Practical Neuroplasticity – Feldenkrais, Somatics & Learning How to Change with Nick Strauss-Klein
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Can a gentle movement practice reshape your life? Meet Nick Strauss-Klein, a Guild-certified Feldenkrais practitioner and founder of The Feldenkrais Project, who shares his journey from a concert pianist sidelined by a repetitive strain injury to a passionate advocate and teacher of the Feldenkrais Method. Discover how his experience sparked a profound interest in the intricate relationship between physics, cognition and human learning. We get to the heart of Moshé Feldenkrais’ groundbreaking work in somatics, exploring how his own quest for healing led to the development of this unique practice of “practical neuroplasticity”. Through gentle, non-violent self-exploration and an emphasis on making subtle distinctions in movement, the Feldenkrais Method fosters a deep awareness of the body and mind. Nick highlights the central role of the nervous system and the brain when explaining how a Feldenkrais lesson is able to facilitate changes by emphasizing curiosity and ease when learning. We discuss the benefits, such as improved physical mobility, enhanced thinking and emotional regulation. Our discussion also highlights how investigating our physical alignment can lead to greater self-awareness. We consider if there is a spiritual dimension to the Feldenkrais method, exploring its potential to enhance creative expression. Nick shares what challenges are posed by modern sedentary lifestyles and discusses how the method can address these issues. We also consider how posture may be passed down through ancestry not only by genetic inheritance (nature) but also via mirror neurons (nurture). As we look to the future of the Feldenkrais Method, Nick introduces the Feldenkrais Project, his pioneering initiative designed to broaden accessibility and engagement worldwide. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned practitioner, this episode is a testament to the transformative power of the Feldenkrais Method, offering insights for anyone seeking to understand this seminal approach to somatic therapy.
The Feldenkrais Project, a crowd-funded labor of love offering Feldenkrais study at no charge to thousands of monthly listeners all around the world. With over 25 years of experience, Nick currently teaches the Feldenkrais Method full-time to students pursuing all types of improvement, from chronic pain relief to enhancing athletic or creative performance. Since 2009 he has been the director of Twin Cities Feldenkrais based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
Check out our Spotlight episode with Nick, featuring an Awareness Through Movement guided practice.
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