What can I expect during an individual lesson? Most lessons involve lying down on a table (similar to massage), sitting, standing or even walking around the room. It is not a passive lesson: your awareness and attention to how you feel as you move will bring growth and healing to your brain. This may involve verbal guidance or touch to gently lead you through new movement patterns and movement combinations - and when your body moves according to it's mechanical design, it will feel enjoyable and even fun! When your brain realizes there are easier ways to sit up or that you can actually move your hips when you walk, you will start to become aware in your everyday life when your habitual way of moving isn't as healthy or enjoyable as these better ways.
During the lesson your job is to cultivate an awareness of your comfort, because pain shuts off your brain's learning "switch." When I introduce movements to your brain, you'll focus on the good feelings of healthy movement, and tell me if you experience any discomfort (joints or muscles, temperature, touch, etc). I have tools such as foam pads, towels and pillows to help you find the most comfortable and sustainable postures. "No pain no gain" is not actually true in regards to movement and learning - lessons should be comfortable, without increasing your pain, without stretching or straining. Work smarter, not harder.
After the lesson, to get maximum benefits, cultivate an awareness of how things have changed, sometimes unexpected things - like improved mood, an awareness of posture, reduction in pain or better sleep. Some find it handy to journal or message me when they notice a difference, because it can be easy to forget or ignore the tiny changes. Our brains are complex and it's surprising how a tiny change can someday lead to a major breakthrough, but if we focus on trying to achieve a breakthrough, it can get in the way of the small changes that are required first.
How long are the lessons? Length depends on how intense the learning is for you; at some point your brain has learned enough and needs time to process and integrate, and the "learning switch" will shut off. It's rare to go longer than 45 minutes - sometimes your brain has gathered enough new data after 30 minutes or less, especially for children or those who fatigue easily. Initial lessons are a bit longer as we discuss your health history and talk through expectations or goals. Note that the learning begins even before we focus on movements; getting comfortable on the table is a big part of learning.
Are you covered by insurance/health care plans? Neuromovement® and Holistic Nutrition are not directly recognized by public health insurance in BC, but other insurance plans may include alternative therapy categories. Invoices are provided, and you may consult your insurer or accountant to see if it qualifies under your plan.
What type of payment do you take? We prefer cash or Interac e-transfer for our Canadian clients, though we can accept credit cards (with an additional 3.5% fee to cover their fees).
What is your cancellation policy? We require a minimum 24 hours' notice for a cancellation. If you cancel with less than 24 hours' notice you will be billed for the full fee of your appointment, unless it is due sudden illness or extreme weather (blizzards/road closures). If you become sick, please notify us ASAP to re-schedule.
How often do I need lessons? There are multiple factors that determine frequency, and I will discuss the options with you based on your unique situation. A general best practice is to begin with an "intensive": 4-8 sessions scheduled within a week. This creates a solid foundation of learning for your brain to build upon. Some clients choose to do fewer lessons, and I am willing to work with you to find a treatment plan that works for you. Everyone heals at their own rate, and we won't force an outcome that isn't realistic or sustainable just to hit a metric. After the initial lessons we will determine together what works best for your situation and needs moving forward.
What should I wear for the lesson? Wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in (sweat pants, shorts, t-shirt, etc). You also must wear a pair of clean socks. Please avoid cologne/perfume due to chemical sensitivities of others.