Feldenkrais®

Movement is as natural as thinking, or so the story goes. Everybody moves to one degree or another; but what if everyone is doing it wrong? The Feldenkrais® method is a system by which the human body learns about itself through movement, remembers how to move more efficiently, and at the same time alleviates a whole host of afflictions and ills that nobody ever thought was connected to how the human body moves. Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, a Russian-born mechanical engineer, judo expert, and physicist noticed that although throughout his entire schooling, they stressed efficiency of movement in machines and processes, the human body was incredibly inefficient when it moved.

Dr. Feldenkrais then developed a theory that if people learned how to move more efficiently, they would not only move better to avoid injury, they would feel better as well because the wasted energy used in inefficient motion would be directed elsewhere. Dr. Feldenkrais proved that gentle movements and directed attention could, indeed, improve the ease with which people moved, increased their overall range of motion, and enhanced the physical and mental functions of his patients. The result was patients who exhibited more graceful movements, felt physically better, and was more mentally aware and happy about their lives. But better movement is not a goal in and of itself; the Feldenkrais® technique teaches students how to prevent injuries, avoid physical ailments, and become more aware of the world around them.

Feldenkrais® movement techniques have been successfully used to re-educate people of all ages so that they are able to move more efficiently and act with more clarity. But the Feldenkrais® method also helps those who suffer from more specific physical ailments as well. Chronic or acute pain in the back, neck, shoulders, hips, joints, arms, legs, and knees can disable a person, slowing them to a crawl where they were once sprightly and highly mobile. The Feldenkrais® method teaches the patient how to overcome these afflictions through more efficient motion.

Additionally, people who are victims of cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other central nervous system disorders respond very well to the Feldenkrais® method’s teachings and techniques, often exhibiting at least a slowing of their conditions progress, and in some cases such as stroke, regaining normal or near-normal functioning again.

The Feldenkrais® method has been used by regular, everyday people by the thousands to improve their lives. But famous figures in politics, sports, music, the arts, and politics have used the Feldenkrais® method to improve their well being and self confidence. Former Prime Minister of Israel, David ben Gurion, for example, used the Feldenkrais® method to improve his life and was the picture of health despite his advanced age until his death in 1973 at the age of 87 years old. Basketball star Julius Irving used the Feldenkrais® method to improve his performance on the basketball court, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to three championship titles and achieving four Most Valuable Player titles. Even cellist Yo Yo Ma used the Feldenkrais® method to learn to play more efficiently and move more gracefully during his performances; Yo Yo Ma is the world’s most recognizable classical musicians.

• home
• massage therapy schools
• featured schools
• massage therapy types
• career resources