About Saara Kavanagh | Feldenkrais Practitioner

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Saara Kavanagh, Feldenkrais Practitioner in Manchester.

HELLO, I’M SAARA

My journey into Feldenkrais began through dance…

After completing my Master's degree in Contemporary Dance in Helsinki, Finland, I spent several years working professionally as a dancer and teacher.

It was during my studies that I first encountered the Feldenkrais Method. I remember experiencing, for the first time, the sensation of sensing my whole self rather than just individual parts of me. There was an extraordinary balance between feeling in command of my movement while also experiencing an incredible sense of freedom and ease.

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Rather than concentrating on how movement looked, Feldenkrais invited me to explore it from the inside through feeling, perception and awareness. That experience was transformative and ultimately changed the course of my professional life.

Over time, I realised I wanted to deepen my understanding of the method and decided to train as a Feldenkrais Practitioner at the International Feldenkrais Centre in Sussex. It felt like a natural next step, allowing me to share with others something that had already transformed the way I experienced movement myself.

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How has dance influenced the way I teach?

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A FEW QUESTIONS…

My background in dance immersed me in a world of somatic learning from a young age. Through dance, I learned to sense and understand myself through movement, and that continues to shape the way I teach today. In Feldenkrais, the more aware we become of the subtle changes within ourselves, the more choice we have in how we move, think and respond.

What do I love about teaching?

I love the quiet connection that develops during a lesson between myself and my students. Through my instruction and each person's interpretation, movement is explored without judgement. It's amazing to see how words become movements. I also love the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the lessons, which creates the perfect space for movement exploration. Watching each person discover something for themselves, and hearing those discoveries afterwards, is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

What can you expect from a lesson?

A gentle, supportive environment where there's no pressure to perform. Whether in a group or one-to-one, the lessons invite you to slow down, listen and observe yourself. Through noticing small differences, you'll discover easier, more comfortable ways of moving.

I hope you'll feel more comfortable in yourself, perhaps a little taller and more mobile too. Most importantly, I hope you'll leave feeling refreshed, inspired to keep listening to and observing yourself through movement, and perhaps a little more curious than when you arrived.

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Today I live in central Manchester with my husband Ian and our young son, Ossi, where I teach group classes and one-to-one Feldenkrais lessons.

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How do I hope you’ll feel when you leave?

I’m feeling a little nervous...

That's completely natural. You don't need any experience, flexibility or fitness to begin. Simply come as you are with an open mind, and you'll explore movement at your own pace with my support.

There's no right or wrong way to explore the lesson. You're free to pause, adapt or rest at any point. The priority is always to find comfort, allowing you to explore movement with greater ease and clarity.

CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION…

If what you've read has resonated with you, I'd love to welcome you to a class or answer any questions you may have.

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GET IN TOUCH