Feldenkrais Method®
The Feldenkrais Method, often referred to simply as "Feldenkrais", is a somatic educational system designed by Moshé Feldenkrais (1904-1984). Feldenkrais aims to reduce pain or limitations in movement, to improve physical function, and to promote general wellbeing by increasing students' awareness of themselves and by expanding students' movement repertoire.
The Feldenkrais Method®
Is a form of movement education that uses gentle, structured motion and directed attention to improve the quality of the movement and enhance well-being.
Through this exploration one will discover new efficient ways to use the body, replacing painful, effortful or inefficient habits.
The benefits of such an approach can be various, ranging from relief from muscular pain and tension, easier breathing, improved posture, greater relaxation and ease in everyday activities to improved performance in sports, dance, music and drama.
The method has also been very helpful in dealing with central nervous system conditions as well as with developmental, learning and behavioral challenges.
Functional Integration® (FI)
In a Functional Integration lesson, a trained practitioner uses his or her hands to guide the movement of a single student, who may be sitting, lying or standing.
The practitioner uses this "hands-on" technique to help the student experience the functional connections between various parts of the body.
Through the teacher's precision of touch and movement, the student learns how to eliminate excess effort and to move more freely and easily. Lessons may be specific in addressing particular issues brought by the student, or can be more global in scope. Although the technique does not specifically aim to eliminate pain or "cure" physical complaints, such issues may inform the lesson. Issues such as chronic muscle pain may resolve themselves as the student learns a more relaxed approach to his or her physical experience-a more integrated, free, and easy way to move.
Awareness Through Movement®
(ATM)
In Awareness Through Movement lessons, students engage in precisely structured movement explorations.
Unlike Functional Integration lessons which are taught to a single student using touch, ATM lessons are taught through verbal instructions given to one or more students.
Each lesson consists of comfortable, easy movements that gradually evolve into movements of greater range and complexity. Awareness Through Movement lessons attempt to make students aware of their habitual neuromuscular patterns and rigidities and to expand options for choosing new and more functional ways of moving. During his lifetime, Moshe Feldenkrais taught more than one thousand unique ATM lessons. The types of movements used in ATM are therefore extremely diverse. The difficulty and complexity of lessons vary widely, covering all levels of movement ability.
