Rolling around on the floor like a baby might not be your idea of a workout, but once you drop yourself-consciousness and embrace the gentle exercises and body awareness at the center of this blend of two wellness traditions, you’ll find relaxation and fewer aches and pain.

SETTING

The windowless, air-conditioned studio at the Still & Moving Center, with its mango-wood floors, provides a calm setting for class. Instructor Eva Geueke had participants face the wall with no mirrors to avoid self-judgement. All classes at the center are done barefoot.

BENEFITS

Qigong is an ancient Chinese approach to wellness that blends postures, exercises, breathing techniques and meditation. Feldenkrais uses gentle exercises and mental awareness of the body to improve movement and physical function, and reduce pain and stress.

Geueke, who worked with Feldenkrais for 25 years, fuses the two together because theyboth focus on the power of the mind and quality of movements instead of quantity.

"There are no static stretches, but the movement itself will strengthen, stretch and lengthen the body in the most functional way," Geueke explained.

"The two methods complement each other beautifully, as Qigong focuses more on the energy circulation and energy cultivation for longevity. The Feldenkrais Method helps tremendously with finding the right posture."

THE WORKOUT

We started the class with Qigong exercises that consisted of simple postures and fluid movements to warm up the muscles, joints and tendons. This allows a better flow of energy throughout the body, Geueke said. The exercises were done standing with the knees slightly bent and the feet shoulder-width apart.

We did some shaking of the wrists and hands, working up to using the entire body to bounce up and down gently on the heels.

Next we moved to the ground for Feldenkrais. The gentle exercises took us from sitting to standing in one swift movement. We also rolled around, rocking from side to side in a fetal position, which helped loosen up my hips — something much needed from spending so much time sitting at a desk or in my car.

USER REVIEW

Carol Anne Gordon, a 58-year-old social worker, started taking Geueke’s classes in October. She said she had been in pain for almost 20 years after a series of accidents that also left her with a limp, sore hips and a compressed vein in her leg.

"The Feldenkrais classes loosened up those bones and the vein, and I was suddenly more aligned, more level, more balanced, out of pain, not limping and taller," said the Moiliili woman.

The classes increase her fitness and have allowed Gordon to swim and do more yoga. As a result, she has lost two dress sizes.

Gordon’s 87-year-old mother, Mary Alice Hurd, has been attending classes for the past six months. She said it’s helped with her balance, flexibility and the movements of daily life.

"It helps me with posture so I don’t get hunched over. It’s very relaxing and restful," Hurd said. "I’ve taken yoga classes where the moves were too difficult. But these are movements that you can do."

TRY IT OUT?

People of all ages, shapes and sizes participated in the class. Afterward I felt more limber.

Feldenkrais Qigong would be suitable for folks restricted by injury or chronic pain. Those who have difficulty keeping up with fast-paced workouts will find the class refreshing.

"Tryouts" features exercise and wellness classes and other fitness activities. Reach Nancy Arcayna at narcayna@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4808.