The Feldenkrais Method was Developed by: Moshé Feldenkrais
Overview: "The Feldenkrais Method is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. Through this Method, you can increase your ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. These improvements will often generalize to enhance functioning in other aspects of your life. The Feldenkrais Method is based on principles of physics, biomechanics and an empirical understanding of learning and human development. By expanding the self-image through movement sequences that bring attention to the parts of the self that are out of awareness, the Method enables you to include more of yourself in your functioning movements. Students become more aware of their habitual neuromuscular patterns and rigidities and expand options for new ways of moving. By increasing sensitivity the Feldenkrais Method assists you to live your life more fully, efficiently and comfortably. The improvement of physical functioning is not necessarily an end in itself. Such improvement is based on developing a broader functional awareness which is often a gateway to more generalized enhancement of physical functioning in the context of your environment and life." ~ Excerpt from International Feldenkrais Federation
"The Feldenkrais Method is a unique and sophisticated approach to human understanding, learning and change. The effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method lies in its ability to access the nervous system's own innate processes to change and refine functioning. It is of benefit to everyone wishing to move and lie more comfortably, and to such diverse groups of people as those with restricted movement, chronic pain, psychological and neurological problems, performing artists and athletes.Through personal experience we adopt patterns of physical and psychological behavior to assure our biological and social survival. These patterns are deeply embedded in our nervous system and often become outmoded or dysfunctional. The Feldenkrais Method utilizes functionally based variation, innovation and differentiation in sensory motor activity to free us from habitual patterns and allow for new patterns of thinking, moving and feeling to emerge. Movement is utilized to explore the biological as well as the cultural aspects of attention, intention and cognition and to delve deeply into how human development, learning and movement interrelate. The Feldenkrais Method is an unusual melding of motor development, bio-mechanics, psychology and martial arts. It is recognized for its demonstrated ability to improve posture, flexibility, coordination, self-image and to alleviate muscular tension and pain. It consists of two compelling and versatile applications: Awareness Through Movement® and Functional Integration® modalities harness the nervous system's ability to self-organize towards more effective and intelligent action." ~ Excerpt from Feldenkrais Resources
Feldenkrais Method Related Websites: International Feldenkrais Federation, Education in the Feldenkrais Method, Feldenkrais Institute, Feldenkrais Resources, Feldenkrais Guild UK, Australian Feldenkrais Guild, Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education
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