The Feldenkrais® Method:
A Holistic Approach to Wellness
What is the Feldenkrais Method?
The Feldenkrais Method is a unique form of somatic education designed to improve physical and mental well-being by gently and effectively working with the nervous system. It works in a way that brings lasting improvements in posture, balance, coordination, and self-regulation, translating into better performance, pain reduction, and overall quality of life.
Rather than focusing on rigid exercises or stretching routines, the Feldenkrais Method uses gentle movement and directed attention to help you feel better naturally.
Historical Background
Founder of The Method
The Feldenkrais Method was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli engineer and physicist who, after suffering a debilitating knee injury, sought a new approach to rehabilitation. Frustrated by traditional treatment methods, Feldenkrais began exploring ways to heal his body through movement, using his background in physics, martial arts, and human development.
Evolution of the Method
Since its inception in the 1940s, the Feldenkrais Method has been adapted and refined, evolving into a highly respected approach to improving human functioning. It's now practiced in more than 30 countries, with thousands of certified teachers offering sessions to individuals from all walks of life.
Principles of the Feldenkrais Method
The Feldenkrais Method is grounded in the principle of neuroplasticity, the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections based on sensing differences in the quality of movement. The Feldenkrais method helps accelerate this process by helping the brain and the nervous system make more subtle distinctions. In a private session, this is done through gentle touch and in a group class, it’s done through guided movement and directed attention.
This process occurs unconsciously, allowing individuals to experience effortless change that does not require memorization or repetition in order to integrate.
Additional Principles
Embodiment: This principle emphasizes the connection between mind and body, highlighting how physical awareness can influence emotional and cognitive states.
Holistic Approach: The Feldenkrais Method considers the whole person—body, mind, and emotions—recognizing that improvements in movement can lead to overall well-being.
Individualized Learning: The method respects each person's unique experiences and abilities, allowing for personalized pathways to improvement.
Benefits of the Feldenkrais Method
Physical Benefits
The Feldenkrais Method can improve physical function by enhancing flexibility, coordination, and balance. It is particularly effective for recovering from injury or surgery, individuals dealing with chronic pain, and athletes seeking improved performance. The method helps participants move more efficiently, reducing strain and preventing future injuries.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
Beyond physical advantages, the method fosters mental clarity, emotional resilience, and stress reduction. By increasing the quality of movement, participants experience greater relaxation, improved focus, and enhanced creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Recent research highlights that mindful movement practices, like Feldenkrais, offer cognitive and attentional benefits, especially for individuals with ADHD. As noted, “a growing body of literature demonstrates that mindful practice of movement can yield improvements in cognitive and attentional skills in healthy adults, and similarly improve functioning in anomalous development, as with ADHD.”
Who Can Benefit?
The Feldenkrais Method is suitable for a wide range of individuals:
Athletes seeking enhanced performance and injury prevention.
Seniors looking to maintain mobility and independence for healthy aging.
Individuals with chronic pain who want to reduce discomfort and improve function.
People recovering from injury or surgery who need a gentle, effective rehabilitation method.
Anyone looking to increase their overall physical and mental well-being.
Types of Sessions
Private Sessions: Functional Integration (FI)
FI sessions provide hands-on, personalized lessons where the practitioner will use gentle touch to help bring awareness to important movement properties and provide feedback to the nervous system that will result in most improvement for the client.
These sessions address specific needs, such as pain management or post-injury recovery as well as promote overall improvement in physical and emotional wellbeing.
In addition to working with adults, Igor also specializes in working with children, offering unique approaches to support their development and well-being.
Group Classes: Awareness Through Movement (ATM)
In ATM sessions, participants follow verbal instructions that invite them to gently explore simple functional movements such as sliding arms or legs, rolling head, tilting the pelvis. As the lesson continues, increased awareness naturally leads to improvement in how student feels: unnecessary tension is released, breathing is easier, posture, balance, and coordination are improved.
In this new state a person feels more at ease both physically and emotionally. Students describe this state as grounded, present, quiet, at ease, in agreement with oneself.
Research and Evidence
The effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method has been supported by various scientific studies, highlighting its benefits across physical, cognitive, and emotional domains. Here's a closer look at some of the research findings that validate the impact of this method.
Pain Reduction
Chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, can significantly limit an individual's quality of life. Research has suggested that the Feldenkrais Method may offer relief to those suffering from chronic pain. A study published in The Clinical Journal of Pain found that participants with chronic pain experienced meaningful pain relief and improved quality of movement after attending Feldenkrais sessions. The slow, mindful movements encouraged relaxation and allowed participants to reduce the tension that often exacerbates pain.
Quality of Life
Overall, the Feldenkrais Method has been linked to improvements in quality of life. A study published in Disability and Rehabilitation highlighted how participants with neurological disorders, such as stroke survivors, benefited from the Feldenkrais Method in terms of regaining mobility, enhancing emotional resilience, and improving overall life satisfaction. The method's gentle, exploratory movements enabled individuals to reconnect with their bodies, regain independence, and enhance daily living.
Cognitive Function and Mental Clarity
The Feldenkrais Method's focus on mindfulness and awareness through movement also yields cognitive benefits. A study conducted by Frontiers in Human Neuroscience examined the effects of somatic learning, including Feldenkrais, on brain function. The results indicated that Feldenkrais sessions could improve mental clarity, focus, and cognitive performance. The method was found to help participants develop greater bodily awareness, which translates into sharper mental focus and improved problem-solving abilities.
Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-Being
Another key benefit of the Feldenkrais Method is its role in reducing stress and enhancing emotional well-being. A study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that Feldenkrais participants reported lower levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional tension after regular sessions. By cultivating a deeper connection between the mind and body, the method helped participants better manage emotional responses and fostered a sense of calm and balance.
Balance, Coordination, and Mobility
Several studies have shown that the Feldenkrais Method can significantly improve balance, coordination, and mobility, particularly in older adults and individuals with specific medical conditions. For instance, a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that older adults who participated in Feldenkrais sessions experienced significant improvements in balance and functional mobility. The study concluded that these improvements contributed to a reduced risk of falls among participants.
In another study, researchers explored the effects of the Feldenkrais Method on people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, published in NeuroRehabilitation, demonstrated that participants reported improved balance and functional movement after undergoing Feldenkrais training. Additionally, it was noted that the method helped alleviate some of the physical discomforts associated with MS.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Movement and Well-Being
If you're seeking a holistic approach to pain relief and improved posture balance and coordination, the Feldenkrais Method offers a practical, gentle way to enhance your well-being. By addressing the root causes of discomfort, this method not only improves physical movement patterns but also contributes to better overall functioning in daily life. Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply looking to move with more ease, working with Certified Feldenkrais practitioner can lead to meaningful, lasting change.
For more information, please see frequently asked questions on what to expect from a session, how the method works, and how it can benefit your body and mind.
Let the Feldenkrais Method be your pathway to a healthier, happier, more mindful, and active lifestyle.