Art & Culture
Michel Casanovas on the Feldenkrais Method of movement
By Sahar Adil
Published: August 12 2009
Michel Casanovas, a dancer and performer from France is also a student and teacher of the Feldenkrais Method. Michel’s own training as a performer forms the basis of his belief that the method holds within it crucial learning and discoveries for a performing artist (be it an actor, a dancer, or a musician).
Through the 1940s Moshé FeldenKrais developed a method that is best described in his words…
“There is little doubt in my mind that the motor functions, and perhaps the muscles themselves, are part and parcel of our higher functions. This is not true only of those higher functions like singing, painting and loving, which are impossible without muscular activity, but also of thinking, recalling, remembering and feeling”, Moshe Feldenkrais
Throught the 1950’s Moshe Feldenkrais developed a method best described as “ Awareness Through Movement.”
These workshops will be held over consecutive Saturdays in August: 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th Michel will create a space for performing artists to meet and experience the Feldenkrais Method. The sessions will be conducted in English and Kannada.
Michel Etienne Joseph Casanovas was born in 1965 in Perpignan, South of France. A dancer, choregrapher, teacher and practitioner in Feldenkrais Method. He also studies in ballet and contemporary dance (also release technique and contact improvisation). 1982, graduate in «baccalauréat de danse » at the Conservatoire de Toulouse, France . And since 1982, he has been engaged in different theatres and dance companies in Belgium, France, Canada and Switzerland.
Since 1996, he is co-founder, with Patrick Collaud, of the Cie Morespace, Basel/Switzerland, and he had realised five long projects as a choregrapher. His work, based on strong thematics in human being condition, reveals a sensitive and creative approach of dance through specifics movements research and improvisation. Since 2006, he is regulary teaching contemporary dance and Feldenkrais Method in India, working with young dancers, and non dancers, in Bangalore, Bombay and Calcutta.
Michel spoke passionately about the importance of body awareness, citing examples of people who had lost the their arms for instance, “ if someone has lost his arms, his mind tells him he cannot do the things he used to do with his arms. The Feldenkrias method allows an individual to tap into his subconscious and maybe develop the movements of his feet to work as hands. It take time, but we have seen this happen with people. It also has to do with individual determination.”
Besides his artistic work and research, Michel interest is about body exploration, in a functionnal and therapeutic way, and he is now practitioner in Feldenkrais Method. In his workshops and regular teaching, Michel combines his dance experience and the Feldenkrais Method to offer people, dancer or non dancer, a space of self-discovery. He says, “ when we are babies, we are instinctive in our movements, the way we walk, talk, sit, move, and as we grow older we forget how to use our instincts, our instincts dull. This method approaches the mind and allows it to be active. This is a great technique for even dancers and athletes’ who really want to push themselves to new challenges.”
Through slow movement explorations (ATM / Awareness Trough Movement) and variations of actions in a larger range, he is leading people from functionnality to quality of movement. This first approch trough functionnality can then become a new base for some work in dance, improvisation and performing arts.
Michel also propose to the participants, some single sessions, ( FI / Functionnal Integration), based on self- improvement in a very specific, personnal and refined way.
The Feldenkrais Method is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. By expanding the self-image through movement sequences that bring attention to the parts of the self that are out of awareness, the Method enables you to include more of yourself in your fonctioning movements. Students become more aware of their habitual neuromuscular patterns and rigidities and expand options for new ways of moving.
On one hand, the Feldenkrais approach is use for the reduction of the pain, and to restore abilities in case of orthopedic or neurological problems ; on the other hand, artists like actors, dancers and musicians use the Feldenkrais Method to further their craft, and common people to find more ease, more comfort, less struggle and a better quality of moving and interacting in their dayly life.
The Feldenkrais Method consists in two complementary approachs :
- Awarness throught Movement is based on verbally guided lessons experienced in groups.
Theses precisely structured movement explorations involve thinking, sensing, moving and imagining. The emphasis is on learning witch movements work better and noticing the quality of these changes in your body. Through increased awareness, you will learn to abandon unnecessary habitual patterns of movements and develop new alternatives, resulting in improved flexibility and coordination.
- Functionnal Integration designate private lessons with a teacher. It is primarily nonverbal and relies upon touch. The practitioner communicates how you organise your body and, through gentle touching and movement, conveys the experience of comfort, pleasure and ease of movement while you learn to reorganize your body and behavior in new and more expanded functional motor patterns. Through rapport and respect for your abilities, qualities and integrity, the practitioner creates an environment in witch you can learn comfortably.
Awarness throught Movement and Functionnal Integration adress many needs and interests.
Feldenkrais’ Methods promote general well being throught techniques that involve both body and mind. Among the many benefits are increased suppleness and efficiency of movement, better posture, increased energy, better mood, and enhanced alertness, thinking and imagination.
The basis of all learning is the reciprocity between mind and body..
When you know what to do, you can do what you want - Moshe Feldenkrais.
Dates:August 15th, 22nd and 29th Michel will create a space for performing artists to meet and experience the Feldenkrais Method. The sessions will be conducted in English and Kannada.
Timings: 11 am to last 1 hr 15 mind
Venue:All sessions will be held at the rafiki workspace, off the Outer Ring Road, close to the Hebbal Flyover.
As the space can accommodate only 15 participants please quickly call Sachin on 9845518291 oremail warafiki@yahoo.com for details.
Through the 1940s Moshé FeldenKrais developed a method that is best described in his words…
“There is little doubt in my mind that the motor functions, and perhaps the muscles themselves, are part and parcel of our higher functions. This is not true only of those higher functions like singing, painting and loving, which are impossible without muscular activity, but also of thinking, recalling, remembering and feeling”, Moshe Feldenkrais
Throught the 1950’s Moshe Feldenkrais developed a method best described as “ Awareness Through Movement.”
These workshops will be held over consecutive Saturdays in August: 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th Michel will create a space for performing artists to meet and experience the Feldenkrais Method. The sessions will be conducted in English and Kannada.
Michel Etienne Joseph Casanovas was born in 1965 in Perpignan, South of France. A dancer, choregrapher, teacher and practitioner in Feldenkrais Method. He also studies in ballet and contemporary dance (also release technique and contact improvisation). 1982, graduate in «baccalauréat de danse » at the Conservatoire de Toulouse, France . And since 1982, he has been engaged in different theatres and dance companies in Belgium, France, Canada and Switzerland.
Since 1996, he is co-founder, with Patrick Collaud, of the Cie Morespace, Basel/Switzerland, and he had realised five long projects as a choregrapher. His work, based on strong thematics in human being condition, reveals a sensitive and creative approach of dance through specifics movements research and improvisation. Since 2006, he is regulary teaching contemporary dance and Feldenkrais Method in India, working with young dancers, and non dancers, in Bangalore, Bombay and Calcutta.
Michel spoke passionately about the importance of body awareness, citing examples of people who had lost the their arms for instance, “ if someone has lost his arms, his mind tells him he cannot do the things he used to do with his arms. The Feldenkrias method allows an individual to tap into his subconscious and maybe develop the movements of his feet to work as hands. It take time, but we have seen this happen with people. It also has to do with individual determination.”
Besides his artistic work and research, Michel interest is about body exploration, in a functionnal and therapeutic way, and he is now practitioner in Feldenkrais Method. In his workshops and regular teaching, Michel combines his dance experience and the Feldenkrais Method to offer people, dancer or non dancer, a space of self-discovery. He says, “ when we are babies, we are instinctive in our movements, the way we walk, talk, sit, move, and as we grow older we forget how to use our instincts, our instincts dull. This method approaches the mind and allows it to be active. This is a great technique for even dancers and athletes’ who really want to push themselves to new challenges.”
Through slow movement explorations (ATM / Awareness Trough Movement) and variations of actions in a larger range, he is leading people from functionnality to quality of movement. This first approch trough functionnality can then become a new base for some work in dance, improvisation and performing arts.
Michel also propose to the participants, some single sessions, ( FI / Functionnal Integration), based on self- improvement in a very specific, personnal and refined way.
The Feldenkrais Method is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. By expanding the self-image through movement sequences that bring attention to the parts of the self that are out of awareness, the Method enables you to include more of yourself in your fonctioning movements. Students become more aware of their habitual neuromuscular patterns and rigidities and expand options for new ways of moving.
On one hand, the Feldenkrais approach is use for the reduction of the pain, and to restore abilities in case of orthopedic or neurological problems ; on the other hand, artists like actors, dancers and musicians use the Feldenkrais Method to further their craft, and common people to find more ease, more comfort, less struggle and a better quality of moving and interacting in their dayly life.
The Feldenkrais Method consists in two complementary approachs :
- Awarness throught Movement is based on verbally guided lessons experienced in groups.
Theses precisely structured movement explorations involve thinking, sensing, moving and imagining. The emphasis is on learning witch movements work better and noticing the quality of these changes in your body. Through increased awareness, you will learn to abandon unnecessary habitual patterns of movements and develop new alternatives, resulting in improved flexibility and coordination.
- Functionnal Integration designate private lessons with a teacher. It is primarily nonverbal and relies upon touch. The practitioner communicates how you organise your body and, through gentle touching and movement, conveys the experience of comfort, pleasure and ease of movement while you learn to reorganize your body and behavior in new and more expanded functional motor patterns. Through rapport and respect for your abilities, qualities and integrity, the practitioner creates an environment in witch you can learn comfortably.
Awarness throught Movement and Functionnal Integration adress many needs and interests.
Feldenkrais’ Methods promote general well being throught techniques that involve both body and mind. Among the many benefits are increased suppleness and efficiency of movement, better posture, increased energy, better mood, and enhanced alertness, thinking and imagination.
The basis of all learning is the reciprocity between mind and body..
When you know what to do, you can do what you want - Moshe Feldenkrais.
Dates:August 15th, 22nd and 29th Michel will create a space for performing artists to meet and experience the Feldenkrais Method. The sessions will be conducted in English and Kannada.
Timings: 11 am to last 1 hr 15 mind
Venue:All sessions will be held at the rafiki workspace, off the Outer Ring Road, close to the Hebbal Flyover.
As the space can accommodate only 15 participants please quickly call Sachin on 9845518291 oremail warafiki@yahoo.com for details.
1 comments
Sita Mani
Aug 22nd, 2010 12:48 AM
I am trying to reach Michael,
My name is SIta Mani, I am an Indian Feledenkrais Practitioner and performance artist working in New York, who used to be a dancer and is now in Physical Theater.
I wish to discuss work with MIchael regarding bringing Feldenkrais to India, which it looks like he is already doing very well.
Please contact me via this email address.
Thank you,
Sita Mani
