Feldenkrais Professional Training

Feldenkrais Professional Training

 Feldenkrais Professional Training

Curriculum

First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Evaluation & Graduation


Teaching & Learning Strategies

ATM

Functional Integration
Small Groups
Class Discussion
Lectures
Study Groups

Training Participants
Accreditation and CEU
Sponsoring Organisation

First Year

The first year of the Feldenkrais Professional Training Program will immerse you in all aspects of the Feldenkrais Method. Daily ATM lessons, three private FI lessons, lectures, demonstrations, theoretical discussion and hands-on work with other students will serve to give you a well rounded basis for personal learning and understanding. Fundamental ideas from physics, kinesiology, anatomy, and neurophysiology will be introduced in the context of different learning activities. You will begin to develop your own sensory acuity and the initial sensing and observation skills required in Functional Integration. Awareness, as a tangible component of experience, is developed through coordinating intention and action both in one's self and in touching others.

Second Year

The second year of the Training Program addresses the structure and function of both ATM and FI lessons. In order to prepare you for teaching ATM to the public at the end of the second year, the implicit structure and pattern of lessons will be made evident. All aspects of teaching ATM will be covered and you will have time to practice under supportive supervision. You will begin to recognize fundamental functional configurations and learn how to incorporate these observations into FI and ATM. FI practice will be used to help give you an inner understanding of ATM lessons.

Third Year

In the third year, the focus will be on developing the technical skills, sensory acuity and understanding in one's own hands required to give Functional Integration lessons. Adding to the extensive hands-on work done during the first two years, the next level of actually giving FI lessons will be developed. You will see FI lessons given to clients with a broad range of physical problems and begin to develop a sense for the 'artistic' elements in FI. The underlying dynamic common to both FI and ATM will constantly be brought to the foreground. Through the cross fertilization of FI and ATM your sophistication of understanding, and skill, will increase.

Fourth Year

The fourth year continues all the themes of the previous years and adds extensive FI practice with clients from outside the training. To provide as much individualized feedback and attention as possible, we make greater use of small groups. Working under close supervision you will learn how to maintain an open attitude toward learning and analysis of movement patterns as you construct meaningful learning situations for others. Discussions on how to coordinate and begin a professional practice will be conducted throughout. The ATM themes in the fourth year will be very rich and will foster a lasting grasp on the power, beauty and satisfaction possible through the Feldenkrais Method.

To insure that students receive substantial individual attention, The Feldenkrais GUILD® Training Accreditation Board guidelines require that a training program maintain a student to teachers ratio of 20:1 for the first two years and of 15:1 for the final two years. In addition, each year distinguished guest lecturers from related fields will join the training program. These invited teachers, scientists and thinkers will broaden your understanding of the Feldenkrais work, your sense of its relationship to the arts and sciences and your appreciation for the future development of the work.

Student Evaluation & Graduation Process

The progress and learning of each student in the training program will be closely supported, guided and followed throughout the four years. Personalized supervision will be an ongoing part of the training process and will be used to build your skills and understanding. Upon satisfactory completion of the second year of the Training Program, qualified students will be certified to teach Awareness through Movement to the public. At the end of the fourth year, upon completion of the Training Program requirements, graduates will become practitioners of both Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration and will be eligible for full membership in The Feldenkrais GUILD®. Students must meet training program attendance requirements. Any students missing more that five (5) days of training per year or a total of more than ten (10) days over the course of the entire four years will be required to make up lost time. The Educational Director reserves the right to ask any student to receive further training before being considered for graduation and full Feldenkrais practitioner status.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The following sections will explain to you the teaching and learning approaches which will be utilized in the training program. These include class ATM lessons, individual hands-on (FI) lessons, small group work, class discussion, lectures, supervision, and between-segment study groups.

Awareness Through Movement

You will experience many hours of Awareness Through Movement exercise lessons throughout the training. The core lessons will be drawn from the professional trainings that Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais conducted and from classes he taught. You will experience different types of lessons, including intricate lessons that have an extended and interwoven structure, as well as basic lessons which are taught to the general public. As noted above, we will not make a strong distinction between Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration, as they are simply two sides of the same coin. We will begin developing basic FI skills right from the start and will continue to emphasize ATM through the program.

Functional Integration

As part of your professional training experience, you will receive at least three private Functional Integration lessons each year from members of the faculty or invited practitioners. There will be ample opportunity to arrange for supplemental lessons. You will have many opportunities to observe lessons given during class, lessons given to other students during non-class hours, and videotapes of Moshe Feldenkrais giving lessons to people with various physical challenges. We will begin teaching touching and contact skills early in the program, emphasizing the development of sensing abilities and "seeing with the hands." You will refine your tactile, as well as kinesthetic acuity in ATM lessons and in small group work. During the third year of the program you will begin giving your fellow trainees supervised FI lessons and in the fourth year you will work with "clients" from outside the training.

Small Groups

Small sized groups are used to foster your learning from the training staff in an intimate and personalized context and to facilitate the process of learning cooperatively with your fellow students. For example, in topic-oriented discussions, you will bridge the gap between readings and your class experiences, make connections between ideas, and devise ways to put those connections into action. Small groups will also be used to develop your ability to understand and teach FI and ATM. For example, you will review ATM lessons in class, analyzing and discussing the structure and logic of the lessons. As the training progresses, you will have the opportunity to present short sections of the lessons and develop your presentation skills. We are committed to creating a constructive atmosphere, where all students can speak and be heard. We want to expand beyond the idea of being in a group and learning individually to create a process of learning with a group and as a group. By drawing on the different skills and background that each participant brings, the training will be a place for collaborative interaction and cooperative learning.

Class Discussions

We will hold regular discussions, both in small groups and with the entire class. These discussions will vary in style from question and answer periods, dialogues, open-ended talks, and conversations oriented to specific topics.

Lectures

Trainers, assistant trainers, and guest lecturers will present talks on the background of the Feldenkrais Method, related areas of current knowledge, and the specifics of developing and conducting a practice. You will learn about Moshe Feldenkrais and how he developed the Method as well as the historic, philosophical, and scientific bases of his thinking and work. To help you understand how the Feldenkrais Method relates to prevailing theory, you will be introduced to relevant topics in contemporary education, movement science, and philosophy. The curriculum may include special guest lecturers in the areas of: Anatomy & Kinesiology, Cybernetics & Systems Theory, Neurobiology & Philosophy of Mind, Motor Control & Learning Theory, Embodied Cognition, Communication Skills, and Martial Arts.

Study Groups & Between Segment Assignments

The training is designed to facilitate your continuous learning. This includes making sure that the intervals between training segments are well utilized. We will encourage you to take ATM classes or workshops in interim periods. In this way, you can learn about different styles of teaching and begin to interact with future colleagues as you continue your learning. For the same reasons, we also suggest that you receive FI's between segments.

To deepen your understand of the Feldenkrais Method and to strengthen your ability to express that understanding, we will ask you to read selected texts. We will also supervise the formation of local and non-local study groups for between session learning and support. These groups are an integral part of the training and learning process and in the past have been a very rich and dynamic part of the training. We will support the study group's activities by meeting with them during training segments and regularly giving them assignments and learning structures with which to work.

Training Participants

The Training Program appeals to a diverse and varied group of participants. In the past training program participants have ranged from 18-80 and have come from a wide range of fields, interests and backgrounds. The Training offers the possibility of joining a rewarding multi-disciplinary profession offering a broad range of applications. In addition those looking to bring new perspectives to their work or people who are interested in improving their own health and comfort are also welcome. In addition to maintaining independent private practices, many Feldenkrais Practitioners work in such diverse fields as physical and occupation therapy, rehabilitation medicine, psychology, education, physical education, massage therapy, art, ergonomics, gerontology, theater, dance and music. There are no specific pre-requisites for admission to the Feldenkrais Training Program. We are seeking a well-balanced student body, representing the full diversity of human experience, professions and backgrounds. We are committed to accepting people into the program regardless of age, gender, race or physical ability.

Accreditation And Certification

The East Coast and California Feldenkrais Professional Training Programs are fully accredited by The Feldenkrais Guild of North America and recognized by all international Feldenkrais teacher organizations throughout Europe, Australia, Israel and South America. Upon the satisfactory completion of the second year of the training, qualified students will be authorized to teach Awareness Through Movement to the public. At the end of the fourth year, upon completion of the training program requirements, a student will become a Practitioner of both Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration and will be eligible for full membership in The Feldenkrais GUILD of your country of residence.

Sponsoring Organization

The San Diego Feldenkrais Professional Training Programs is sponsored by Feldenkrais Resources. Feldenkrais Resources, founded in 1983, is one of the premier Feldenkrais training and somatic education organizations in the world. Feldenkrais Resources is also the exclusive publisher of much of Dr. Feldenkrais' extensive audio and visual programs, and books by the world's leading Feldenkrais Practitioners.

Feldenkrais Resources does not guarantee that graduates of the training will be able to practice in states or countries where local laws, licenses and regulations may stipulate additional specific requirements.

Please Note Feldenkrais®, Functional Integration®, Awareness Through Movement® and the Feldenkrais Method® are registered service marks of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America.

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