Why do we need Self Knowledge?
In our modern world, there is rarely a moment to simply stop and notice how we are. And when we finally do pause, our attention is almost always accompanied by heavy judgment—a constant critique of how we should feel, how we should look, and who we should be.
Most of us are living in varying states of dysregulation, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information we process every day.
Along the way, without realizing it, we lose trust in ourselves, outsourcing our authority to other people’s opinions, AI programs, and fitness trackers—looking for external answers to an internal question. It's no wonder we feel so disconnected.
How, then, do we create the space to know ourselves again?
It begins simply, by bringing attention to ourselves and how we move—completely free from the need to "fix" or "correct" anything. Instead of providing another set of rules to follow, it's an invitation to step off the metaphorical treadmill and get to know ourselves again.
Through gentle, curious attention, we learn to trust our own internal feedback, using it to feel the nuance in how we organize ourselves for daily life.
Within this space, our nervous system becomes quieter and we restore our natural ability to sense what we actually need. From this more regulated position, we can start to rebuild our sense of self from the inside out.
We discover that moving with ease, experiencing less pain, and feeling coordinated aren't things we have to fight for. They emerge naturally when our system is allowed to rest and organize itself.
What are the benefits?
Homeostatic/Self Regulation - (Aka Stress Management)
Your nervous system is constantly working behind the scenes to keep your internal environment stable. When your body is locked in chronic, unconscious muscular defensive patterns, your system is stuck in an energy-draining loop. By learning to quieten this background noise, you restore your body's natural regulatory capacity. Sleep deepens, digestion eases, and your system regains its natural resilience, transitioning smoothly between focused action and restorative rest.
A Healthy Sense of Self - Clarifying your skeleton and moving with ease supports your personality
A healthy sense of self is simpler than we might imagine; it comes from a clear sense of where you end and the rest of the world begins. This psychological boundary is built entirely on your physical, somatic self-image. Through movement, we start to clarify ourself physically - feeling the support of our skeleton and refining our ability to act well in gravity. As our internal map becomes clearer and more defined, we naturally develop the capacity to sense, establish, and maintain healthy movement. We learn to occupy your own space with quiet confidence, and move in a way that feels good to our own inner standard.
Liberated Resources - (Aka Developing Agency)
Chronic, habitual muscular contraction is expensive. It takes immense physiological energy to keep muscles constantly tight. When you are unconsciously fighting your own structure, you are burning valuable resources just to stand still. As your movement efficiency improves and these unnecessary holding patterns dissolve and you reclaim that wasted bandwidth. The neurological and physical resources previously tied up in chronic tension are freed up - returning to you as raw vitality, mental clarity, and the physical potency to pursue your true interests.
About
Joe has spent over 20 years training in Taiji Quan (Tai Chi), Meditation (various systems) and a form of Qi Gong called Taijiwuxigong, all of which are rooted in the spiritual philosophies of the east (Buddhism and Taoism) and work towards balanced mental and physical states.
Joe also trained in Jiu-Jitsu & Judo and Karate in his youth and has a grounded understanding in the martial side of movement practises.
He studied Anthropology at University College London and has since developed keen interests in human evolution, neuroscience, and the traditional practices (religious/medical) of many cultures.
However it was through his search for solutions with his own set of habits and unconscious constraints that he came across the Feldenkrais Method® which seemed to provide practical solutions to his experiences with anxiety, and offered him a way to begin unwinding some of the habits that had helped in creating the anxiety.
Joe completed a professional Feldenkrais training in London in 2016-2020 and now lives and works in Bristol, UK.
Since 2020 he has also been working with the Feldenkrais Guild of North America as part of their communication team, and now serves as the editor for their public (SenseAbility) and practitioner (In Touch) newsletters.
Testimonials
"Joe’s classes are brilliant! My wife and I both experience deep relaxation and a sense of peace after every lesson and much pain relief along with very exciting new awareness of posture and movement possibilities. Also, added bonus : Joe's sense of humor. Highly recommend joining his international class to anyone interested in developing a stronger sense of security generated from within yourself and an increases awareness of the possibility to respond to the world around you from that inner sense of security rather than reacting from insecurity."
Roger
"I can’t recommend Joe’s classes enough! Feldenkrais® is a wonderfully crazy good experience thus far for both how my body and how my brain feel during and afterwards (and Joe is very good at delivering the material).
For someone who has trouble calming my mind for meditation this does the trick! An hour long class goes by in what seems like 15 minutes as the focus on the small movements make it easy peasy to be present and the calming effects feel really integrated into my daily experience."
Stephanie
"Having both experienced and witnessed what Joe does in his sessions I can say that it is incredibly powerful work.
He is able to facilitate a process which enables each person to understand how their body works in a particular way – the practice is mindful, holistic and supports greater awareness and improved balance and brain to body connection."
Eileen
"I'm a Tai Chi and Qigong practitioner and have noticed that I have a tendency to get stuck in certain movement patterns. At best this limits my flexibility and at worst it manifests as pain.Joe helped me identify some of these physical patterns their deeper psychological and emotional roots.By working with my body gently and compassionately I have felt safe to explore these areas, and have seen changes on all levels."
Nicci