The Feldenkrais®
Method is a method of mind/body integration that uses movement
to enhance the communication between the brain and the body.
It releases tension and stress and brings us back to our natural
harmonious way of functioning.
The method,
named after its founder Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, was begun in
the l950s and has developed and evolved since that time.
It is widely practised and highly regarded in Europe and North
America.
The
Feldenkrais® Method works for a wide range of
people, young and old.
From those who have chronic pain or neurological problems, to
everyday people with stress related problems,
or athletes who want to improve their performance and have more
energy.
The relief
of tension and pain occurs through increased awareness and correction
of poor habitual patterns of movement. Improved physical habits
lessen undue strain on joints and muscles, enhance physical
and mental performance, and lead to a more positive self-image
and better overall health.
History
The
Feldenkrais®
Method is named after the distinguished scientist and
educator Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984). He was born
in Russia, moved to Palestine as a teenager and studied
in Paris. Besides being a scientist who worked on nuclear
research and antisubmarine technology, he was also a judo
master, credited with introducing the sport to the West.
After developing a painful chronic knee problem in the
1940s, he decided to explore the body's functions as a
way of avoiding surgery. Feldenkrais embarked on a study
of new relationships between the mind and body to improve
physical movement and function. He combined his knowledge
of martial arts with neurology, physiology, anatomy, and
psychology to create a new system, thereby teaching himself
to walk again without pain.
Description
“Changing
our muscular patterns will alter thoughts, emotions and our
self image”
The system
Feldenkrais developed is based on his observations that all
our sensations, thoughts, and emotions result in some type of
muscle change in the body. He also observed that the opposite
was also true: changes in normal muscular patterns can affect
and alter thoughts, emotions, and attitudes.
It is now
widely accepted that our mind/body is affected by our thoughts.
Dr Feldenkrais figured that it can be easier for us to learn
improved control of our muscles than of our thoughts or emotions
and therefore movement was the best way to access improvement
of the overall mind/body.
Dr Feldenkrais
felt that most people do just enough with their bodies to get
by and never push themselves anywhere near their potential.
His method increases awareness so that we firstly recognise
faulty patterns or habits (a little like a fish learning to
recognise water). Only after this awareness can instruction
and change begin. The body then learns how to function with
greater ease, fluidity, and motion, resulting in better health
and an improved self-image.
Two approaches
Feldenkrais
developed two approaches:
- Private
one-on-one sessions focus on hands-on touch and guided movement
called Functional Integration®.
- Group
lessons are called Awareness Through Movement®.
The
important principle is that once a person becomes aware and
learns a new, more efficient and less stressful range of movements,
the connections inside the brain itself also improve, making
the individual more aware in other aspects of life.
Precautions and Risks
This method
involves no pushing, prodding, or vigorous manipulation. Rather,
it prescribes a series of light movements performed slowly and
easily, without any strain or pain.
All movements
are light and easy and involve no strain whatsoever. There are
virtually no risks involved when studying with a certified Feldenkrais®
practitioner.
The Results
Clients
generally experience a sense of lightness, improved posture
and relief of muscular tension following a session. They also
report better flexibility and co-ordination. This method is
also used to alleviate chronic pain, reduce stress and tension,
and improve balance and co-ordination. Pain relief may be as
simple as uncontracting the muscles and learning to move properly
to avoid further tightness. Older clients report such results
as improvement in sleeping patterns and a release from arthritic-type
stiffness. With children, improved movement has proved extremely
helpful for other types of learning and development. This is
an important reason why the Feldenkrais® Method
makes up part of the physical education curriculum in many schools
in Germany.
It
is to be noted that the Feldenkrais® Method replaces
or reorganises existing mind/body patterns, improving function
(walking, sitting, typing etc.) in daily life. It works for
a wide range of individuals, ranging from those with severe
neurological disorders like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis
to people who want to improve their performance. Performers
and athletes are among the strongest supporters of this method,
claiming both improved levels of performance and enhanced personal
growth.
Feldenkrais®,
Functional Integration® and Awareness Through
Movement® are registered service marks of the
NZ Feldenkrais® Guild Inc.
