Next month, to mark International Feldenkrais Week, the week of Moshe Feldenkrais’ birthday, the UK Guild will launch a new series of free online Awareness Through Movement (ATM) recordings and some free and reduced-rate in-person activities across the country.
Eight ATM lessons focusing on the theme of BALANCE, will be available to listen to on the Guild website and will be released on a daily basis between 6 and 13 May. Recordings are by teachers Garet Newell; Yeu-Meng Chan; Sophie Arditti; Sabine Blackaby; Alan Caig Wilson; Juliana Brustik; Lars Fischer; Caroline Scott.
During this week Feldenkrais UK is also sponsoring practitioners who are offering free or reduced cost Introductory Feldenkrais workshops. These will be taking place in different locations in: London, Hertfordshire, Somerset, West Midlands, East Sussex, and Devon, as well as online. Feldenkrais for Musicians are also offering a series of short online lessons at 1pm each day. Everyone is welcome!
The theme for this year’s recordings and activities is BALANCE. A feeling of stability, whether physical or psychological, is what helps us be more resilient and prepared for life’s challenges. From the moment that, as infants, we begin to move independently, we are learning that balance is not a fixed point but a process of continual adjustment based on what our senses are telling us. The ground may be uneven, a gust of wind might topple us, a loud noise could startle us. And those are only the external factors!
You can read more about how Feldenkrais improves mobility and balance in this research study.
Each of the eight audio lessons featured during IFW will bring awareness to the subtle shifts in our movement that enable us to find improved stability. Sitting, standing, or lying down, we will explore again some of the earliest discoveries we may have made about how to manage gravity.
IFW recordings and activities have been coordinated by guild committee members Roberta Perlman, Ian Brener and Rebecca Meitlis. Mo Johnson will be curating the IFW campaign across our social media.
Here is a list of locations and times for the workshops being run across the country. Look out for articles and other events about International Feldenkrais Week on the Guild’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Ana Stojadinovic will offer a workshop called ‘Balancing act’, which will include an introduction to the method and the person, Dr Feldenkrais, followed by two Awareness Through Movement lessons on the theme of balance in action.
Primrose Hill Community Hall, NW1 8TN on Sunday 11 May, 1.30-3.30pm. Email feldenkraiswithana@gmail.com
(Donation only – pay £10 or less)
Ana is also offering ‘Functional Integration’ (one to one lessons) at The Gestalt Centre, London NW1 0PT, with an IFW offer of 40% off the usual rate – £60 per session for bookings made in May.
Alex Frazier will be leading a ‘Relaxation and Feldenkrais’ workshop on Wednesday 7 May at 7pm for £10.
Suitable for anyone who would like to experience the Feldenkrais Method and for those with a interest in relaxation and stress relief.
At 78 Haverstock Hill, Belsize Park, London NW3 2BE
Alex is also offering ‘Functional Integration’ (one to one lessons) at NW3 & NW5 , with an IFW offer of 40% off the usual rate – £60 per session for bookings made in May.
Contact alexandriafrazier@gmail.com or 07714 096 475 for information
Rainer Knupp and Anne Taylor will be hosting a workshop, ‘Improve your Balance’. Through differentiated movements of the upper and lower body in twisting, students develop greater awareness of coordination and enhance their support through the feet.
Saturday 3 May, 2-4pm, at Mycenae House Community Centre, London SE3 7SE. Email rainerkarl390@gmail.com
Zoë Elvin will lead a workshop, ‘Balance in motion’. As part of International Feldenkrais Week, come and experience how the Feldenkrais Method can change the way you feel and move, through gentle exploration. All welcome – newcomers and experienced Feldenkrais movers alike!
Saturday 10 May, 2-4pm at Oru Space, East Dulwich SE22 8HN. Email info@zepilates.com
Cath Greenwood will lead a workshop on the theme of ‘Balance’ on Sunday 11 May, 10am-12pm at Zen Yoga, 24a Camberwell Grove, London SE5 8RE. Email cathgreenwood@me.com
Lars Fischer, Joe Reynolds and Alice Laidler will be offering a series of 45-minute ATM classes and FI sessions exploring various aspects of balance. Starting every hour between 12-5pm.
‘Subsidised Bodywork and Movement Classes for mind-body balance’, Moving Pieces Studio, 60A Weston St, London SE1 3QJ
Sunday 11 May, 12-5pm. Book here: https://londonfeldenkraiscollective.as.me/ifw2025 and use the discount codes “ATM2025” and “FI2025”!
Jenny Hill is offering a workshop, ‘On Balance: An Introduction to the Feldenkrais Method’
Saturday 10 May, 1 – 3pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Putney, SW15 1SN
A talk, movement lessons and refreshments.
Email: jennyhiillnz@yahoo.co.uk
Jackie Adkins, Ed Bartram, Heather Stone and Leonora Oppenheim will be offering a FREE International Feldenkrais Week special event on Wednesday 7 May, 2-6pm at RISE, Wittox Lane, Frome. Each teacher will lead a lesson on the theme of ‘Balance’. Free to attend, but booking is requested. Please bring a mat/blanket to lie on. Info: www.movetolive.uk.
Matthias Wurz and Hajnalka Varadi will lead a workshop, ‘Balance Yourself & Balance Your Life with the Feldenkrais Method’. This three-hour workshop offers a hands-on introduction to the Feldenkrais Method, open to anyone who faces challenges in their everyday balance, or simply would like to improve mobility.
This session will consist of Awareness Through Movement (ATM) group classes, either lying on the floor or seated. During the workshop, you will have the opportunity for a 30-minute one-to-one Functional Integration (FI) lesson to address any specific issues. There are four slots available.
Thursday 8 May, 1-4 pm
Christ Church – The Jubilee Room, Church Road, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton WV6 8NQ
Tickets: £15 incl. refreshments – email matthias.wurz@gmail.com or book online via Eventbrite.
Nikhila Em Ludlow will lead two workshops:
‘Balance with Ease’: Thursday 8 May, 10.30-12.30 at MIC (Moor Imagination Collective), Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0AB
‘Balanced Body for Balanced Mind’: Friday 16 May, 10am-12pm, online
Contact Nikhila for enquiries at https://www.lifeworks4.me.uk/contact.html
To book now (up to 48 hours before the workshop) visit https://LifeworksSomaticsFeldenkrais.as.me/
Josephine Horder is offering a workshop, ‘Spotlight on Balance’.
Saturday 10 May, 3-5pm at The Iron Room, Tring Station. Email jehorder@aol.com
Ruth Polden is offering a workshop, ‘Finding YOUR Balance – Building stability from inside OUT’
A unique opportunity to experience balance, strength and poise in motion. Discover a gentle approach to feeling steady, moving freely and finding stability without struggle.
Feel at home in your body.
Be unshakable YOU.
Sunday 11 May, 10am-1pm at Venue on the Green, Hartfield Rd, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5DZ
An introductory offer as part of International Feldenkrais Week: £20
The session is for all ages and abilities 15+ please wear comfortable clothing and bring a mat if you have one.
To book your place:
www.ruthpolden.com
ruth@ruthpolden.com
Feldenkrais for Musicians are offering a series of short online lessons at 1pm each day.
As musicians, balance is an essential element for an instrumentalist, conductor or singer whether we are sitting or standing. How can we develop more choice? How can we adapt ourselves in order to support or become one with our instrument? How can we develop emotional resiliance? Join us each day online for a short half hour lesson with one of our FRFM practitioners.