There are many therapists and masseuses in the Indianapolis, but only two in the city specialize in the wildly successful Feldenkrais Method. Helena Riley, owner of Broad Ripple Body, Mind, and Spirit, happens to be one of the two women in Indianapolis who has pursued this more western tradition and brought it right to the heart of Broad Ripple.

Located one block south of the Vogue Theater, Broad Ripple Body, Mind, and Spirit offers counseling sessions, Swedish massages and the Feldenkrais Method. All conveniently located at 701 E. 62nd street and taught by Helena Riley.

Riley started her massage career approximately 17 years ago. After other successful careers, she decided she needed a change. With a background in social work and teaching, she brings a lot to her massage career.

"I'm the only social worker, massage therapist, and Feldenkrais practitioner," Riley said.

The Felenkrais Method is new to most in the Midwest but has been taught in California since the 1970s. Moshe Feldenkrais, founder of Feldenkrais Method, brought his work to Europe in the 1950s after working this massage and stretching method on himself after an injury. Feldenkrais was an engineer, physicist and a martial arts expert. After putting all of these attributes together, he came up with the Feldenkrais Method.

Today, Riley works this method on many individuals from ages 40 to 85. This method is for anyone experiencing chronic pain and wants to enhance flexibility, balance and coordination. It also allows the mind and body to work together in order to develop greater awareness and focus. This method has proven to reduce stress and fatigue as well as improve cognitive abilities such as thinking and problem solving.

Riley, who has a master's degree in social work, is a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed massage therapist praises the work of the Feldenkrais Method. She knows the method's true results since she used it on herself several years ago when injured. Also, her biggest success story is friend and Feldenkrais Method user Kay Loidolt.

Riley met with Loidolt in January 2007 to catch up. They have been friends for over 30 years but Riley had never seen Loidolt in such bad health.

"One year ago, Kay walked half bent over. I was shocked to see her like this and knew I had to help," Riley said. Loidolt was injured in a purse snatching in 1981 in which she was dragged 100 feet and has felt the pain ever since.

"I had three broken ribs and 40 stitches in my head after the purse snatching. Three other falls since then have complicated the discs and injury in the lumbar area," Loidolt explained. "When I saw Helena last January, I was stooped over almost to the waist with my head down. I was depressed in body, mind and spirit."

They started classes immediately in order to work on Loidolt's mobility. They met twice a week for an hour each and worked on taking the stiffness out of Loidolt's body using the Feldenkrais Method. Also, prescribed was daily at-home exercise for approximately 15 minutes. Soon after, success came to Loidolt.

"By June, the miracle began to show that the nerve endings had developed so that I could move the pelvic girdle more. My whole body became more flexible, from the spine to the cervical bones in the neck," Loidolt said. Riley used the Feldenkrais Method to work out Loidolt's pelvic area. Her body was like one piece and did not separate at her pelvic area like it should.

"We work together, as a unit, and at Kay's pace," Riley said.

A year later, Loidolt is still seeing Riley for her Feldenkrais therapy but can now participate within a class and can work out her body on the floor stretched out as well.

"In general, I feel better, think better and walk straighter with my head up looking forward," Loidolt said.

The future holds bright for 81 year old Loidolt who will continue in Riley's Awareness Through Method (ATM) class. These classes are open to the public and are available every second and fourth Thursday of the month. Contact Helena Riley at 317-251-1624 for details.

"If you don't use it you lose it. I offer using it to make life more passionate and fun," Riley said.