of these lessons could apply to anyone whoever they are, the-want-to-be pregnant woman, the soon-to-be-bride, the busy and stressed stockbroker, the sanitation worker with a bad back, the ex soldier with sleep, stress or mobility issues.

We understand movement and we know how to teach a client to use their minds and brain to fulfil their physical and mental needs.

ö-Sel Nyima, on a beautiful Spring Day in England.