The Lydian Center for Innovative Medicine :: Cambridge, Massachusetts :: Services

What is the Feldenkrais Method®?

The Feldenkrais Method of somatic education is a process of learning that improves both physical and mental functioning through the exploration of body movement patterns and the use of attention. Moshe Feldenkrais D.Sc. (1904-1984), the founder of the method was a mechanical and electrical engineer, world-renowned physicist, and judo expert. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of these fields as well as linguistics, biology, early childhood development and athletics, Dr. Feldenkrais avoided knee surgery and taught himself to walk without pain after a severe injury.

"What I'm after isn't flexible bodies but flexible brains…the aim is to make the impossible possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant." -Moshe Feldenkrais

Who benefits?

The Feldenkrais Method is for anyone (children and adults) who wants to reconnect with their natural abilities to move, think and feel. It helps people of all ages discover new options to move with less effort and/or pain, and with improved function. Whether you want to be more comfortable sitting at the computer, playing an instrument, or learning to crawl or walk, these gentle movements can improve coordination, balance and performance.

People who come to Feldenkrais Method lessons are referred to as students because learning underlines the basis of the method. No matter what issue a student brings to the lesson, new options are discovered to move with less effort making daily life easier.

How does it work?

There are two modalities of learning: Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration, both of which are safe and easy, inviting participants to move in only pain free ranges of motion. Students are recommended to wear loose comfortable clothing to both types of lessons.

Awareness Through Movement®

In Awareness Through Movement classes, the teacher verbally guides the students through a series of gentle movements that are designed to help the student become more aware of easier options for movement. Lessons are based on developmental movements like rolling and crawling; or juxtaposed positions, like from lying to sitting. As students learn to let go of limiting habits they soon discover new-found possibilities for walking, sitting, breathing and improved function in any activity. After participating in class, students often express feeling taller, relaxed and thinking more clearly. The learning process is full of pleasant surprises and personal breakthroughs, and the lessons are slow, self paced and pain free.

Functional Integration®

A Functional Integration is a one-to-one, hands-on lesson specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of the student. Practitioners, primarily through the use of their hands, guide students to new options for easier movement and function. The quality of touch is noninvasive, and interactive in nature. Students usually lie or sit, and are comfortably dressed. The horizontal position is optimal to reduce the influence of gravity on the body, thereby freeing the nervous system from typical constraints. This, in turn, allows the student to be more receptive to the potential for change and growth.

How is Lauri's Practice Different?

Lauri's Feldenkrais Method practice is greatly influenced by her Occupational Therapy skills. Lauri has worked as an Occupational Therapist for 20 years in a variety hospital, school and camp settings with children and adults. Both disciplines work with the sensory motor system, and the goal of both disciplines is to facilitate improved functional skills. By combining these two complimentary disciplines, Lauri is better able to serve her clients by facilitating a greater awareness and integration of their bodies.

When working in the public school systems, Lauri was eager to share her Feldenkrais knowledge with teachers and students in order to facilitate multisensory learning in the classroom. The Feldenkrais Method is particularly good for teaching awareness of the 3 hidden senses often discussed by Occupational Therapists: proprioception (body in space), kinesthesia ( movement through space) and vestibular ( balance ). Lauri has designed several workshops for teachers, parents, and students which have been well received at schools and conferences across Massachusetts.