About
About the Audio Recordings
In 1972 Moshe Feldenkrais, DSc was invited to the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, to teach his work to a group of psychologists and Alexander Technique teachers. The course focused on what was to become known as Awareness Through Movement®. Over 5 weeks, Dr Feldenkrais taught dozens of lessons, intermingled with discussions and talks.
Historically, notes from 43 of these lessons have been available through the Esalen Notes prepared by Judith Stransky (Practitioners and Trainees may purchase these Notes – they are Not transcripts – here, log in required) who participated in the workshop, and then exclusively to Feldenkrais practitioners. The notes, while valuable, are a recollection, not the verbatim teachings of Dr. Feldenkrais. The original audio recordings were thought lost due to a fire in the Esalen Archives. Thankfully, copies of the recordings were found in materials donated to the International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) by the Feldenkrais Institute, however the copyright was held exclusively by a third party, and the recordings were not able to be produced. Thoughtful contract negotiations have allowed these unique recordings to be accessed by all who wish to benefit from them. The IFF’s Distribution Center is pleased to make them available.
The complete set of 46 audio files are a remarkable document of Dr Feldenkrais’ teaching in his prime. They are clear, concise and powerful. The sound quality is generally excellent, a boon from so old a recording. While individual lessons are available for purchase they are best experienced in the context of the whole workshop. This was the first “immersive” training Dr Feldenkrais taught, teaching two lessons per day. Lessons vary widely from simple and elegant to complex and challenging. They are both a rewarding introduction to the Feldenkrais Method® created by Moshe Feldenkrais, as well as a rich resource for practitioners seeking to enhance their understanding of Awareness Through Movement.
Thank you to all the people involved in resurrecting this powerful workshop.
~George Krutz
Purchase Audio Discs
In a cooperative venture between the IFF Distribution Center and Feldenkrais Resources, you have the choice of purchasing and downloading files from the International Feldenkrais Federation website, or purchasing physical CDs of the Esalen Workshop Audio from Feldenkrais Resources.
Table of Contents
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Esalen Workshop Recordings 1972
01 – Introduction and General Remarks.
02 – Scanning and General Remarks.
03 – Lying on the Stomach and Lifting Head.
04 – Tilting Cross Legs.
05 – Four Cardinal Points of Support of Body.
06 – Theme and Variations of Right Hip Joint.
07 – Intro to Dial Movement of the Pelvis.
08 – First of Spine Chain Series.
09 – Actual & Mental Right Hip Symphony.
10 – Tilting Legs Right and Left Lying on Stomach and Searching Middle.
11 – Wringing the Shoulder Girdle.
12 – Restoring Life to Hamstrings.
13 – Re-education of the Eyes.
14 – Differentiation of Head Movement.
15 – Abdomen and Chest in Breathing.
16 – Foot Hip Discrimination.
17 – Walking Backward.
18 – Head Through the Gate.
19 – Mobilization of the Right Side Only.
20 – Furthering the Learning of the First Lesson.
21 – Flexors Mostly.
22 – Jelly Pudding.
23 – Left Shoulder Differentiation & Reintegration into the Self Image.
24 – Raising the Entire Self to Function with a Live Shoulder.
25 – Exploring the Extensors of the Back.
26 – Foot Above the Head and its Integration into the Self Image.
27 – Primitive Locomotion Coordinating the Locomotive Joints.
28 – Rhythmic Coordination.
29 – Differentiation of Toes Increasing Awareness of Toes in Action.
30 – Exploring Floor Behind the Head Making the Bridge.
31 – Looking for Yourself Cleaning the Left Side of Your Self Image.
32 – Concretizing the Self Image.
33 – Exploring the Outer Ranges of Hands Behind the Head.
34 – Elementary Eye Training.
35 – Initiation in Rolling.
36 – Getting familiar with the diagonals.
37 – Introduction to Head Stand.
38 – Elementary Attempts in Loving Oneself.
39 – Making the Unthinkable Feasible.
40 – Doing the Impossible Toad Movement.
41 – Centering for Strength in Pelvis & Intelligence in Extremities.
42 – Sensory Exploration of Lips, Tongue, Mouth.
43 – Becoming Aware of Stretch Effects in Extensors through Exercising Flexors.
44 – Pelvic Locomotion Differentiation of Gluteals.
45 – Extensors Put to Task.
46 – Imagination and Action to Complete the Back Self Image.
The IFF holds the copyright to these materials. If you wish to use them for something other than personal study, please refer to the Copying and Fair Use guidelines.
We appreciate you buying these valuable materials. Income from these products allow us to continue the work of translating, transcribing and publishing more for the whole Feldenkrais Community. Copying or otherwise distributing these works is illegal and deprives us of the resources to continue this work.
As an individual Feldenkrais Method teacher, practitioner or trainee you are expressly ALLOWED (licensed) to use the materials in the following ways:
- Private viewing for private study purposes.
- Limited exhibition for educational purposes, such as showing a study group.
- You may copy digital materials, for personal use, on up to three (3) devices you own.
- You may print out a purchased PDF for personal study purposes only.
You are expressly NOT ALLOWED to use the materials in the following ways:
- Making any copies of the material, except where expressly allowed by the Agreement.
- Creation of any copies in any format to sell or give away free.
- Any broadcast or distribution of materials without specific written permission of the IFF.
- Loaning or lending the materials, including providing them to a library for that purpose.
If you are purchasing these materials for a Feldenkrais guild or association, the terms are slightly different. Please read sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 for details.
The International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) and IFF Distribution Center assume no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained by or through the use of this product.
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We cannot and do not give medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before using any materials.
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International Feldenkrais® Federation
