Feldenkrais
About the Method
The Feldenkrais Method of somatic education is a unique learning process that cultivates a sense of body awarenes and teaches people how to learn from their bodies. Feldenkrais sessions work by increasing the communication between your brain and body. Your brain is responsible for sending messages to your muscles to "command" them what to do. Your brain is aided by your senses (touch, sight, hearing, balance) to let it know your body's position and level of muscular activity. Once your brain receives this information from your senses, it can send the appropriate "commands" to your muscles. Through this exchange of information between your brain and senses, unnecessary muscular activity is eliminated, and your functioning and movement improve.
Private Sessions and Group Classes
During a private session, called Functional Integration (FI) you lie comfortably clothed on a padded table. The practitioner uses touch to communicate movements to your body. Functional Integration is a direct hands-on approach that increases your body's range and possibilities of movement.
During group classes, called Awareness through Movement (ATM), no direct touch is involved. The practitioner verbally guides you through a series of specifically designed movement sequences in basic positions, usually lying or sitting. The emphasis is on awareness of how you move and the quality of the movement. You discover your habitual movement pattterns, and uncover new alternatives of movement that are more effective for you.
For more about the Feldenkrais Method visit the Feldenkrais Guild web site.