I vaguely heard about this method years ago but did not pay attention to it until recently. This is a body-aware movement program developed in the 1950s by Moshe Feldenkrais, a physicist and martial artist (MF apparently introduced judo to the West). There are Feldenkrais instructors grouped in centers around the country.
When you hear that “breathing is movement” as the Feldenkrais practioners say, you know they’re unto something. However banal, we tend to overcome the essentials in this crappy information age
This method involves two forms: Movement classes , in groups, called “Awareness Through Movement” and a one-on-one modality called “Functional Integration”.
“Awareness Through Movement®: These are verbally guided lessons of enjoyable, structured movement explorations. The classes are carried out in lying, sitting or standing each one taking a particular function or group of functions of movement as its theme. The intention is to add new possibilities of movement, regain effortlessness and ease in movement, reduce tension, eliminate pain, and increase our own awareness of how we unconsciously act to bring on unwanted states.”
Functional Integration®: “The practitioner can create sessions for the individual needs of the person. This is mostly hands-on work carried out in a respectful, gentle manner. The client is fully clothed and often lying down for a good part of the session. Through the interaction of practitioner and client new and improved modes of movement, action and thought can be discovered. ” -Source: Mark Keogh,
Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy , 2006
“The practitioner guides the student with his/her hands, skillfully finding the areas which are the most neglected in the student’s movement patterns. These areas are often missing from the student’s internal image of herself and the movements she makes. Through touch, these areas can “wake up” and become available to the student. ” -Boston Feldenkrais® Center
You can call your local or nearest chapter to get more information (Feldenkrais®) Article: Trying the Feldenkrais method for chronic pain, NY Times article.
The “Bates method” for eye health
If you haven’t, it’s over 120 years old. Aldoux Huxley repaired his vision with it without any drugs or corrective prescriptions at the age of 45.
This method involves palming, sunning, swings and the sway, according to Bates Method International.