One of my first entry points into neuroplastic learning, and the capacity for the human system to rewire, change and evolve past “usual” standards of human potential, was via the work of Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais vis-à-vis the body of work called, The Feldenkrais Method.
I began this quest back in 2000 after a series of knee injuries and surgeries left me with messed up movement patterns that were causing a lot of body pain and discomfort. Thankfully, I was introduced to this body of mind-body-environment learning early enough that I was able to rewire my entire way of moving, sensing, feeling and being such that my function, to this day, remains high when one considers the level of damage to my joints.
The interview I have for you today is with one of my favourite Feldenkrais colleagues and a good friend, Andrew Gibbons.
Andrew is as expert as you can get with this body of work, and I’m thrilled to share his origin story, his love of Feldenkraisian learning, and his many insights around what it means to not only be a good practitioner, but also what it takes to be a stellar student of this work. Check it out!
QUICK HISTORICAL NOTE:
Dr. Feldenkrais (1904-1984) was WAY ahead of the curve when it comes to neuroplasticity and changing the patterns in our brain and nervous system.
He’s been touted by Canadian medical doctor and author Norman Doidge, and I paraphrase here, as “one of the forefathers of neuroplastic learning.”
Doidge values Feldenkrais’ work so much that a full chapter and a half was devoted to the work in his latest book, The Brain’s Way of Healing.
The work of Feldenkrais is still evolving and being refined, and I witness such evolutions when I’m teaching the work I do via my Up & Down workshops.
I believe my interview guest today is one of the key players to keep an eye on as time moves forward, so definitely dig into our chat.
Here’s a favourite thing I heard Andrew say during our chat:
“Your kinesthetic intelligence is a renewable resource.”
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Resources I Share In The Vlog:
Learn more about Andrew and his work and services here: https://www.bodyofknowledge.me/
MUSIC: Andrew mentioned this piece early on in our talk, Stravinsky – Petruschka (piano version)
BOOK: Moshe Feldenkrais, Awareness Through Movement
BOOK: Emile Coue, Self-Hypnosis
Book: Geoff Colvin, Talent is overrated
Ryan Nagy’s online work: https://www.ryannagy.com/
BOOK: Reference to Meadowmount music school, “If I can tell what piece you’re working on, you’re not practicing…” (You’re performing..). That book is The Talent Code by Danny Coyle.
The quote on genius is by Eric Weinstein (host of “The Portal” podcast, and managing director at Thiel Capital). It was from Edge.org’s 2013 Question “What Should We Be Worried About” Here’s the link: https://www.edge.org/response-detail/23879
