This is a Method developed by Moshe Feldenkrais to teach people how to move and use their bodies more intelligently. There are two aspects of the Feldenkrais Method® “Awareness Through Movement” (ATM ) and Functional Integration (FI).
Awareness Through Movement
This is a classic Feldenkrais Lesson related to developing and enhancing movement possiblities such as spinal rotation, turning the head and lifting the trunk while lengthening the spine. This lesson helps develop awareness of the relationship between the pelvis, head and shoulders while enhancing use of the thoracic core. Students experience an increased flexibility through the spine and neck and develop an appreciation for their own skeletal power.
ATM classes offer learning in a group setting similar to Yoga or Pilates in that you wear the same type of clothing and lie on a mat in a studio. The distinction between Yoga, Pilates and Feldenkrais lies in its application to everyday living and human function.
Feldenkrais practitioners train over a 4-year period. During that time they focus on learning and improving how they move, and in turn are able to observe where others need guidance and are able to help, fill in the blanks so to speak. Your Awareness Through Movement teacher will guide you through a series of movements with a common theme such as reaching, rolling, turning, pushing, pulling, lifting, transitional movements such as moving from lying to sitting and sitting to standing and more. During infancy and early childhood development these daily movements were executed with spontaneity, curiosity and pleasure. Unfortunately in many adults and even for some teenagers daily movement has lost some of those qualities. ATM classes and workshops can restore and contribute to a life of mobility and movement pleasure. Moshe Feldenkrais said "Movement is pleasure, life without movement is unthinkable."
The classes can also focus on a particular body part exploring its connections to other parts of the body and how you can use it in the most efficient way possible. For example the hip and how it relates to the movement of your lower back, trunk, chest and arms or the Jaw joint and how it relates to your tongue, neck, eyes and how all of the lessons connect to your breathing. Many lessons help you regain balance and agility. ATM classes help develop your awareness, improve your balance and help you to move with less effort. This body intelligence has been the subject of contemporary Neuroscience and Brain Neuroplasticity theory. Interesting reading on the subject can be found in Norman Doidge M.D.'s book "The Brain That Changes Itself"
Take a Feldenkrais Workshop and experience the benefits Class Registration for details.
Functional Integration
Similar to ATM lessons only a FI lesson is a specific one on one session between a student of the Feldenkrais Method and the teacher/practitioner. Here a low lying table, a stool or mat on the floor is used for the lesson. With additional help from props and padding the clothed student learns movements over a one hour session that is specific to their particular request. For example, if a person wants to learn more about why they have tension in their neck, arms and mid back when they work at the computer, or a martial art or yoga student wants to understand and increase their awareness about how to improve a certain posture or move in their practice. The possibilities are endless and used for rehabilitation from injury and surgery and neurological problems with great success. Book A Session to experience a Functional Integration lesson.
Feldenkrais Method “AwarenessThrough Movement” education classes or workshops will support and help you Improve how you move your body during work, sport or recreation. You can even improve how you sleep. If you want more performance out of your body the Feldenkrais Method is for you.