Advanced dancers may face the more serious injuries, but it doesn't happen to them over night, right? At some point, routinely forcing the body to move in a very precise manner has to cause serious wear and tear on growing muscles. Would a Feldenkrais-based dance curriculum for young dancers help preserve that innate sense of comfort and freedom of movement the little ones seem to start off with? At what age can this Method be introduced to students? Have you considered recording a lesson for children, or will all your lessons be geared towards older dancers and/or dance instructors?

Hi Gumdrop! It is true that many of the problems and injuries advanced dancers face are due to long-term patterns of misuse or strain that develop over years of training. The great thing about Feldenkrais training for dancers at the advanced or professional level is that it can bring about discernable changes in body organization and movement quality very quickly. I had a very serious knee problem when I first discovered Feldenkrais and had been in physical therapy for months. After just one lesson I felt immediate improvement, and perhaps more importantly, a sense of hope that I could and would heal. But I would hope that as a result of this Podcast series, the dance community would come to see Feldenkrais as more than just a quick fix for injury, or something to be sought out only when …moreinjured. Beyond healing my own injury, I came to realize the implications that the teaching strategies utilized in Feldenkrais had for dance education. And yes, I do think that introducing Feldenkrais from the very beginning of a dancers training would not only lead to a healthier and stronger generation of dancers, but would engage them in their own learning process in an entirely different way. I believe it would empower the next generation, and what a profound impact this would have on dance as a performing art! I have personally introduced Feldenkrais in the dance studio to children between the ages of 8 and 18. While the typical Feldenkrais lesson structure needs to be modified for younger children, I find them to be as engaged and enthusiastic as the older students. Yes, I have considered recording lessons for children, but the reason I am gearing this Podcast more toward professional dancers and teachers is because it is they who are having the most direct impact in dance studios around the world today. A dance student will not know to seek out Feldenkrais, unless a trusted teacher points them to it. In the Podcast episode that have aired so far, I have tried to frame the lessons so that a dance teacher can utilize the information in their own personal way. In a way that has relevance to their students today. If the audience for the IntelliDANCE program continues to grow, it will open the door to many more possibilities down the road. Thanks so much, gumdrop!!!

i have a teacher at my studio training in the Feldenkrais method. We have discussed having her perhaps teach a class once she is certified. We are hoping to use it at our studio similiar to a Pilates class, geared toward young and older dancers alike

Hi Balletlaves, I love hearing that, and I think offering such a class at your school will really help you to differentiate your school’s program from your competitors. You might be interested in an article that I wrote a couple of years ago (June, 2006), for a publication that was then called "Goldrush Magazine," but has since changed its name to "Dance Studio Life." The title of the article was “Fighting Burnout With Feldenkrais®.” It was primarily aimed at helping dance teachers recognize the signs of job burnout, and outlining the ways that Feldenkrais® might help. But, it also offers suggestions for focusing on your business objectives, so that if you are considering starting a Feldenkrais® program at your dance school, you can approach it in such a way t…morehat it has a better chance of being profitable. (You might find “Step 4” particularly relevant.) You can read the article online at the link that follows. Thanks so much for your comment, and good luck to you. Here is the link: http://www.rheegold.com/1-1-06/June%2006/Fighting%20Burnout%20With%20Feldenkrais.htm

ooops, the whole link to the online article referenced in the comment above doesn't show up. If you are interested, another way to find it is to visit the IntelliDANCE blog at Intellidance.blogspot.com and look for the article title under the Links list (toward the bottom on the right).

Thanks to DanielBStern, for your suggestion to contact Chris at Misnomer Dance. I spoke with him yesterday! So, while I'm at it--thank you Chris, for your enthusiasm and wonderful suggestions!

OK, one more thank you needs to go out tonight! To ErickB who gives great advise all over the place on ideablob--Thank you. I had never thought to pursue that avenue, but it is in process and has been extremely helpful!