About the Feldenkrais Method®

The method is named after its originator, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc. (1904-1984) a Russian-born mechanical  engineer, judo expert and educator.

The Feldenkrais Method of  movement education uses gentle movement and  directed attention to improve movement and  ability. Through the method, you can increase  range of motion, improve flexibility and  coordination, and rediscover your innate  capacity for graceful, efficient movement.  Not only is the method ideal for recovery  from injury, surgery, stroke or other brain  injury; it is also widely used to improve  performance for athletes, musicians, dancers  and others in the performing arts.

“Movement  is life without which life would be unthinkable”
- Moshe Feldenkrais

The Feldenkrais Method is based on  principles of biomechanics, neurophysiology  and human development.  As the mysteries  of the brain are slowly being unraveled,  science is proving what Dr. Feldenkrais had  postulated over 50 years ago: That “movement  is the ongoing life force without which we  could not survive” and that “a  lot of brain function is, essentially movement.”*  Movement is not only basic to the our very  cognitive processes, but is also involved in how we how we sense ourselves, express  our emotions and react to the world around  us.  By improving the way that we move,  we also improve our ability to sense, feel  and think.  Therefore an “exercise  that forces us to improve balance and coordination  may not only help overcome clumsiness but  also reduce shyness and even enhance the  ability to make friends.”* When we  combine movement with learning activities such as the Feldenkrais®  lessons, new connections form in the brain.  Continued learning helps our brains  remain healthy and active as we age. Just  like our muscles, when it comes to the brain  - it is “Use it or lose it”.

"...To make the  impossible possible, the possible easy, and  the easy elegant."  - Moshe Feldenkrais

The Feldenkrais Method expands our  repertoire of movements, recovering movements  that may have been lost and developing new  possibilities. Specially designed movements  bring attention to the parts of ourselves  that are unknown, unused or unclear. We become  more aware of habitual neuromuscular patterns  and rigidities while developing options for  moving in new, more efficient and comfortable,  ways.

Two ways of learning

During a typical  Feldenkrais  lesson, you will be guided through a sequence  of small gradual movements. This may be accomplished  through verbally guided instructions (Awareness Through Movement®, or  ATM) or through a “hands on”  techniques (Functional Integration®,  or FI) that guide you movement sequences.  The direction and sequence of the movements  are specifically designed to increase your  awareness of how you move and to evoke new  possibilities for movement.

Each lesson is  designed to help you to
• Discover  ways to move with less effort, more comfort  and pleasure
• Improve  breathing, balance, flexibility and coordination
• Enhance  your ability to make more accurate movements
• Recognize  habitual movement patterns that affect performance
• Learn  how to acquire new movement pattern
• Improve  your ability to image and follow directions.

What to wear for  a Feldenkrais  lesson:

It is best to  wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing  that allow easy movement.