Moshe Feldenkrais was a scientist, martial artist, and educator who believed we could all learn to move—and live—with greater ease, clarity, and purpose. Drawing on his training in physics, engineering, and judo, he developed the Feldenkrais Method®—a groundbreaking approach to learning through movement that has transformed the lives of people worldwide.

Early Life & Education

Born in 1904 in the town of Slavuta (then part of the Russian Empire, now Ukraine), Moshe Feldenkrais emigrated to Palestine at age 14. Determined to create opportunities for himself, he worked as a laborer while completing his education, showing an early talent for problem-solving and determination.

His curiosity for how things work led him to Paris, where he earned degrees in engineering and physics. He later worked with Nobel Prize–winning scientist Frédéric Joliot-Curie at the prestigious Radium Institute.

Judo & Movement Exploration

While in France, Moshe discovered judo—a martial art that emphasizes skill, adaptability, and efficiency over brute force. He became one of Europe’s first black belts, wrote several books on the art, and taught extensively.

It was during this time that a knee injury from soccer sparked a turning point. Instead of immediately turning to surgery, Moshe began exploring how subtle changes in movement and awareness could improve his function. This personal investigation planted the seeds for the Feldenkrais Method®.

“What I’m after isn’t flexible bodies, but flexible brains.” — Moshe Feldenkrais

The Birth of the Feldenkrais Method®

Combining his scientific rigor, deep knowledge of human movement, and innovative thinking, Moshe developed a learning process based on two core ideas:

• Awareness Precedes Change – To change how you move, first you must notice what you are doing.
• Variation Unlocks Possibility – By exploring new options, you can discover more efficient, comfortable, and coordinated ways of acting.

These principles took shape in two formats:

• Awareness Through Movement® – group lessons taught through verbal guidance.
• Functional Integration® – one-to-one hands-on sessions.

Legacy & Influence

From the 1950s until his death in 1984, Moshe taught around the world, training practitioners and inspiring students from all walks of life—athletes, musicians, scientists, and people recovering from injuries or neurological conditions.

Today, the Feldenkrais Method® is practiced in over 40 countries. It continues to help people expand their movement repertoire, improve balance and coordination, and live with greater self-awareness.

Discover the Method for Yourself

Moshe’s work reminds us that learning how we move is learning how we live.

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