What is Feldenkrais?
The Feldenkrais method was invented by Israeli physicist Moshe Feldenkrais to retrain the body. It involves slow, gentle movements that aim to improve muscle movements. It can be carried out in a group class called Awareness Through Movement (ATM) or in a one-on-one private session called Functional Integration (FI).
Our feelings affect our actions just as our actions affect our feelings. By applying this principle, the Feldenkrais method provides emotion-based learning exercises which allows you to improve your self-awareness, balance, as well as thought, emotional and behavioural patterns so that you can raise the quality of your life.
What Are the Benefits of Feldenkrais?
The movement sequence in a Feldenkrais class is aimed at improving the structure of the body and neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to build new habits through learning. Practising Feldenkrais regularly enhances the body's range of motion, mental capacity and emotional wellness. It can also help with a variety of conditions, including:
- Neck, shoulder and back pain
- Sleep bruxism
- Muscle tension
- Arthritis
- Stress
- Multiple sclerosis
- Breathing problems
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Sciatica
The Feldenkrais method doesn't require physical contact with the teacher. You can benefit from this modality by simply listening to the instructions given you, so attending a Feldenkrais class online doesn't only make sense, but it's also more convenient.
You don't have to commute or drive to a practitioner's studio, get stuck in traffic and worry about coming to class late. These components of stress can lead to an array of health disorders, which you can easily avoid by booking an online Feldenkrais class from the comfort of your home.
How Does Online Feldenkrais Work?
An online Feldenkrais class delivers ATM exercises with varying degrees of complexity. The practitioner whom you'll be working with will adjust the exercises to fit your level of movement or physical ability. To get started, you will need a computer, a webcam and the Zoom video call app installed onto your device. You will also need a quiet, spacious room where you can spread a mat.
What Can You Expect From Online Feldenkrais?
Before you get on with the Feldenkrais movements, your whole body should be relaxed; not a single muscle should be tight. Once you have achieved this state, the practitioner will ask you to perform a series of light, gentle movements while observing how they make you feel.
You will not hear the facilitator tell you whether you're doing it right or wrong because the objective of the movements is to get your different body parts to work together to achieve a specific purpose. The synchronous movements of different muscle groups release tension in the body, allowing it to move freely without difficulty.
Your online Feldenkrais session can take 30 minutes or an hour, and after which your whole body will feel calm and relaxed. If you're new to this modality, you may practise it once a week for the time being then gradually progress to twice or three times a week, especially if you have functional problems.
