As Professor in Neuroscience and Rehabilitation at the University of South Australia, Dr. Susan Hillier explains the term “neuroplasticity” and how directly experiencing the Feldenkrais Method parallels evidence from neuroscience. Susan discusses current scientific research in how the role of body awareness and the impact of training sensation, perception and awareness can re-establish meaningful function for the whole person after stroke and other movement disorders.

Sharing her personal journey into the Feldenkrais Method, Susan tells of discovering profound personal change along the way to becoming an Educational Director of the Feldenkrais Training Program in Australia. She derives enjoyment in witnessing how the intrigue in Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons, Functional Integration lessons and in Feldenkrais Trainings helps people feel agency and autonomy to put choices into practice to improve their own functioning.

Outlining some structure and functions of the neural connections in our changeable brain, Susan points to how scientific inquiry into strengthening physiological and behavioural feedback mechanisms for learning are vital in evidence-based research, clinical therapy and Feldenkrais practice. Susan lauds the rich international Feldenkrais community now in supporting the emergence of new pedagogy to find ways we can teach, learn and deliver the Feldenkrais Method successfully.

Links for further learning:  International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) Reference database for research https://feldenkrais-method.org/research/reference-database/

Literature Review: The Effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method: A Systematic Review of the Evidence by Susan Hillier and Anthea Worley, 2015 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/752160/

Book: The Feldenkrais Method® - Learning Through Movement. Chapter by Susan Hillier – The Importance of the Brain, Nervous System and Body in Learning https://feldenkraismovementbook.com/

Feldenkrais Moving into the Unknown hosts: Heidi Carroll, Kym McGregor and Libby Murray.

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