The Feldenkrais Method

The Feldenkrais Method^® is a movement discipline with its roots in the principles of Alexander Technique, which aims to expand and refine the use of the body through self-awareness. It is frequently used both by performers (actors, dancers, musicians) who wish to improve their physical repertoire; and by people in the self-improvement world for reasons of pain-management and/or personal development.

The Feldenkrais Method^® was developed by Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais (1904-1984), a Ukrainian-born Jewish physicist who eventually moved to Israel and became an Israeli citizen. Feldenkrais rejected the standards of health applied by traditional medicine, positing the theory that there is no separation between mind and body - and thus, that “good health” consisted of more than the absence of discernible illness: “Good health,” according to Feldenkrais, meant functioning well - working well as a member of one’s community, interacting with others with emotional maturity, able to access a full range of emotional and physical responses to any situation. These principles would become the foundation of the Feldenkrais Method^®.

Feldenkrais^® training consist of two modules: Awareness Through Movement^® (or ATM) and Functional Integration^®. In Awareness Through Movement^® classes (which are best taught either on an individual level or in small groups), the teacher verbally guides the students through a series of movement exercises, focusing on various parts of the body. Each lesson will normally focus on one particular movement function: more than a thousand ATM lessons have been recorded. Moshé Feldenkrais believed that physical abilities were a question of self-image - which he saw as the neurological arrangement of the motor cortex relative to the body. Working from this theory, ATM classes aim to improve self-image and thus to improve motor functionality.

In Functional Integration^® classes (best taught one-on-one), the teacher uses his or her hands to guide the student’s body through a series of movements - usually from a supine position (lying on a specialized table), although some teachers position students in sitting or standing positions as well. The goal is to expand the student’s range of movement beyond his or her harmful habitual patterns by eliminating unnecessary muscular tension.

While selected conservatory training programs have integrated Feldenkrais^® training into their repertories, the easiest way to find a teacher is to consult the listings provided by the Feldenkrais Guild^® of North America - a member of the International Feldenkrais^® Foundation, which has affiliates all over the world (consult the website for international listings). Feldenkrais’ own writings can also provide a good jumping-off place for prospective practitioners.

The Feldenkrais Guild^® of North America
http://www.feldenkrais.com
5436 N. Albina Avenue
Portland, OR 97217
Phone: (800) 775-2118 (toll-free)
(503) 221-6612 (office)
Fax: (503) 221-6616

The International Feldenkrais^® Foundation
http://www.feldenkrais-method.org

Further reading:

Feldenkrais, Moshé
Awareness Through Movement: Easy-to-Do Health Exercises to Improve Your Posture, Vision, Imagination, and Personal Awareness

Feldenkrais, Moshé
The Elusive Obvious

Feldenkrais, Moshé
Master Moves

Rywerant, Yochanan
The Feldenkrais Method: Teaching by Handling
(with foreword by Moshé Feldenkrais)

Note
The following are common misspellings of Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais's name: Moshe, Moshie, Mosha, Moshi, Mosho, Moshu, Moshee, Moshy, Mochi, Mochie, Mochy, Feldankrais, Feldinkrais, Feldonkrais, Feldonkrais, Feldunkrais, Faldendkrais, Faldankrais, Faldinkrais, Faldonkrais, Faldunkrais, Feldancrais, Feldincrais, Feldoncrais, Feldoncrais, Felduncrais, Faldendcrais, Faldancrais, Faldincrais, Faldoncrais, Falduncrais, Feldankras, Feldinkras, Feldonkras, Feldonkras, Feldunkras, Faldendkras, Faldankras, Faldinkras, Faldonkras, Faldunkras, Feldancras, Feldincras, Feldoncras, Feldoncras, Felduncras, Faldendcras, Faldancras, Faldincras, Faldoncras, Falduncras, Feldinkris, Feldinkris, Feldonkris, Feldonkris, Feldunkris, Fildendkris, Fildinkris, Fildinkris, Fildonkris, Fildunkris, Feldincris, Feldincris, Feldoncris, Feldoncris, Felduncris, Fildendcris, Fildincris, Fildincris, Fildoncris, Filduncris