Lauren McLeod
Certified Practitioner
Certified Practitioner
The Feldenkrais Method®
The Anat Baniel Method for Children® Your Subtitle text
Individual & group lessons / Feldenkrais & Anat Baniel Methods / who benefits FAQ / photos
This self-discovery process offers individual and group lessons.
Individual lessons, called Functional Integration (F.I.), are tailored to your needs. Gentle, precisely directed touch and guided movement communicate new possibilities for movement to the nervous system/brain. This helps you sense and let go of tension at the deepest level. You feel differences as the brain creates new neural pathways and you learn to move, sit and stand better. You are comfortably clothed and may be lying, sitting or standing, according to what is easy, and what kind of movement we are working on. The whole lesson is about 45 minutes. For small children, adults with pain or neurological problems, the first lesson or so may be shorter in order not to overtax the nervous system.
Functional Integration lessons are recommended for everyone, especially those with pain, injury, orthopedic or neurological difficulties. Of course, if you have a medical condition, it is important that you consult your physician before you come for lessons.
Group movement classes, called Awareness Through Movement (A.T.M.), give you an opportunity to learn ways to help yourself.
The lessons are done mostly lying or sitting on the floor or in a chair, and occasionally in standing or walking. Students are guided verbally through a sequence of various movements related to a common theme. They are meant to be done slowly and within each person's range of comfort, giving time to observe the actual process of moving. The ability to move with increased ease emerges as we become more aware of excessive efforts or holding and seek greater synchronization of movement and breathing. It is not about dong the movement "right", but learning to move with ease, allowing all the parts to work in agreement, and trust one's self to figure out a new way. Awareness through movement can be used as a form of meditative inquiry.
Guid should contain 32 digits with 4 dashes (xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx).The Feldenkrais Method is recognized world-wide for dramatically improving everyday function and quality of life. Since the 1950's, it has helped people of all ages from world class musicians and athletes to children with Cerebral Palsy. This revolutionary method was originated by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-84), a distinguished Israeli physicist, engineer and judo master. It is a culmination of his vast knowledge and his successful search for the means to recover functioning of his badly sports-injured knees. He discovered relationships between movement, thought and feeling, and the integral functioning of body and brain, which are at the forefront of current research in neuroplasticity.
With the emphasis on re-training the brain, we observe and work with whole body patterns of movement rather than focus on the knee, for example, or "problem area" as separate. Improving and connecting the movements of all the parts of the body takes strain off painful or injured areas, restores function affected by stroke or a neurological disorder, brings more lasting relief from pain, and faster healing of injury.
There is no mechanical correction or use of rote repetition, stretching or pushing to strengthen or stretch muscles. However, the lessons can enhance any work-out or exercise program by helping us learn to access our natural strength and flexibility, and to avoid misuse or injury of the muscles and joints.
Feldenkrais improves movement through learning and improves learning ability through movement. We can become more aware and less automatic in our movement and in how we think. Learning through movement translates to finding easier solutions in other aspects of our lives, and students often report a greater sense of freedom, confidence and creativity in everyday interactions and problem solving._________________________________________________________________________________________
The Anat Baniel Method for Children- a cutting edge approach to treating developmental disorders.
These lessons help children to feel how to move in ways that were not able to before. Here, the word movement includes thinking and language. A very interesting thing to witness is how when the child with special needs gains the ability to move the pelvis easily (in connection with all parts of the body) for the first time, he or she begins babbling (baby talk) and starts making new sounds soon after.
Lessons with Joaquin- 4 months old, born with brain injury- observations from me and his mom.
"Joaquin's mood improved- he's much happier- after the first lesson. He's using his hands more and is more comfortable on his back. During the third lesson, he lifted his leg for the first time in his life. By about the second week, he started pushing with his hand against the breast while nursing. He's looking more directly with his eyes. By the end of the month, he started holding objects between thumb and forefinger and holding objects in his hand with thumb around from one side and four fingers around from other. While lying on his back, he rolled to on side and the other, almost, if not completely on his own. He's also making lots of new and different sounds. He picked up a rattle for the first time."
-Megan Cody, nurse practitioner
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Who can benefit? Anyone interested in learning, and willing to devote some time for it, can benefit.
Athletes, dancers, musicians, actors and other artists who wish to enhance precision or speed, effectiveness or creativity in their performance.
People with chronic or acute pain or injury from neck, back, shoulder, hip, knee, foot, TMJ, or other joint or disc problems, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, RSI, headache, tinnitus, sciatica, traumatic injury or scoliosis.
Children or adults with neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Fragile X, A.D.D.Multiple Sclerosis, Fybromyalgia, Parkinsons's, stroke, and other types of brain injury, learning problems or sleep disorders.
Adults experiencing age-associated symptoms such as balance problems, dizziness or arthritis.
Anyone who desires greater comfort, grace and effectiveness in life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How is Feldenkrais different from chiropractic or traditional physical therapy
How is it different from yoga or tai chi ?
In Feldenkrais, there is no form to learn, and the teacher usually does not demonstrate something that the student then tries to mimic. Feldenkrais leads people to discover new ways of moving, etc., and can enhance the practice of yoga, tai chi, any martial art or other activity.
How often do I need to do or take lessons?
It depends on what your goals are. If you are wanting to overcome a particular difficulty or pain or work on improving something like your balance, running, your singing or playing an instrument or your favorite sport, I recommend taking private lessons as close together as you can (sometimes 2 to 4 times per week, in the beginning) and tapering off as you improve. I also recommend taking weekly classes if you are able to participate.
Using recorded lessons at home, in conjunction with private lessons and classes, augments your progress. As you learn to do more on your own, you may want to continue with one private and one group lesson each week and take a few workshops each year.
It's good to have a variety of ways to engage in the process - the novelty of experience is what sparks the brain to continue to make new connections, providing life-long, continual and progressive learning and improvement.
Is Feldenkrais for you?
If you love to learn and want to be an active participant in your own care . . .
if you enjoy being active and want to maintain or enhance your current level of ability . . .
if you have a deep sense that your capacity for healing and personal growth is part of being alive . . .
Individual lessons, called Functional Integration (F.I.), are tailored to your needs. Gentle, precisely directed touch and guided movement communicate new possibilities for movement to the nervous system/brain. This helps you sense and let go of tension at the deepest level. You feel differences as the brain creates new neural pathways and you learn to move, sit and stand better. You are comfortably clothed and may be lying, sitting or standing, according to what is easy, and what kind of movement we are working on. The whole lesson is about 45 minutes. For small children, adults with pain or neurological problems, the first lesson or so may be shorter in order not to overtax the nervous system.
Functional Integration lessons are recommended for everyone, especially those with pain, injury, orthopedic or neurological difficulties. Of course, if you have a medical condition, it is important that you consult your physician before you come for lessons.
Group movement classes, called Awareness Through Movement (A.T.M.), give you an opportunity to learn ways to help yourself.
The lessons are done mostly lying or sitting on the floor or in a chair, and occasionally in standing or walking. Students are guided verbally through a sequence of various movements related to a common theme. They are meant to be done slowly and within each person's range of comfort, giving time to observe the actual process of moving. The ability to move with increased ease emerges as we become more aware of excessive efforts or holding and seek greater synchronization of movement and breathing. It is not about dong the movement "right", but learning to move with ease, allowing all the parts to work in agreement, and trust one's self to figure out a new way. Awareness through movement can be used as a form of meditative inquiry.
Go to the workshops and classes page for the schedule and information about weekly classes.
Guid should contain 32 digits with 4 dashes (xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx).The Feldenkrais Method is recognized world-wide for dramatically improving everyday function and quality of life. Since the 1950's, it has helped people of all ages from world class musicians and athletes to children with Cerebral Palsy. This revolutionary method was originated by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-84), a distinguished Israeli physicist, engineer and judo master. It is a culmination of his vast knowledge and his successful search for the means to recover functioning of his badly sports-injured knees. He discovered relationships between movement, thought and feeling, and the integral functioning of body and brain, which are at the forefront of current research in neuroplasticity.
With the emphasis on re-training the brain, we observe and work with whole body patterns of movement rather than focus on the knee, for example, or "problem area" as separate. Improving and connecting the movements of all the parts of the body takes strain off painful or injured areas, restores function affected by stroke or a neurological disorder, brings more lasting relief from pain, and faster healing of injury.
There is no mechanical correction or use of rote repetition, stretching or pushing to strengthen or stretch muscles. However, the lessons can enhance any work-out or exercise program by helping us learn to access our natural strength and flexibility, and to avoid misuse or injury of the muscles and joints.
Feldenkrais improves movement through learning and improves learning ability through movement. We can become more aware and less automatic in our movement and in how we think. Learning through movement translates to finding easier solutions in other aspects of our lives, and students often report a greater sense of freedom, confidence and creativity in everyday interactions and problem solving._________________________________________________________________________________________
The Anat Baniel Method for Children- a cutting edge approach to treating developmental disorders.
- Are you the parent, grandparent or caregiver of a special needs child?
- Have conventional medical treatments or therapies been tried?
- Have you been discouraged to hope by testing, and a bleak prognosis?
- Are you wondering if there is more that could be done for him or her, and searching for a way to bring greater improvement in your child's functioning?
These lessons help children to feel how to move in ways that were not able to before. Here, the word movement includes thinking and language. A very interesting thing to witness is how when the child with special needs gains the ability to move the pelvis easily (in connection with all parts of the body) for the first time, he or she begins babbling (baby talk) and starts making new sounds soon after.
Lessons with Joaquin- 4 months old, born with brain injury- observations from me and his mom.
"Joaquin's mood improved- he's much happier- after the first lesson. He's using his hands more and is more comfortable on his back. During the third lesson, he lifted his leg for the first time in his life. By about the second week, he started pushing with his hand against the breast while nursing. He's looking more directly with his eyes. By the end of the month, he started holding objects between thumb and forefinger and holding objects in his hand with thumb around from one side and four fingers around from other. While lying on his back, he rolled to on side and the other, almost, if not completely on his own. He's also making lots of new and different sounds. He picked up a rattle for the first time."
-Megan Cody, nurse practitioner
Lessons with Avery- 7 years old - observations from Avery and his mom.
During a series of 5 private lessons-
”My 7 year old son is jumping from
one foot to the other for the first time – really skipping. His shoulders and
arms, which are usually stiff, are much freer. Riding home after one of the
lessons, he said, “Hey! That sign has half my name- the A and Y- and he’s never
noticed any signs before. That’s huge! This morning, he was skipping really
fast, and I remarked on how light his shoulders felt, and he said, “Yeah and
I’m going a lot faster!” I could hardly keep up with him. He’s more excited
about going out to the park- he just has this great big yes for everything in
life, now.”
-Carol Keefe, Anat Baniel Method Practitioner
Guid should contain 32 digits with 4 dashes (xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx).Scientific studies
Several scientific studies have been performed to investigate the effect of Feldenkrais treatments. In 1999, a randomized controlled trial investigated whether physiotherapy or Feldenkrais interventions would reduce the complaints from neck and shoulder pain and disability. The participants were randomly assigned to 1) physiotherapy treatment, 2) the Feldenkrais program, or 3) a control group. The physiotherapy and Feldenkrais interventions were given over 16 weeks of paid work. The Feldenkrais group showed significant decreases in complaints from neck and shoulders and in disability during leisure time. The two other groups showed no change in complaints (Physiotherapy group) or worsening of complaints (Control group).[3] In 2004, a preliminary study was undertaken to determine both the efficacy and cost effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method for treatment of Medicaid recipients with Chronic pain. This preliminary inquiry represents an uncontrolled, unblended investigation, but the results were promising. Cost effectiveness patient costs dropped from an average of $141 per month to $82 per month, a 40% saving. [4]
According to Norman Doidge, current research on neuroplasticity, by scientists such as Doidge and Michael Merzenich, may support Feldenkrais' key theories of somatic re-education.[5]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who can benefit? Anyone interested in learning, and willing to devote some time for it, can benefit.
Athletes, dancers, musicians, actors and other artists who wish to enhance precision or speed, effectiveness or creativity in their performance.
People with chronic or acute pain or injury from neck, back, shoulder, hip, knee, foot, TMJ, or other joint or disc problems, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, RSI, headache, tinnitus, sciatica, traumatic injury or scoliosis.
Children or adults with neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Fragile X, A.D.D.Multiple Sclerosis, Fybromyalgia, Parkinsons's, stroke, and other types of brain injury, learning problems or sleep disorders.
Adults experiencing age-associated symptoms such as balance problems, dizziness or arthritis.
Anyone who desires greater comfort, grace and effectiveness in life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How is Feldenkrais different from chiropractic or traditional physical therapy
Feldenkrais lessons do not correct. The focus is on re-training the nervous system by increasing kinesthetic awareness. The person self corrects based on the nervous system's natural preference for ease and efficiency. Also, it is done with consideration of the entire organization of the body and the whole person, rather than focus on an isolated "problem" area. For instance, someone may have TMJ. By taking Feldenkrais lessons, they may discover increased freedom in the hips and ankles, the whole way of walking and carriage of the head improves so the jaw becomes more centered and tension goes away.
How is it different from yoga or tai chi ?
In Feldenkrais, there is no form to learn, and the teacher usually does not demonstrate something that the student then tries to mimic. Feldenkrais leads people to discover new ways of moving, etc., and can enhance the practice of yoga, tai chi, any martial art or other activity.
How often do I need to do or take lessons?
It depends on what your goals are. If you are wanting to overcome a particular difficulty or pain or work on improving something like your balance, running, your singing or playing an instrument or your favorite sport, I recommend taking private lessons as close together as you can (sometimes 2 to 4 times per week, in the beginning) and tapering off as you improve. I also recommend taking weekly classes if you are able to participate.
Using recorded lessons at home, in conjunction with private lessons and classes, augments your progress. As you learn to do more on your own, you may want to continue with one private and one group lesson each week and take a few workshops each year.
It's good to have a variety of ways to engage in the process - the novelty of experience is what sparks the brain to continue to make new connections, providing life-long, continual and progressive learning and improvement.
Is Feldenkrais for you?
If you love to learn and want to be an active participant in your own care . . .
if you enjoy being active and want to maintain or enhance your current level of ability . . .
if you have a deep sense that your capacity for healing and personal growth is part of being alive . . .
