Lauren McLeod
The FeldenkraisMethod®
The Anat Baniel Methodsm
The Anat Baniel Methodsm
for children with special needs
Your Subtitle text
Self Discovery through Individual & Group Lessons
Who benefits / FAQ / photos
About The Feldenkrais Method & Anat Baniel Method for Children
Who benefits / FAQ / photos
About The Feldenkrais Method & Anat Baniel Method for Children
This self-discovery process offers individualized, hands-on lessons and group lessons.
Individual lessons, called Functional Integration (F.I.), are tailored to your needs. 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. Gentle, precisely directed touch and guided movement allow you to sense your own patterns more clearly, support the letting go of tension, and communicate, directly to the nervous system, new possibilities for movement. Verbal cues may be used, as well. You feel differences as the brain creates new neural pathways. 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.
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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.
About The Feldenkrais Method and The Anat Baniel Method
Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the originator of this revolutionary method, taught that rather than "fixing" the body, we can learn how to expand our abilities and range of choice. When we do this, our body and brain heal themselves.
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. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-84), was a distinguished Israeli physicist, engineer and judo master. The method 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. We use movement to wake up our capacity for curiosity, to sense ourselves more deeply, and to learn. We become more aware and less automatic in our movement and in how we think. Learning to improve how we move translates to finding easier solutions in other aspects of our lives. Students often report a greater sense of freedom, confidence and creativity in everyday interactions and problem solving.
Karl Pribram , MD
The Anat Baniel Method for Children is based on Anat's many years of study with Dr. Feldenkrais and her 30 years of experience and evolution of the method. ABM uses the transcribed lesson materials of Dr. Feldenkrais, plus Anat's own arrangements of the lessons. I first trained as a Feldenkrais Practitioner with Anat, and am now an assistant in her trainings of Anat Baniel Method practitioners.
If you have tried conventional medical treatments and still would like to see greater improvement in you child’s functioning, The Anat Baniel Method for Children, based on The Feldenkrais Method, has helped children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Brachial Plexus Injury and other birth injuries, scoliosis, ADD and learning disabilities, Down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders, and feeding disorders.
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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, tendinitis, 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, Parkinson'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 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, will also accelerate 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. 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. Gentle, precisely directed touch and guided movement allow you to sense your own patterns more clearly, support the letting go of tension, and communicate, directly to the nervous system, new possibilities for movement. Verbal cues may be used, as well. You feel differences as the brain creates new neural pathways. 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.
Take you first class FREE. Click here for schedule & cost of weekly classes and workshops.
About The Feldenkrais Method and The Anat Baniel Method
Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the originator of this revolutionary method, taught that rather than "fixing" the body, we can learn how to expand our abilities and range of choice. When we do this, our body and brain heal themselves.
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. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-84), was a distinguished Israeli physicist, engineer and judo master. The method 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. We use movement to wake up our capacity for curiosity, to sense ourselves more deeply, and to learn. We become more aware and less automatic in our movement and in how we think. Learning to improve how we move translates to finding easier solutions in other aspects of our lives. Students often report a greater sense of freedom, confidence and creativity in everyday interactions and problem solving.
“This is
the most sophisticated and effective method I have seen for the prevention and
reversal of deterioration of function. We’re condemning millions of people to a
deteriorated old age that’s not necessary.”
-Margaret Mead, PhD, Anthropologist
“Feldenkrais is not just pushing muscles around.
It’s changing things in the brain itself.”
The Anat Baniel Method for Children is based on Anat's many years of study with Dr. Feldenkrais and her 30 years of experience and evolution of the method. ABM uses the transcribed lesson materials of Dr. Feldenkrais, plus Anat's own arrangements of the lessons. I first trained as a Feldenkrais Practitioner with Anat, and am now an assistant in her trainings of Anat Baniel Method practitioners.
If you have tried conventional medical treatments and still would like to see greater improvement in you child’s functioning, The Anat Baniel Method for Children, based on The Feldenkrais Method, has helped children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Brachial Plexus Injury and other birth injuries, scoliosis, ADD and learning disabilities, Down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders, and feeding disorders.
To see
articles and video of children’s lessons, visit anatbanielmethod.com . Also visit
freechildren’sclinic.org
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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, tendinitis, 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, Parkinson'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 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, will also accelerate 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.
"Thank
you so very much for the Desktrainer CD. I used it this morning with
the 1st excercise. It was helpful and exactly what I wanted to have to
do every day to keep learning. I assume that your classes will get
easier and easier for me. I certainly feel lighter after each one." -Fran
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 . .
