AWARENESS THROUGH MOVEMENT® (ATMs) lessons are not exercises; they are opportunities to re-learn helpful movement patterns that allow you to change old, no longer effective patterns acquired over the years through injury, misdirection or lack of sufficient information to carry out your intentions (i.e. ‘functional’ movement). The lessons can be used to improve any human function (such as bending, sitting comfortably on the floor, working at your computer without pain or strain to name just a few) by learning how to examine and develop physical self-awareness and can be particularly helpful for any athlete.
"For the equestrian, developing these kinesthetic skills allows the rider to communicate more effectively with their horse and addresses other concerns riders have in common, no matter what the level of their ability: balance, softness in the saddle, having a soft long leg and soft hands, giving clear aids and using one’s self in more complex, subtle and distinct ways, as in dressage."
"The lessons help develop the ability to move one’s physical self freely and independently. For the rider, this can include independent movement of the arms and legs; finding mobility and differentiation in the hips and pelvis; freeing the belly for a strong back; opening, closing and twisting the ribs for bending and stabilizing in order to aid the power of the pelvis; finding balance; differentiating the upper chest and the shoulder blades to create soft arms from a powerful back, and, bringing it all together by creating flexibility." - Paris Kern, Feldenkrais Practitioner and creator of Riding with the Whole Self, The Feldenkrais Method for Equestrians