All about The Feldenkrais method

Put years of sloppy posture behind you with the Feldenkrais method.

As more of us become aware of the importance of good posture for good health, programmes such as the Alexander technique - and its lesser-known relation, the Feldenkrais method - are growing in popularity.

The latter of these, developed more than 50 years ago by Russian engineer Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, aims to iron out aches and pains and get people moving again by improving their mobility and range of movement.

How did it all start? After suffering crippling knee injuries from a football match and a road accident, Dr. Feldenkrais drew on his own engineering and Judo skills to teach himself to walk again. It worked, and he soon set out to help others.

Dr Feldenkrais quickly realised that most people are unaware of how they hold their bodies, and often poor posture contributes to stiffness or lack of mobility. By guiding his students through slow, gentle exercises, Dr Feldenkrais found his pupils became more aware of how body parts worked together as opposed to independently. For example, a move as simple as turning your head to one side engages your neck, spine and legs because it changes the overall positioning of your body. Leaving your head turned for an extended period of time can put strain on these other muscles, and knowing this can help you become aware of how you sit, stand and walk, so that you strive for constant alignment and alleviate minor aches and pains.