The Feldenkrais Method and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Some general information about the methodological 'what and how' of a somatic approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Carole Bucher, BA, GCFP/T, March 7, 2015

The Feldenkrais Method and its derivative methodologies, i.e., the Anat Baniel Method, The Field Center for Children's Integrated Development, Michelle Turner's Movement Lesson, Chava Shelhav's Child Space, Russell and Linda Delman's The Feldenkrais Method for Children and Youth, and others, have a proven track record for dramatically improving a wide range autism spectrum disorder conditions and symptoms. 

To some extent, all ASD symptoms/behaviors/conditions occur because of a child's lack of ability to perceive and differentiate sufficiently, meaning "...create new connections in the brain that would lead to integration of new skills and a healthy process of development -- physical, cognitive, social and emotional" (Anat Baniel).  This lack of healthy development and processing is seen in physical movement delays from early infancy onward.

In these physical and mental realms, a lack of clear self-image means a lack of grounded, connected movement in children, particularly in their ability to organize and initiate movement from the core area of the pelvis and low spine. The perpetuation of this condition exacerbates a child's emotional and physical sense of disconnectedness, impotence and disorganization. 

Feldenkrais lessons have a powerful impact on infants, toddlers, children and adults, as they learn to feel themselves differently, and develop a clearer sense of their skeletal systems, and the support it provides to their bodies from the inside out. They become physically grounded. Their organization, balance and alignment change, a feeling of empowerment takes hold because they feel better, move better and connect with themselves more deeply.  

These results have been well documented in clinical studies and observations on numerous websites, and via thousands of anecdotal testimonies on youtube, with a general premise that the more work, the better, as early as possible. 

Improve walking, integrate your upper and lower torso

Differentiating movement of the chest, pelvis and legs = more connected and powerful movement through your whole body!

Feel and move great again!

This week's Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lesson, is a Mark Reese lesson called 'Rolling the Pelvis.' It focuses on several elements of walking and synchronized movement in the torso and legs.  

All of these together have an enormous effect on the fluidity and power of your movement, and the rotation of your upper and lower torso -- in walking, running, skiing, riding, golf and tennis. Of course this improvement applies to moving through your day comfortably and effectively -- getting in and out of the car, driving, walking the dog, working in the kitchen, gardening, etc.

Every Feldenkrais class helps you discover a new and more comfortable, flexible, and vital self again.   For over 70 years around the world people have used the Feldenkrais Method to:

•        Reduce physical and mental stress and pain
•        Improve skeletal alignment and grace
•        Distribute movement through the whole body
•        Improve balance, posture, stability, flexibility and range of motion
•        Increase capacity, self-confidence and effectiveness in all your activities. 

Hope to see you soon! Contact me or join classes through Meetup.com (in the upper right hand corner of this website).