Train your nervous system with the Feldenkrias method for muscle control

Today I am going to continue our discussion on modalities that train the nervous system and teach you how to use your muscles more efficiently.  My topic today is specifically about the Feldenkrais method. If you have not seen my previous blog on the impact and difference of training the nervous system vs muscular system then you can read about it here.

I first heard of Feldenkrais while attending a weekend seminar in Toronto on Neurophysiology.   The presenter provided Feldenkrais as an example of the application of neuroplasticity in the human body.  I was so intrigued by this idea that when I returned home to Washington D.C., I researched Feldenkrais online and read some books about him. While I did learn more about the background of Feldenkrais and his theory, I didn’t get a real understanding of his theory that time. Luckily, I discovered that a workshop was being held on Feldenkrais in a few weeks not far from me.  I penciled the date on my calendar.

Around the same time I began to explore Tai Chi push hands.  I’d been doing Tai Chi for years but had never really got into the practical application of the art, instead focusing on the health aspect. When I arrived at the push hand group, I noticed all sorts of style and lots of non Tai Chi type movements. In some cases, it looked more like a wrestling match than Tai Chi.

However, there were two people that really impressed me. When I saw them push, it seemed effortless and I could see their opponent just fall off balance.  I finally had a chance to push with one of the men who was called Tyler. In doing so, I knew my eyes had not deceived me. There was a totally different quality in Tyler’s movement and push.

Tyler would allow me to push him to the point where he was totally off balance and then without any effort, come back from that position and push me off balance. Most impressively, he did this without speed. In fact, he used slow deliberate movements, but there was nothing I could do to counter the push. I’ve seen people with incredible skill in my time, so it takes a lot to impress me. I was impressed with Tyler. I had never experienced anything quite like this.

Afterward, we chatted for a while and I soon discovered he was a Feldenkrais practioner.  That was all I needed to know. I attended the Feldenkrais workshop the next week and soon after signed up for their four year training program.

I learned that the Feldenkrais Method was named after Moeshe Feldenkrais; an engineer, physicist, and Judo master.  He developed this method to rehabilitate his knee after an injury.  Through his research and also his trial and error methods, Feldenkrais taught himself to retrain his nervous system so he could reorganize his body and walk without knee pain.  His theory was that by directing a person’s awareness, he could teach the nervous system and make changes to the body instantly.  He eventually began to teach this method to others using verbal and physical cues.

During the workshop, I experienced an awareness through movement lesson (ATM) where the way I use my muscles was totally transformed through small gentle movements. I felt an ease in movement, reduction in tightness, and my body felt light almost as it was floating.  Many people in the workshop who were pain also reported that the pain significantly decreased or was eliminated completely.

Eventually Feldenkrais’ system of teaching was formalized into Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons and Functional Integration (FI) lessons. In an ATM lesson, a Feldenkrais practioner would instruct people verbally and direct their movement and awareness so their body could learn new options and ways to move. In a Functional Integration lesson, the practioner would rely more on tactile sensation to direct the student’s awareness which would result in teaching the student how to coordinate and use his muscles differently to get out of pain, move better, and work together.

I am currently in year two of the four year Feldenkrais training program. I can now say I have used Feldenkrais techniques to help people overcome various physical challenges.

You can learn more about the Feldenkrais method by visiting this link:  http://www.feldenkrais.com/

For a simple movement to learn how to sit more comfortable, you can visit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtCnFWtWxyM

Stay tuned next week when I continue our discussion on other modalities I’ve come across that allow you to make quick and significant improvements to your body by training the nervous system.

Thanks for reading,
Check back soon,
Derick