| Review of "The Power
of the Pelvis" by Lavinia Plonka, 2 disc audio CD (also available as
an 82 MB MP3 download ) $26.00
Lavinia Plonka, GCFP is an Feldenkrais teacher, workshop leader,
and Director of Asheville Movement Center in North Carolina. She has over
30 years of movement experience and is the author of several books. These
two CDs contain an introduction and four 20 minute lessons in pelvic movement
and awareness based on the Feldenkrais Method. It is designed
for general consumer use. Each section can be done separately allowing the
user to progress through the program at their own pace.
All sections are narrated in a clear and well modulated voice. The narrator
speaks slowly enough and includes rest breaks making it easy to follow instructions,
and giving the listener an opportunity to pause or to return to a previous
section. The introduction is a short explanation of the basic Feldenkrais concept
and an outline of the program. The author does not assume familiarity with
Feldenkrais teaching and sets out appropriate guidelines for working through
the program.
In the succeeding 4 sessions (entitled The Center of Everything, the Spinal
Chain, Activating Your pelvic Floor, and Freedom to Move), the user is guided
though a series of lessons focusing on becoming aware and activating the pelvic
floor, abdominal, and hip muscle groups in various ways. Activities begin
in supine and lead to side lying and finally to standing exercises. Appropriate
emphasis is placed on technique and correct breathing patterns while focusing
on increasing the user’s awareness of how the movement feels. There are repeated
instructions not to force movement, and to encourage both activation of muscles
and subsequent relaxation. Activities include activating the pelvic floor
muscles, pelvic clock imagery, pelvic bridging, and hip internal and external
rotation exercises that are both differentiated from and coordinated with
pelvic motion.
A few instructions could use more clarity. The author introduces a concept
called “ton den” which appears to correlate with the body’s center of gravity
but does not really tie the concept in well with the activities. As a consumer
oriented CD , there is no evidence offered to support the concepts or the Feldenkrais
Method. Overall these are simple, basic, and relaxing sessions that
could be an excellent adjunct for home use early in the treatment of the patient
with pelvic floor or spinal dysfunction or with pelvic pain syndromes.
Linda A Steiner PT, DPT, MS, OCS
Boston, MA |
