Awareness Through Movement - Understanding Feldenkrais Method Basics

Understanding the Feldenkrais Method of Awareness Through Movement

As the saying goes, The body says what words cannot. The gentle, exploratory motions of the Feldenkrais Method tap into profound mind-body communication for enhanced functioning.

While the sequence of poses superficially resembles some types of yoga or Pilates, the learning process itself proves radically different. There are no perfect end positions to master here. Instead, curiosity and sensory attunement reign.

Originating the Feldenkrais Method

Israeli physicist and Judo expert Moshe Feldenkrais pioneered this somatic education system over years struggling with his own mobility limitations. He discovered gentle experiments in movement helped rewire the nervous system for radical improvement.

Feldenkrais began publicly teaching his method in the 1950s before publishing his definitive book Awareness Through Movement in 1972. Today his mind-body principles help people of all ages and abilities tap into their movement potential.

Core Beliefs Behind the Method

These key concepts primer newer students on the Feldenkrais vision for learning:

• The mind is inseparable from body experiences
• Over-effort causes unnecessary tension and strain
• Small, slow, gentle motions teach best
• There are no strict rights and wrongs, only exploration

Distinguishing Group Classes vs. Private Lessons

The Feldenkrais Method unfolds through two distinct modalities - Awareness Through Movement group classes, and Functional Integration private sessions. Understanding key differences helps students select the most appropriate entry point.

Awareness Through Movement

These 60-90 minute community classes have practitioners lead a sequence of intermittent motion and stillness patterns related by an underlying theme like breathing or foot pressure.

The verbal guidance directs unforced movement experiments. Participants enjoy the sensitivity and effortlessness that gradually come rather than judging progress.

Functional Integration

In these hands-on sessions, certified Feldenkrais practitioners leverage gentle touch and movement cues to communicate directly with students nervous systems.

The personalized sessions last 30-60 minutes as practitioners assess movement habits and patterns. They guide tailored experiments to expand possibilities without strain for enhanced functioning.

The Myriad Benefits of Practice

Regular Feldenkrais Method participation through either group classes or private lessons reaps measureable physical, mental and emotional dividends including:

Reduced Pain

For those suffering conditions like sciatica or arthritis, gentle awareness through movement often decreases related aches and pains. The nervous system learns to reduce habitual tensions, distribute efforts, and calm inflamed areas through experiential refinement.

Increased Flexibility

The non-judgmental sensitivity cultivated in practice promotes muscle relaxation against restrictive patterns. This allows connective tissues to elongate safely over time for regaining lost mobility, even into maturity.

Enhanced Function

Restoring efficient alignment and movement patterns helps reclaim abilities like turning the head comfortably while driving, stepping off curbs with stability, rolling smoothly in bed, and more foundational actions impacted by injury, tension or age.

Stress Relief

The calm presence and permission for self-acceptance Feldenkrais guides foster settles frayed nerves. Restful awareness of sensation relieves mental chatter's incessant pressures that manifest physically as spasms, poor sleep, digestive upset and beyond.

Body Knowledge

Deepening consciousness of movement habits in turn builds lasting intuition for how to live and learn in greater harmony with your bodys needs. Patterns reveal themselves to abandon or improve upon for optimal energy.

Hallmark Learning Features of Feldenkrais Lessons

While no two Feldenkrais experiences prove identical in theme or structure, several signature learning devices distinguish this modality from more mainstream movement or therapy approaches:

Verbally Guided Experiments

Instructors use descriptive language versus physical cues to direct subtle motion experiments. With patience, students learn to translate concepts like lengthen your back spine as you soften your belly into actual sensations guiding organic movement.

Mindfulness of Feelings

Noticing faint aspects like air circulating across the cheek or clothing brushing the wrist receives equal importance to major joint or muscle shifts during lesson sequences. This magnifies sensory awareness exponentially.

No Goals or Judgments

How a pose looks matters little; the quality of attention and precision of tiny motions takes precedence. guides task you to simply feel and explore without self-criticism. Progress unfolds naturally.

Rest Phases Crucial

Incorporating frequent rest periods while lying still, sometimes between nearly identical-seeming movements, allows the nervous system to integrate lessons. Subsequent attempts gain new dimension from the pauses.

Distinct Benefits of Each Practice Method

Awareness Through Movement group classes and private Functional Integration sessions share the common aim of self-improvement through attentive movement. But each format offers unique advantages as well.

Group Classes

Collective lessons provide:

• Introduction to Feldenkrais concepts
• Cost-effective recurring practice
• Social support and motivation
• Ability to self-practice lessons later

Private FI Lessons

Individualized hands-on sessions give:

• Personal assessments and customized exercises
• Tactile feedback and comfort
• Privacy for sensitive issues
• Undivided attention

Blend both or gravitate towards the approach aligning best with your learning preferences, budget and unique improvement needs.

Integrating Awareness Through Movement Into Life

While attending Feldenkrais Method classes and private lessons imparts the deepest benefits, there exist small ways to bring this embodied awareness into your lifestyle as well. Consider adopting these practices:

Slowing Down

Rush through no activity without consciousness, especially routine habits like brushing teeth or descending stairs. Feel each nuance sensing where excess effort creeps in.

Shaking Out Tension

Gently rock, twist and shake loosely for a few minutes whenever stress manifests in neck, shoulder or back tightness. Release rather than ignore uncomfortable holding patterns.

Exploring Variety in Function

Walk, sit, bend and lift differently than habitual each day. Cycle through options for getting up from a chair or combing hair noticing how it feels less rigid. Humans cling to singular movement tracks unless nudged.

Questioning Discomforts

Consider if vague soreness like hip ache or wrist soreness link to repeating the exact same motions daily. Revive incredulous curiosity about sensations by wondering what if you could move and feel differently.

In whatever small way, let Feldenkrais Method wisdom help you inhabit your unique living body with rejuvenated sense of possibility.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.