“The system developed by Dr. Feldenkrais has as much potential for understanding the mind/body relationship as Einstein’s general theory of relativity had for physics” — Bernard Lake, M.D.
“Movement is life, life is a process. Improve the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself.” — Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais
Moshé Feldenkrais, D.Sc. (1904-1984)
In a career of scientific and creative genius, Moshé Feldenkrais developed a method that connects learning with human health and function.
A distinguished physicist, engineer and scientist, Dr. Feldenkrais worked for many years with Nobel Prize Laureate Fréderic Joliot-Curie at the Curie Institute in Paris, France. Feldenkrais also became the first European to earn a black belt in judo—studying with the Jiguro Kano, the founder of modern judo. Feldenkrais was also a sought after judo instructor, later helping to establish the Judo Club of France.
During his life Dr. Feldenkrais suffered several debilitating knee injuries. After a poor surgical prognosis and the failure of other medical treatments, Feldenkrais was forced to rely on himself. In his progress, he discovered a profound relationship between self-awareness, learning and movement that led him to a full recovery.
Dr. Feldenkrais used his rigorous background in physics, engineering and martial arts to create hundreds of lessons that improve human function. His method has helped thousands of people—many of them previously labeled “hopeless cases”—to improve not only their health and physical functioning, but also their self image and well being.
Dr. Feldenkrais’ insights continue to be confirmed by the latest research in the fields of medicine, neurophysiology and education.
[Read the article "Science and the Feldenkrais Method", about how movement scientists, researches and Feldenkrais practitioners discovered much common ground in a recent Paris Symposium—by Deborah Bowes, PT, GCFP, and Cliff Smyth, GCFP.]
Books by Dr. Feldenkrais
(available from Feldenkrais Resources)
New York: Harper & Row, 1985.
The Master Moves
Cupertino, CA: Meta Publications, 1984.
The Elusive Obvious
Cupertino, CA: Meta Publications, 1981.
Body Awareness as Healing Therapy: The Case of Nora
Berkeley, CA: Frog Press/Somatic Resources, 1977, 1994.
Awareness Through Movement: Health Exercises for Personal Growth
New York: Harper Collins, 1972.
Higher Judo: Groundwork
New York: Frederick Warne & Co., 1952.
Body and Mature Behavior: A Study of Anxiety, Sex, Gravitation and Learning
New York: International Universities Press, 1950, 1980.
Judo: The Art of Defense and Attack
New York: Frederick Warne & Co., 1944, 1967