The Feldenkrais Method uses slow, gentle movements to release holding patterns and pain. It is part of Neuromuscular Education, which integrates various parts of the body into a complete movement pattern. The benefits of functional integration are numerous and range from headaches to fibromyalgia. Listed below are some examples of conditions that can be treated with the Feldenkrais Method. But if you’re curious about the benefits of the Feldenkrais Method, read on!
Bonnie Rich Humiston
If you want to learn more about the philosophies of the Feldenkrais Method, you can visit a class at a facility like Relaxed. This facility specializes in movement classes based on the philosophies of the Feldenkrais Method. At Relaxed, you will find instructors who are trained in the Feldenkrais Method. The classes are designed to be both fun and beneficial to students.
After studying directly with Moshe Feldenkrais for ten years, Bonnie developed the technique that enables patients to make their bodies respond to stress. She later helped organize early Feldenkrais workshops in San Francisco and Seattle. Humiston attended the first Feldenkrais Professional Training Program in 1977. In addition, she served on the board of the Feldenkrais National Association from 1981 to 1991 and was its president from 1987 to 1989.
David Zemach-Bersin is a longtime student of Dr. Feldenkrais. He studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and then did extensive postgraduate work in physiological psychology. He was the president of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America for several years, coauthored a best-selling book on the Feldenkrais method, and co-founded the firm Feldenkrais Resources with Elizabeth Beringer.
Bonnie is a certified Feldenkrais practitioner and lives in Sarasota, FL. She also offers individual lessons to clients of all ages. In addition, she conducts classes and workshops in Central and Southwest Florida. She also developed the TOUCH TO INFORM certification program, a series of seminars for LMTs and other professionals in the field. She is the author of The Effortless Swing(r) approach to optimal golf. She specializes in incorporating the principles of Feldenkrais into the game.
To join the Feldenkrais Institute of San Diego’s 5 FPTP, you must have graduated from high school or an equivalent. You must also complete an application form. The processing fee is $50. In case you are denied, the fee is returned in full. Please note that the classes are conducted in English. If you want to attend Feldenkrais training in San Diego, contact the Institute directly.
Donna Wood
Donna Wood is a well-established practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method who has been working with this ancient, scientifically proven method for over fifteen years. Donna draws on her training in dance and the martial arts to offer her clients a unique and holistic approach to improving their physical well-being. Her passion for the Feldenkrais Method extends to her research on the effects of the technique on creativity and perception. She is bilingual and currently divides her practice between San Diego, California and Mexico.
In the Professional Training Program, students will engage in daily ATM and four private FI lessons, as well as in-depth theoretical discussions. These sessions are designed to provide students with a full understanding of the Feldenkrais Method and its underlying dynamics. Students will also develop a more in-depth understanding of the concepts of Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration. This is the basis for developing the foundational skills necessary to apply the Feldenkrais Method to a variety of physical and psychological conditions.
Many of the practitioners of the Feldenkrais Method maintain private practices. Their work is varied, including physical and occupational therapy, education, and rehabilitation. Others have backgrounds in voice, theater, and gerontology. A primary goal of their work is to help their clients develop greater flexibility, balance, and centeredness. And they have children of their own, including a daughter named Aliana. The Feldenkrais Method continues to evolve.
A student’s certification in Awareness Through Movement will include teaching people with physical challenges. Successful completion of the program will grant them full membership in the Feldenkrais Guild of North America. Certification will be granted if the student successfully completes the second year and fulfills the requirements for accreditation. However, this certification is temporary and will expire after five years. However, if a student attends the program at least six months per year, they will become a certified Feldenkrais practitioner.
Applicants must have completed high school or the equivalent. They must complete an application and pay a $50 processing fee. If accepted, the fee will be deducted from their tuition. If turned down, the fee will be returned in full. A student who has completed the training program may continue to study the techniques and work on their practice after graduation. However, a person should take note that this program is conducted entirely in English.
David Zemach-Bersin
In this book, David Zemach-Bersin describes the history, philosophy, and practice of the Feldenkrais Method, which was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais. David Zemach-Bersin shares his awe and admiration for Feldenkrais and the underlying principles behind Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration. Feldenkrais was born in Poland and is now regarded as one of the most influential movement teachers of our time.
He studied with Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais for over a decade. He has been actively involved in Feldenkrais training programs since 1973. He also co-founded the Feldenkrais Institute of New York and teaches around the world. In addition to being a founder of Feldenkrais, Zemach-Bersin has studied with Dr. Hans Kraus, the physician to President Kennedy for back pain. Today, he is the director of Feldenkrais Training Programs in New York City and Washington/Baltimore.
Feldenkrais discovered that the ability to think and move is a result of neural organization. In a way, the mind programs the brain’s function, and without motor function, the brain cannot think. By training the brain to adapt to specific movements, we can train it to think and move better. And this can be done without surgery or medication. But the first neuroplastician, Moshe Feldenkrais, was an innovator in the field.
The principles of ATM are based on the principles of Judo. Feldenkrais began with the study of Judo by asking participants to lie on Judo mats. His aim was to relax the antigravity muscles and eliminate habit patterns that arise when the body is upright. In addition to the research, Feldenkrais began working one-on-one with patients, applying the same principles in a relaxed posture on a table.
A video can be played by clicking the triangle in the center of the screen. The video can also be played in full screen mode by clicking the double rectangle in the lower right corner. To return to the web page, click the ESC key. This video by Ruthy Alon demonstrates how to use the movement with the least effort and maximum ease. It’s entitled, “Movement nature meant” and can be seen here.
Liz Sisco
In addition to teaching Awareness Through Movement at the Feldenkrais Institute of San Diego, Liz Sisco also has a private practice in Golden Hill, California. She has over 30 years of experience in teaching the creative arts and is a dedicated outdoorswoman. She spends each day exploring the canyons of Balboa Park and her summers hiking in the Sierras. Liz speaks Spanish and is fluent in English and Spanish.