The Feldenkrais Method
(Awareness Through Movement)
Introduction And Description
Executives and performing artists alike are often surprised how they look when
they see themselves on videotape or in a filmclip. Our inner image of ourselves
may differ from how we project ourselves to our staff , colleagues or audience.
A deeper inner body awareness can help us perform fully and confidently, leading
to a stronger "presence", the quality which separates a good performer from an
ordinary performer.
The Feldenkrais Method provides an ideal way to tune in to the inner workings of
our body. Developed by scientist and judo-expert Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984),
it is a learning process with surprising results even for the most experienced
performer and presenter. It provides a powerful way to contact the intelligence
of the body to learn, discover, create, improve and move with ease, variation,
clarity and quality. Through gentle, repetitive movements, it makes us aware of
our habitual patterns of movement, posture and daily life, and challenges us to
discover alternatives to the old familiar ways of doing things. This stimulates
a creative and awake attitude necessary for both executives and artists.
Attention is on the quality of movement and the elimination of unnecessary
movement which hinders clarity of expression. It is about breaking habits and
taking risks. Feldenkrais described a goal of his work to make the impossible
possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant.
There are two forms of the Feldenkrais Method. The group work is called
"Awareness through Movement" (ATM) and is a series of verbal instructions given
to the participants, who usually lie on the floor on mats or blankets, to move
in various combinations related to functions such as breathing, reaching,
turning, sitting, standing, walking and jumping. The individual work,
"Functional Integration", is a one-on-one, hands-on approach which reduces
tension and stimulates a better body organization. In addition, concepts
experienced through the ATM lessons, such as reversibility, inhibition, paradox
and differentiation, are often transformed for later use in the group as
performance activities or related directly to workplace situations.
Executives can enhance their personal presence and self-confidence. Actors and
dancers benefit from this work with a deepened understanding and activation of
the body which act as catalysts to strengthen their work in all their other
courses. Musicians improve their posture, breathing and ability to relax. All
participants from whatever walk of life find ways to help prevent stress, reduce
pain and injury, and learn how to take care of themselves. Feldenkrais himself
worked with well-known musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, theatre directors Peter
Brook and Richard Schechner, and anthropologist Margaret Mead.
Objectives
This course aims to help and train participants to:
- free the body from habits, constraints and limitations to expression
- improve posture and increase awareness of body tensions and stresses
- learn to listen to and interpret body signals
- find a neutral position of "balanced readiness" from which to move, act, speak and express
- explore and expand movement capabilities and possibilities
- develop focus and concentration
- activate and strengthen personal and stage presence
- increase self-confidence, trust and the ability to communicate
- learn a series of basic movements and exercises which can be incorporated into their personal and professional lives
Duration And Format
This course provides participants with the fundamentals of the Feldenkrais
Method to help improve body awareness, posture, breathing and quality of
movement, connecting this learning to a readiness and for action. The course
moves from standard Feldenkrais work to skills based on concepts underlying the
method applicable to your particular work and life situation. It combines
theoretical and applied work, but for the most part is experiential and
practical.
Each session will be a combination of at least one Feldenkrais "Awareness
through Movement" lesson on the floor (on mats), partner and group exercises
based on the theme of the day, and exercises to explore and expand the breath.
Participants learn skills to relax, how to take care of their bodies and how to
bring this awareness into all aspects of their work and life. Ample space must
be provided for all participants to comfortably lie on the floor.
Sessions can be arranged as half-day, full-day, 2-5 days, and are excellent as
weekend retreats.