About the Feldenkrais Method®

”Movement is Life. Life is a process. Improve the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself.”   Moshe Feldenkrais

“Feldenkrais Method: difficult to explain, wonderful to experience- a practical and scientific way of addressing aspects of movement we seldom even think about or worry about…until we have a problem.”   Alan Fraser, GCFP

Many people suffer with posture related pain, reduction in movement and dysfunctional habitual patterns. There are others that experience injury, illness or misuse in their life and are left with finding paths to healing. The Feldenkrais Method® is a unique approach that educates the body to move and function during daily activities with more efficiency and comfort. Feldenkrais practitioners have been providing innovative sessions to a variety of people including Olympic athletes, performing artists, children and adults with brain injuries, office workers experiencing pain and individuals who have a desire to improve the quality of their daily life.

Each touch communicates with the brain, sending a message through the muscular-skeletal systems to bring awareness to the possible movements and request a change. With patience, the brain processes the request and sends a response. In turn the response is reviewed and appropriate actions are taken, sometimes correct and sometimes not. If not, the request is sent again and the process continues. One of the marvelous principles of the Feldenkrais Method is the width and depth of movements from grand large motor to the minute and imperceptible motor skills. All the movements combine to make the whole picture. When the size of the muscles is considered, the size of the movement has to be relative. Some muscles deep along the spine, holding the vertebrae in rigid position take very small movements to enhance the ability to create movement.
 
The human body contains 205 bones and approximately 650 muscles. The skeleton is a support system and frame for posture. The muscles contract to move the skeleton, protect the organs and provide warmth. Both systems work together in millions of complex patterns throughout a person’s daily life. Each person has genetic, habitual and postural patterns the effect the weight distribution and balance of the head. As organization of the systems occurs, movements become easier and balance improves.

Benefits of the Feldenkrais Method include:
  • Building Neuro-pathways
  • Improving posture, flexibility, balance and coordination
  • Enhancing physical wellbeing
  • Reduction of chronic pain, fatigue, stress and muscle strain
  • Increasing function in cases of orthopedic or neurological problems
  • Refining skills for athletes, artists, executives, etc.
  • Developing awareness, attention and thinking ability
  • Increasing confidence and self esteem
  • Connecting the neuro pathways with gentle movement
  • Expediting recovery from injury
  • Utilizing a greater portion of the 7000 movements available in the human body
  • Restoring a human to their sense of dignity
Feldenkrais sessions are done with the student fully clothed and standing, sitting, or lying on a firm worktable. The practitioner gently touches the student to assist in creating exceptionally small movements to facilitate the student's awareness and stimulate natural learning. Each move in the lesson is part of a communication that Feldenkrais likened to dancing or conversation. Gradually the student becomes aware of how their muscles and skeleton are involved in part or as a whole in the common movements that are part of daily living. As the internal awareness and picture of the body becomes clearer there is overall ease.

Moshe Feldenkrais (1903-1984), a scientist with degrees in physics, mechanical and electrical engineering from the Sorbonne in Paris, France. He was also a student of Jigaro Kano(founder of Judo) and became one of the first Judo champions in Europe and the originator of the first Judo club in France. He was highly educated and well-read in physiology, anatomy and neuropsychology. He published many books on the Feldenkrais Method and Judo. His work has been carried forward by the International Guilds and thousands of trained practitioners world-wide.

For more information: www.Feldenkrais.com