The Feldenkrais Method®

Awareness Through Movement

Feldenkrais® group classes are known as Awareness Through Movement® (ATM®) lessons. Similar to Tai Chi or gentle yoga, Awareness Through Movement classes use slow, mindful movements to achieve powerful effects in terms of strength, flexibility, and holistic integration of body and mind. Unique to the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education is that these lessons tie directly into functional movements of daily life, such as walking or running efficiently, safely lifting objects, and improving one’s posture in sitting or standing. Classes can also be helpful for relieving pain or discomfort, improving musical, dance, or athletic performance or improving function after an injury of any type.

During a class, students are guided through a sequence of movements and encouraged to move with gentle attention within a comfortable range.You might walk, stand, or sit in a chair, although usually, you will lie on the floor in a variety of comfortable positions: either on your back, front, or side. You may become aware of unexpected and interesting connections within and between the movements. As you attend to the improving quality of movement, unnecessary muscular tensions throughout the body can reorganize and release. Students are often amazed at the quick and clear changes that occur through the neuromuscular repatterning that happens in an Awareness Through Movement lesson.

Functional integration

Feldenkrais® private sessions are known as Functional Integration® (FI®) lessons. In Functional Integration, the teacher guides an individual student in movement lessons using gentle, non-invasive touch as the primary means of communication.

In a Functional Integration lesson, the Feldenkrais teacher’s touch reflects to the student how they currently organize their body and actions. They suggest, through gentle touch and movement, expanded possibilities for new movement patterns which are more comfortable, efficient, and useful. Functional Integration lessons are flexible in their approach, determined by the student’s needs. The student may lie comfortably on a table designed specifically for the work, or do some of the lesson sitting or standing.

Each Functional Integration lesson relates to a desire, intention, or need of the student. The learning process is carried out without the use of any invasive or forceful procedure. Through respect for the student’s abilities, qualities, and integrity, the teacher creates an environment in which the student can learn in safety and comfort. The lesson is developed, specifically for the student, custom-tailored to the unique circumstances of that particular person, at that particular moment. The student learns how to reorganize their actions in new and more effective ways through the experience of comfort, enjoyment, and ease of movement. Functional Integration is very effective for relieving pain and discomfort as well as for enhancing performance. The Feldenkrais Method can also be effective in improving function in people who have a neurologic disorder such as a stroke, Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.

Private Functional Integration can supplement group Awareness through Movement classes or be done on their own.

Adapted from Feldenkrais.com