The Feldenkrais Method was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli physicist, who lived from 1904-1984. After suffering a disabling knee injury, he created his own method of physical rehabilitation, integrating anatomy, physiology, psychology, neurology, and martial arts. A key principle of this method is that the way we move, speak, and think is based on the conception we have of ourselves. In order to change the way we move, we have to change the way we see ourselves.

Feldenkrais Theory

There are two basic elements in the Feldenkrais Method: Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration.

Awareness Through Movement is taught in group sessions. Under the guidance of a teacher, the participants learn to increase mobility and to replace old patterns of movement with new ones. There are hundreds of Awareness Through Movement patterns and they vary in difficulty and complexity. The aim is to increase the awareness of each participant of what types of movements work best for him or her, to change habitual patterns, and to improve flexibility and coordination.

Functional Integration is taught in individual sessions. The teacher actively directs the participant’s body through different movements tailored to the participant’s individual needs. The teacher may touch the participant and gently move muscles and joints, guiding the participant to learn to move in beneficial ways. The aim is to find movement patterns that are natural and comfortable.

Feldenkrais and Correct Breathing

Feldenkrais also recognized the importance of correct breathing in combination with movement. He emphasized that there is no single correct way to breathe and that „correct“ breathing changes smoothly with every change of movement, mood, and situation.

Feldenkrais breathing lessons are as follows:

1. Teach awareness of all the major parts of the breathing system, such as the nostrils, throat, windpipe, bronchial tubes, lungs, diaphragm, intercostal muscules, and ribs.
2. Teach how breathing is related to movement and posture.
3. Break bad habits through unusual movements like expanding the rib cage during exhalation.

Feldenkrais Method and Relationship Betwen Practitioner and Client

Feldenkrais himself emphasized that the relationship between practitioner and client was more like „dancing with someone“ than „healing someone“. The two are interrelated in a fundamental way and the practitioner must be prepared to undergo the same changes as the client does. The practitioners have to learn how to open a client to self-understanding and therefore spend a great deal of time pursuing this process in themselves.

Feldenkrais Method and Scientific Research

Research has been conducted on the Feldenkrais Method for a great number of health problems, for example multiple sclerosis, back pain, neck and shoulder pain, neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy and fibromyalgia, dystonia, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, balance problems, and sports injuries. Although most of these studies were not able to give any definite answers, and further research is needed, it can be concluded that the Feldenkrais Method is a good method for those of us who wish to improve their patterns of movement and to enhance the quality of life.

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