Feldenkrais

The Feldenkrais method is an educational system trying to give individuals a greater functional awareness of the self. The method makes is based on the assumption that the body is the primary vehicle for learning in the human organism.

Based on the work of Dr Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), an Israeli physicist and judo practitioner of Eastern European descent, the method is expressed primarily in two formats by practitioners, who generally receive more than 800 hours of formal training over the course of four years:

Functional Integration (FI) is hands-on form of tactile, kinesthetic communication between a practitioner and student. The practitioner communicates to the student how s/he organizes his/her movements. Through precise touch and movement, the student learns how to move with less effort and strain. Lessons may be very specific in addressing particular issues brought by the student, or can be more global in scope.

Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons are verbally directed movement sequences given primarily in a group setting, though they can also be given to individuals. There are more than a thousand distinct ATM lessons in existence. Lessons are generally organized around a particular function, and each practitioner lends his/her particular style to each lesson.

Though the Feldenkrais Method is not manipulative therapy, Feldenkrais himself was a colleague of Ida Rolf, who established the method of bodywork called rolfing. Some of the influences on Feldenkrais' work include Gustav Fechner, F. Matthias Alexander, Gerda Alexander, G. I. Gurdjieff, and Jigoro Kano.

Feldenkais first taught at Esalen when he came to the United States in the early 1970s. He subsequently gave two professional trainings in the US, in San Francisco (1975-77) and Amherst, Massachusetts (1981-83).

Somatic-oriented techniques influenced by Feldenkrais include: Hanna Somatics, Rubenfeld Synergy, Tellington Touch (for animals), Anat Baniel Method.

Useful links:

• Feldenkrais Guild of North America: http://www.feldenkrais.com (online lessons, background of the Method, and practitioner listings can be found here)

• International Feldenkrais Federation: http://www.feldenkrais-method.org (general explanation of the Feldenkrais Method as it is practiced around the world)