Fundamental Feldenkrais
Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration
Gentle, natural learning:
So how is Feldenkrais is different from other modalities?
· Yoga: The Feldenkrais Method is focused on mindful work with the attention via sensation as movement is done, improved function and the dynamic re-organization of each person’s system. Students discover the most efficient and comfortable pathways to explore action in each moment. Ten people will do a movement in 10 individual ways that are appropriate for each person. There is no ideal form and no positions are held statically. The FM is much slower than yoga, and the steps of each movement sequence are managed very individually, sometimes done only in the imagination.
· T’ai Chi: Feldenkrais movements progress incrementally, step by step. The steps of a lesson are additive and often based on childhood development. Lessons may explore a function or movement task, like getting up and down from the floor, sitting or turning. Each person performs Feldenkrais movements differently, according to their capacity and physical condition; i.e., there is no form, no right way to do a movement, except attentively and without strain or pain.
· Pilates: Feldenkrais is oriented to efficient, easy, reversible movement, improving balance, physical coordination and organization. Developing these qualities is a pathway to building strength in the body, but as a fringe benefit rather than a primary goal. Feldenkrais is portable -- your body is the only Feldenkrais equipment you need, so you can do it at home, in the office, or even when you travel.
How is Feldenkrais different from physical therapy?
The Feldenkrais Method centers on helping students use their attention and sensation to study their existing movement patterns and re-learn an improved transmission of movement throughout their whole body. This reduces unnecessary muscular contraction and tension and reestablishes missing pieces to the brain map. There is no substitute for it, to bring the body back into wholeness and improved performance. Examining movement in all parts of the body and its effect on all other parts supports the development of stable, comfortable and efficient action and movement.
Physical therapy targets specific muscles or muscle groups that are isolated from the rest of the body for repair and/or strengthening. Feldenkrais usually comes after PT in the continuum of healing, and may be used in place of it, depending on the nature of the condition.
Physical therapy targets specific muscles or muscle groups that are isolated from the rest of the body for repair and/or strengthening. Feldenkrais usually comes after PT in the continuum of healing, and may be used in place of it, depending on the nature of the condition.
How is Feldenkrais different from chiropractic?
Feldenkrais lessons do not adjust or manipulate bones per se. Instead, lessons present new movement patterns and possibilities to your nervous system that safely help you regulate your own movement choices—consciously and subconsciously. These movements wake up the brain and the body by providing new kinds of input to the nervous system. Only work with attention can do this work of retraining your body to new and better movement possibilities based on your current body requirements.
Chiropractic manipulates bones directly and may produce greater laxity in joints; and because muscles pull bones out of alignment, if new movement patterns aren’t established, your muscles return to their old patterns, despite numerous skeletal adjustments—and the sequence of events causing misalignment continues over and over again.
Chiropractic manipulates bones directly and may produce greater laxity in joints; and because muscles pull bones out of alignment, if new movement patterns aren’t established, your muscles return to their old patterns, despite numerous skeletal adjustments—and the sequence of events causing misalignment continues over and over again.
Orthotics yes or no?
Most Feldenkrais people tend not to be in favor of using orthotics. We believe instead that the body, when given the chance and support to readjust and move intelligently, will create a natural, long-term change in its own structure which cannot happen when an orthotic is continuously bracing, lifting or holding your foot in pace. If an orthotic is deemed necessary for a very short period, it should be as thin as possible, perhaps the thickness of a business card. A small message to the nervous system is all that is required. This wisdom has borne fruit for decades, yielding happy feet and hips and improved balance in the entire body, for people all over the world.
However, when extreme changes due to surgery or injury or developmental issues result in the need for lengthening or shortening a leg or limb to permit balanced walking, this is a different issue, and would be addressed/assessed on an individual basis.
However, when extreme changes due to surgery or injury or developmental issues result in the need for lengthening or shortening a leg or limb to permit balanced walking, this is a different issue, and would be addressed/assessed on an individual basis.
