Written by Angela Cuming

Danielle Wiessner suffered so much back and hip pain when she sat at her desk she almost quit her job.

The sound designer and music producer had lived with the pain for the past 20 years.

“I was going to leave my job, I couldn’t sit down any longer,” she said.

Then Wiessner discovered the Feldenkrais method, stopped the pain and stayed at work.

Based on martial arts and biomechanics, it teaches awareness of the body and re-educates people to understand the way the body was designed to move by using gentle movements including stretching and changing posture as well as manipulation.

“A friend suggested that I try Feldenkrais and it has been the most amazing thing I did,” Wiessner said.

“I have really noticed a difference in my body. I can move more freely now. You gain awareness of how you move, of how you sit, how you stand.

“You just start to adjust your body and posture in such a way that is fluid and easy.”

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I still remember our first session and how little we were able to do. And now to look back and see that each of the small steps have accumulated to allow greater comfort and improved ability for you to live each day independently – this is why I have chosen this way of working. I feel honoured to be a part of your journey through this part of your life.

Here are the first couple of paragraphs of Claire’s story:

In April 2005, I was involved in a head-on car crash. The result was internal and surface bruising, swelling and a bad whiplash among other injuries. For months I went to a ‘normal’ physiotherapist and experienced pain that at times was worse than the injuries themselves.

After two years I recovered physically. However, the pain in my neck returned and I knew it needed more treatment.

A close friend told me about a different form of physiotherapy called Feldenkrais and recommended the name of a clinic to attend. It was here that I met Sarah Wiin and my life began to change.

Read more.

Her story shows you don’t necessarily have to accept what life seems to be throwing at you:

… over the last 10 years (I) have become accustomed to all kinds of people, health professionals and others, telling me that I just have to become accustomed to the various aches and pains, that I must accept that I can’t always do what I used to take for granted .. I can now walk easily and the benefits have spread to all the things that I do that require walking! This has been so life affirming. I thought the problem was here to stay, a permanent and debilitating part of getting older …

As for the golf? Even better. Read Charmaine’s Story: Feldenkrais, Golf and Life