About Mary Frances

 Mary Frances Hobbs spent most of her 43-year career in education teaching chemistry in Richmond and Hanover’s public schools. For much of that time, she dealt with the complications of osteoarthritis. After hip-replacement surgery, she discovered the benefits of working with a Feldenkrais practitioner, Nancy Dawe. By following the Feldenkrais Method, she reduced her pain and improved her flexibility.

 Buoyed by her experiences, Mary Frances began attending the Awareness Through Movement Lessons at the Shepherd Center. Eventually, at Nancy’s urging, Mary Frances attended training at the Baltimore Feldenkrais Institute and became a certified instructor.

She now teaches sessions at two locations in Richmond.

Each of these sessions involves small gentle movements. Participants report such changes as reduced pain, increased flexibility and a wider range of movements.

Mary Frances looks forward to helping others move in ease.

 I have had shooting pain in this hip for a long time and I realized the other day that it is gone and has not come back.
Coming to class has given me pain relief.
– J.B.

At first, I was not sure that I was doing everything you told us exactly right!  There was no indication that I had been doing anything out of the ordinary. By the time I get home from each lesson I begin to be aware of little nudges in the part of my body we moved!  This is not unpleasant  stiffness or soreness; just slight tingling and warmth around the areas we work on in each class. On Day Two after the class, I can always move smoother than I moved before the class. The best part is mobility from that lesson continues as we wake up other areas.
After learning how to be aware of the  small muscles in my body, I realized how stiff my joints had become. The area where my shoulders join my neck has felt  "tired and compacted" for some time.  I realized two days later the lesson on shoulders relieved that compressed feeling, and I can turn my head without creaks!
Now I know how to relieve pain in my feet.  Thanks for showing us how to exercise those toes to make them twinkle!  Such a relief to be able to wiggle tiredness away. The stretches and rolls  sure make my feet smile! 
I think my lower back is pretty stiff, and I will continue to target that area.   
Thanks for your instruction. It has opened a new perspective on exercise!!  I look forward to April!!
– Anne King