Alexander method/Feldenkrais

[abelian]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with the methods listed above? Specifically, how do they compare to CST?

I'm interested in movement in general, and am wondering whether it's worth to plonk down the time and money to learn about the above systems of thought, or whether CST encompasses the material taught in both methods.

That way I can save myself money spent on lessons by just dedicating myself to CST :)

[s a fossett]

I dated an Alexander practitioner for a while, and though I didn't take any formal "lessons" or anything, I definitely developed an appreciation for the concept at least. I feel that, to a large degree, applying CST thoroughly to your daily activities will give you the same result.

What I learned from Alexander-style thinking is essentially to be aware of my "use" and carry this mindfulness into my daily walking around. We are used to thinking about proper technique when we practice movements related to sports and such, but most of us turn that part of our minds off when we practice walking around and sitting in front of our computers all day.

Learning of the Alexander Method helped me notice a lot of bad use habits, but CST taught me much more about correcting them.

[Coach Billew]

I have done a small amount of Feldenkrais, and a much larger amount of Alexander. Both of them can be very useful, and I used many concepts from Alexander for years before discovering CST. I found for myself that the CST concepts work better for me on a daily basis, this may be because it is a language and methodology that I find easier to apply across the board, and that if I spent as much time on either of the other two I would find the same.

I think there is value in studying all other approaches and modalities that you find interesting. You may eventually find as many of us here have that ultimately everything is CST. There are several useful and informative books and videos on both subjects that can be a cheaper start to getting to know those systems.

On the other hand if you are just beginning your journey with CST it may behoove you to spend some time focused specifically on this system before trying to incorporate others.

Just my two cents,

[MichaelR]

Ken Harper, in his Prologue to Coach Sonnon's 'Body Flow' book, mentions that one of Coach Sonnon's mentors was Thomas Hanna. Hanna was himself one of Moshe Feldenkrais' students, and went on to found his own version of Moshe's technique, Hanna Somatics. Early in Body Flow, Coach Sonnon makes it clear that his approach will enable the practitioner to overcome 'Bound-Flow', and specifically Bound-Flow caused by what Thomas Hanna called sensory motor amnesia.
So, as far as I understand it, Coach Sonnon's work is in some ways a development of Feldenkrais' work. And the connections don't end there. Thomas Myers, the developer of Anatomy Trains and KMI massage, and whose work on tensegrity is quoted in the RMAX cert briefing materials I received when I attended the UK cert recently, was also a student of Feldenkrais.
Perhaps you could say these movement visionaries are all part of the same lineage. Ultimately, that lineage goes back to F.M. Alexander, because Moshe Feldenkrais combined his undestanding of Alexander Technique with his engineering-based analysis of the biomechanics of judo, and other somatic systems such as hatha yoga to work out how to self-heal a debilitating knee injury.
For my part, as well as exploring yoga, martial arts, kettlebells over the years, I have invested quite some time and money to exploring both the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method in the hope of improving my co-ordination and athleticism. However, I have been disappointed by the results, perhaps because both methods are too gentle, too directed towards rehabilitation, or perhaps just requre too great an amount of time and effort to show results. As a result, I have also trained with people combinging either AT or Feldenkrais woth Tai chi or yoga, again, with mixed results. The movements and lessons were always pleasurable and interesting, but something always seemeed to be missing.
CST however, is a different story altogether: after only a couple of months of serious study and practice old injuries are healing up, and my movement abilities and proprioception are improving quite dramatically. RMAX truly seems to be the practical missing link between Feldenkrais and athletic and proprioceptive enhancement that I was looking for.
Meanwhile, I will continue my research into AT, Feldenkrais and Hanna Somatics, as I believe they have much to offer at the rehabilitatory and theoretical levels.
If you're interested, here's an in-depth interview with Moshe about his early experiences trying to create a martial art adapted to life in Palestine and Israel before WWII from jiu-jitsu (did this influence the creation of krav maga and other WWII combatives I wonder?), his meeting with Jigoro Kano and exposure to judo in Paris, and the creation of the Feldenkrais technique: http://www.feldenkrais-wien.at/article-4.htm
Also, here's a page about the work of Israeli bujinkan teacher Moti Nativ who is reconnecting the Feldenkrais technique with its martial roots. http://www.bujinkan-israel.co.il/46250/--Warriors-Awareness---Home-page

[BrainSquirt]

The body awareness one could develop with the very slow deliberate parts of either technique can transfer to great benefit to CST. But invariably (not in a categorical but a practical way) work - especially with a practioner, bcse of time constraints, etc - with Alexander and Feldenkreis techniques will tend to narrow down to certain body areas for a very long time - while CST (IntuFlow wing in particular relevance here) will do whole body everyday... almost enuf said! hth