Child's play....

    I went on vacation last week. I know, this doesn't sound like earth shattering news or a life altering event, but it was for me. I haven't had a vacation in six years. The reasons aren't important. Let's just say that personal responsibilities were a priority. During that time I had to leave my practice for weeks on end. Afterward, all my time, energy and effort was directed into rebuilding my practice. If you're self employed, you know what I mean.

    Vacations were a distant memory, and I wondered if I would ever see a beach again. Then my youngest sister invited us to go on vacation with her and her family. I hesitated, but she said, "Aww, come on! You really need it." It sounded like a good idea, but I worried about being away from work for that long. I'm so used to continuous hard work, sitting on a beach for a week seemed like the epitome of self indulgence. I was afraid I'd be bored.
 
   I wasn't bored, I was busy doing something that I hadn't done in a long time. I played, and I played all day long, like I did when I was a kid, with no goal or objective in sight. I played everywhere, and I played with everyone, including my niece, nephew, sister, brother-in-law and my husband. I even tried playing with a sand crab, but he wouldn't cooperate. Party pooper. No wonder why they call them crabs.

    We played in the ocean, in the pool, on the beach and in the sand. We played Ninja games and paddle board. I stopped playing when it came time for football and volleyball. That's where I draw a line in the sand, so to speak. I'm just not that kind of athlete. I challenged my niece and sister to a cartwheel competition. My niece taught me how to do a round-off, and I practiced handsprings in the sand. I failed miserably, but that's not the point.

    On the other hand, maybe that is the point. Like most of us, I had forgotten how to play. We lose that part of ourselves and our spirit of playfulness in the world of adult responsibilities. My sister was right. I really needed that vacation. Not only was it fun, relaxing, but a huge learning experience for me.

    During that week, I learned how to play again, without any goal or objective, but for the sheer joy of movement and self discovery. I learned that I still don't have to play football and volleyball to be a good playmate. I learned that sand crabs have really funny faces, but they make rotten playmates. I also learned that it's important to listen to a younger sibling, because sometimes they are smarter than you think and they know you better than you know yourself.

    I'm looking forward to the next vacation. But, in the meantime, my handsprings can use some work. Ooops, I mean play.

Be healthy, and playful!
Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

The Feldenkrais Method, and the true measure of flexibility.....

    It's Feldenkrais Awareness Week, and a special time to celebrate this remarkable man and the Method that he created.

    Moshe Feldenkrais never intentionally set out to develop this unique method of learning through self education. Instead, it slowly and gradually developed from his own personal experience and frustration from trying to heal from a recurrent knee injury. Every time he thought his knee was healed, he would inadvertently re-injure it, often just by stepping off of a curb and landing wrong.

    After consulting with several physicians, he was advised to have his knee surgically repaired, with about a 50% chance of full recovery. He decided the odds were not good enough for him to go under the surgeon's knife, and he chose a different path. That path was the road to self education and self healing, through movement.

    His method is based on the scientific principle of neuroplasticity, which means that our nervous system is inherently malleable and flexible. This flexibility means that we (specifically our brains), are capable of changing and learning new patterns during the course of our entire lifetime. These new patterns are not limited to just physical patterns, but include thinking, sensing and feeling as well as moving.

    One major philosophy of Feldenkrais is that the measure of flexibility does not lie with the flexibility of one's muscles or joints. The true measure of one's flexibility lies within the core of every living being's existence: their nervous system. The ability to adapt to our ever changing environment, to interrupt habitual patterns that are not serving us well, to understand human nature, and the ability to recover from trauma is more than the true measure of flexibility. It is what brings us to the full measure of our human dignity.

    I feel incredibly honored and humbled, to be a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and to carry on his legacy and the gift of his remarkable Method. Thank you, Moshe! Happy Feldenkrais Awareness Week!
     

Be healthy!
Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

More stormy weather and neuroplasticity. The legacy continues...

    Two weeks ago I went to visit my sister and her 2 young children. One of my duties was to help my niece with a school project. It was a summer project that was due on the first day of school. Yikes! I'm glad they didn't assign summer projects when I was a kid.

    One afternoon, my niece and I sat at the dining room table and worked on her project. My nephew was upstairs alone playing wii. All of a sudden, the sky grew dark and thunder began to rumble in the distance. My niece looked around nervously as lightning started to light up the sky. I asked her if she was scared. She said no. What about your brother? She assured me that he would come downstairs if he got scared.

    The storm got quite violent. After a particularly bright bolt of lightening and ear deafening thunder clap, we heard the sound of little feet running down the stairs. My nephew came around the corner, and I asked him if he was scared. No, he said, he just wanted to check on us and make sure we were alright. Uh-huh.

    Another  lightning bolt lit up the sky, accompanied by thunder so loud the entire house shook. Even I was starting to feel unsettled. My niece looked at me and said, "Maybe we should get some cucumbers." And my nephew said, "Or we can go out on the porch and sing songs. But they have to be in English. I don't know any in Serbian."

    I was dumbfounded. "How did you know about that?" I asked. They told me that my older sister had them read my post about stormy weather, cucumbers, and neuroplasticity. I fought back tears. I was deeply touched and humbled that my story had such a profound impact on my young niece and nephew. Instead of cowering under blankets, we talked, laughed and looked for cucumbers. Even after the power went out.

    Sometimes.... all you have to do.... is just tell a story.

Be healthy!
Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

Sugar Plum Tree

                                                         THE SUGAR PLUM TREE

    "Have you ever heard of the Sugar Plum Tree? 'Tis a marvel of great renown! It lies on the shore of the Lollipop Sea, in the harbor of Shut-Eye Town." This was my absolutely favorite nursery rhyme when I was a small child. I would beg my mother to read it to me over and over and over again. Of course, she did. She would hold up the book and show me the magnificent picture of my Sugar Plum Tree. Over and over and over again. My 2 older sisters would patiently listen to the story and dutifully look at the pictures. Over and over and over again.

     I  loved that story. And that tree was very real to me. One day, in my childhood wanderings around our yard, I found a seed from a sugar maple tree and decided to plant my own Sugar Plum Tree. Sugar maple tree, Sugar Plum Tree....it was a short leap from one to the other in the mind of a 4 year old. And, I was bored. My 2 older sisters were in school, and I had some extra time on my hands. So, I planted that little seed in our back yard. I announced what I did to the rest of the family that evening at dinner. They assured me that I would certainly have my own Sugar Plum Tree in due time. I kept a watchful eye on the exact spot for the next few days.

    Eventually, a small sapling appeared exactly where I had planted my seed. My efforts had paid off! There was great celebration in our house, because I finally had my very own Sugar Plum Tree! My father replanted the tree to the front of the house, where it would be easier for me to keep an eye on it. Every morning I would go outside and check on my tree. My Mom and Dad explained that the tree was too small and too young to bear fruit. It would take time. I understood that. I could be patient.

    Finally, the magic day came! One morning my mother and sisters woke me up, and told me that my Sugar Plum Tree had finally bloomed. I ran outside with them, and sure enough, every branch of my tree was covered with candy! It was a miracle, but one that I never doubted would happen, because I planted that seed and held on with child-like faith that my tree would grow.

    Of course, as I got older, I realized that my father had bought the sapling and planted it at the exact place where I had planted the seed. And, of course, it was my mother and sisters who trimmed the tree with candy for me. Was I disappointed to learn the truth? No. If anything else, it just renewed my conviction that miracles do happen, and you never know what will grow from one small seed.

    As a young adult, during one of my visits home, my mother asked me if I remembered "The Sugar Plum Tree". I opened my mouth and recited the entire poem word for word. My family just stared at me in shock. I was stunned.  I hadn't even thought of that poem for over 20 years, and yet I remembered every single word, never once faltering as I recited my beloved nursery rhyme. Once everyone had regained their composure, my mother finally said, "You mean, after all those times you made me read that to you, you actually had it memorized?"  I could see my 2 older sisters having similar thoughts; "After all those times we had to sit and listen to it...."

    Obviously, I didn't know I had that poem memorized until the I recited it at that exact moment. Had I consciously tried to remember it, the cognitive (thinking) part of my brain, and it's good buddy (my ego) would have gotten in my way. But, the part of my brain which stores emotional memories took care of my Sugar Plum Tree and allowed it to continue to grow and bear fruit through the years.

    A framed copy of the Sugar Plum Tree hangs in my office today. Every time I glance at it I am reminded that miracles do happen. All you have to do is plant a seed, have some faith, and watch what grows.

Be healthy!
Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement(R) in the Rocky Mountains

                                     I was honored to teach a workshop for the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies during their recent intensive training segment. To teach Awareness Through Movement in an open mountain meadow with students sensing themselves in the sun or the shade, in the wildflowers or next to a lake was the ultimate somatosensory experience. Our support staff consisted of a gracious and dignified mountain dog, as you can see in some of the pictures. The mountains and the sound of the horses whinnying in the background completed this spectacular classroom with a view!

                                   To learn more about the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies and the wonderful work they do as well as their training programs, go to http://www.gestaltequineinstitute.com/ You won't be disappointed!

 

Be healthy!
Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

The balance challenge continues....

     So, what would happen if you did fall? How would you respond? What would you do? I remember skiing with my father and my husband about 20 years ago. My father (who was an excellent skier as well as a martial artist) took a very bad tumble.  My husband witnessed the fall, and quickly skied up to him to offer assistance. My Dad was laughing as he got up, and my husband was stunned that he wasn't hurt. He said, "George, you fell like a 30 year old!"  And he got up again like a 30 year old. At the time, my father was in his early 60's.

     My Dad knew how to fall. Most of us do not, which leads us to develop a fear of falling. After all, most of our activities as adults are performed in an upright posture: standing, walking, running, dancing, sitting, etc.  As a result, we lose our connection with the ground, we don't trust our balance, and we also lose the  flexibility (both physically and emotionally) to get back up. So, what can we do about it?

       1) First of all, spend more time on the floor. Get down on the floor at least once a day and just lie comfortably for a few minutes. Allow yourself to get familiar with the floor and how it supports you. Try rolling side to side. Explore rolling to one side and gently spiral up to sitting. Play with crawling around the floor, and just notice what it feels like to be on the ground.

       2) Practice getting down and up from the floor. Don't make it a big deal, just play with it a little bit. Notice how you choose to do this. How can you make it easier, more comfortable and less effort? Let the floor be your friend, your teacher and your guide. Don't be in a hurry to get up, but play with different movement patterns to get down and up from the floor.

     3) Practice controlled falling. For this activity I highly recommend getting assistance from a Physical Therapist or Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner. If you have ever considered taking a martial art class, perhaps now is the time. The practice of falling, rolling, and getting back up is a huge part of the training. Some martial arts such as Tai Chi is an excellent way to connect with the floor and improve standing balance and is offered in many senior centers and well worth looking into.

    If you currently have balance problems, a neurological condition, history of falls or osteoporosis, do not attempt these exercises, but do consult with a licensed physical therapist for assistance.

    Remember, at some time in our lives, we all fall: physically, emotionally, spiritually. Having the confidence that we know how to land is crucial to being able to get back up again.

                     
       My Dad at age 77, skiing with the confidence of someone who knows how to fall. And get back up.

 Be healthy!

Sense of smell. How neuroplasticity saved the day.

    A few weeks ago I was hiking in the mountains with my husband. I was in  a terrible mood. I was irritable, sad, depressed and feeling sorry for myself. It was Father's Day, and the first Father's Day without my Dad. This was only 6 short weeks after going through the first Mother's Day without my Mom. Trying to hide my bad mood, I did what I do best....I put my head down and stubbornly forged ahead, placing one foot in front of the other and forced myself up the mountain, oblivious to the spectacular scenery around me.

    After about an hour we stopped to rest. The wind shifted, and  I caught the indescribable fragrance of clean mountain air, pine trees, melting snow and damp earth. As I stood there soaking in that incredible smell, my mood immediately began to shift. My spirits rose dramatically. The heavy burden of grief, sadness and self pity melted away as effectively as the sun was melting the snow. I felt myself smiling. I was suddenly aware of the sensation of the cool air against my skin and the sun on my face. I heard the birds singing, the wind in the trees, and the sound of running water. I couldn't get enough of the breathtaking scenery. All of my senses were acutely awakened and I was enjoying a truly embodied somatosensory experience. So, what happened? What drastically changed my mood and saved the day?

    I got my love of the mountains and the snow from my father. I got my incomparable stubbornness and sharp wit from my mother. The smell of the mountain air triggered a flood of emotional memory stored deep in my brain in an area called the amygdala. Emotional memories are usually associated with traumatic and/or negative experiences, and unfortunately they get all the attention. But, positive experiences and happy memories are stored as well. The smell of the mountain air filled me with the memory of the many ski trips growing up, the smell of our fresh cut Christmas trees, the smell of the trees in our yard after a storm, the visits my parents made out West to visit us, the hiking and even horseback riding expeditions we had (especially fun because my Mom was more of an indoor girl, but she sure was adventurous)! It was not the specifics of "Oh, I remember that", but more the "felt sense" and the feelings of happiness related to all of those experiences that went through me at lightening speed that day.

    The plasticity (flexibility) of my nervous system did a huge favor for me that afternoon. It was able to automatically switch from my cognitive ruminations to my emotional brain and as a result to fully embrace the pleasure of being in the moment on that mountain and the life long journey (and the parents) that got me there. What a gift!

    The point is, we all go through difficult times, but we also have joyful memories that we may not fully appreciate, especially during the tough times. But your brain remembers. Trust the intelligence of your nervous system to help bring these positive and nurturing emotional memories to you, especially when you need them most.

    Be healthy!

Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

A very happy hiker!

                                                       
                                  

Expand your world with spinal flexibility.

    Many of us think of our spinal flexibility in terms of our ability to bend forward, backward, and sideways. What about rotation? Not only does rotation allow us to turn and look behind ourselves, but it plays an important role in healthy spine mechanics. Spinal rotation is also important for survival; we need to be able to turn to see who or what is behind us, to pull into traffic, to merge on a ski slope, etc. Unfortunately, we often don't include rotation into our movement patterns. We also may have heard that "twisting" the spine is a bad thing and can cause injury. There is a difference between "twisting" and the gentle rotation that is necessary for a healthy spine. Here is a nice little exercise to open up the spine in healthy rotation.

    1) Stand with your feet about hip width apart with the knees slightly bent. Bring your right arm up in front of you directly in front of your shoulder, as if you were pointing at something. Keep your eyes on your right hand as you slowly and gently turn your right arm, eyes and head to the right, as if you were going to point at something behind you. Go gently, and ONLY as far as feels comfortable for you. Note how far you go by mentally locating a spot on the wall or other landmark behind you. Come back to the front, lower your arm.

    2) Again lift your right arm, gently turn to the right as if you were pointing at something behind you. Leave your arm and shoulders to the right, and slowly and gently turn your eyes and the head to the left to look over your left shoulder. Slowly turn your eyes and head to the right to look toward the right arm and hand. Again, turn your eyes and head to look over the left shoulder. Turn again to the right. Now bring the right arm, eyes, head and shoulders back to face front, lower the arm, and take a few deep breaths. One last time, lift the right arm in front of you, keep your eyes looking over your right hand, and notice how far you go now. Are you able to go farther than when you first tried it? Does it feel easier? Smoother?

    3) Repeat the same movement pattern to the left.

    Remember to move slowly, gently, and "listen" to yourself as you thoughtfully do the movement. In the context of learning, doing less helps you sense more, which is a principle of neuroplasticity and the foundation of The Feldenkrais Method(R).  Do not do this movement pattern if you experience any pain or discomfort. You may want to consult with a Feldenkrais Practitioner or licensed physical therapist for assistance.

    Be healthy!

Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP

The sounds of silence....

    Do you ever feel overwhelmed, exhausted, frustrated, unable to concentrate, anxious and/or upset for "no apparent reason"? The chances are your brain may just be overstimulated from the never ending onslaught of information it recieves from TV, radio, cell phones, computers, texts, work, traffic, family responsibilites and just plain life in general.

    Give yourself a true rest by turning off all of the electronic devices, and find a quiet place where you can be alone even just for a few minutes. I believe that sitting outdoors is the most restorative. Sit quietly for a few minutes and notice how your sit bones contact your sitting surface. Slowly  move your attention to your breathing....not to change it or "fix" it, or worry about if you are doing it the right way, but just be aware of it's rhythm, flow and quality. Now begin to layer in the sounds of the outdoors. Do you hear birds singing? Which direction are they coming from? Do you hear the wind in the trees? Are there children playing or dogs barking in the distance? As you slowly play with the quality of the sounds, the directions that the sounds are coming from, slowly shift your attention back to your breathing. Do you feel like your breathing has changed? Perhaps it is slower, deeper, fuller. Do you feel more comfortable on your sitting surface?

    Slowly bring yourself back to coming up to standing. Get ready to continue through the rest of your daily activities, and as you do so, notice how you feel. More relaxed? Thinking more clearly? More capable of solving problems?

   The constant stimulation into our nervous systems puts us into the or "fight or flight" response. This can be incredibly destructive to our physical and emotional well being. Just taking a few minutes each day can give your brain the break it needs to rejuvinate itself. You can try this simple exercise indoors as well. The key is to get comfortable, pay attention to yourself, and really learn to listen to and appreciate the sounds of silence.    

Unlock your knees....effortless standing.

    Have you ever found yourself experiencing back pain, knee pain or foot pain in standing? Or that holding yourself upright even for short periods of time is exhausting? Here is a little experiment to help you find your way to effortless standing.

    Stand up, and notice how you are standing. Don't change anything, just pay attention to how you stand. Are your knees straight or bent? Is your weight on the front of your feet or the back? Do you stand more on one leg? Does your back feel tense and tight, or loose and flexible?

    Now slowly and gently bend your knees. Does that change the sensation of your low back? Are your feet more solid on the floor? Now straighten your knees and "lock" them. How does your back feel now? How do your feet feel on the floor? Slowly go back and forth from "soft knees" to straight knees.

    With your knees still "soft", gently shift your weight side to side. Notice a bouancy in your knees, and a willingness of your feet to accept the floor. How does your low back feel now? Stop. Walk around the room for a minute. Stop. Stand. Notice how you are standing now, and how this small experiment may have allowed big changes to take place in your ability to find your way to effortless standing.

    This is a snippet of a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement(R) lesson. You may want to consult with a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner(R) or look for Awareness Through Movement(R) group classes in your area  to explore new ways of moving through life with ease and grace, decrease aches and pains, and improve your performance in all functional and recreational activities.

Be healthy!
Cheryl Ilov, PT, GCFP