Awakening Resourcefulness & Creativity
Our rapidly changing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world has led to many chronic stress conditions. These often manifest as complex post-traumatic stress disorders (C-PTSD) and compound neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and autism. Instead of treating these solely as “disorders,” at Neuroceptive Learning, we provide polyvagal-informed neuroplasticity learning services focusing on regulation alongside traditional treatment options.
One of our essential methods is the Feldenkrais Method, developed by nuclear physicist, engineer, and martial arts expert Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais (1904–1984). He understood neuroplasticity long before it became widely recognised. He studied how we experience the world through our senses, naturally learn through integrating reflexes and movement patterns, and how our nervous system regulation develops, matures and functions. Thus, he created the Feldenkrais method of neuroplasticity learning.
“Movement is life.
Without movement, life is unthinkable.”
Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais
Feldenkrais’s method influences our perceived self-image (ontology)
Moshé Feldenkrais recognised that our interaction with the world is not limited to our five “external” senses – touch, smell, taste, vision, and hearing – which shape our perception of the “external world” and influence our understanding of “objective reality.”
He also acknowledged that our “inner world” or “subjective reality” is influenced by our inner senses, including vestibular (balance, orientation, and position of the head in space), proprioception (position of body parts), and interoception (internal bodily sensations). He described these as our “subjective reality.” Our personal ontogenetic history includes traumatic experiences such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), physical and psychological injuries, betrayal of trust, and relational stressful events. These experiences become embodied and form part of our internal sensory information, influencing our subjective world/reality.
In his book The Elusive Obvious, he wrote:
“The evolution of the nervous system in all mammals shows that the subjective world of reality is much larger than the objective one… only one cell in ten thousand is bringing in information from objective reality, and that subjective reality is immensely richer and more complex.“
He also stated: “We move according to our perceived self-image.”
These insights—that our subjective reality is significantly more intricate and nuanced than our objective reality and is influenced by our movements —informed his neuroplasticity learning method. He realised that altering our subjective reality/internal sensory information through awareness of our movements provides a means to change our ontology / perceived self-image. While we cannot change our ontogeny (our history), we can lessen the effect on our present Ontology (who we are – our doing, being and belonging) and our future (our becoming),
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VII), together with the cerebellum, integrates our vestibular and proprioception sensations with other senses, enhancing gravitational security – our sense of safety and orientation within the gravitational field, as termed by neuroscientist Jean Ayers. It facilitates the integration of early movement patterns and reflexes, promoting synapse formation from the spinal nerves to the brainstem to the brain’s higher cortical areas. It develops muscle tonus and matures our Autonomic Nervous system (ANS)’s sympathetic, protective reactions as we become upright from crawling into standing. These movements are our first natural learning, which allows executive function and further education.
Moshé Feldenkrais used the principles of neuroplasticity to replicate our natural learning capacity. He developed a bottom-up, self-directed neuroplasticity learning method based on awareness of our senses and movement patterns. He described his method as: “Making the impossible possible, the possible easy, the easy elegant, and creating a new way of being.”
Polyvagal theory reveals the full potential of the Feldenkrais method
Over the last three decades, Polyvagal Theory (PVT) introduced a groundbreaking framework for our evolved phylogenetic unified nervous system. A framework that describes how our nervous system regulates our physical and psychological well-being, enabling us to thrive through connection-regulated responses and to survive by activating protective reactions. Neuroception, our subconscious evaluation of sensory information for safety, unlocks and allows the evolved connection responses and societal living.
Ontogeny describes how each individual’s nervous system develops and enfolds along this phylogenetic framework. At any point, our ontogeny (embedded in our body and nervous system) influences our ontology (who we are) and, therefore, either promotes or hinders the potential described by the evolved phylogenetic framework.
Understanding the PVT framework gives us ways to restore and improve our health and lessen the effects of our history (ontogeny) on its functioning and our way of being (Ontology).
The Feldenkrais method aligns closely with the PVT framework of our evolved, unified Polyvagal nervous system. The PVT provides the “vocabulary” to explain the Feldenkrais method, which was unavailable in Moshé Feldenkrais’ lifetime.
Feldenkrais method normalise our Neuroception and ANS regulation
PVT highlights the importance of the Vagus nerve (CN X) as a conveyor of interoception sensory information from our visceral organs. The PVT refers to these as our face-heart connection facilitated by the myelination of the ventral vagal branch and face-heart gut connection facilitated by the dorsal vagal branch. PVT also describes the vagal brake as a function of the myelinated ventral vagal, down-regulating our protection reactive regulation to create a more connection response. Connection responses allow social engagement, bonding and co-regulation, which teaches self-regulation and resilience and enables societal living.
The myelinated ventral vagus branch nerves are essential for our connection response regulation, but the ventral birch nerves are not yet fully myelinated at birth. The bonding with the primary caregiver and gravitational security provided by the myelinated vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VII) and cerebellum facilitates this process as the infant’s movement patterns become more sophisticated and integrated. Therefore, the neuro-movement of the Feldenkrais method develops executive functioning and strengthens the ventral vagus capacity to act as a vagal brake to down-regulate protection regulation- enabling the full range of connection regulation.
The vagus nerve fibres are 80% sensory (from the body to the brain) and only 20% motor (from the brain to the body). PVT, therefore, emphasises that internal sensory information received through spinal and vagus nerves influences our nervous system’s regulation and our ontology far more than external events and cognition.
Thus, through our Feldenkrais neuro-movements, we influence the internal sensory information on which our Neuroception, our subconscious evaluation of safety, is based and, therefore, our ANS regulation.
Thus, a regular Feldenkrais practice normalises our neuroception (the nervous system’s evaluation of safety) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation, fostering an unconscious sense of safety in our bodies and psychological safety in the world.
Therefore, regular practitioners of the Feldenkrais method describe it as “bringing back the joy in my body.”
In our VUCA world, chronic stress often leads to nervous system dysregulation. Osteopath Dr. James Jealous noted that more than 80% of chronic physical and mental illnesses have autonomic nervous system dysregulation as the root cause.
Thus, regular Feldenkrais practice becomes essential. It addresses physical pain and mobility issues effectively and normalises neuroception and ANS regulation. It influences our Ontology (who we are) and our experience of psychological safety. Psychological safety influences our sense of inclusion and ability to speak up, contribute, and challenge within groups.
Through regular Feldenkrais practice, we influence our behaviour, neurological conditions, moods, psychology, work, sports, and the arts performance, stress management, health, and overall quality of life. We also lessen the hold of our Ontogeny (history) on our Ontology (who we currently are and what we are becoming).
As Ruthy Alon, creator of “Bones for Life” based on Feldenkrais principles, states:
“It is not just a method of body movement, but rather an awakening of bodily resourcefulness and creativity.“
The Feldenkrais Method Benefits Adults and Children by:
- Enhancing developmental movements for children with autism and other neurological disorders
- Assisting with learning difficulties through the embodiment of spatial concepts
- Creating a positive self-image, reducing frustration and anger
- Nurturing healthy social interactions
- Improving posture, flexibility, and coordination
- Enhancing emotional and physical well-being
- Reducing stress
- Refining coordination for sports and everyday skills
- Enhancing skills for athletes, musicians, and dancers
- Developing self-awareness, attention, and thinking abilities
- Helping to overcome and avoid injuries
- Promoting vitality and rejuvenation
- Increasing self-esteem and self-confidence
- Enhancing relationships
- Regaining child-like openness, creativity, and spontaneity
Ultimately, it normalises our ANS regulation and may reduce or completely resolve numerous chronic symptoms.
Neuroceptive Learning Approach to Feldenkrais
At Neuroceptive Learning, we believe in the profound impact of the Feldenkrais Method on individuals seeking to reconnect with their bodies and unlock their full potential. As an internationally qualified Feldenkrais practitioner registered to provide services under Swiss complementary medical aid, I complement Feldenkrais self-directed neuroplasticity learning with the following regulatory services:
- Bones for Life, Hanna Somatic Movement, Neuroscanbalance
- Integrating reflexes and early movements through various methods, such as the Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology (INPP) method, Blomberg Reflex Integration, and Kinflex.
- Multi-sensory training (MST)
- Sophrology, Continuum & Polarity Therapy
- NeuroAffect Relational Model (NARM) and Somatic Experiencing
By integrating the Feldenkrais method with these complementary practices, we offer a holistic approach to well-being that addresses both the body and mind. Join us on a journey towards improved health, creativity, enhanced performance, and a more fulfilling life.