Say “FELL-den-cries” if you want to move more gracefully and with less pain, if you want to improve your sport performance, if you want to have better balance, better posture, or an improved sense of well-being.
The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education is a self-learning technique that improves your ability to sense yourself accurately. Have you ever had the experience of seeing a video or photo of yourself, or even hearing a recording of your voice, that did not match the way you think you look or sound? Practicing Feldenkrais can help change that dissonant perception so that you look and sound and even feel the way you think you do.
We all have habits of the mind and body, a sort of automatic pilot of everyday function. These habits are linked to activities that may be necessary, like walking, driving, reading, and thinking, or optional, like golf, knitting, skiing, meditating, studying, singing, painting, cooking or cleaning. Practicing Feldenkrais can improve your ability to do all of your everyday functions by increasing the efficiency of your thinking, moving, sensing and feeling. Harmful or extra patterns of behavior that have become habit through past injury or experience may be reduced and removed by choice, increasing your repertoire of possible, comfortable and safe behaviors through gentle exploration and innovation.
Many people are drawn to and benefit from learning Feldenkrais, including artists, athletes, office workers, retirees, people recovering from physical injuries, people with stressful jobs, and people in recovery from addiction or trauma.
Awareness Through Movement lesson, Photo Credit:
Most people studying Feldenkrais take a weekly 30-45 minute Awareness Through Movement® class, which is often taught in a neighborhood recreation center, gym, dance studio, hospital, or other community facility. Public Feldenkrais lessons are verbally guided by a Feldenkrais practitioner or teacher training student and usually take place on a mat or in a chair and are appropriate for most age-groups and abilities. Wearing loose, layered clothing is recommended for ease of movement and comfort. Towels, pillows, pads, foam rollers, and other props may be used as necessary to increase the comfort of each student during the lesson. All movement variations in each lesson are optional.
Functional Integration, Photo Credit:
Some Feldenkrais students also take private sessions with a Feldenkrais practitioner. These are called Functional Integration® lessons. They usually last 45-60 minutes, may involve manual and verbal guidance, and are tailored to the needs and goals of the individual. Clothing suitable for easy movement is worn by all participants.
For more information about the Feldenkrais Method or to find a local class or practitioner, please visit the Feldenkrais Guild of North America.
For a listing of classes and practitioners in Omaha, please visit Feldenkrais in Omaha.
