THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD ®
Awareness through Movement ® and Functional Integration ®

The Feldenkrais Method was developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904 - 1984), physicist, engineer, martial artist, educator and researcher. The method is a unique and revolutionary approach to the understanding of human learning, movement, and function. Its focus is on the practical development of one's own individual potential and ability. The Feldenkrais Method is practiced by using two techniques: Awareness through Movement and Functional Integration.

In Awareness through Movement (ATM) the teacher leads a group of people through verbally guided movement lessons. The movements are done at one's own pace with enough time to explore individually for one's own understanding and comfort.

The effects of the lessons are profound and give an increased sense of well-being and spontaneity. People learn to improve the way they organize themselves for action. These lessons cover a wide range of human movement; from infant development to high level performance abilities.

Functional Integration (FI) is an individualized, hands-on, mostly non verbal, one to one learning process. The student is guided by the practitioner through sequences of movements which bring the student to learn a more efficient use of him/her- self in daily life. The touch is non-invasive, sensitive, and precise.

THE TRAINING PROGRAM

The Feldenkrais Training Program is an intensive educational process in the fundamental techniques and theoretical concepts of the method. This is done through an in-depth exploration of our ways of moving, feeling, sensing, and thinking using Awareness through Movement lessons and Functional Integration processes.

The design and main objectives of this training program are to graduate skilled and competent practitioners of the Feldenkrais Method. The ability of each student will be furthered in a noncompetitive way. A highly supportive environment is developed so that optimal conditions will prevail for one's own personal exploration and experience.

The training program develops personal competencies for practicing and understanding the method. The necessary skills for leading Awareness through Movement groups and practicing hands-on Functional Integration are taught. You will experience hundreds of Awareness through Movement lessons. To support your experience and enhance your professional development you will learn observational skills, ways to improve your own sensitivity and awareness, didactic skills and the ability to articulate your own learning and understanding. Qualities of using one's hands in a feeling and clear technical manner are developed through personal supervision.

THE TRAINING SYLLABUS

The training program is spread over a four year period where each year is divided into three learning segments. Each learning segment is between 10-15 days. At the end of the second year there is a "practicum" in Awareness through Movement and students are given a provisional certificate for the teaching of Awareness through Movement. During the fourth year there is a "practicum" conducted in Functional Integration and students who qualify are granted an internationally recognized diploma as a practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method both in Awareness through Movement and Functional Integration

THE FIRST YEAR:

During the first year of the training students become acquainted with all aspects of the method. Awareness through Movement lessons are done in great depth, the foundations for Functional Integration are set and lectures are given on theoretical aspects of the method. Awareness is developed in new ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. Through self-observation and observing others the ability to sense the movements of the body is refined and an understanding is formed of the human learning process.

Functional Integration is taught by way of clear and specific explanations and examples using the principles of the method. The Functional Integration demonstrations and teaching are done live on students, in partner work, people from outside of the class, using video material and with the help of the skeleton.

THE SECOND YEAR:

One of the main themes of study during the second year of the training program is the learning of the pedagogical aspects of teaching Awareness through Movement through structural analysis of lessons, including the lessons' functional logic and the principles and theories of learning. During the course of the second year a wide variety of lessons are experienced and learned which explain the principles of the method by which it is then possible to build and create lessons for specific groups and purposes. The distinctions are made for giving lessons to various populations and students learn how to prepare a lesson plan both for workshops and for long term groups around specific themes. There is continuos supervision for learning how to teach and at the end of the second year there is a "practicum" in Awareness through Movement during which students are personally supervised and given feedback about his/her performance, teaching skill, and understanding in Awareness through Movement. At the successful completion of the ATM "practicum" students are given permission to teach Awareness through Movement.

The learning of Functional Integration is continued during the second year in greater depth and dimension. By the end of the second year, students will have the practical skill to use basic functional positions in which Functional Integrationis given.

THE THIRD YEAR:

The third year focuses on evolving further skills for Functional Integration. The students learn to develop a series of Functional Integration lessons based on principles and clearly defined functional patterns and topics. The ability and understanding of how to transfer functional ideas from Awareness through Movement to Functional Integration is demonstrated, learned, and practiced.

People from the public come to the training so that students can observe Functional Integration lessons given by the educational staff to individuals with very specific functional needs, difficulties, and learning problems. During the third year video lessons of Dr. Feldenkrais working with children and adults are shown and discussed. Awareness through Movement lessons of greater complexity are included in the program.

THE FOURTH YEAR:

The fourth year of the training program is used for deepening all the learning in the previous three years and for learning very specific difficult and unusual functional patterns, topics and themes that are encountered in more advanced Functional Integration lessons. During the course of the fourth year students practice giving Functional Integration lessons to the public with staff supervision. During these supervision periods students are given feedback on their skills, sensitivity, and thinking. This is done in a supportive discussion process which focuses on the further development of the individual student. At the end of the fourth year a diploma is awarded to each student who meets the requirements of graduation.

MATERIALS:

The training program is based on the educational materials developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. During the entire training program students are introduced to the original materials of Dr. Feldenkrais, both used in training programs and with the general public; this includes written, recorded and video materials. We recommend students to read the published books by Dr. Feldenkrais as well as materials which have relevance to the topics being learned. A recommended reading list will be handed out to students as well as a alist of suggested professional materials worth purchasing during the course of the training program. Faculty will bring in guest lecturers who are leaders in their field to enrich the experiance of the students.

TRAINING FACULTY:

Educational Director: Jeremy Krauss

Jeremy was trained directly by Dr. Feldenkrais and has been studying and teaching the Feldenkrais Method for over 25 years. Jeremy was a personal student of Dr. Feldenkrais during the last years of his life. His book "Feldenkrais: The Way to Improve Personal Ability" has been published in Hebrew, Russian and German. ("Einfach Bewegan" - Junfermann Verlag) and is soon to be published in English. He is known as a teacher for his clear presentation of both the practical and theoretical aspects of the method and creates a very comfortable atmosphere for learning. Jeremy is also the Educational Director of Training Programs in Berlin (Germany), Rome (Italy), Vienna (Austria) and Tel-Aviv (Israel). He teaches Advanced Trainings and Masters Classes worldwide. Besides his teaching Jeremy was chosen by the International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) to translate major works of the archives of Dr. Feldenkrais and is a Member of the Feldenkrais European Training and Accreditation Board.

SCHEDULE & TRAINERS

Year I
October 30 - November 14, 2005	14 days	Jeremy Krauss
March 19 - 30, 2006	11 days	Jeremy Krauss
June 4 - 20, 2006	15 days	Jerry Karzen
Year II
September 5 - 21, 2006	15 days	Richard Corbet
March 11 - 27, 2007	15 days	Jeremy Krauss
June 10 - 20, 2007	10 days	Jerry Karzen
Year III
October 9 - 25, 2007	15 days	Jeremy Krauss
March 3 - 19, 2008	15 days	Angel DiBenedetto
May 11 - 21, 2008	10 days	Jeremy Krauss
Year IV
September 7 - 23, 2008	15 days	Petra Koch
March 9 - 19, 2009	10 days	Jerry Karzen
June 7 - 23, 2009	15 days	Jeremy Krauss
Total days - 160
Continuity Assistant Trainer (present at all sessions) - Osa Jackson Schulte, Ph.D., P.T.

 

LOCATION:

Colombiere Conference Center
9075 Big Lake Rd.
Clarkston, MI 48346-1015

For more information, take a look at their website
Overnight rooms, pool, cafeteria, golf course, chapel, and walking trails.

TEACHING LANGUAGE:

This course is taught in English.

TUITION:

Year I, Year II: $3700 US/year.

Year III, Year IV: $3900 US/year.

PARTICIPANTS:

The training program is limited to 45 participants. We are seeking a well-balanced student body, we welcome students of diverse ages, professions, and backgrounds such as theatre, dance, music, sports, education, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, medicine, massage, athletic training, social work and anyone seeking personal growth, increased agility & vitality.

ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION:

The training program follows the international guidelines for Feldenkrais Training Programs. It is fully accredited by the Feldenkrais Guild of North America. Graduates of the training program will be qualified to become Feldenkrais Practitioners, I.E. they will be entitled to teach Awareness Through Movement (after two years) and to give lessons in Functional Integration (after graduation). Furthermore graduates are eligible to become members of their national guilds. The diploma will be acknowledged by any professional Feldenkrais organization in the world.

Please note:
The training program is subject to cancellation with 30 days advance notice due to insufficient enrollment, teacher availability and/or location availability.

Feldenkrais as description of education services is owned by the national associations of Feldenkrais Practitioners.