What is the Feldenkrais Method?
"Movement is life. Life is a process. Improve
the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself."
—Moshe Feldenkrais
The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic learning is a gentle and pleasant way
to improve the quality of your movement and your awareness of your embodied
self. This method is distinguished by its holistic approach to body and movement
from the point of view of the nervous system (as opposed to tissue, energies,
or other perspectives). By engaging with your habits of movement in a supportive,
exploratory way, the Feldenkrais Method can help you to discover more comfortable
and efficient ways of moving and being.
Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes to a Feldenkrais lesson or class. You
will probably not be comfortable in a skirt or dress.
Feldenkrais is tought in Awareness Through Movement classes and private Functional Integration lesssons.
I have learned so much about the intricate connections within my body from this Feldenkrais work, it's hard to know where to begin. At my most recent lesson, I felt an amazing sense of freedom in my right hip after feeling stiff and in pain from whiplash due to a recent car accident. At my first lesson after this car accident, I remember how sensitive I was to any movement or touch in my back and right side, especially this right hip, where I was feeling deep joint pain. It surprised me how free and open my hip joint felt after that most recent lesson. I woke up the next morning without limping around in pain. My hip didn't know what to do without it's automatic expectation of pain. A happy surprise.
I now have a fuller hope and expectation that there are ways to learn how to move my body through the world that supports me, rather than causing more and more unintentional strain.
—Claire Semler, pre-school teacher
Awareness Through Movement®
In an Awareness Through Movement class, you are guided by a teacher through
sequences of exploratory movements through which you expand your knowledge of
and comfort with yourself and your movements. Each lesson is usually built around
a certain movement pattern. Some are based on developmental patterns, while
others are designed to bring your attention to the functioning of a certain
part of yourself. Lessons vary in difficulty, but so-called ‘easy lessons’
are always of value, even to people with lots of experience.
Feldenkrais (Awareness Through Movement) is simple. Anyone can do it, and Josh's clear instructions make it even easier. But the effects of Feldenkrais are surprisingly deep and complex. I unexpectedly find myself moving differently, in ways that make more sense and feel better. Sometimes the changes are subtle — I stand or sit more comfortably, or reach effortlessly for something. Sometimes the changes are more dramatic — I dance differently, with more confidence and presence. The change comes from the inside, so the new way of moving just happens, without my thinking about it or trying. I've taken many classes with Josh and look forward to more — he's a wonderful, dedicated, and encouraging guide on this astonishing path.
— Susan Halevi-Verran, dancer with MS.
See the list of ATM classes.
Functional Integration®
In a Functional Integration lesson, a Feldenkrais Practitioner/teacher
guides you by gentle touch and movement to become aware of options of movement
which you didn’t know you had. Each lesson is custom-tailored to your
unique configuration, at that particular moment. The practitioner conveys the
experience of comfort, pleasure, and ease of movement while you learn how to
reorganize your body and behavior in new and more effective ways.
Josh worked with me to address some of the difficulties I'd been having with my sciatica. His approach is great, and he is a careful and sincere practitioner. Through my sessions with Josh, I found new perspective in both looking at my problems with pain, and in new movements to help alleviate it.
— Jim Akiba, mechanic
I am available for private Functional Integration lessons in both Mt. Airy and North-West Boston metro area (when I'm in town - see light green-colored days on calendar). Treat yourself to a private Feldenkrais lesson!