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What is Awareness Through Movement?
Awareness Through Movement is the name of the Feldenkrais Method’s group classes. In these classes, the Feldenkrais teacher guides the participants through a series of exercises with a focus on gentle, conscious movement.
The exercises are designed to increase the participants’ awareness of the connection between body and mind. Through the exercises, participants will discover new, easier and more balanced ways of movement that may help to alleviate stress and increase strength, flexibility and wellbeing.
The purpose of Awareness Through Movement is to help people become more conscious of their bodies and movement patterns, so that their everyday lives may be improved through easier and more efficient movement – from improving posture in front of a computer screen to lifting heavy weights more effectively.
I know that it is important for me to be aware of my body if I want to grow old in a healthy way. It is important for me to be able to move around and stay active without pain, and I think Feldenkrais gives me more than just sports and strength training do. It helps me feel my body and increase my awareness of it.
Signe, 37, stage artist and disability support worker
What to expect from a Feldenkrais class
An Awareness Through Movement class usually takes around 45-60 minutes.
The exercises are performed walking, standing, sitting or lying down in various comfortable positions, either on the back, the stomach or either side of the body. The teacher will verbally guide you through the exercises which are focused on gentle movements performed slowly, consciously and comfortably. The teacher will draw your attention towards the connection between your thoughts and your movements and help you relax muscles and feel the interconnectedness of your entire body more acutely.
The classes will give you insight into the unconscious movement patterns that are unique to you. Throughout the class, you will receive instructions on how to release tensions and create new body-mind connections that will help you move more effectively and strengthen your ability to create new neurological patterns moving forward.
I think it was exciting; it was a bit different. As opposed to something like yoga, where you use your whole body and challenge it, it’s more about the small, specific movements. It’s exciting to have to draw a picture of what the body looks like within.
August, 23, student of physiotherapy after experiencing his first session
Become aware of your movements through group classes with experienced teachers
If you have become interested in trying Awareness Through Movement, you can find additional information on scheduled classes, teams and practitioners in our calendar and on the list of accredited Feldenkrais practitioners.