Photo by Thomas Claeys
The Internet and the Future
of the Feldenkrais Method®
From The Editors
The world was forever changed by the global pandemic that erupted in late 2019, with schools, workplaces and other institutions shutting down around the globe. For many Feldenkrais practitioners, the situation on the ground became the impetus to enter the virtual teaching space for the first time. Yet now that in-person classes and client sessions have become possible again, teaching online has remained as a new arena where the Method can develop. Given the varying levels of comfort among the practitioner community with this medium, we felt the possibility for a rich discussion to unfold about the future of the Feldenkrais Method. To kick off the conversation, we reached out to two practitioners with extensive online teaching experience, to share their thoughts.
Cynthia Allen, a practitioner for over two decades and the creator of the Move Better Feel Better summit which has introduced thousands of people to the Feldenkrais Method, was interviewed by InTouch editor Joe Webster. Cynthia points to differences in demographics and expectations among the students who come to her online programs compared to in-person classes. She talks about how she has modified her teaching to meet these learners and how the student-teacher relationship evolves online. She also shares some practical suggestions for practitioners interested in growing their practice online.
Feldenkrais trainer Larry Goldfarb, who began offering online programs even before the pandemic, spoke with InTouch editor Seth Dellinger. While pointing to differences between teaching online and in-person, Larry also highlights essential skills that practitioners need to create connection with their students in any context, including the clarity of instructions, language, pacing, storytelling, acommodating different learning styles and making space for students' voices to be heard. He celebrates the increased prominence of Awareness Through Movement relative to Functional Integration since the pandemic and expresses excitement about the future of the method.
We hope you will continue to engage these questions with your colleagues!
Joe, Jane and Seth
