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4 Common Misconceptions of the Feldenkrais Method®
The Feldenkrais Method has an incredible scientific foundation; it is beneficial and accessible to everyone regardless of age, ability or pain. Feldenkrais practitioners work together with students to facilitate learning.
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4 Common Misconceptions of the Feldenkrais Method®
I've been working with the Feldenkrais Method® for almost seven years now...
Since then, I’ve encountered many misconceptions about the Feldenkrais Method®, which I want to address so that you can reap all the benefits! The four misconceptions are:
- That the method is not scientific.
- It’s only for pain.
- It’s only for a specific age group or ability.
- The Feldenkrais practitioner is the authority.
Before we jump into the misconceptions, here is an excellent definition of what the method is and does. The Feldenkrais Method® is a type of movement practice for anyone who wants to reconnect with their natural abilities to move, think, and feel. Suppose you wish to be more comfortable sitting at your computer, playing or performing a favourite pastime. In that case, these gentle lessons can improve your overall well-being.
1. "Feldenkrais is not scientific"
This misconception is a BIG one. If you look at the Feldenkrais Method® from the outside, you might think there’s no science behind it, but you couldn’t be more wrong.
Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais theorized the brain’s ability to learn new movements due to neuroplasticity. It is the incredible ability of the brain to change and learn new patterns. The old saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” is no longer applicable. Due to neuroplasticity, humans can and do change regardless of age.
When Dr. Feldenkrais realized the brain has the capacity for change, he studied the foundational muscular patterns which create easy movement and the right conditions in which learning happens. His studies lead him to believe that humans can change their habitual movements by noticing small, subtle changes in the sensation of gravity. The requirements are proprioception, “the sense by which muscular motion, weight, position in space, are perceived” (Body and Mature Behaviour, 146).
Born was Awareness Through Movement (ATM)® and Functional Integration (FI)®, ATM are group classes wherein students follow movements that encourage building awareness. FI’s are individual lessons where a practitioner gently moves you.
These lessons teach students to feel how they move so they can decide how they want to move in the future – and their brain records it! At the end of lessons (FI or ATM), students feel more relaxed, grounded, taller, broader and better. Behind all that is the brain’s capacity to learn through functional application!
30 minute Body and Movement Awareness profile challenge
Download your FREE Feldenkrais Workbook!
This workbook gives you the tools to move with ease.
Click Here2. "The Feldenkrais Method® is only for People in Pain."
The idea that the Feldenkrais Method® is only for people in pain is widespread but far from the truth. Anyone can benefit from this method, and students don’t have to be in pain to do it.
Teachers don’t explore pain, discomfort or confusion; we focus on pleasure, simplicity and ease. Focusing on what feels easy effectively cuts habits that hold the student back and creates a new pattern.
Anyone looking to improve their work could benefit from this. If you’re a musician who wants to play your guitar faster, an athlete who wants to run for longer, or a singer who wants to project your voice further, the Feldenkrais Method® can help you. There are tons of lessons for all these needs! Through either ATM or FI, a practitioner can help you hone your skills in whatever movements you use for your practice. They can also help you avoid learning movements which lead to injury. We all know of the classic case of athletes who injure themselves at some point in their career; prevention is far better.
3. It's Only For a Certain Age Group or Ability
A less common misconception I’ve seen but still worth mentioning is that this work only benefits people between the ages of 16 and 50 or non-disabled. And I can see why people believe this! Loads of our advertising show significant movements- like Judo rolls or headstands. Still, the idea behind these classes is to learn, not to perform.
When you can’t do the suggested movement, teachers always provide alternative movements. Muscles still work when you imagine yourself moving, but on a smaller scale. Simply picturing the shifting pressure on your back while doing the judo roll in your imagination can create incredible learning opportunities. If your age or dis/ability doesn’t permit doing a judo roll, you don’t have to do it for real, and you will always gain with no pain.
4. The Feldenkrais Practitioner is the Authority
Another misconception is that the Feldenkrais practitioner is the authority on healing. Practitioners and students work together. We tend to view practitioners as authority figures, while the client/patient/student plays a passive role. Instead, a Feldenkrais practitioner creates the conditions in which learning a new movement is easy, and the rest incorporates into the student’s brain and nervous system.
Dr. Feldenkrais was doing work that many people labelled as healing. However, he was adamant that he created conditions for people to improve.
The Feldenkrais Method has an incredible scientific foundation; it is beneficial and accessible to everyone regardless of age, ability or pain. Feldenkrais practitioners work together with students to facilitate learning.
30 minute Body and Movement Awareness profile challenge
Download your FREE Feldenkrais Workbook!
This workbook gives you the tools to move with ease.
Click Here
Andréa Pallotto
Andréa Pallotto (ANd-RAY-a Pa-ll-O-tto) is a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method. Andréa provides body awareness coaching to people who struggle with movement so they can move with ease.
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Here you will find my extensive library of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes that I've taught throughout the years.
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