THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD® OF SOMATIC EDUCATION

“...make the impossible possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant.” Moshe Feldenkrais

The Feldenkrais Method® is a way of learning that uses awareness, sensation, imagination and movement. It has been around for over 60 years, and has helped millions of people recover function after illness, injury and trauma. The Method is for anyone who wants to reconnect with their natural abilities to move, think and feel. Learning to move with less effort makes daily life easier and because the Method focuses on the relationship between movement and thought, increased mental awareness and creativity accompany physical improvements.

The Feldenkrais Method® is expressed in two parallel forms: Awareness Through Movement® group lessons and Functional Integration® lessons (one to one).

Both forms are based on the principles of movement science, physics, biomechanics, human development, neuroscience and psychology. The Method is recognized for its extraordinary power to access the nervous system to initiate change and improvement for anyone of any age.

The Feldenkrais Method® helps.............

• Those experiencing chronic or acute pain, central nervous system conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and stroke.
• Those about to undergo surgery or recovery from surgery and invasive procedures.
• Seniors wishing to retain or regain their ability to move without strain or discomfort.
• Dancers, musicians, singers, performers, runners, athletes, horse riders and fencers who wish to improve their performance, extend their abilities and recover from performance related injuries and pain.
• Anyone who needs to reduce stress, tension, increase their range of motion, improve flexibility and coordination and rediscover innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement.

What to expect in an Awareness Through Movement® lesson.

In group lessons the teacher verbally guides the student through a sequence of movements in basic positions: sitting or lying on the floor, standing or sitting in a chair. These precisely structured movement explorations involve thinking, sensing, moving, feeling and imagining. By increasing awareness the student will learn to abandon habitual patterns of movement and develop new alternatives, resulting in improved flexibility and coordination. Many lessons are based on developmental movements and ordinary functional activities (reaching, standing, lying to sitting etc). Some are based on more abstract explorations of joint, muscle and postural relationships. There are hundreds of ATM lessons, varying in difficulty and complexity for all levels of movement ability.

Functional Integration® lessons are tailored to each student’s individual learning needs. The Teacher guides movement through gentle, non-invasive touching and words. The Student is fully clothed, lying on a table or in a sitting or standing position. The learning process is carried out without the use of any invasive or forceful procedures.

How was the The Feldenkrais Method® developed?

Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc. (1904-1984) was an engineer, physicist, and martial arts expert. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of these fields as well as linguistics, biology, perinatal development and athletics, Dr. Feldenkrais avoided surgery and taught himself to walk without pain after a severe knee injury. This event was the catalyst for the development of the Feldenkrais Method®.

“What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies but flexible brains. What I’m after is to restore each person to their human dignity.” Moshe Feldenkrais

For more information and appointments please call
ö-Sel Nyima GCFP
718 360 9018