Feldenkrais

What is Feldenkrais?

The Feldenkrais Method® was put together by Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-84), a physicist and judo teacher, who developed this approach to flexibility following major knee injuries. Each class (called ‘Awareness Through Movement') focuses on a particular movement theme - such as freeing your shoulders, releasing your neck or back, or gaining suppleness in your trunk. You are guided through a series of related movements that help you to become simultaneously both stronger and more supple in action.

The themes that are covered include:

• simple actions such as turning to look over your shoulder, bending to the side or reaching up without strain;
• postural habits - relaxing tense shoulders, increasing spinal suppleness and uprightness;
• or focus on mobilising parts of the body such as the hips and the lower back.

These classes can help people to regain and maintain suppleness in everyday activities. The principles can also be effectively applied in sporting activities, exercises, dance, gardening, playing musical instruments, and desk work.

Many Feldenkrais classes are done on the floor (on mats); some are done in sitting or in standing. Please wear loose comfortable clothing that enables you to move easily. Classes combine easy and comfortable actions with manageable challenges that are designed to gently extend each participant's abilities. The classes are small, so that they can be geared to the needs and abilities of the individual participants. Although there is cumulative effect developed over time, each class is self-contained and will give you some benefit. People are therefore welcome to attend on a drop-in basis. And newcomers are always welcome to come and try a class.