Why Feldenkrais?
1. Your brain gets better, too.
Research is showing how your brain changes as it learns. Scientists call it “neuroplasticity” — the brain’s extraordinary ability to acquire more efficient patterns of movement and function if given the right environment. Nothing creates that environment like The Feldenkrais Method. Feldenkrais generates the precise conditions that access the intelligence of your nervous system, so you can learn and function at your best.
- Eliminate aches, pains and discomfort: Discover the safe and easy way to feel better. Renew and restore your body any time you want without stretching or boring workouts.
- Move Smarter: Recover from injuries faster and keep old injuries from recurring. Understand how the whole body participates in the process of recovery and prevention.
- Gain Effortless Posture:Learn to move easily in gravity and be upright with minimum effort and maximum skeletal support.
- Sleep Sounder, Deeper: Better relaxation means better repair. Teach your body to rest well, and it will serve you your whole life.
- Improve the Basics: Sit, stand and walk with dynamic balance and poise that moves with you.
- Achieve Higher Performance: Incorporate the neurological advantages and sensory skills used by top musicians, dancers, actors and athletes.
- Feldenkrais is easy: The lessons use simple, everyday words, the touch is gentle and communicative, and you’re encouraged to attend to your comfort and reduce unnecessary effort. The old saying “no pain, no gain” creates noise for the nervous system and strain for your body. It should be retired from your vocabulary, and we can show you how.
- Feldenkrais is effective: Feldenkrais has developed a reputation for helping people where nothing else could. But you don’t need to be injured or frustrated to benefit. We also work with musicians, dancers and athletes who want to improve their performance. The method’s effectiveness comes from its sound application of principles of physics and physiology, learning theory, psychology and brain science. To hear what people are saying, read our acclaim page.
- Feldenkrais is safe: People with pain or other physical conditions and elder citizens often shy away from many forms of treatment or exercise, where they don’t know what to expect or what will be expected of them. With Feldenkrais, movements are performed slowly with plenty of time for rests in between, and you’re encouraged to avoid mechanical, mindless repetition—the precursor to many an injury. One of the fundamental skills the method teaches you is how to monitor and control your movements to keep things within a safe, easy range—the range where the curiosity, learning and improvement can emerge.
- Feldenkrais works fast: While everyone learns at a different rate, with Feldenkrais you won’t have to wait weeks or months to feel changes. Many people notice significant improvements during their first class or individual lesson.
- Feldenkrais makes you smarter: Many of the habitual movement choices we make (how we sit, stand, walk, turn, bend) seem automatic—just part of “who we are”. In fact, many of these habits grew in our early years, under less-than optimal conditions, and without the benefit of choice or further examination. Studies on learning show that people learn better and faster when they’re guided towards the specific sensations to look for, rather than merely given instructions on “how to move”. The Feldenkrais Method will teach you how to investigate, recognize and discriminate the sensations of unnecessary effort. You’ll make better choices and improve your physical intelligence. You’ll move smarter!
- Feldenkrais is flexible: There are hundreds of different Feldenkrais lessons and strategies, and every one of them can be modified and adapted to best suit your comfort and ability. Whether in FI or ATM, your brain learns best when you work within the range of movement that is easy for you. Here your brain is more available to make the sensory distinctions that lead to improvement and health. In fact, your comfort and your ability to attend to it is one of the most important ingredients in learning and improvement.
- Feldenkrais helps you understand your movement: People appreciate that pain can limit movement. But many fail to understand that how you move can actually create pain where there was none. Because our culture often discourages our learning and skill development past a certain point, many people develop a distorted image of their own health and function until injury and aggravation are the norm. With Feldenkrais you can relearn and clarify many of the fundamental patterns of action we rely on every day. And you’ll learn what it means to embody concepts like balance, flexibility, strength and poise.
- Feldenkrais is fun: One of the top complaints from people who hate to exercise is: “it’s boring”. The Feldenkrais Method exploits the fact that your nervous system is attracted to novel sensations. Dr. Feldenkrais designed Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration to use non-habitual movement patterns containing subtlety, variation and mindfulness to restore vitality and function. Feldenkrais connects your movement and attention with health and improvement.
Ongoing Public Classes
All classes are drop-in. Get your first two classes for the price of one!
Drop-in for $20
6 class card for $90 (save 25%)
12 class card for $144 (save 40%)
20 class card for $200 (save 50%)
Members receive FREE unlimited classes
We recommend loose, comfortable clothing.
Mats, pads are provided. MC/VISA accepted.
Call (212) 727-1014
Up Next at the Institute
The Abs
– Tue, Feb 9th
Feldenkrais for the Cold & Flu Season
– Tue, Feb 23
Freeing the Jaw and Neck
– Tue, Mar 9
Just to let you know how much Feldenkrais has been helping me, it's been incredible. Aside from the physical benefits (and there has been significant improvement), it serves as a complete release of physical, mental and emotional tension. It helps me deal with the stress going on in my life; gives me the energy to persevere. Thanks!
- Ann Barlaz, M.Ed.
Individual Sessions
The most direct way to benefit from Feldenkrais is to work privately with one of our highly skilled practitioners. In Functional Integration lessons, the work is tailored specifically to your needs, the touch is gentle and communicative, and your comfort is respected. Call 212-727-1014 for an appointment.
Featured Products
6-Class ATM Card - Service
The Grammar of Spontaneity, Vol. 2 - CD
The Grammar of Spontaneity, Vol. 1 - CD
Relaxercise - CD
Relaxercise - Book
Introduction to the Feldenkrais Method - CD
Focus on the Knees & Ankles - CD
Awareness Through Movement - Book
Latest Blog Posts
The Importance of the Knees
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“Can Running Actually Help Your Knees?”
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“Learning His Body, Learning to Dance”
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Federer’s Footwork Illustrates Feldenkrais Principles
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Travel Arrangements and Overnight Stays in NY
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The Feldenkrais Method has given me the ability to do things in tennis I never could do before and has relieved my body of the pain accumulated from over twenty years of competitive playing.
- Tony Trear, Tennis Teaching Pro and Ex-Pro Player