The Method you did not know you need - but do.

This article will introduce the Feldenkrais® Method Series and will explore the benefits it can offer. Next articles in the series will dive deeper into my personal experience with the method and how it changed and influenced my professional and personal life over the years.

The Feldenkrais® Method is a form of somatic education that aims to improve movement and overall functioning through increased self-awareness.

While Feldenkrais® may seem like a complex medical method, this is far from the truth. People of all ages and abilities can use the Feldenkrais® Method and the practice has far reaching health and wellness benefits across a plethora of professional activities, child development, injury prevention and recovery methods, and more.

Throughout the Feldenkrais® Method Series, I will highlight specific benefits for different age segments, and dive even deeper into the specificity of Feldenkrais’ applicability.

Introduction

Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984) developed this sophisticated learning system which uses self-awareness and movement to produce neuromuscular changes noted to improve human conditions in the mind and body.

The Feldenkrais® Method is highly regarded as an enjoyable sensory-motor approach to learning and is based upon the evolutionary development of the human nervous system and the innate capacity of the human brain to learn.

“The Feldenkrais Method® captures the complexity of human moving, learning, and development across multiple levels of a person's biological hierarchy and time frames, offering unique insights into human development.”

~ R. Russell, Perspectives on the Feldenkrais Method

The method consists of two structural approaches, one is a group class called Awareness Through Movement® which is slowly paced and verbally guided while the second is Functional Integration®, a private session with a certified practitioner who will use the gentle hands-on technique to help integrate new movement connections.

Feldenkais® is a neuromuscular method of re-education and addresses the mechanics of movement through attentive, small motions that provide an experience of sensory feedback.

The Work is simple and direct. It feeds your system without using force and provides you with postural adjustments that help connect your overall self-use.

Awareness Through Movement®

In the meditative atmosphere of an ATM lesson, you will be verbally guided through a sequence of gentle movements intended to help develop greater sensitivity to how you move, sense, feel, and think. The lessons can be done in comfortable clothing while lying on the ground upon a yoga mat, sitting in a chair, or even standing.

Although you will be moving, this method is not a progression of technique but rather each lesson provides an opportunity to quietly listen to your body and observe your movement reactions and actions.

During an ATM class, we explore movement so you can improve your daily function and feel better in your body. We question how you can move with less effort, less stress, and with greater freedom. Because we examine your approach to movement – any lesson at any time can be used by people from all walks of life.

Functional Integration® (FI)

Functional Integration (FI) is the hands-on approach of the Feldenkrais® Method and each session is personalized to meet the needs of the individual. The essence of the private work is steeped in the title of the approach. There is physical function that is limited and is most likely inhibiting your daily life as well as causing you pain. In each lesson the practitioner will create a conversation with body parts so they will work more efficiently as an integrated whole.

An FI is personally designed so the individual may let go of habitual holding patterns so new movement patterns can emerge.

First, I will help you to observe and recognize what you do as you move. Then, I will bring to your attention certain movement patterns that you are doing, consciously or unconsciously, that cause restriction. Next, I’ll offer you different movement patterns to feel and explore. Lastly, I’ll help to integrate these new movement patterns into your experience and will give you something specific to work with so learning continues and the movement integrates into your daily self-use.

Each FI session is done in comfortable clothing on a specific Feldenkrais® Table that is similar to a massage table only it is wider and lower to the ground.

Conclusion

Explore more about Feldenkrais® and Catrina’s approach to the method by visiting SomaStudies and enrolling in one of her classes.

Catrina's Online Courses contain powerful Lessons and Talks for anyone interested to improve the quality of their life through Movement.

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At KineOasis we are dedicated to the empowerment and creative freedom of our students through the exploration and intelligent study of movement in a relaxed and non-toxic learning environment. We use Movement as a means to naturally empower ourselves and our students, to intervene with development as needed, and to enhance everyone's quality of life. Movement As Sanctuary - A method and teaching philosophy life.