Feldenkrais practitioner Shirley Jeffers is spreading the word about the practice, which she believes could become as popular as pilates in years to come. 

Shirley, a former crown prosecutor, had always been interested in health and wellbeing following a spell as a county high jumper in her youth.

(Image: Feldenkrais Southampton) READ MORE: Tribute to a remarkable journalist, author and sailor

A pilates instructor on the side for fun away from her stressful career, she had tried all manner of conventional methods of overcoming a serious whiplash injury resulting from a car crash.

But it wasn't until Shirley's husband had received physiotherapy from a Feldenkrais practitioner following a fall in Hong Kong, that she tried it out - and took on a four year mission to train in its practice. 

"It just blew my mind," she said.

"It was the missing link between health and movement I'd been looking for. I just thought straight away, I've got to train in this. 

"It's very niche and lots of people have never heard of it. It's used by musicians, actors, dancers and athletes as part of their training, but it's not well known in the mainstream and that's what I'm trying to change.

"It will change the way you sit, the way you stand, the way you play your sports."

(Image: Feldenkrais Southampton) The Feldenkrais Method is a unique way of learning to move better, feel better, and live better. It’s a movement-based learning approach to learning by engaging the brain to help the body and nervous system begin to make changes in how you move, think, feel, and sense.

It’s not about exercise or working harder- it’s about discovering how to move easily, comfortably and efficiently.

Feldenkrais allows anyone and everyone to feel lighter, more flexible and free from tension in their daily lives, but Shirley has had particular success with Parkinson's disease sufferers, those with neurological issues or pain and even in developing babies and children. 

She hosts classes at Freemantle and Shirley Community Centre and online, as well as one to one functional integration sessions.

She promises, no matter your age or fitness level, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, energised and more confident in your ability to move with freedom and ease.