Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984) was a distinguished physicist, engineer and judo master who devised the Feldenkrais method in response to his own knee injury.

Despite being given little hope of ever walking normally, Feldenkrais refused surgery. Instead he looked for clues about how to heal himself through his extensive knowledge of neuroscience, biomechanics, psychology, engineering and martial arts.

He explored non-habitual movement patterns in a playful, effortless, curious way. This approach prompted his nervous system to update restrictive habits that were causing him problems. He learnt to move more easily.

To achieve lasting, radical change, Feldenkrais discovered it was important to work with the whole body and the whole self.

Neuroscientist Norman Doidge, in his foreword to the 2019 edition of Feldenkrais’ book The Elusive Obvious, describes how Feldenkrais was ahead of his time in understanding neuroplasticity and the implications in terms of the potential for learning and improvement throughout life:

‘Feldenkrais was writing a good fifty years before most biologists and neuroscientists accepted the idea that the brain of an adult can change – a function of what we today call neuroplasticity.’

Central to Feldenkrais’ method is the understanding that we all have potential for improvement if we pay attention, notice and move beyond old habits, to create new possibilities for movement and growth.

To read about Feldenkrais’ life visit: https://www.feldenkrais.co.uk/2021/01/11/moshe-feldenkrais-a-biography/