From Creaky to Confident. How Joy Found Freedom on the Floor (and in Life)

Photo credit: Alex Green

When Joy first came to see me, there was a kind and vibrant spirit beneath the surface, but her body told a different story — one of frustration, stiffness, and limitation. What brought her through my door was something very close to her heart: her relationship with her young grandchild.

“I just can’t get on the floor to play anymore,” she told me, visibly upset. “And if I do get down there, I don’t know if I can get back up without pulling something or needing help.” There was a deep sadness in her words — not because of the pain, but because of the disconnection. Her body felt like a barrier to the joy of being present and playful with her grandchild. And that hurt more than any ache in her knees or tension in her back.

Joy described feeling “creaky” and stiff all over, as though her body had aged decades in just a few years. Getting up from the floor felt like a small mountain to climb. She would have to brace herself, use her hands, strain her neck, and often feel exhausted just from one transition. This wasn’t just a practical problem — it was a confidence issue. The worry about whether or not she could get back up was enough to stop her from even trying. And so, the moments of play, spontaneity, and connection with her grandchild were becoming fewer and farther between.

She wasn’t looking for quick fixes or flashy fitness routines. She was looking for something deeper — a way to reconnect with her body, to trust it again, and to feel capable in her everyday life. That’s where the Feldenkrais Method and gentle yoga came in.

Rediscovering Movement — Gently

Our sessions began slowly. I always start by helping people notice their movement before trying to change anything. That can be surprisingly powerful. Often, we don’t realise how much unconscious effort we’re using until we stop and feel it.

With Joy, we began with simple Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons from the Feldenkrais Method. These sessions aren’t about stretching or strengthening — they’re about learning. Learning how to move with more ease, more efficiency, and less strain. We explored small, comfortable movements like gently rolling from side to side, shifting weight while lying down, and organising the body in preparation for sitting up or standing.

At first, Joy was surprised at how “easy” it all felt. She even worried that maybe it wasn’t doing anything! But over the first few weeks, she began to notice some changes.

“I stood up without even thinking about it,” she said one day, eyes wide. “No pushing, no effort — I just stood up.”

We added in some very gentle yoga-inspired movements as well — not to push limits, but to explore breath, alignment, and balance in new ways. Movements that once seemed impossible became not only accessible but enjoyable.

 Progress Beyond the Floor

Over the course of a few weeks, Joy’s relationship with the floor began to change. What was once a dreaded destination became a space of curiosity and comfort. She learned multiple ways to get down and up — ways that worked for and with her body, not against it. She began to feel more confident, more steady, and more playful.

But perhaps the most beautiful part was what happened beyond the floor. Her newfound ease in transitions wasn’t limited to time with her grandchild. She started noticing how she moved through her entire day — how she got in and out of bed, up from a chair, or reached into cupboards — and all of it felt smoother.

Her stiffness lessened. Her posture improved. And she smiled more — a lot more.

“I feel like myself again,” she told me, “…but lighter, freer, more spacious. I didn’t realise how heavy all that tension had been.”

She began playing with her grandchild again, with less fear and more laughter. They made pillow forts. They crawled under tables. They rolled around with toy trains and sang songs while lying on the rug. What was once a wall between them had quietly disappeared.

 The Power of Gentle, Intelligent Movement

Joy’s story is not unique. So many people come to me feeling like their bodies have betrayed them — stiff, tight, and unsure. But what Joy’s journey shows is that you don’t have to fight your body to change it. You just have to listen.

The Feldenkrais Method and gentle movement practices don’t work by pushing harder — they work by helping your brain and body re-learn how to move better, move smarter.

 More efficiently. More joyfully.

When you move better, you feel better. And when you feel better, you live better.

 A Final Reflection

Joy’s transformation wasn’t about mastering a complex routine or achieving perfect flexibility. It was about reclaiming something deeply human: the ability to move with ease and connect with the people we love.

She didn’t just gain mobility — she gained confidence, freedom, and the priceless gift of presence with her grandchild.

If you’ve ever felt like your body is getting in the way of your life, your fun, or your relationships, know this: change is possible. And it doesn’t have to be hard or painful. Sometimes, it starts with the smallest movement — and leads to the biggest joy.

Upcoming Movement Workshop in Forest Row