What is Feldenkrais?

Good question isn’t it? Feldenkrais is much better experienced in person than described on paper, but if you’ve never been to a class or had a one-to-one session here is some idea of what to expect, courtesy of the Feldenkrais Guild UK:

Feldenkrais is a way to re-educate the body’s movement patterns using subtle but powerful combinations of movements to access and change the years of habits that comprise our normal posture and way of using ourselves. Group classes are called Awareness through Movement classes and are generally mat based lying on the floor, although some classes take place in sitting, standing and walking. The movements in the classes help students to discover easier and more efficient ways of moving, which can indirectly provide increased strength or range of movement without having worked to build muscles or to stretch them.

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Attention to internal experience is a large part of the method and as such there are similarities to some martial arts but without a set external form that is practised. The Feldenkrais method can change deep-seated movement habits and as such can improve balance, performance in sports or quality of movement in dance. Feldenkrais can provide relief from muscular pain or tension and is particularly helpful in preventing recurring injuries caused by our habitual ways of moving.

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The method can be applied at many levels, from rehabilition for stroke victims to fine tuning movement for professional musicians and is particularly useful for sports people, dancers, musicians and actors. Classes normally focus on a specific theme such as connection with the ground or spinal rotation and there is a huge variety in topics. The movements are exploratory, varied and often playful with the overall class creating a sense of relaxation and ease as well as leading to improved posture and movement. In the words of the founder of the method, Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, the method is about “making the impossible possible, the possible easy and the easy elegant”.

If you’ve got this far and would like some further background reading another place to look is the Feldenkrais Guild UK:

http://www.feldenkrais.co.uk/what.html

Or join the mailing list to get regular information about the method and upcoming classes and workshops.

4 thoughts on “What is Feldenkrais?”

  1. emma

    Hi – I am interested in having Feldenkrais lessons. could you tell me a little bit more. Kind regards, Emma.

    1. admin Post author

      Hi Emma,

      I do lessons in groups for more general interest and 1-1 for people wanting something more specific, dealing with an injury or specific issue they want to focus on. The group lessons are gentle movement classes each dealing with one particular theme and people work through it in their own way. They are very relaxing as well as being able to make lasting changes to movement and posture habits.

      I teach around the Windsor and Maidenhead area. Drop me an email at ellen@patternsofmovement.co.uk if you’d like to find out a bit more.

      Warm regards,

      Ellen

  2. Gay Lewis

    Hi I have chronic pain from right thigh spasms and sciatica in the lower leg due to having fallen heavily on my right side 3 years ago. The spasms started about 18 months ago . I am also very stiff and walk awkwardly. I have been treated by a physio and she tells me that I have an anterior tilt due to periformis syndrome through my muscle guarding. She says that I need to straighten my posture but although stretching does alleviate the pain in my right thigh in the short term I find it difficult to maintain a straight back. I am very keen to help myself and I attend Pilates and exercise classes which have helped to a degree. and I have good days and bad
    Do you think that feldenkrais might be of help to me as the constant pain is causing me to feel quite low as my mobility has reduced so much. Thank you
    Thank you