Mindfulness & The Feldenkrais® Method
“No matter how closely we look, it is difficult to find a mental act that can take place without the support of some physical function.” - Moshe Feldenkrais.
Mindfulness is often associated with bringing conscious attention to your thoughts and feelings and is a valuable practice for reducing stress and improving mental clarity. But mindfulness doesn’t stop with thoughts and emotions — it extends to the way we move and carry ourselves physically. The Feldenkrais® Method takes a unique approach to mindfulness, focusing not on conscious awareness or achieving specific outcomes through effort, but on subtle, unconscious learning through gentle movement. The aim isn’t to analyze and correct patterns directly, but to explore movement in a way that allows the body and mind to organically discover new possibilities.
In Feldenkrais® classes, the movements are often small and slow, like beginning to roll from your back to your side. Rather than focusing on improving posture or easing back pain directly, the method invites exploration without pressure or a specific goal. Through this process, the body naturally finds ease, and as a result, improvements like reduced tension or better posture may happen without conscious effort.
Challenges Faced by Those Seeking Mindfulness
Mental Distractions and Inability to Stay Present
Many people practicing mindfulness find it challenging to stay focused due to constant mental chatter and external distractions. Whether it’s stress from daily life, a busy mind filled with to-do lists, or overwhelming emotions, these mental barriers can make it difficult to maintain a sense of calm and presence.
Habitual, Unconscious Movements
In daily life, people often move in habitual ways without realizing it. These unconscious movement patterns can create physical stress and tension, which often go unnoticed until moments of stillness, like in mindfulness practice. These habitual movements not only affect how we feel physically but also interfere with the ability to be fully aware of the present moment.
Physical Discomfort and Tension
Sitting still during mindfulness practices or meditation can often highlight physical discomforts that were previously unnoticed. Tension in the neck, back, or shoulders can become distracting and prevent individuals from reaching a relaxed, focused state. Common physical issues, such as back pain, often arise, especially when the body isn’t used to long periods of stillness.
Inability to Calm the Nervous System
For those dealing with high levels of stress or anxiety, calming the nervous system can be a significant challenge. An overactive nervous system, constantly in a state of fight-or-flight, can prevent the mind and body from fully relaxing.
Key Benefits of the Feldenkrais® Method for Mindfulness Practitioners
Enhanced Body Awareness
The Feldenkrais® Method helps naturally increase awareness by slowing down and focusing on subtle movements and sensations, which is easier than focusing on thoughts or emotions. Noticing little shifts in posture, and subtle nuances of movement naturally brings the person more into the present.
Think of it as an exploration of how your body feels and moves—this deeper connection to your physical self not only enriches your mindfulness practice but also transforms how you experience everyday life.
Improved Breathing and Relaxation
Breathing is central to many mindfulness practices, and the Feldenkrais® Method helps restore efficient, natural breathing through relaxed movement. By freeing up tight areas in your body, such as the chest and diaphragm, you can breathe more easily and deeply.
Improved breathing helps enhance your focus and relaxation during mindfulness exercises. When your breath flows freely, it creates a more harmonious connection between body and mind, making mindfulness feel more accessible and enjoyable.
Heightened Sense of Presence in Daily Life
The awareness cultivated during Feldenkrais® lessons naturally spills over into daily life, helping you engage more fully in each moment.
Whether you’re walking, sitting, or doing chores, you’ll find yourself more connected to your body and surroundings. This heightened awareness not only enhances your mindfulness but also allows you to approach everyday tasks with a fresh perspective and a deeper appreciation for the present moment.
Stress Reduction and Nervous System Regulation
Movement is an expression of our nervous system’s state. As Moshe Feldenkrais explained, “When we refer to muscular movement, we mean, in fact, the impulses of the nervous system to activate the muscles. An improvement in body action reflects a change in the central control” (Feldenkrais®, 1972:36). Through this lens, the Feldenkrais® Method becomes a powerful way to regulate the nervous system by gently guiding it toward calm and balance.
One of the remarkable aspects of Feldenkrais® is its ability to calm the nervous system through gentle, exploratory movements. These sessions are designed to help you unwind and let go of tension, allowing your body to shift from a state of stress to one of ease.
This relaxation is invaluable for mindfulness practitioners, as it creates a peaceful mental space that is conducive to meditation and presence.
Many clients are surprised by how grounded and relaxed they feel after their first session.
Mind-Body Integration
Moshe Feldenkrais, the founder of the method, emphasizes the importance of aligning physical movement with mental focus. This integration helps individuals experience a more profound sense of presence.
When you move mindfully, paying attention to how your body interacts with space, you begin to cultivate a harmonious relationship between your thoughts and actions. This alignment not only enhances your mindfulness practice but also enriches everyday activities, making them feel more meaningful and engaged.
Testimonials and Scientific Evidence
Feldenkrais® clients often experience unexpected shifts that go beyond their initial goals. For example, one client who sought relief from physical discomfort was surprised by the ripple effect on his daily life. After a few sessions, he noticed he no longer felt the need to rush in the mornings and was calmer during work meetings that used to stress him out. Interestingly, he had never mentioned these habits before starting Feldenkrais®, showing how a more regulated nervous system naturally improves both physical and mental well-being. By feeling more grounded and at ease in his body, he found himself better equipped to handle everyday stresses.
Other clients, initially drawn to Feldenkrais® to improve emotional well-being, share how the gentle movement practice naturally calms and relaxes them. This can be especially helpful for children who may find it challenging to explore emotions without feeling triggered. Clients describe the effect of private sessions and group classes as feeling grounded, present, quiet, at ease, and "in agreement with themselves."
Scientific Support
Tom’s journey aligns with emerging research on the Feldenkrais® Method’s effectiveness. Studies have shown that this approach promotes body efficiency, helping individuals reduce stress and anxiety while alleviating physical discomfort. For instance, one study indicated that the Feldenkrais® Method fosters self-acceptance and mindfulness, providing practical strategies for managing negative thoughts and emotions.
In another study involving undergraduate physiotherapy students, participants were divided into groups practicing the Feldenkrais® Method, relaxation techniques, or no treatment at all over a two-week period. The findings revealed that those in the Feldenkrais® and relaxation groups reported significantly lower anxiety levels after their sessions compared to the control group. This reduction in anxiety not only improved their overall well-being but also illustrated the potential of the Feldenkrais® Method to support mindfulness practices.
Client Testimonials
“Igor is an extremely thoughtful and sensitive practitioner. He has a philosophical approach that helped me to re-imagine and release old habits in my moving and find more ease in dancing and in everyday life.” – Jennifer Monson, choreographer, performer, dance teacher.
“What I like so much about your sessions is how they help me slow my body rhythm so that I move, both physically and mentally, more flowingly and am able to absorb and accept the happenings that occur around me.” – Jacqueline R.
“I can tell you that I personally feel so relaxed after his sessions that I can only compare it with deep meditation, but I also get the benefits of movement and physical healing on top of it.” – Ginny, Yoga teacher.
Deepen Your Mindfulness with Feldenkrais®
Imagine starting each day with a body that feels relaxed, energized, and free from pain and tension. With the Feldenkrais® Method, that vision is more achievable than you might think. Through simple, gentle movements, Feldenkrais® helps unlock patterns that have kept you in discomfort, creating space for genuine, lasting freedom of movement.
Private Feldenkrais® Session:
$175
Zoom Class:
$25
Ten-Session Package:
$1,600 (great for those looking to commit to ongoing work)
Private Session at Your Home:
Starting at $250 (final price depends on travel distance)