December 2025

 

Falling Over

 

"Thus, the reaction that the adult interprets as fear of falling is inherited, inborn, and needs no personal experience before it is operative. And sudden, sharp lowering of a newborn infant elicits the whole series of reflexes which are the reaction of the body to falling."

 

Body and Mature Behaviour; A Study of Anxiety, Sex, Gravitation and Learning by Moshe Feldenkrais. 1949. 

Think back to being a child—falling over was just part of the fun! Yet, as we mature, the act of falling becomes increasingly perilous and is often accompanied by significant fear.

 

This issue of the SenseAbility newsletter explores the complex subject of falling over, focusing specifically on its relationship with anxiety and the potential dangers for older adults (where one in four over 65 fall annually).

 

We aim to demystify this common experience by sharing techniques to improve your capacity to safely reach the floor, and easily return to standing, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

 

We’ll explore what changes as we age, and how the principles of the Feldenkrais Method^® of Somatic Education can offer a path toward greater safety and confidence?

 

Don’t miss this month's expert contributions, including an article by Elizabeth Keith, a book excerpt from Lavinia Plonka, an interview with Taro Iwamoto, and valuable, real-life anecdotes / advice from our community of Feldenkrais^® practitioners.

 

Wishing you a fun, fruitful and safe festive period! 

 

Joe, Michelle and Jane

FGNA Communications Team

We’ve gathered a collection of stories and anecdotes from our global community of Feldenkrais^® practitioners to highlight a simple truth: falling is a universal human experience. Through these shared moments, we hope to show that while the fear of falling is common, it doesn't have to be permanent.

 

The Feldenkrais Method^® of Somatic Education offers practical, accessible tools to help anyone regain their balance, rebuild their confidence, and move through the world with greater ease.

An excerpt from 'The Little Book of Falling (and Getting Up)' by Lavinia Plonka

 

I’ve been falling all my life.  As a child, I often found myself lying face down in the mud, grass or street without realizing how I got there.  One memorable fall pitched me head first down the stairs. Before I could cry, my parents grabbed me, sat me at the kitchen table and served me a bowl of ice cream; a rare treat that perhaps made me forever think that falling down was a good thing.

When I was a young actor, one of my wise teachers told me that we are successful when we turn our liabilities into assets. I became a mime and physical comedienne specializing in dive rolls, prat falls and kicks in the pants.  It was nice to get paid for falling down.

 

But it didn’t cure my clumsiness. Offstage I still fell downstairs, on hiking paths, and sidewalks.  Sometimes my theater skills helped.  Once after a rain, I slipped on some mud while jogging.  I tucked, rolled and kept running.  A woman came panting up next to me. “Is that some new kind of aerobic exercise?” she asked.

 

Sometimes nothing helped and I had to nurse bruises, sprained ankles and even a couple of bloody noses.  Then I discovered the Feldenkrais Method^® of somatic education. Developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the Feldenkrais Method uses small, slow movements combined with awareness that change the way you move, think and act.  I had no idea it would affect my falling.  I just wanted to stop the aches and pains that seemed to be part of my career. What I discovered was an avenue towards better posture, greater relaxation and more efficient movement. 

An interview with Taro Iwamoto 

 

In this interview, Taro dives into why so many of us struggle with falls and—more importantly—getting back up. He explores how our modern sitting habits have actually changed our relationship with the ground, often limiting our range of motion without us even realizing it. Taro explains how a fear of falling can create a 'vicious cycle' that holds us back, and he shares some incredible, practical advice for anyone looking to move more confidently at any age.

 

Here's links to a few of Taro's videos related to balance:

How to Get up Off the Floor Easily - Spiral to Stand/ Spiral to Sit | Feldenkrais® Style

IMPROVE BALANCE FASTER with Feldenkrais Method 1/4

An article by Elizabeth Keith

 

As we age, our reflexes become slower and less efficient. These age-related declines affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The entire signal chain is slower from sensation to muscle response. There is a process of brain atrophy occurring which reduces its ability to process information and send commands quickly.

 

There are also changes in the neurotransmitters, such as dopamine in the brain. This can also affect motor control. Changes also in the muscles and joints with decreased muscle mass, reduced flexibility due to a change in amount of synovial fluid in the joints, as well as a decline in our proprioception can all affect our balance and equilibrium. All these factors combined can hinder our ability to make quick adjustments when we misstep or start to trip or fall. According to the CDC, falls are a leading cause of injury-related death in older adults, and even non-fatal falls significantly decrease mobility, quality of life, and increase the risk of premature death. 

Needless to say, we must be proactive in our exercise and movement home practice routines to include fall prevention in our weekly routines. Practicing losing our balance and training our nervous system to quickly respond to recovering balance is imperative to maintaining our health and wellness. The Feldenkrais Method^® of somatic education is one of the best modalities for addressing these issues. We have a vast repertoire of lessons devoted to increasing our kinesthetic awareness and proprioception for recovering our balance.

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