Feldenkrais was an Israeli scientist who was born in 1904. He was a nuclear physicists. He was also the first European to earn a black belt in judo. As a scientist and a martial artist, he became curious about how movement, thinking, sensing and feeling were related. According to physical therapist and Feldenkrais practitioner Stacy Barrows, “His ideas continued to evolve after he suffered a knee injury. At the time, the surgery and its outcomes were so bleak he decided to find an alternative on his own. He looked at anatomy, kinesiology and physiology, and combined them with his own knowledge of mechanics, physics, electrical engineering and martial arts. He was able to recover from his knee injury with restored function and movement. This process initiated the development of the Feldenkrais® Method. The Feldenkrais® Method synthesizes physics and neurophysiology. The method especially looks at fostering conditions in which the nervous system learns at its best, and is now a program taught over a four-year span.” [1]
Here at Structural Elements we have high regard for the principles taught by Feldenkrais. We are not Feldenkrais Method® practitioners but we utilize pieces of the discipline when we practice manual therapy, movement re-education and functional training.
*In our “Giants” blog series we provide a paragraph (or two or three) of bio about our biggest influencers. As Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants." For the curious among our readers, these short bios are offered as a spring board into more research.
[1] “Stacy Barrows: Foam Roller History and Practical Use.” On Target Publications, 10 Dec. 2017, www.otpbooks.com/stacy-barrows-foam-roller-primer/.