Whether you were born with a neurological issue or developed one later, the Feldenkrais Method can help you improve your function. Learning through movement is possible even after a neurological diagnosis. We know this because of the phenomenon known as neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity refers to the nervous system’s ability to adapt and reorganise. Through gentle, structured movement exploration, the Feldenkrais Method works with this natural capacity for learning. Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, lessons support improved coordination, balance and functional movement in everyday life.
A Feldenkrais practitioner will work with you as a whole person who has the capacity to learn and grow. They will not focus on what you may have lost, correct you, or tell you how you should be.
They will help you to map out more and more of yourself so that you can expand what we refer to as your ‘self-image’. You will be helped to move beyond your restrictions, discover new ideas and employ new strategies.
This learning-based approach distinguishes Feldenkrais from corrective or prescriptive models. By exploring movement slowly and with attention, many people living with neurological conditions discover new options for balance, coordination and ease.
You will develop your curiosity and notice more about the way you do things. These abilities will help you improve whatever daily functions are important to you. That could be balance, breathing, walking, getting up from a chair, turning over in bed, bathing, running or swimming.
Feldenkrais lessons often explore functional movements such as gait, posture, reaching and turning. By refining how you organise these actions, you may experience smoother transitions, improved stability and greater confidence in daily activities.
With regular sessions you will develop resilience so you may recover faster, experience fewer troublesome symptoms such as pain, fatigue, spasticity, freezing or falling.
The Feldenkrais Method is not a medical treatment, and practitioners do not diagnose or prescribe. Many people choose to explore Feldenkrais alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy or medical care, using movement learning to complement their existing support.
Feldenkrais practitioners work with those living with a wide range of neurological conditions. These include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, stroke and cerebral palsy.
Lessons can be adapted to suit different levels of mobility and energy. Whether working in a group Awareness Through Movement® class or an individual Functional Integration® session, practitioners tailor the process to the person in front of them.
I am 68 & have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease for 18 years. This is managed by medication but also, most importantly, by movement which gives me a feeling of control.
The Feldenkrais method… allows experimentation of movement to happen without effort. It helps me maintain my mobility & balance & can be practised anywhere throughout the day…
There is absolutely no competitive element & no need to over-exert yourself or compare with others. It gives you time to focus on your own movement & to feel the changes you can experience during the session which can be illuminating
Jane T