The Feldenkrais Method®

“It is not just a method of body movement, but rather an awakening of bodily resourcefulness and creativity.” –Ruthy Alon

• Learn to move with curiosity and pleasure
• Increase flexibility in body and mind
• Reduce pain + stress
• Love and accept your body
• Deepen self awareness and mindfulness
• Access your creative potential

A process of learning

The Feldenkrais Method is a process of learning developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, physicist, engineer, judo master and student of human development. In the 1940-1970's he explored the interconnections between the body, mind, environment, and self development. 

“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

Pain relief, creativity and life long learning

The Feldenkrais Method is a path to expand your potential as a human being. Many people come to it for pain relief or recovery from a neurological condition and then stay to continue learning into old age. Artists, actors, writers and musicians find the method gives them a more clear access to an embodied self-as-instrument.

"I am going to be your last teacher. Not because I'll be the greatest teacher you may ever encounter, but because from me you will learn how to learn. When you learn how to learn, you will realize that there are no teachers, that there are only people learning and people learning how to facilitate learning." – Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

There are 2 ways to experience the Feldenkrais Method:

Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) lessons 

are verbally guided movement sequences, which help to clarify fundamental biological movement patterns and bring you closer to your potential. By slowing down, reducing your effort, and becoming aware of your habits and preferences in movement, more of your whole self becomes involved in every action. Previously unseen possibilities become available. Your system becomes more efficient and free to move with ease and spontaneity. For most, a difference can be felt after one lesson.  Repeated regular attendance deepens your sensitivity and ability to integrate these profound shifts into your everyday movement and life.

Functional Integration®

Moshe Feldenkrais said, "If you know what you do, you can do what you want." Functional Integration helps you learn to move and act in easier and more efficient ways, freeing you from your unconscious habits so that you can access your potential. Functional Integration is a dialogue, an exploration, a conversation with your nervous system through touch, movement and words.

The intention is not to “fix” or “treat" you. The focus is on creating a context for learning. The touch is very gentle. I will move you slowly, in an easy range, feeling how movement passes through you and helping take over extra work you are doing. 

You will become aware of where you are holding tension and find yourself letting go. You will feel how the the different parts of you are connected through movement. You will experience a greater sense of how your skeleton supports you. You will have a new experience of yourself. 

Pain is saying listen!

Many people come to the Feldenkrais Method for pain relief. You will get that and so much more.

What does it mean to really listen? When you observe yourself in movement---sometimes it’s uncomfortable. We speed up to skip over unwanted sensations. Our ambition to be good and do it right interferes with our learning and contributes to our pain. When you are willing to bring patience, honesty, humility, and care to your discomfort and frustrations, a space opens up. New possibilities for acting and sensing emerge and pain dissipates.

Ease, exploration and the power of neuroplasticity

Finding ease in your movement directly impacts your everyday life. Achieving or performing a specific movement is not as important as attending to HOW you move. How do you experience moving from intention to action? Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons can be done entirely in your imagination and you will still benefit.

The benefit is greatest when you do less. That is the power of neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity = brain’s ability to CHANGE

The process of attending to your sensation and reducing your effort in the lessons will teach you strategies for finding ease and new options in other areas of your life. The lessons are like structured playgrounds to experiment inside of. The process mirrors how a baby learns to move. We learn through exploration.

Who is Feldenkrais for?

• People in pain or who have lost mobility.

• People who are looking for a gentle entry into being in their bodies. 

• Musicians, dancers, artists, athletes who want to go to the next level.