Recovery Through Movement

About Recovery Through Movement LLC

How We Can Help You

We offer a variety of services including recovery from orthopedic and neurological injuries and surgeries, exercise prescription and sport-specific training, management and recovery from chronic orthopedic and neurological conditions, pain neuroscience education, as well as body awareness-based Awareness Through Movement® (ATM®) lessons. See schedule below.

All individual clients receive a thorough evaluation of the whole body, not just the particular area of concern that may have brought you to us. The work is always adjusted to the preferences of the client, but most sessions will include manual therapy to address pain and any muscle, joint, visceral (organ) or neuromuscular restrictions or limitations found. The manual work emphasizes relaxation and cooperation with specificity.

Photo: Chris Malacarne Photography | chrismalacarne.com

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide an environment for people to learn more about themselves and how their bodies move and work so that they can be dynamically prepared to pursue their life's loves and passions.

We believe that we all have the capacity to learn, grow and develop throughout our lifetime and that movement is essential to that process.

We believe in a holistic approach to working with an individual's neuromuscular system to enhance their movement and comfort.

Photo: Chris Malacarne Photography | chrismalacarne.com

About Alex

Alex Schaefer is a movement educator, physical therapist, martial artist and Feldenkrais® practitioner. Since graduating from St. Louis University in 2000, he has worked in a variety of physical therapy settings including orthopedics, neurology, geriatrics and sports rehab.

His post graduate interests include structural integration, brain neuroscience, visceral manipulation, meditation, and pain neuroscience education. He enjoys sports of all kinds, especially tennis, and continues to train martial arts and study various movement practices.

Photo: Chris Malacarne Photography | chrismalacarne.com

First Time Student?

Your first ATM® lesson is FREE!

Sundays

First Time Student?

No lessons

Mondays

First Time Student?

Tuesdays

10:00 am

6:00 pm

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Tuesdays

No lessons

Wednesdays

No lessons

Thursdays

Wednesdays

10:00 am

6:00 pm

Fridays

Saturdays

No lessons

Saturdays

No lessons

Location

Saturdays

Location

Unless otherwise noted, lessons are held at Recovery Through Movement LLC, 220 E State St 1-H, O'Fallon, IL.

What Awareness Through Movement® Lessons Are/How To Do Them

Please reach us at 808 283 9949 or alexschaefer@recoverythroughmovement.com if you have questions not answered below.

The learning experience.

The classes are called lessons because the intent is to create a learning experience for the student. The subject of the lesson is the student themself, how their thoughts, feelings, and emotions interact with the material of life, the neuromuscular system. Each lesson has a human function in mind: from basic activities of life like rolling, standing, walking, or reaching; to more complex ideas like balancing the spinal curves, diversifying breathing, or use of the eyes in movement. Lessons generally last from 40-50 minutes with some time before for preparation and some time after for discussion. Most lessons occur on the floor, although there are lessons in chairs available. Lessons can involve a variety of positions including on your back, on your stomach, side-lying, sitting on the floor in various ways, kneeling, hands and knees, and others but props and supports are available, and all lessons can be modified to accommodate most people.

Relax, breathe, take your time.

The lessons promote neuroplasticity, or the brain’s curiosity-based way of learning to change and improve. It asks for you to improve your ability to sense, feel, think and act. If you move too quickly, the nervous system has no time to respond to the feedback from the movement. The slower you move, the better your brain can sense and feel what you are doing and make adjustments to improve the movement.

No pain is all gain.

Do not make movements or sustain positions that increase discomfort. Anything that your brain perceives as a threat will reduce its ability to remain open to change and adaptation. Do not force yourself to do anything that you do not feel comfortable with. It is better to reduce your effort, relax more, breathe more, do less, or even just imagine a movement than to ignore discomfort for the purpose of achievement. Responding kindly, sensitively and intelligently to discomfort during the lesson is essential to the learning and your improvement.

Attention to yourself is the key.

Having and holding attention is difficult for the mind yet is a skill that can be learned and developed. Attending to yourself while doing the movements is the secret sauce for these lessons. If your mind is elsewhere, it’s just exercise or movement without much learning. If you find yourself bored with a movement, explore somewhere far away from the area to see if a connection is possible, or just rest and breath, your attention may need a break.

There is no wrong way to move.

Any movement that is comfortable, enjoyable, or interesting has value. If you get lost during a lesson, it’s ok, just come back when you are ready and resume. If the instruction seems confusing or disorienting, just pause, listen, think, then act in whatever way seems best to you. What may be right for someone else may not be right for you, so trust that with comfort in your breath and ease in your body, you will find your “right” way.

Clothing and props mean comfort and ease.

Your experience will be more enjoyable if you dress in loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Ease of movement is critical to getting the most you can out of Awareness Through Movement® lessons.

There are blankets and padded mats here for use on the floor. If getting up and down from the floor is a concern, some lessons can be done on a massage table available in the clinic. A yoga mat can be a little too grippy but one covered with a large towel works fine.

A curious and open mind is all that is needed to begin a self-study that can lead to improved ways of moving and responding to an ever-changing environment with comfort and confidence.

Moshe Feldenkrais (Doctor of Science) was an engineer, martial artist, and scientist with a curiosity for human development and the link between movement and consciousness. His early work included time with Joliot Curie at the Sorbonne as well as a black belt from the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano. Using his understanding of anatomy, physiology, physics, child development, psychology, and other somatic practices, he developed a method of self-learning and self-care that is used in a variety of fields including performing arts, psychology, sports and physical therapy rehab, and neurology.

Investment

Awareness Through Movement® (ATM®) Group Lessons

Drop-in Lessons. 55-70 minutes. FREE for first-time students/$20 each additional.

5 Lesson Card. $65.

10 Lesson Card. $125.

INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL

1 month unlimited lessons. $65.

3 months unlimited lessons. $125.

Individual Recovery Through Movement Sessions

Initial Evaluation. 75-90 minutes. $100.

Returning Client. Sessions 2-6. 50-60 minutes. $80/each.

Rewards Client. Sessions 7+. 50-60 minutes. $70/each.

Treatment Plan Clients. $60/each.

Minimum 1 session/week for 4 weeks.

Military/Disabled Discount.

Initial Evaluation (as described above). $90/each.

Returning Client (as described above). $70 /each.

Rewards Client (as described above). $60/each.

Treatment Plan Client (as described above). $50/each.