Feldenkrais Fundamentals: Six week online series with Deborah Bowes

This six-week series is designed to give you a rich experience of the principles and movements that are foundational for Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lessons. Not only will you be prepared to choose nearly any lesson from the Movement Creativity Library and beyond, but you will feel better as you move through the lessons.

Because all of our actions involve sensing, feeling, thinking, as well as moving, improvement in movement is accompanied by greater clarity in their thought and expression and an overall sense of well-being. You don't have to be an expert 'mover' - or you might be! Whatever level of ability you start at, Feldenkrais offers the possibility of discovery and improvement.

The Feldenkrais Method is an enjoyable learning process that offers improvement in your posture, movement, imagination and awareness.

The Feldenkrais Method is a creative systematic approach to engage with your sensory experience to become more aware of what you do, how your do it and your possibilities.

It is a non-prescriptive process that allows your to explore the relationships between your mind and body, and your environment.

The Method relies on exploring novel movement sequences with ease and within your own comfort range. The originator of the method, Moshe Feldenkrais, called these sequences ‘easy-to-do health exercises’ or Awareness Through Movement lessons. There are a few thousand lessons with unlimited variations, so it can feel overwhelming for a beginner to know where to start.

Anybody can do these lessons, with any level of ability or fitness.

Rather than correcting or adjusting to some externally imposed form, the Feldenkrais process allows you to discover what works best for you – your body, your movement potential, your life.  It restores choice to how you feel and move your body.

Rediscover pleasure in movement.

Attend to details of your movement habits with a compassionate, non-judgemental attitude.

The quality of attention that you bring to yourself in movement then extends to many aspects of your life and can improve how you care for yourself and others.

The Feldenkrais Method is a gentle and effective approach that offers:

• relief from pain, stress and anxiety

• recovery of lost movement abilities

• improved breathing and improved sleep

• new options for moving and thinking

• the ability to shift physical and emotional habits

• greater awareness of comfortable and efficient posture

• increased ability to express yourself

• greater ease and overall well-being

This series is for:

• anyone new to the Feldenkrais Method

• anyone who’d like to understand and experience the principles of the Feldenkrais Method

• anyone interested in movement and awareness based learning

• mind-body practitioners and somatic educators

• artists, performers, musicians

• anyone who loves learning

Beginner friendly lessons & fundamental principles

The principles can be applied in other areas, such as singing, playing music, or learning anything.

Time for a Q & A after each lesson & in the weeks between the lessons.

Series includes:

• 6 Weekly Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes and talks

• Access to videos & downloadable audio recordings

• Bonus Recording: Flexors/Extensors - Fundamentals Variation

What people are saying about Deborah’s teaching:

"Deborah’s gentle, intuitive and knowledgeable approach helped me trust and relax into her direct approach. I loved how reassuring, supportive and confident she was in her work and in our abilities.”

“She is a no nonsense and ethical person who I would study with again and again.”

“One of the main things I am feeling with Deborah is how safe I feel exploring the ATM, she really creates a nurturing space.”

"Deborah is one of my all-time favorite teachers. She embodies a delicate balance between being totally on top of her knowledge and also intuitively tuned into the needs of the present moment. She is warm and accessible. I would study with her over and over!"

About Deborah Bowes:

Deborah Bowes is a Feldenkrais® Teacher and Trainer. She initially trained as a physical therapist at Columbia University in New York and later earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in Virginia. She holds a B.S. in Biology and Physical Education from Rhode Island College.

As a Guild Certified Trainer of the Feldenkrais Method® since 2000, she has taught widely in the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Colombia for 14 different training organizations and in over 32 training programs.  Her other related in-depth studies and practices include Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, yoga, sensory awareness, meditation, and dance.

Deborah co-founded the San Francisco Feldenkrais® Center for Movement and Awareness in 1988, and for the past 30 years, has provided Feldenkrais lessons, classes, and workshops to adults and children. She has made many presentations and trainings to professional organizations, university programs, hospitals, and other professional groups. She is an adjunct faculty member at Saybrook University, teaching Movement Modalities and Wellness. Her doctoral research demonstrated the benefit of her original Feldenkrais Method program, Pelvic Health and Awareness for men and women, for improving pelvic floor health.

The Feldenkrais Awareness through Movement lesson begins at 13 min