Feldenkrais: Poetry and Movement workshop

In this 90-minute workshop, you will explore the ‘felt-sense’ of poetry. Expert practitioner Tess Molloy will guide you through a structured lesson of small gentle movement, with particular attention to sensation, supporting connection, clarity, learning and creativity (the Feldenkrais Method).

Being present in the practice of Feldenkrais, and ‘Keep(ing) company with those who say, “look” and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads’ (Mary Oliver, Mysteries Yes) and finding ‘the central stream of what we feel indeed’ (Matthew Arnold, Below the Surface Stream) is the intention of this workshop.

Max attendees 25

From Tess Molloy:

As a Feldenkrais practitioner I find a deep connection between poetry and Feldenkrais. I have always loved poetry, even at school where we learnt Gerard Manley Hopkins, and I wondered what on earth he was saying!  However, I loved his language and revelled in the sound of it.

Where does poetry land with me? There are times that I have an understanding or sense of the poem’s meaning but I would struggle to put it into words. It is unique to me and this is what I explore with Feldenkrais. Where do I feel/sense what I am doing when I’m moving. It is a listening practice.

I was a Classics teacher and enjoy communication and imparting information. Curiosity is so important and is something I was keen to encourage in my two children when they were growing up. We moved around a lot with my husband’s job, and as an outsider I observed people’s habits and patterns of behaviour which can become stuck if you’re not open to new experiences.

All of this has informed my Feldenkrais practice and deepened my love of poetry. I am lucky to belong to a poetry group as it is in the group activity that my senses are heightened, and in paying attention to myself in the company of others that I learn something new.