Jennifer Groves Feldenkrais Summit

Movement Intelligence (MI) combines the gentleness of Moshe Feldenkrais’ teaching in somatic mind/body education, working with the nervous system and the brain’s plasticity which allows a systematic change in motor function via movement awareness. Over our lifetimes, our bodies often develop unhealthy postural habits and both our culture and belief systems can influence posture. As we age, gravity can take its toll on our bodies along with muscular, skeletal and mood dysfunction. Movement Intelligence sprang from the question: “How can we interrupt this cycle of deterioration of bone health and collapse as we age?”

Bones need strength, they need anti-gravitational forces and vertical impact with rhythmic pressure and vibration. Bones thrive when integration and coordination are partnered with awareness for a higher level of function. Our bodies often collapse under their own weight and bone loss often occurs as we age. Bone can adapt to the loads it is placed under, and with repetition and the practise of MI strategies, bone can remodel through movement. Walking, running and jumping are some of the best tools for developing stronger bones. But how can we do this in safety?

In Movement Intelligence, you explore moving in the horizontal plane, then add forcefulness when sitting or standing in the vertical plane and then blend them together. You learn how to sensorily listen and pace yourself with your inner world and also engage with your outer world, learning to navigate and switch between the two, as you move. The program utilizes many tools for learning, with innovation of weights and the spiral. The Bones for Life^® wrap (7 meters of fabric) is used as an exoskeleton to establish a clear axial line for the spine to explore safe dynamic movement in space. Spirals with trajectories of force are generated from head to foot, building bone resiliency and stamina. Partner work and group dynamics are utilized as well. Movement Intelligence is a journey of self-guided discovery.