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The Training Program Process
The Feldenkrais Method Training Program provides
an atmosphere which encourages each student’s development in a non-competitive
and supportive environ There will be no rote learning and each student
will progress naturally at their own rate and in their own style. Using
a holistic approach to learning, each student will master techniques and
practices for both personal benefit and professional applications, and will
gain the knowledge, self-understanding, and skills necessary to become an
outstanding Feldenkrais Practiti The training program is designed to
create an environment in which students will ‘embody’ a deep
personal understanding of Functional
Integration and Awareness
Through Movement. Essential to the study of
the Feldenkrais Method is the experience of “learning how to learn.”
THE CURRICULUM
Our Feldenkrais Method Training Programs meet for 800 hours, over 160 days
for a period of 3 1/2 years. The curriculum is divided into four separate
years.
The First Year
The first year of the Feldenkrais Method Training Program will immerse you
in all aspects of the Feldenkrais M Daily ATM
lessons, at least three private FI
lessons, lectures, demonstrations, theoretical discussions and hands-on
work with other students will give you a well rounded foundation for personal
learning, growth and understanding. Fundamental ideas from learning theory,
physics, kinesiology, motor development, anatomy and neurophysiology will
be introduced in the context of different learning activities. You will
begin to develop your own sensory acuity and the initial sensing, self-organization
and observation skills required in Functional
Integration
The Second Year
The second year will address in depth the structure and function of both
ATM and FI les For example, you will learn how to analyze the
structure and logic of different lessons and how to distinguish the essential
elements of a le At the end of the second year, most students
will be authorized to teach ATM classes to the public, if they wish to.
To prepare you for teaching ATM, the implicit structure and pattern of lessons
will be made evi All aspects of teaching ATM will be covered
and you will have opportunities to practice under supportive superv
While learning on ourselves, you will begin to recognize fundamental functional
configurations and learn how to incorporate these observations into FI and
FI practice will be used to help give you an inner understanding
of ATM les As your embodied experience deepens, your personal
growth and development will continue. 8 Faculty Member Elizabeth Beringer
with students.
The Third Year
In the third year, your self-growth will still be a focus, but you will
now further develop the technical skills, touch, sensory acuity and understanding
required to give Functional Integration les Through the ‘cross
fertilization’ of FI and ATM, your depth of understanding and skill
will incr You will be able to watch FI lessons given to clients
with a broad range of physical problems and begin to develop a sense for
the ‘artistic’ elements i The underlying dynamics
common to both FI and ATM will constantly be reinf We will explore
the application of Functional Integration to special groups such as; children
with motor development issues, musicians, athletes, adults with neurological
problems or chronic pain, You will learn FI strategies to interrupt
habitual muscular patterns, take over the work of the muscles, and elicit
basic functional and developmental patterns.
The Fourth Year
The fourth year continues all the themes presented in the previous years.
You will develop greater confidence with all aspects of the Feldenkrais
Method and find ‘all the pieces coming together’. You will learn
how to perceive and analyze individual movement patterns, understand the
dynamics of learning, construct meaningful learning situations for others,
and develop FI lessons in various situations such as sitting, standing,
walking, kneeling, lying, etc. As you continue to learn and your understanding
of function, movement development and learning deepens, your ability to
help people with difficulties will inc In supportive, supervised
situations, you will work with clients with varying degrees of difficulties
from outside the trai We will discuss how to coordinate and begin
a professional practice, and address ethical is The ATM themes
in the fourth year will be very rich and will give you a lasting grasp on
the power, beauty and personal satisfaction possible through the Feldenkrais
Method.
