Felden-What? The Best Self-Improvement Method You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of… Yet!

When I told my mother, in my thirties, that I was heading to the United States to study something called Feldenkrais, her response was:
"What’s that? Are you joining a cult?"
"No ‘T’, Mum. FELDEN-K-R-A-I-S, not C-H-R-I-S-T."

It’s an understandable mistake. The Feldenkrais Method takes its name from its founder, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais—a physicist, engineer, and judo black belt who developed this unique approach to movement and learning.

I had been teaching Pilates since 2008, and my mum, now in her seventies, had become and still is a regular in weekly mat classes, reaping the benefits. So naturally, she was curious:
"Is it a bit like Pilates then?"
"Different," I explained. "Think of it as more movement than meditation, but less fitness-focused than Pilates."
She raised an eyebrow. "So… definitely not a cult then?"

What is Feldenkrais?

The Feldenkrais Method® is a relaxing form of mind and body training designed for everyBODY, regardless of age or experience. Feldenkrais lessons are all about learning—helping you discover easier, more efficient ways to move, think, feel, and sense yourself in the world.

I work with many people like my mum, who feel their movement has changed over time, who may feel disconnected from their bodies due to injury or health challenges—both mental and physical—and who sometimes feel that their body lets them down.

Feldenkrais can be done in two ways: in a group class or one-to-one, as my mum prefers. She says the lessons help with her arthritic knees, leaving her feeling lighter, taller, and more comfortable. I sometimes recommend one-to-one lessons for students who are worried or managing a particular issue.

What Happens in a Group Feldenkrais Lesson?

In a group lesson, I guide students through what I like to call a movement puzzle—a bit like a Sudoku or crossword for the body. Each lesson has its own name and focuses on refining a specific movement, e.g., “Shoulder and Hip Circles on the Side.” I start with a simple movement and invite students to notice which parts of their body move easily and which parts may not yet understand the movement. I then introduce variations, clues, and questions (just like a crossword) to help students involve more of themselves—bringing in supporting body parts to make the movement easier and less effortful.

Not every clue or variation works for everyone—we’re all different. That’s why the method includes lots of options and exploratory questions to help each person find their own way.

The Science-y Part Explained:

The way our brain perceives our body is a bit like how we approach a puzzle. Some parts of the body—like the hand we use to brush our teeth—are very familiar. These are like the "filled-in" squares of a crossword. Other parts—like the big bone just below the neck—might be more of a blank space. To the brain, those areas are less clear, so some instructions may feel straightforward while others are confusing or even impossible to execute at first.

Feldenkrais lessons are designed to help fill in the blanks. By putting us in different orientations and offering varied movement instructions, we gradually learn to feel and use areas of ourselves that were previously “off the radar.” It can be tricky because we’re asking the brain to find movement where it didn’t know movement existed. Hence why the method is used widely with stroke patients.

With patience, kindness, and lots of clues, we begin to uncover movement in these unfamiliar areas. When this happens, the brain releases reward hormones—it feels great! Much like the satisfaction of completing a puzzle, your nervous system gets a sense of achievement, and movement becomes easier and more connected.

An Example: The Prayer Lesson

One of my favourite lessons is the Prayer Lesson. It begins with a simple action—bringing the palms together and raising them up and down. At first, the brain focuses on the hands—these are the familiar, filled-in parts of the puzzle. The rest of the body, however, may be a blank space.

As the lesson progresses, we explore this hand-and-arm movement in various positions—sitting, lying down, kneeling. Students are gently guided to sense how their hands relate to lesser-known parts of themselves: the wrists, shoulders, ribs, head, spine, pelvis, and legs. Over time, the simple gesture of lifting and lowering the palms becomes a full-body experience.

Eventually, the brain links the familiar with the unfamiliar. The result? Students often feel more integrated, more relaxed, and more connected in their movements—and in themselves.

Why Does Feldenkrais Work?

This is where it gets really clever. These movement puzzles stimulate areas of the brain that control focus, concentration, emotional regulation, coordination, and balance. Just as Sudoku challenges the brain with numbers, Feldenkrais does the same using the body as the puzzle pieces.

When these connections become clearer—like a completed puzzle—movement becomes easier: you feel more stable on your feet, your shoulders relax, and your head and feet feel connected. Daily activities—whether it’s walking the dog, spring cleaning, or simply standing up—start to feel calmer, more controlled, smoother, and more effortless.

That’s why, after every lesson, my mum says: “I feel taller, lighter, and just… better.”

And that’s the magic of Feldenkrais. Not a cult, but a way of life—one that can help us do more of what we love to do, with ease.