Explainer: the Feldenkrais Method

Author: Susan Hillier

The Feldenkrais Method is a way of exploring movement, posture and breathing through hands-on touch, used by dancers, musicians, athletes, actors and people living with and rehabilitating from various conditions.

Two Formats of Learning

The method is taught in two primary ways:

• Awareness Through Movement (ATM): These are group classes where a teacher verbally guides students through a sequence of gentle, structured movements. The focus is on sensing the connections within the body and discovering easier, more efficient ways to move.
• Functional Integration (FI): This is a one-on-one, hands-on session. The practitioner uses gentle, non-invasive touch to guide the student's body, providing direct sensory feedback to the nervous system to help reorganize movement patterns.

Unlike traditional physical therapy, which often focuses on strengthening or stretching specific muscles, Feldenkrais focuses on the nervous system. It uses neuroplasticity-the brain's ability to change and adapt-to improve overall function, coordination, and comfort.