Paying Attention to Chronic Pain—Why Would You Want to Do That?

On my worst days, I'm convinced there is an inverse relationship between how much people rave about their first Feldenkrais experience and how likely they are to come back for more—a choice I honor. Because my students know. Feldenkrais might ask you to see stuff you have taught yourself not to see. And now might not be the time for that. So, yes, paying attention to yourself might—might—be the path out of a chronic pain attractor. But only the person in pain can make that choice. And really it is not an attitude on my part that I know what you ought to choose but I'm holding back! It is that I don't have the slightest idea what your right choice is, now, in this moment, I just know that you know more about you than I do. (BTW, plenty of people enjoyably take Feldenkrais classes without turmoil—but if you are struggling with a chronic pain attractor, I would guess some turmoil is likely. And of course I also believe some relief is in your future.)

[this one will arc to how we pull up the blanket of the familiar even if its name is 'misery.']