What is the Feldenkrais®Method?
The Feldenkrais® method is a somatic learning method. Through non-strenuous movements the person practicing Feldenkrais® is able to improve their physical performance in daily life, pastime activities or as a professional sportsperson, dancer, musician or actor. Feldenkrais® can help with all sorts of stress related issues (back, neck and shoulder pains) as well as neurological and developmental disorders.
Somatic learning is a term used by Dr Feldenkrais meaning that people use self-awareness when they move their bodies. The individual integrates their history and existential whole in any current learning experience. The individual involves all of their senses, the mind and body in reaction and action.
How does the Feldenkrais® Method work?
Feldenkrais® is a sequence of movements. The movements and their variations are performed either by the student through verbal instruction or by the practitioner. They follow the movements of the first year of life and are aimed to draw the attention of the student to various parts of the body and its functions. Most learning and the groundwork for later learning happens in the first year of life. This learning is implicit, meaning that we do not have conscious access to it.
The Feldenkrais® movements lead to a sensorial awareness of the student towards their body, the movements and their functions. This creates an implicit and explicit learning situation which allows all parts of the brain to be involved as well as changes to occur in the nervous system. The results are that the student becomes aware of changes in the body and mind and can then incorporate them in daily life.
The most fascinating thing about the method, other than the results it achieves, is probably that today’s brain research proves the correctness of the method. Today’s science proves Dr Feldenkrais’ theories about learning and movement, his holistic approach to the psyche and body and the intricate and complex relationship between them.