Between the Lines is what we’re calling a new ongoing event that begins on Wednesday, March 30 at The Feldenkrais Institute of New York. It’s going to be structured like what I imagine many books clubs are (though I’ve never actually been a member of a book club), but all the reading will be related in some way to the Feldenkrais Method. Attendees will be asked to read something in advance that we’ll discuss at the meeting. I’ll also teach a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lesson at each meeting.
Why a Reading and Discussion Group?
This idea has been percolating with me for a couple of years now. At first, I was interested in having the group discuss books recently written that illuminated ideas or principles that Dr. Feldenkrais used in the creation of the Feldenkrais Method. What interested me most were books that documented studies that have been done that prove, or at least strongly support, ideas on which Feldenkrais based his method. Advances in science, particularly in devices that measure physical phenomena, have moved as quickly as all technology in our culture. Consequently, there is information available now that was not when Feldenkrais was working; information that directly supports ideas that he had come to believe to be true, through his own experience, or through the less sophisticated research that was then available.
Some of these books also put forth hypotheses that are as yet unproven about what this new information may mean. Some of these intriguing hypotheses, whether or not they are ever "proven," will have a direct impact on the work we do with the Feldenkrais Method. For example, Feldenkrais talks about the "joining of two nervous systems" during the course of a Functional Integration session. This always seemed like a metaphorical joining to me, one to be sought, not because it was actually achievable, but because the closer one comes to the "ideal" of true joining, the more meaningful the experience becomes between client and practitioner. In The Field, by Lynn McTaggart (and in other books by other authors), the idea of finally identifying what is at the bottom of the Unified Field Theory, may make "joining" of anything and everything in the physical universe a concrete reality instead of just a metaphorical goal. It's an intriguing idea.
In The User Illusion, by Tor Norretranders, studies are cited that seem to indicate that the human brain begins working on a task before the conscious mind decides to do so. This calls into question the almost universally held belief that it is our conscious mind that is the sole agent of our actions (at least our physical actions, behaviors, wants and desires). Because the Feldenkrais Method uses both conscious awareness and attention, as well as affecting the subconscious process of "assembling" movement patterns, sequences, paths and timing, this idea of "who's on top"--consciousness, subconsciousness, or some combination of the two, becomes fascinatingly relevant to the practice of the Feldenkrais Method and how it works.
The above is a synopsis of thinking that was done a couple of years ago. In bringing Between the Lines to fruition, I spoke to many people and have come to realize that it makes sense to begin on a level that is more directly related to the Feldenkrais Method itself--by discussing at least some of the works that Dr. Feldenkrais wrote.
I encountered Dr. Feldenkrais's books on his method during my training program and found them all to contain complex ideas presented with what, at the time, I perceived as widely varying degrees of clarity. By far, his most accessible book, is Awareness Through Movement and so, in the end, that seemed like the most logical place to start.
Awareness Through Movement is divided into two parts. In the first part, Dr. Feldenkrais makes known his beliefs on learning, self-image, the role culture and society plays in discouraging people from reaching their full potential and how he proposes, though The Feldenkrais Method, to help people become more of what they’d like to be.
The second part of the book is divided into descriptions of twelve Awareness Through Movement lessons. Nowhere else that I’ve seen, does Dr Feldenkrais reveal so much of what he is attempting to do with his lessons.
For our first meeting, on March 30, I’ll teach one of the twelve Awareness Through Movement lessons from the book (I’ll let you know which one in a future post) and we’ll discuss anything from the book that interests you. I’ll be prepared to do as much “leading” as the group would like. At some point during the evening, we’ll also talk about what we’ll be reading and discussing at the next meeting of Between the Lines on June 29.
To prepare for the first meeting on March 30, please read at least Part One of Awareness Through Movement (less than seventy pages), and as much of the rest of the book as you like. If you need a copy of the book, it is available at a 20% discount through The Feldenkrais Institute from now through the end of March. You can pick one up at the front desk or call 212-727-1014 to order.
Between the Lines is sponsored by The Feldenkrais Foundation. Admission is free but donations to the foundation will be gladly accepted. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact The Feldenkrais Institute at 212-727-1014. Looking forward to seeing you on March 30.
