Training Format
Learning Approaches
The following sections will explain the teaching
and learning approaches which will be utilized in the training program.
These include Awareness
Through Movement lessons, Functional
Integration lessons, small group work, discussions, lectures, supervision,
assigned readings and study groups.
Awareness Through Movement®
(ATM)
Throughout the training, you will experience an extraordinary variety of
lessons, including; simple yet powerful lessons, intricate lessons with
an extended and interwoven structure, and lessons for specific problems
or groups of people. The core lessons will be drawn from the professional
training programs that Dr. Feldenkrais conducted and from classes he taught
in Israel. As Awareness Through Movement is a ‘living form’,
you will also enjoy new lessons created by David Zemach-Bersin and other
faculty. We emphasize ATM for personal growth and development throughout
the entire program.
Functional Integration®
(FI)
As part of your training program experience, you will receive three to four
private Functional Integration lessons each year from members of the faculty
or invited Feldenkrais Practitioners. If you wish, you will be able
to arrange for supplemental lessons. You will also have the opportunity
to observe lessons given during class, lessons given before and after class,
and videotapes of Moshe Feldenkrais and others giving lessons to adults
and children with various physical challenges.
We begin teaching basic touch and contact skills from the beginning of the program, emphasizing the development of sensing abilities and “seeing with the hands.” Throughout the program you will refine your tactile and kinesthetic acuity, gradually developing your skills by practicing with one another and in supervised situations. By the end of the program you will have an understanding of the structure and syntax of FI, so that you can create FI lessons to help others.
Small Groups
We sometines work in small groups to foster
your learning from the training staff in an intimate and personalized context
and to facilitate the process of learning in collaboration with your fellow
students. We are committed to creating a constructive atmosphere, where
all students can speak and be heard. By drawing on the different skills
and backgrounds that each participant brings, the training will be a rich
place for cooperative learning.
Lectures and Class Discussions
Trainers, Assistant Trainers, and guest lecturers
will discuss the background of the Feldenkrais Method and how current areas
of knowledge relate to the method. You will learn about how Moshe Feldenkrais
developed the method and about the historic, philosophical, and scientific
basis of his thinking and work. We will bridge the gap between reading materials
and your class experiences, make connections between ideas and devise ways
to put those connections into action.
To help you understand how the Feldenkrais Method relates to prevailing
ideas, the curriculum may include talks by teachers or guest lecturers in
the areas of:
Anatomy & Kinesiology
Infant Motor Development
Dynamic Systems Theory
Neurobiology
Learning Theory
Embodied Cognition
Communication Skills
Dance & Martial Arts
Movement Analysis
Study Groups & Assignments
The training is designed to facilitate your
continuous learning. To deepen your understanding of the Feldenkrais Method
you will be asked to read selected texts. We will facilitate the formation
of local and non-local study groups for between-session learning and support.
While not required, these groups can be an important part of the learning
process, and a rich, dynamic part of the training.
