What is the Feldenkrais Method?
Feldenkrais Method is a type of sensual therapy that aims to improve the way the human body moves to reduce pain, increase range of movement and flexibility, as well as support the body's natural ability to recover from an injury, accident or illness.
Developed by Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, hence its name, the modality involves gentle mindful movements to create new neural pathways that will help a person develop movement patterns that will positively affect all areas of their life. Several studies have shown that this modality can help relieve pain, improve concentration, enhance creativity and address a range of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and stroke.
Why Study the Feldenkrais Method?
Learning the principle and practical application of the Feldenkrais Method will enable you to help other people address their health conditions where conventional treatment methods have failed. The knowledge and skills that you can gain from attending a formal course in Feldenkrais Method will transform many lives and boost your credentials as a natural healer.
As a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method, you can work in a holistic centre, set up your private practice or run individual or group classes.
What Does It Take to Study the Feldenkrais Method or Become a Practitioner of It?
Open-mindedness and the willingness to understand what limits a person's movement is all it takes to thrive in a Feldenkrais Method course. Your inquisitive nature and enthusiasm will also help you grasp the concept of how healthy movement patterns can maintain the optimal function of the brain and vice versa.
Satisfying your curiosity and interest in Feldenkrais Method with the guidance of a qualified course provider is key to becoming a certified practitioner of the modality, and ultimately achieving the success you've set your sights on.
Course and Study Options for the Feldenkrais Method
Attending group or individual Feldenkrais classes is the first step to learning this modality. Experiencing it first-hand will enable you to decide whether or not to dive deep into the study.
You have the option to attend group classes known as Awareness Through Movement, wherein you'll be guided through a sequence of movements, or one-on-one lessons called Functional Integration. In the latter, the Feldenkrais instructor will tailor the class to fit your specific needs.
If your goal is to become a certified Feldenkrais practitioner and trainer, you have to undertake an accredited training program which can take three to four years to complete.
A certification course in the Feldenkrais Method focuses on the development of movement, self-awareness and self-expression. It also covers the anatomy of the brain and body. While most schools offering courses in the Feldenkrais Method conduct their classes face-to-face, others give students the option for a blended learning system.
How to Choose a School or Course in the Feldenkrais Method
To maximise your education in the Feldenkrais Method, it's important to study with a course provider that is recognised by industry bodies. Because it's quite a long journey to take, you want every step to be transformational. To help you get started, we have provided a list of qualified course providers at the top of this page.
You may contact each school to enquire about their curriculum, schedule of classes, delivery method and course fees. Whether you're new to complementary medicine or currently practising another modality, it also pays to know what career paths await anyone who has successfully completed a Feldenkrais Method course.
