One-to-ones can include a powerful and practical combination approach for a rich and delightful multi-sensory learning experience. What are the ingredients?
Hear your story
I hear your story - wishes, intentions, hopes and challenges.
You can let me know what means most to you - the activities you love to do, or wish you still did.
Share what else you do for your wellbeing, so that our sessions can complement your other classes, therapies or ventures.
Observe you in movement
I observe you in movement - perhaps as you arrive at your session.
Or, I may ask you do a simple move or two for me. Perhaps, sit on the stool and wiggle around on your sit bones. It could be standing to look around the room to right and left. It may be a specific movement related to your chosen interests or challenges.
Set you up for comfort
We choose a position you like to be in. Then, we set you up for comfort.
If we are in-person, this can be on my wide, padded table and with my props - rollers, pads and cushions.
If we are online, this can be wherever you choose - on some mats or rugs on the floor…or even on your bed.
Guided movement - by my voice
I may verbally guide you in movement, teaching you an Awareness Through Movement® lesson - chosen for your comfort and interests, and adapted in the moment according to what I see and what you tell me about your experience.
You may be lying on your back, or other position
I talk you through a series of movement pattern explorations, starting simply, growing gradually over time
I build in rests for you, giving you a chance to refresh your attention and tune in to your sensations
As you are invited to move slowly and gently, you will find it easier to notice your sensations as you move…providing rich new information for your brain (sensory/motor system)
You will be guided to let go of tightness and tension…which gets easier and easier as the lesson progresses
As we go, I may help you clarify your own skeletal anatomy by you (or me) touching certain joints as they move
Guided movement - by my hands
If we are meeting in person, we may include the hands-on element.
We can continue to develop movement patterns from earlier in the session. You lie restfully, while I use subtle, respectful hands-on guidance. This form of movement re-education is called Functional Integration® and takes your learning into another mode.
I move you gently through various slow, easy movement patterns
You don’t have to do the moves yourself or ‘help’ me… though to start with, this is easier said than done!
As we progress, I will hold or touch you in different places - such as your foot, shin, thigh, ribs, arm, or hand - to give you varied sensations and experiences of movement
Your job is to pay attention how you feel and sense yourself
You can let me know about any responses you have (positive, negative or undecided) so that I can adapt my approach
We usually aim for your movements at the end to be more inclusive or larger or more pleasurable and harmonious than those we started out with
It has been described as a conversation between two nervous systems.
Observing you in movement, once again
We review the simple movements you did at the beginning to see if you experience them differently. Has something changed?
Perhaps, there is some new awareness or area of interest that you will dwell on and be interested in after the session.
Becoming your own authority
I can add coaching, provide self-care tips and items of homeplay for you if you like.
One-to-ones can be part of a journey where you to take an increasingly active role.
You start to discover how to help yourself improve your experience of moving.
For example, in an early session, we may concentrate on hands-on work. Later, we may mix this with more Awareness Through Movement. You have more and more opportunity to become you own authority.