Rebecca's Feedback
I offered to write this account of my experience with Karin Major at Overdale Equestrian because I have been so impressed with the effect of the Feldenkrais therapy that we have been doing.
A few weeks after a summer cold I went to my GP suffering with swollen glands and feeling quite ill. Within a few days I was dragging both feet and soon found I could barely walk. An emergency referral to a neurologist was the start of extensive medical investigations, including brain scans, numerous blood tests, spinal fluid screening and nerve tests. Everything came back negative, weeks passed and the symptoms were constantly fluctuating and worsening. I was reduced to using a wheelchair much of the time and completely exhausted by the smallest effort. Physiotherapy and Ibuprofen were doing virtually nothing. The neurologist advised that my situation was not that unusual, that it didn't look like a clear diagnosis was going to be possible and that it might slowly 'burn itself out' over several months - or it might not...
Before I became ill my son had been having riding lessons at Overdale and I had noticed the references to Feldenkrais but it meant nothing to me. While trawling the internet for information on undiagnosed neurological conditions I came across discussions of Feldenkrais treatments, so decided to give it a go. I am generally pretty sceptical about certain aspects of the alternative therapy 'scene' but this seemed quite different in tone: no plinky-plonky new age music, you keep your clothes on and best of all you can hear the horses coming and going in the yard. Karin was quietly concentrated, very calm and reassuring. During the session she gently and very precisely manipulated my head, shoulders and legs, pausing between each exercise to let me think about the effect it was having.
It is hard to describe but when I came out I felt so different: I was walking - very very slowly and rather wobbly, but definitely walking. Everything seemed to have joined up, my legs were responding. Over the following week the effect receded, but it didn't revert to the worst it had been just before the treatment. I have now had four sessions with Karin and each time there has been a massive improvement, some of which seems to be permanent, so that overall I really do feel it is cumulatively making me better. I don't know much about how it works but it seems pretty powerful stuff.
I had set myself the target of getting back on a horse (any horse!) to give myself something to aim for at a time when I was seriously wondering if I was ever going to walk again, let alone ride. After three treatments I managed to haul myself up the mounting block with Karin's help and fall into the saddle while the ever-patient Jim stood still as a rock in the Overdale indoor school. We just walked and trotted round the school while Karin gave some thought-provoking advice on back and seat positions. I was amazed to find myself back in the saddle.
I have found the treatments with Karin have really helped. Getting back to fitness is going to be a long haul due to the muscle wasting but I now feel confident I am going in the right direction. I am improving with each session and expect to continue to improve. (And my son has just managed his first canter!)
So very many thanks to Karin, who has helped me when there was no other effective help.
Rebecca W
Liz's Feedback
Felden what? was my first reaction when I saw a bundle of Feldenkrais leaflets on Karin's desk. After taking one home and reading it, talking to Karin and doing a bit of research on the internet, I decided to book a session. For the past couple of months I have had intermittent lower back pain caused by tension and exasperated by my sedentary profession. (I am a counsellor, so spend a lot of time sitting down).
I had no idea what to really expect and was slightly nervous. My nerves quickly evaporated as Karin put me at ease with her quiet, confident and calming manner. Karin took time to ask me about my back, my lifestyle and stresses and listened intently to my answers. This increased my confidence further as I saw that Karin was making my session 'tailor made'.
Karin asked me to lie flat on my back on the treatment bed (table) and to spend time thinking about, and becoming aware of, my body and how it felt against the table. She then did some gentle resistance exercises/movements with my legs, gently tilting my pelvis. For someone who has issues with being touched by strangers, I felt totally relaxed and trusting of Karin. Karin also asked me to demonstrate how I normally sit - she noted that I (subconsciously) sit as though I'm about to take flight - leaning forward with heels off the floor, my feet arched. Every time I now feel myself doing this, I correct it - at Karin's suggestion, by placing my feet firmly on the floor. After that first session, several people commented on my posture, saying that I looked (and believe me, I felt!) more confident - my back was straight as were my shoulders and my body felt totally realigned. (My back pain has been greatly reduced).
I had my second session four weeks later (I would have had one sooner, but both Karin and I were away) before I had my riding lesson with Karin. This session Karin focused much more on my pelvic and stomach muscles, initially 'kneading' my stomach muscles. Not only was this incredibly relaxing, I also felt myself 'unknot'. I have always been somewhat dubious of the claims of 'healing hands', but Karin's radiated a penetrating warmth, which made me acutely aware of each muscle group. Karin ended the session by showing me how to get up and out of a chair correctly, and also how to get in and out of bed without putting undue pressure on the back and neck.
The ride after this Feldenkrais session was very different to previous ones; the main difference being that I felt so aware of my body; namely my shoulders-elbows-wrists, my seat bones, stomach muscles and pubis (which bettered my position on the saddle). I also felt more relaxed, yet confident which made me more 'connected' with my horse, Golly (although my canter left a little to be desired!). Although this sounds like an oxymoron, my Feldenkrais sessions with Karin left me feeling relaxed yet invigorated and re-energised. I also feel more flexible and am treating my body with more respect.
Karin made me feel as though I could ask her anything about the process (which I did) and she also showed me some detailed posters charting the skeleton and muscle groups.
I would, and have, recommend Karin Major to anyone who would like help with aches and pains, riders (of all abilities and experience) - indeed anyone who would like to improve their posture, or simply relax. I can't wait until my next session.
Liz W
John's Feedback
Thank you very much for the (ATM) session. It was excellent. I was impressed with both Feldenkrais as a technique and your own approach. I thought your timing and delivery was spot on.
Actually, I have just started to do some more general exercise as I recognised that I needed to get fit. Weekends are a good opportunity and I had planned to get down to a gym that I joined for a special summer get-fit opportunity — reasonable price for 6 weeks membership. Anyway after your class I found it hard to decide whether to stop at the gym for my Saturday session, or drive past and go straight home. I recalled that you said we might feel tired later, and I was very relaxed from the session and didn't want to tense myself up, so I almost decided to go straight home. At the last minute I remembered that my membership time was limited, and that I would have to make another journey to go another day, so I stopped and did a 'work out'. I was sure by the end that I would have tensed up and lost all the new found freedom around my shoulders, so I finished the session going over a few of the movements on a gym mat. To my amazement I could still move just as freely as I could at the end of your session without trying. I was impressed.
Keep me informed about your future classes - John B.
Sue's Feedback
I really enjoyed the (ATM) session and would like to do more — I had a fantastic (golf) match — I won and felt very flexible — and very 'together in my head' — can't explain that one but it was related to the session. I certainly noticed how much stiffer I felt today — I had another match — and I had done my usual prep — driven up from Norfolk rushed around the office, and then raced to the golf club.
I would really like more of this — and I think the session went extremely well. You gave me a GREAT feeling of confidence and positiveness, and increased my awareness that feeling good is not all about stretch and fitness — that is a big achievement!
Keep in touch and I would definitely be interested in more classes.
Sue L
PS: I found myself wondering today if my aches and pains would go away if I lay on the floor and did that session again — you definitely hit the spot with me.