About Yochanan Rywerant (1920–2010)

Yochanan Rywerant was a pivotal figure in the development and dissemination of the Feldenkrais Method®, contributing to its evolution as a rigorous system of somatic education. Born in Czernowitz, he survived forced labor during World War II and emigrated to Israel, where he studied mathematics and physics at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His scientific background and analytical approach deeply influenced his understanding of Feldenkrais’s work.

In 1952, Rywerant became one of Moshe Feldenkrais’s earliest students, drawn by his innovative approach to learning through movement. For 15 years, he worked closely with Feldenkrais, assisting in pioneering training programs, including the San Francisco and Amherst trainings. His dedication and insight helped shape the teaching of Functional Integration®, the hands-on aspect of the Feldenkrais Method.

Rywerant authored The Feldenkrais Method: Teaching by Handling, a foundational text widely used in practitioner training. He brought a scientific rigor to the method, integrating concepts from mathematics, neuroscience, and problem-solving. A skilled teacher, he explored how Feldenkrais’s ideas aligned with broader disciplines, including psychology and education.

Rywerant’s contributions ensured the Feldenkrais Method’s growth and credibility worldwide. He passed away in 2010, leaving a legacy as a scholar-practitioner who bridged science and somatic learning.