What is the Feldenkrais Method^®?

The Feldenkrais Method^® is a gentle yet powerful approach to movement education and somatic learning, harnessing the brain’s natural ability to learn and adapt through neuroplasticity. Through mindful, exploratory movements in Awareness Through Movement^® (ATM^®) and the sensory-motor re-education effects of Functional Integration^® (FI^®), individuals can develop greater awareness of their bodies, uncover new patterns of movement, and enhance their overall physical and mental well-being. This method supports people of all ages and abilities in learning and growing, often leading to profound improvements in posture, mobility, and coordination.

This method was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, an engineer, physicist, and judo expert. Born in 1904 in what is now Ukraine, he immigrated to Palestine in the 1920s before moving to France, where he studied mechanical and electrical engineering at the Sorbonne. After sustaining a serious knee injury, Feldenkrais began exploring ways to heal himself by integrating his knowledge of physics, biomechanics, and martial arts, plus his empirical understanding of learning and human development. This research led him to create the Feldenkrais Method.

The Feldenkrais Method consists of two complementary aspects: Awareness Through Movement (ATM) and Functional Integration (FI). In ATM, students engage in guided, exploratory movements that enhance their self-awareness and refine their movement patterns. These lessons are often done in a group setting, focusing on the process of learning rather than achieving a specific outcome. Functional Integration, on the other hand, is a one-on-one, hands-on approach where the practitioner/teacher gently guides the student’s movements, offering personalized sensory-motor re-education. Together, these aspects of the Feldenkrais Method help individuals develop greater ease, mobility, and coordination in all their activities.