Educational Videos

• This lecture by Dr. Feldenkrais, "Biology & Posture, Part 1 " is from a workshop he conducted in Toronto. The video is courtesy of Feldenkrais Resources. In it Dr. Feldenkrais talks about the ingredients of posture, and the comments on the misunderstanding of posture as a static position, rather than a constantly changing dynamic state.
• This Video Introduction to the Feldenkrais Method, called Movement Nature Meant by Feldenkrais Trainer Ruthy Alon, demonstrates the marvelous supple flexibility that can be attained using Feldenkrais.
• This video segement visits the 2001 Feldenkrais Training Program directed by David Zemach-Bersin.

• This video was produced by the Feldenkrais Educational Foundation of North America. The full video is 9 minutes and 49 seconds. A high-speed internet video connection (cable or DSL) is recommended.

• To date, there hasn't been an overarching theory of how the human brain really works, Jeff Hawkins argues in this compelling talk. That's because we still haven't defined intelligence accurately. But one thing's for sure, he says: The brain isn't like a powerful computer processor. It's more like a memory system that records everything we experience and helps us predict, intelligently, what will happen next.
• Susan Savage-Rumbaugh asks whether uniquely human traits, and other animals' behaviors, are hardwired by species. Then she rolls a video that makes you think: maybe not. The bonobo apes she works with understand spoken English. One follows her instructions to take a cigarette lighter from her pocket and use it to start a fire. Bonobos are shown making tools, drawing symbols to communicate, and playing Pac-Man -- all tasks learned just by watching. Maybe it's not always biology that causes a species to act as it does, she suggests. Maybe it's cultural exposure to how things are done.

Articles

• "Exercise Method Puts Therapy in Motion", TheStreet.com, by Penelope Dane (July 5, 2007)
• "Practicing the Feldenkrais Method", Backstage Magazine interview with David Zemach-Bersin (June 14, 2007)
• "Method Aims to Ease Back Pain, Join Pain and Gain Body Awareness", (Bergen County Record, 6/5/07)
• "New Help for Aging, Creaky, Yuppy Bodies" Norman Doidge, MD (National Post, Canada, 1999)

Press Releases

• 5/14/07 .pdf: Summer Introduction to Feldenkrais Method Workshops, lead by Co-Director David Zemach-Bersin.
• 4/19/07 (.pdf): Free Evenings & Weekly Classes spark community buzz.
• 2/20/07 (.pdf): Institute Enters mainstream with weekly public classes, and introductory workshops.
• 12/20/06 (.pdf) : Feldenkrais Classes at the new Feldenkrais Institute of NY

Acclaim

• "Feldenkrais has studied the body in movement with a precision that I have found nowhere else." — Peter Brook, Film and Stage Director
• "The Feldenkrais Method is a remarkable, quick, and effective way to alleviate muscular tension and discomforts." — James Rice, M.D.
• "Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais’ method will be of great benefit to all of humanity. From my own experience I know the remarkable results achieved." — David Ben-Gurion, First Prime Minister of Israel
• "I have long been intrigued by this subtle form of retraining the nervous system, which I recommend to patients whose movement has been restricted by injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, fibromyalgia, or chronic pain. I find it to be much more useful than standard physical therapy. I also believe that the Feldenkrais Method can help older people achieve greater range of motion and flexibility, and help all of us feel more comfortable in our bodies." — Andrew Weil, M.D., Author of ‘Spontaneous Healing’ and ‘Natural Health, Natural Medicine’
• "After just a few moments of the Feldenkrais exercises, people often find themselves, as if by magic, easily doing things with their bodies that they never thought possible." — New Age Magazine
• "The Feldenkrais exercises are ingenious." — Yehudi Menuhin, Famed Violinist
• "My son was severely neurologically injured in an athletic accident. David Zemach-Bersin was able to do what no one else could do. I have witnessed the benefits of the Feldenkrais Method and the results are amazing. I now have my healthy normal child again." — Myra Baltra, Bensalem, PA
• "I can't say enough good things about the Feldenkrais Method. I believe its made the difference between continuing my competitive running career and retiring prematurely." — Chris Boyd, 1992 US Track National Champion (5,000 meters)"
• "Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais has developed a system that is many years ahead of conventional medical understanding. Following the program with Feldenkrais, patients showed significant improvement in their levels of pain, decreased numbers of medications, and increased quality of life." — Martin Rossman, M.D., Author. American Journal of Pain Management (January 1999)
• "The Feldenkrais Method has allowed me to play pain free golf, without worrying about injury." — Duffy Waldorf, PGA Tour Golfer

Research

There is a growing body of research to support the efficacy of the Feldenkrais Method. In addition to the many case studies that contain detailed information about the interventions used with individuals, a number of recent studies incorporating larger groups, more effective methods, and random assignment control have been conducted. The following represent some of the three dozen studies included in “Complementary Therapies in Rehabilitation” (Slack Incorporated. Thorofare, NJ 2004), Chapter 12, written by James Stephens, PT, PhD., CFP and Teresa M. MillerFT.), PT, MS, CFT. (Information provided by the Feldenkrais Guild of North America. Download the complete .pdf)

PAIN MANAGEMENT

• In a study of 97 auto workers in Sweden, significant decreases in complaints of neck and shoulder pain were found in the group receiving Feldenkrais Method compared to a group randomly assigned physical therapy and a control group. (Lundblad, et al. Randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy and Feldenkrais® interventions in female workers with neck-shoulder complaints. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 1999;9(3):179-94.)
• Following an 8- week intensive Feldenkrais intervention, a group of seven chronic pain patients found – one year later – a reduction in use of pain medicine along with large decreases in pain perception, with a 40% reduction in the cost of medical care. (Bearman et al. Feldenkrais method in the treatment of chronic pain: a study of efficacy and cost effectiveness. American Journal of Pain Management. 1999;9(1):22-27.)
• The Feldenkrais Method helped to reduce pain and improve function in 34 chronic pain patients, who continued to independently incorporate what they learned 2 years after the study. (Phipps, et al. A functional outcome study on the use of movement re-education in chronic pain management. (unpublished master’s thesis). Forest Grove, Ore; Pacific University, School of Physical Therapy; 1997.)

MOTOR & POSTURAL CONTROL, FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY

• A random controlled follow-up study with people with multiple sclerosis showed improved balance and balance confidence. (Stephens et al. Use of Awareness Through Movement® improves balance and balance confidence in people with multiple sclerosis: a random controlled study. Neurology Report. 2001;25(2): 39-49.)
• Randomly dividing 59 elderly women into three groups, Hall et al found improvements in the group receiving ten weeks of Feldenkrais lessons measured by the activities of daily living score, Timed Up and Go, and Berg balance assessment. (Hall et al. Study of the effects of various forms of exercise on balance in older women (unpublished manuscript). Healthway Starter Grant, File #7672, Dept of Rehabilitation, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia; 1999.)

PSYCHOLOGY & QUALITY OF LIFE

• In a randomly assigned, crossover design study involving 20 people with multiple sclerosis, a significant decrease in perceived stress and anxiety was found following Feldenkrais sessions. (Johnson, et al. A controlled investigation of bodywork in multiple sclerosis. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1999;5(3):237-43.)
• In a matched, control group study of 30 patients, all young women with eating disorders, outcomes were measured using standardized psychological testing following a 9- hour Feldenkrais course. Results included an improved level of acceptance of the body, decreased feelings of helplessness, and increased self-confidence. (Laumer et al. Therapeutic effects of Feldenkrais Method® Awareness Through Movement® in patients with eating disorders. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 1997;47(5):170-180.)