History

The Feldenkrais Method was developed in the 1940s by Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), a Russian-born Israeli engineer, scientist and judo instructor.

 In 1977, he established the Feldenkrais Guild, a professional organisation of practitioners of the Feldenkrais Method.

 
Theory

 Much of the Feldenkrais Method is based on the pioneering work of Frederick Mathias Alexander, the originator of the Alexander Technique.

It is a body/mind integration system that uses movement to enhance the communication between brain and body. Based on the idea that the muscles are controlled by brain impulses that have certain fixed patterns, other exercises or movements can be developed to help the body programme the brain, thus enhancing the whole body/mind system.

 
Practice

The aim is to improve posture through self-awareness of stance, gesture and movement, resulting in better coordination, relaxation and relief of muscular tension.

 There are over one thousand different exercises or movements and they are carried out on a padded table. The practitioner, using light movements, guides the patient through a series of exercises that alter habitual patterns and provide new learning to the neuromuscular system. The sessions usually last about half-an-hour.

 
Assessment

 Many people suffer minor aches and pains caused by bad posture, stance and seating habits.

While changing the bad habits of a lifetime is difficult, if attention is drawn to the fact that an improvement in health may ensue by taking steps to correct them, then some benefits may result.

 
References:

 Feldenkrais, Moshe. 1972. Awareness Through Movement, Harper & Row, New York.

_________________ The Feldenkrais Method, The Feldenkrais Guild, Albany, Oregon.

 Kastner, Mark and Burroughs, Hugh. 1993. Alternative Healing, Halcyon Publishing, La Mesa, CA.

 Olsen, K.G. 1989. The Encyclopedia of Alternative Health Care, Simon & Schuster, New York.

     From: Edwards, H. 1998 Alternative, Complementary, Holistic & Spiritual Healing, Australian Skeptics