What are Feldenkrais® classes?
They are a way to empower you to MANAGE YOUR OWN pain, stress and tension; improve your posture, coordination and balance; heal and prevent injuries, and begin naturally to find efficient, comfortable movement patterns--based on your own needs and goals--as you learn to do Awareness Through Movement® sequences with focused attention and neural sensing.
Who do Feldenkrais® classes help?
While not a cure, they are for people with: (1) cancer, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, stroke, post-surgery, injury, arthritis and aging issues; (2) systems compromised by MS, MD, cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinsons and other developmental or neurological conditions; (3) Musicians, actors, dancers, artists and athletes who want to take their movement to the highest possible level; (4) people who want to restore function after injury or illness and prevent development of compensatory habits and (5) working people, retirees, ordinary people young and old, WHO SIMPLY WANT TO FEEL AND MOVE WELL IN THEIR OWN BODIES.
The opinion of Dr. Andrew Weil, bestselling author of Spontaneous Healing, about the Feldenkrais Method: (http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00467/Feldenkrais-Method.html)
What is Dr. Weil's view regarding Feldenkrais?
Dr. Weil often recommends trying the Feldenkrais Method for the treatment of any kind of neurological injury or insult, especially since it claims success in training the nervous system in developing and utilizing new pathways around areas of damage. Feldenkrais has specifically demonstrated success in helping to rehabilitate stroke victims. It is also effective with head injuries and other neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. Feldenkrais can be an effective part of an integrative-medicine approach to any painful condition from degenerative arthritis to fibromyalgia. Because it can help a person feel more comfortable within his or her body, Dr. Weil also feels that Feldenkrais can be an effective adjunct to psychotherapy and the treatment of mood disorders.
What is Feldenkrais used for? (http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00467/Feldenkrais-Method.html)
The Feldenkrais Method claims to be successful in training the nervous system to find new pathways around areas of damage. While frequently used to help ease stress and tension, the Feldenkrais Method has demonstrated success in the rehabilitation of stroke victims and others suffering from neurological injuries (brain tumors, head trauma, multiple sclerosis and ataxia) that cause disordered movement or a lack of coordination.
Patients with orthopedic problems in bones and joints can use the Feldenkrais Method to assist in correcting poor posture or habits of movement that may cause pain. Movement therapies like Feldenkrais can also benefit people who suffer from distorted body images that contribute to eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety. The exercises can re-educate the brain and nervous system to develop new ways of moving and perceiving the body, as well as elevating mood and increasing overall feelings of well-being.
