What distinguishes body-mind learning?

People often ask me how body-mind learning methods - such as the Feldenkrais Method - differ from other bodywork methods.

Most people I talk to think of movement work as something physical, and take exercise with the aim of causing a physiological effect. For example, we push weights to build muscle strength, we do a cardio workout to increase stamina, we do deep stretches to make our muscles and fascia suppler. The effects we are looking for are adaptations of our body to the physical stress of doing exercise.

But, when we practice body-mind learning methods, we do so with a different intention. When we practice body-mind learning, we are aiming for a neurological response. It is our brain and central nervous system we are working. As they adapt over time, we find enhanced ability to organise ourself in movement, to coordinate ourself, to use the minimum effort required by the situation. Awareness Through Movement classes in the Feldenkrais Method are specially designed to achieve these effects. Dr Moshe Feldenkrais famously said 'What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies, but flexible brains'.

This is why, in body-mind learning, we emphasize smaller, lighter, slower movement, to give our self the best chance of sensing and feeling ourself, of understanding how we do what we do, and of exploring other ways of doing. This is internal work that seeks to understand the process of movement. As such, it is a world away from typical workouts, where the emphasis is usually on doing more, heavier, faster, and reaching a specific result - a number of reps, a time, a weight, a distance, a specific pose.

Body-mind learning is a necessary part of any practice where we want to refine a skill. Without it, we don't know how to make use of our strength, stamina, or flexibility. The self-knowledge acquired through body-mind learning also helps us rest and recover better after physical, mental, or emotional exertion. It makes us better able to adapt to the situation around us. Such abilities are fundamental to performing well - whether in physical pursuits or life in general.

Incorporating body-mind learning practices is a powerful tool. Body-mind learning is a valuable element in any training or rehabilitation program. Top athletes, musicians and performers worldwide use the Feldenkrais Method to deepen their knowledge of themself and so to become more capable.

How do you use body-mind learning within your practice? Please leave a comment.