notes from an introduction by Mark Reese
1904 Born on May 6th in Slavuta (in present day Ukranian Republic)
1918 Left on a solo 6-month journey to Palestine
1930 Enrolled in an engineering college in Paris
1931 Published Jiu Jitsu, a book on self defense
1933 Met Jigaro Kano, founder of Judo
1936 Received his black belt in Judo, one of first Europeans to do so
1940 Escaped to England as Germans arrived in Paris
1949 Published “Book and Mature Behavior,” the first book on his method
1951-1953 Returned to direct the Israeli Army Department of Electronics
1952 Published “Higher Judo,” his last book on Judo
1954 Moved permanently to Tel Aviv
1955 Establish a permanent studio for Awareness through Movement®
1957 Began giving lessons to Israeli Prime Minister, David ben Gurion
Mid-1960s Published Mind and Body and Bodily Expression
1967 Published Improving the Ability to Perform
1968 Established permanent studio for his Functiona Integration practice
1970s Introduced the work to the U.S.
1977 Published The Case of Nora
1981 Published The Elusive Obvious and Health deteriorated
1984 Died on July 1st
Was an engineer, physicist, inventor, martial artist and student of human development
His knee injury started him on an exploration of the relationship between movement and consciousness
Studied anatomy, physiology, child development, movement science, evolution, psychology, a number of Eastern awareness practices and other somatic approaches in developing his method
Studied with:
George Gurdjieff, a Greek-Armenian mystic, a teacher of sacred dances, and a spiritual teacher
F. M. Alexander, an Australian actor who developed Alexander Technique
William Bates, American physician who practiced ophthalmology and developed the Bates Method for better eyesight
Heinrich Jacoby, a German educator whose teaching was based on developing sensitivity and awareness
Notes on Feldenkrais Method from www.feldenkrais.com
The Feldenkrais Method is expressed in two parallel forms: Awareness Through Movement® and Functional Integration®.
Awareness Through Movement® Classes
Using movement sequences to increase awareness of one's own habitual neuromuscular patterns and rigidities and expand options for new ways of moving while increasing sensitivity and improving efficiency
- generally lasts from thirty to sixty minutes
- verbally directed movement sequences for groups
- precisely structured movement explorations that involve thinking, sensing, moving, and imagining
- explorations based on developmental movements and ordinary functional activities and more abstract explorations of joint, muscle, and postural relationships.
- hundreds of Awareness Through Movement lessons contained in the Feldenkrais Method that have varying levels
Functional Integration® Lessons
Functional Integration is a hands-on form of tactile, kinesthetic communication. It guides people through movement with gentle, non-invasive touching so they are able to move in more expanded functional motor patterns.
- lesson should relate to a desire, intention, or need of the student.
- creates a comfortable learning environment through rapport and respect for the student’s abilities and qualities
- usually performed with the student lying on a table designed specifically for the work
- can also be done with the student in sitting or standing positions
- various props are used in an effort to support the person’s body configuration or to facilitate certain movements.
In a video called "What is the Feldenkrais Method®," participants professed that the method improved their workout regiment/sports. People were running faster, playing better tennis...
Free Feldenkrais classes at the Feldenkrais Institute of NY
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