feldenkrais
awareness through movement
Feldenkrais exercises expand ranges of movement and foster balance and coordination by practising unfamiliar movements at the same time as being aware of sensations and the body's position in space. Students learn how to be themselves and learn how to learn.
Many of these movements are modelled on the natural experimental learning of children. Some help restore the easy and efficient rotational movements of early childhood which are usually lost as our musculature matures.
Muscle groups are used in new ways to open up new pathways. In the beginning a student might find that they cannot move a part of the body which has never been used in that way before. Rather like a baby learning to walk.
Beginning with small, easy, comfortable movements, and gradually experiencing the contribution of muscles, skeleton, and personality to each movement. Satisfying movements of increasing complexity, magnitude, efficiency, and speed gradually develop that can be carried over into moving with comfort and elegance in everyday life.
The method kinaesthetically "paces and leads" breathing, muscle tone, rhythm, and other subtle qualities of movement.
"Differentiated" movements move the eyes, head, shoulders, and pelvis in different directions – often unusual and unexpected.
"Non habitual" movements reverse habitual postures or movements or are unfamiliar or familiar movements in novel positions. This often induces a trance-like state reminiscent of Erickson's "confusion technique".
Instructions for each exercise contains the posthypnotic suggestion for the possibility of increased ease and lightness of movement.
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Achieving Excellence |
copyright (C) John Brasted 2008
updated 06/11/11
