Benefits of The Feldenkrais Method

Awareness Through Movement and its hands-off, non-invasive techniques is sometimes used by psychotherapists (who are also Feldenkrais practitioners) as part of body centered psychotherapy. There are two obvious benefits from using The Method in this way: First, Feldenkrais facilitates the release of emotions that are stored in the body. This effect often manifests as intense dreams, emotional upheaval, and spontaneous thoughts and associations which may facilitate insight based psychotherapy. Second, the increased somatic self awareness learned in the lessons may be helpful to people who lack somatic awareness as is typical of eating and dissociative disorders.

Another common use of The Method is to fine tune the bodies of athletes. The Feldenkrais Method often results in improved athletic performance in golfers, Olympic athletes, dancers, and martial artists, to name a few. Athletes who have received Feldenkrais work often report improved smoothness of movement, improved timing, and increased speed and ease.

The Feldenkrais Method is also commonly used to improve body functioning after physical trauma. In this setting physical therapists (who are also Feldenkrais practitioners) and independent Feldenkrais practitioners work in hospitals and other rehab facilities to improve functioning and relieve pain. Feldenkrais is often beneficial for such conditions as MS, CP, RSI (Repeatitive Stress Injury, such as "carpel tunnel" and others), stroke, accidental trauma, and other sensory-motor conditions. Ralph Strauch, a Los Angeles based Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, offers the best online presentation of Feldenkrais and RSI I've seen.


Meditation, The Feldenkrais Method, and other Alternative Paths
http://www.alternative-medicine.net