FI Lessons | Movement Wisdom

Feldenkrais Practitioner working with adults

FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION LESSONS

The Feldenkrais Method one-on-one individual lessons are known as Functional Integration (FI) lessons.

Who is it for?

You might start with some movements you want to improve or a situation where you’re experiencing difficulty.

For example, you might come with the desire to improve your performance in a specific activity or skill, such as playing a musical instrument or competing in a sport. Or you might notice that something you do in your life, like working long hours at a computer, has started to cause you discomfort or pain. Alternatively, you might seek help in dealing with certain acute or chronic injuries or conditions.

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How Is It Done?

Sessions last 45 minutes. They are conducted fully clothed, except for your shoes, and, like ATM lessons, they are usually done lying on your back, side, or stomach, but this time on a special soft yet firm table. There are also lessons that can be done while sitting or standing. Various supports (pillows, rolls, blankets) are sometimes used to assist you or to facilitate certain movements.

Healing has no limits.

Since the model we work with is "learning" and our goal is "improvement," it doesn’t matter where you start from. Whatever you are doing, you can always learn to do it a little better. When defining his method, Feldenkrais states that his aim is to "make the impossible possible, the difficult easy, and the easy graceful."

"FI Lessons Are Like a Partner Dance."

Moshe Feldenkrais himself often compared Functional Integration (FI) lessons to partner dancing.

In FI lessons, I develop a lesson tailored specifically for you, which may be related to a particular desire, intention, or need you have. In this process, I engage in a dialogue by gently touching and moving you, aiming to help you explore new ways and possibilities of how you already move and how you feel.

During the lesson, there is nothing special you need to do other than paying attention to your senses.

You will find yourself subconsciously creating a new neuromuscular organization that will emerge when you stand up at the end of the session. The result is more options and flexibility in how you move in your life.

What is the difference between one-on-one FI lessons and group ATM lessons?

The ideas and strategies used in the Feldenkrais Method®'s ATM classes are also applied here, but my role as a practitioner is emphasized as I use gentle touch to move you. As part of the Feldenkrais Method®, my goal is to increase your body's awareness while accompanying and guiding you.

Maximizing the benefits!

To maximize the benefits of Functional Integration, I recommend having at least three sessions within a relatively short period (two weeks). For effectively addressing a specific movement issue, a course of ten sessions is suggested. Just like with ATM, to maximize the benefits, you should try to arrange your schedule so that you don't have any stressful appointments immediately after the session. One of the best ways to work with the method is to take both Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons and Functional Integration (FI) individual lessons. In some ways, I find that the learning in ATM classes is stronger because it feels like we are truly discovering things for ourselves. There is a certain power in such discoveries, similar to a child figuring things out on their own. On the other hand, I also find it highly valuable to have FI lessons conducted by a skilled practitioner; I can sense possibilities that continue to elude me despite my best intentions or focus.

Comments

“When I first started the one-on-one lessons, I had severe lower back pain that radiated down my leg. After just two sessions, my back pain completely disappeared, and I can now walk more comfortably. Additionally, due to a neck hernia surgery I had 7 years ago, I used to experience intense arm pain from time to time. With these lessons, that pain has completely gone away. I truly recommend this to everyone.”

S.G. , Functional Integration Student