Frequently Asked Questions

Is this like getting a professional massage?
Not quite. Though lessons are very relaxing, a Feldenkrais Practitioner focuses on your skeleton and the state of your nervous system more than the soft tissue (muscles). Many people attend private lessons for relief from stress or anxiety; the pleasant feeling you receive from lessons is partly a result of the calming of the nervous system.

Is this different than physical therapy?
Many physical therapists practice Feldenkrais alongside their PT skills. The Feldenkrais Method is different in that it is based around a learning model rather than a therapy model. Instead of having a medical practitioner hand you a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, Feldenkrais operates more cooperatively. Both client and practitioner become involved in a process of discovery via awareness and movement practice.

How many private lessons does a typical client receive?
It is common to begin with a 5-lesson series, with one lesson per week. Potential clients are welcome to start with a single lesson to see if the method suits them. Some people begin with an intensive series (2-3 times per week) for a short period of time, and schedule monthly followup lessons as they feel ready. Ultimately, the frequency and number of lessons depends on the individual.

May I coordinate my Feldenkrais sessions with those of a therapist or physician?
Absolutely. Some people find it beneficial to coordinate care with a personal physician or with a therapist of another method such as massage, psychotherapy or chiropractic. The Feldenkrais Method also makes a happy partnership with other awareness and movement practices such as yoga and meditation.

Do you accept clients with disabilities?
Of course. The Feldenkrais Method can assist with multiple sclerosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions. If you or a loved one has had a stroke or other damage to the nervous system or brain, the Feldenkrais Method may be able to help.

Do you accept insurance?
Not at this time.

May I drop in on a class?
Yes. You are welcome to drop in for public classes or workshops. If you have any serious medical problems or any condition that may interfere with movement or awareness, you are encouraged to call in advance. Please visit Green Mountain's Lessons and Classes page for class or workshop information.

What is Feldenkrais again?
The Feldenkrais Method focuses on learning about the patterns of behavior and thought that are causing pain or restriction for the individual, discovering along the way how the person might act more freely. Using playfulness, improvisation and curiosity in addition to structure, we work to uncover how the brain and nervous system have restricted possibilities for the person. In private sessions this is primarily accomplished through touch and gentle manipulation; in a group class instructions are communicated verbally. You can think of each class or lesson as a series of pleasant movement/awareness puzzles, rich with the discoveries that lead to a broadened understanding of the self in all its facets.