Category Archives: Uncategorized

Pit falls of Empathy for Practitioners, Facilitators and those receiving empathy

Have you ever given empathy and the resulting emphatic connection is misunderstood by the receiver?

These questions and more are now being considered and shared in learning Empathy for Self and others in getting InTouch Relationship series of           Think, Speak and Act!

  • If the receiver isn’t clear on the differences between compassion and the love they long for, how do they interpret their experience of an empathetic connection?
  • Do they mistake this sexual attraction?
  • Do the receivers of empathy mistake this as being in love with the listener?
  • Do they become addicted to the feelings therefore demand empathy?
  • If a person received empathy in a gathering with a purpose was for learning, how do they and the listener move forward through the disappointment of not having the full focus of the groups empathy another time?
  • If you receive empathy does this mean your wish is fulfilled?

And questions for the empathy listener:

  • What is the listener modelling?
  • Is  there balance between giving and receiving so that when the sessions is over the receiver of empathy  leaves it with a solid sense of their own support and not in awe (in debt) to the empathetic listener?
  • How much nice is too nice? How does the listener detach themselves  to balance the connection?
  • What is the presence and contact of the listener?  Is the expression of their emphatic eyes and presence self-contained demonstrating  and modelling how to balance their own inner needs while holding the connection of the receivers ?
  • Is the listener able to follow the receivers lead when wanting to receive empathy and noticing the cues to stop?

Difficult questions with answers now included in learning and experiencing  empathy in getting InTouch Think, Speak and Act series.

Connecting with stranger led to surprises

Walking up a hill along a favorite trail of ours for the first time since losing the other half of our in my walks, my long time  friend, “Frosty, ” I was stopped by a fellow walker.   An older gentleman I imagined to be in their 70’s who told me they had to stop half way up the hill to catch their breath.    I laughed and said I too felt like stopping .  My intention was to pass by and keep walking.

He got my attention when he went on to say he was 94 and had walked the full 2 mile course the day before.  Today he thought he wouldn’t go the complete course.  He started walking with me and part of me was wanting to carry on alone  as I had remembered Frosty and was feeling some emotions.

Rather than feel any resentment I decided to share the loss with him and not feel blocked by him in joining me in this inaugural walk without my pooch.  To my surprise he shared back with me he just lost his wife a few months before.  She was 94 and they had been together 69 years. She had begun to experience dementia, fell and broke her hip and decided that this wasn’t the way she wanted to live.  She took matters into her own hands and stopped eating.  Seven days later she passed away.  He downsized, bought a new condo and only the day before bought  a new Nissan and planned a drive to Campbell River to see his daughter for her 65th birthday.   He missed his wife and went on to say the evenings were difficult with no one to sit and talk with.

By this time we had walked a quarter of the trail and came to a row of benches and he decided to sit down for a while.  We both had smiles and wished each other well and I was able to speed my walk up.  I would like to say only a fraction though.  Imagine if I had simply walked by quickly as was my habit and had not connected.  It would have been a loss of what seemed an important moment of connection, inspiration and wonder!

Take a moment for this:

Multiple Sclerosis

Feldenkrais® Method Research

In one study, steadiness and comfort with daily movements, self-esteem and overall quality of life improved in patients with Multiple Sclerosis who used Feldenkrais bodywork and/or participated in Awareness Through Movement sessions.

In another study, a group of patients with Multiple Sclerosis participated in an Awareness Through Movement group. The results demonstrated significantly improved mCTSIB scores and improved balance confidence compared to controls. There was a marked improvement in all other measures in the Awareness Through Movement group compared to controls. Results: This type of motor learning intervention can be effective in improving a variety of physical and psychological parameters related to balance and postural control in patients with MS.

Bost, H., Burges, S., Russell, R., Ruttinger, H. and Schlafke, U. Feldstudie zur wiiksamkeit der Feldenkrais-Method bei MS – Betroffenen. Deutche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft. Saarbrucken, German, 1994.

Stephens, J., DuShuttle, D., Hatcher, C., Shmunes, J., Slaninka, C. Use of Awareness Through Movement improves balance and balance confidence in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled study. Neurology Report 25(2):39-49, 2001.

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Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Functional Integration®, and Awareness Through Movement®, are Servicemarks of The Feldenkrais Guild®

Injury

Feldenkrais® Method Research

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration® lessons have been shown to help patients avoid developing protective, maladaptive patterns to an injury. In other words, Feldenkrais lessons can be instrumental in helping patients form beneficial and adaptive patterns during recovery integrating total body movement into the recovery process.

Chinn, J., Trujillo, D., Kegerreis, S., Worrell, T. Effect of a Feldenkrais® Intervention on Symptomatic Subjects Performing a Functional Reach. Isokinetics and Exercise Science. 1994, 4(4): 131-136.

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Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Functional Integration®, and Awareness Through Movement®, are Servicemarks of The Feldenkrais Guild®

Parkinson’s

Feldenkrais® Method Research

This study demonstrates that the disabilities of Parkinson’s Disease can be lessened with early Feldenkrais intervention as gains are made in musculoskeletal flexibility, alignment and functional movement. Early intervention is important and can delay the need for pharmacological intervention, which, because of long-term use, is associated with potentially unwanted and toxic side effects. The study illustrates improvements in balance, gait, and functional movement made by an individual who was not yet receiving medication for Parkinson’s disease. A second case study illustrates improvements of balance gait and functional movement made by an individual who was already receiving medication for the disease. These case studies illustrate the dramatic improvements that Feldenkraisintervention can achieve in the patient with Parkinson’s disease.

Shenkman, M., Donovan, J., Tsubota, J., Kluss, M., Stebbins, P., Butler, R. Management of Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease: Rationale and Case Studies. Physical Therapy 69: 944-955, 1989.

Wendell, L. L. Some effects of the Feldenkrais Method on Parkinson’s symptoms and function. Unpublished case study by L. L. Wendell client and Marilyn Johnson, Feldenkrais Practitioner. June 2000.

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Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Functional Integration®, and Awareness Through Movement®, are Servicemarks of The Feldenkrais Guild®

Values in a Contemporary Culture

A focus here at Inside has been on values (universal needs).  This has included systems of  integrating  and learning development.

Here is an article crosses  that was delivered at United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development.  It confirms my personal belief that values will shift a culture!  The article –  Values in the Contemporary World, by Nancy Roof, Ph.D.  Nancy is the founder of the award-winning Kosmos Journal: The Journal for World Citizens and Planetary Civilization, based on evolving interior development and cultural values as they impact globalization

Here is a paragraph from the article:

In times of integration we hear little about values. But our world is in the process of profound change. Societal disintegration and global integration are happening simultaneously. Managing these changes requires a new global vision of global interdependence, cultural diversity, and participatory decision-making. We must identify practical values that will work in the contemporary world, and provide the foundation for a better, kinder world.

For the Full Article  Read Values PDF  – Values in the Contemporary World, by Nancy Roof.

Fibromyalgia

Feldenkrais® Method Research

Patients with Fibromyalgia moved more easily, efficiently and with less effort after learning to reorganize the biomechanics of their movements during 15 weeks of Feldenkrais sessions and classes. Immediately following, and six months after completion of the class, improvements in balance, posture and gait were reported. Also reported were reduced pain, increased sleep and reduction in fatigue.

Dean, J. R., Yuen, S. A. & Barrows, SA. “Effects of a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Sequence on Fibromyalgia Patients”.

Kendall, S. A. Ekselius, L. Gerdle, B., Soren, B., Bengtsson, A. Feldenkrais intervention in fibromyalgia patients: a pilot study. J. Musculoskeletal Pain. 9(4):25-35, 2001.

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Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Method®, Functional Integration®, and Awareness Through Movement®, are Servicemarks of The Feldenkrais Guild®