Feldenkrais: What it is and how it can help

The Feldenkrais Method  (FM) is a system of slow, gentle movements designed to enhance & expand the connection between the mind and the body in order to improve body & movement awareness which leads to reduced pain, improved posture, flexibility, balance, strength, & movement options during functional tasks like sitting, standing, rolling, or walking as well as during complex movements found in sport, dance, yoga, & martial arts.
Most of us have little or no attention to certain parts of ourselves or we tend to notice and therefore use the same parts over and over until they are destroyed.  Especially after an injury, our nervous system tends to “block out” the kinesthetic input from the injured area to protect the system. Unless the injured area is reincorporated into the self image, the area will remain out of nervous system control and function will continue to erode. By enhancing the self image, we can learn to bring a more even distribution of effort and force during movement.

Unlike massage, chiropractic, or traditional physical therapy which all work on only one particular component of the musculoskeletal system, the Feldenkrais method focuses on educating or reintegrating an individual’s musculoskeletal system with their nervous         system to organize the whole self in a more relaxed, efficient, & balanced way.

Biography

Born and raised in southern Illinois near St. Louis, MO, Alex received his Masters in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University in 2000. After 2 years of work in Washington state, where he learned Myofascial Release and Strain Counter Strain, he moved to Maui to enjoy the sun. Over then next 5 years, he worked at the Maui Medical Group, where he continued to see a variety of clients from orthopedic, neurological, sports medicine, and post-surgical backgrounds. During that time, he became a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and completed his training in the Feldenkrais Method under the guidance of Jerry Karzen, one of Moshe Feldenkrais’ original students. Alex has also been training and teaching Ki-Aikido for the last 5 years under Christopher Curtis Sensei, 8th Dan, and recently received his shodan, or first-degree black belt. Additional interests include hiking, kayaking, tennis, and professional sports.