Moshe Feldenkrais
Moshe Feldenkrais DSc. was born in 1904 and grew up to become an engineer and physicist. He also practised and taught
Judo and was a founder of the Ju Jitsu Club in Paris, France. During the same years, he joined his wife, a medical student,
in studying with her all of her courses.
During World War Two, as the Germans were entering Paris, Dr. Feldenkrais escaped to England, where he was recruited by the British Admiralty to serve as a scientific officer. When he suffered a debilitating knee injury, he realized that surgery would not give him a good enough outcome. Instead he began exploring ways to re-educate his brain to move in new ways that work, despite the damage to his knee.
One of his ah-ha moments came when he recognized the need for a whole body focus to improve any one part.
"This is the most sophisticated and effective method I have seen for the prevention and reversal of deterioration of function." — Margaret Mead, Ph.D., Anthropologist
Benefits of Feldenkrais
• Relief from tension and muscular pain
• Improved breathing
• Relaxation
• More flexible minds
• Improved performance in sports
• Greater mobility in everyday activities
• Increased vitality
FELDENKRAIS AND AUTISM:
READ HOW FELDENKRAIS CHANGED JARED'S LIFE
Flexibility, Neuroplasticity and Stretching
People usually don't think they can learn to have longer and more flexible muscles and joints. Typical belief is that a certain amount of effort, force, or time is required on a consistent basis. Pushing into the end range rather than moving slowly and easily within a comfortable range of motion is a commonly accepted way to lengthen muscles.
We can learn to increase the range of motion through out our body by gentle movements that regulate the stretch reflex. The stretch reflex involves both neurological and mechanical components. We must always remember that our brain and muscles operate as one unit. The brain largely determines the amount of tone and most of the length in a muscle. Research has proven that the plastic properties of the brain, called neuroplasticity, can strongly affect the muscular state of the body. Most people accept the idea that stress, tension, or a lack of movement can decrease the length of a muscle and decrease the ability of a muscle to generate force at length.
The good news is that opposite is also true. The stretch reflex can be positively influenced and
regulated by behavioural conditioning, sensory stimulation, and skill training. The Feldenkrais Method is based on sound
scientific principles put into an enjoyable practice with results that are surprising.
Visit the Feldenkrais section of our Links page.
History of Feldenkrais
The focus of the Feldenkrais Method is to relearn correct physical movement, countering the bad habits we develop in life that can lead to crippling disability. The 3 principles of Feldenkrais are
- vitality for the entire span of your life
- overcome pain
- flexible minds
A New Generation
Every scientific discipline evolves over time and as a scientist, Dr. Feldenkrais understood that his method needed to grow in order for it to stay vibrant, valid and useful. His intention was for his work to develop as increased scientific knowledge and accumulated teaching experience brought more insight, greater understanding and the formation of new techniques. A new generation of therapists have developed new techniques. Foremost among these are the Anat Baniel Method (sm) which has been shown to improve many conditions, giving relief from sports injuries, back problems, shoulder, neck, and limb pain, arthritis and stroke-related problems.
Awareness Through Movement (R) Classes the teacher verbally directs students through movement sequences.
Functional Synthesis lesson, the practitioner uses his or her hands to guide the movement of the student, while the student lies on a padded table or floor.