Working with Maxine this year has changed my life. I didn’t know what it meant to stay in my body until I started doing Feldenkrais with her. I have known for years that in addition to counseling, I needed to do “body work,” which I resisted. I heard about Feldenkrais from a friend and decided to try it to help with lower back pain that had become nearly crippling. Ordinarily I would do acupuncture, but during COVID that was not available. Maxine taught me to pay attention to my movements, small movement by small movement, and to be curious about what my body can do. To be curious, to be aware, I had to remain present — to stay in my body. This has been the most magical, gentle, self-care I have ever done. I recommend her to anyone, including people struggling with past physical trauma or just uncomfortable in their skin.

My work with Maxine Davis has been extremely beneficial to my development as a singer, educator, and person. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Maxine has a unique ability to custom tailor her teaching to the student in front of her. Her approach to learning and movement opened so many doors for me that I hadn’t realized were closed. She is thoughtful and encouraging and my growth, as a result, has been substantial and constant. As a singer, she helped me physicalize technical information I had received from my teacher. As an educator, she has shown me many wonderful approaches to learning and communication. As a human being, she helped me learn subtle adjustments that undid years of bad habits and pain. Her work is very special and important. I encourage everyone to try it out. 

Your presentation was amazing; you communicated so much in such a short time — you are indeed one of the very rare presenters who never loses her/his audience. In the four days of teaching that followed your class, virtually every student voluntarily commented on how your (or the Feldenkrais) way of thinking and of experiencing the body influenced their practicing. Having Monday evening’s experience as common ground also made it much easier for me as a teacher; rather than introducing an idea that was completely new, all I had to do was refer to something the students had already tried under your guidance. Both for the students and for myself, there is no way to thank you enough for the thoughtfulness and skill you brought to your Monday night presentation. Everyone seemed to feel comfortable trying out the floor exercises — it is a huge tribute to the atmosphere you established. Looking forward to the next chapter, whatever that may be!

Before my private lessons with Maxine Davis, I had general anxiety about public speaking and knew that I wasn’t performing at my best in meetings and speaking in front of large forums. Maxine’s lessons truly helped me to become “comfortable in my own skin” through her special blend of the Feldenkrais Method and her unique personal wisdom. The lessons were one of the best investments I have ever made in terms of time and expense in helping me express myself effectively as a public speaker.

Maxine is great. I have worked with her multiple times, usually in the setting of an acute problem like back pain and have known others whom she has helped over the last 17 years. She has an extraordinary talent through touch and intuition for solving problems. She brings experience, practicality and a keen clinical sense to her work. She is a wonderful healer, and I would recommend her particularly to those who have had a frustrating time achieving a sense of physical well-being.

Four years ago, I couldn’t sit or sleep. Pain from sciatica was the diagnosis. After three years with Maxine, one-on-one and in a weekly class, I have transformed not only how I move but also the emotional attitudes and physical habits that contributed to the pain. My daughter remarked on my improved posture – the visual expression of my internal changes.

Through the Feldenkrais Method, Maxine has shown me how to become aware of, and subsequently free, many areas of tension in my body. My work with her has reduced the neck pain and stiffness that bothered me for years. My body works more efficiently now, I have better range of motion, my singing has improved. Maxine is an outstanding teacher and practitioner in every way: she is experienced, gentle, sensitive, flexible, knowledgeable, perceptive, and clear. I recommend her with great enthusiasm.