Feldenkrais Method: Awareness Through Movement®
Theater/Music Department
Course No. 31-1310

Class meets twice a week for 1.5 hours each session. Total of 3 hours per week.
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisites: None

Course Description
This course will be based on Moshe Feldenkrais' Awareness Through Movement Lessons. These lessons are carefully structured breathing and movement sequences which allow patterns of movement to be changed and body alignment to be altered. The techniques taught in this class differentiate movement patterns in order for new options to be explored.

Course Objectives
1.    To rid the student of habitual movement patterns so that more spontaneous acting choices can be made.
2.    To enhance the feelings of centeredness and awareness.
3.    To increase spontaneity.
4.    To provide a nonjudgemental approach to the creative process.
5.    To improve posture, breathing, and coordination.

Suggested Text
There is no text; however, reading selected material from the following will be recommended:
Awareness Through Movement
by Moshe Feldenkrais
The Elusive Obvious
by Moshe Feldenkrais
Mindful Spontaneity
by Ruthy Alon
Somatics
by Thomas Hanna

Course requirements
1.    Attendance: Departmental policy will be followed. A fourth absence will be grounds for failing the course. Three lates equal one absence.
2.    Participation in class floor work and class discussions.
3.    Since the focus of this class is on awareness, the students will be asked to express in some medium (art, writing, dance, mime) the changes that have occurred in specific body patterns.
4.    A final demonstration of three separate floor lessons will be given by each student in response to questions asked by the instructor.
5.    Written work will include a progress journal to be submitted twice during the semester for review.

Grading Procedures
Percentage of Final Grade:
30% - Progress journal
70% - Participation in floor work and class discussion

Course schedule
Week 1:
Developing Inner Awareness of the Body: Discerning Asymmetry.

Week 2:
Increasing Awareness of the Midline: Synchronizing Movements Toward and Away from Center.

Week 3:
Learning to Disengage the Efforting Reflex

Week 4:
Developing the Non-judgmental Inner Voice for the Performer: Witnessing Movement, Not Judging

Week 5:
Eliminating Superfluous Movements

Week 6:
Using Differentiation to Better Organize the Relationships of Movements

Week 7:
Breaking Up Habitual Breathing Patterns

Week 8:
Developing Different Options for Habitual Tasks

Week 9:
Exploring the Axis of Movement for Greater Flexibility

Week 10:
Using Developmental Movement Patterns to Learn About Extension

Week 11:
Exploring the Connection Between the Head and Pelvis: Learning About the Spine

Week 12:
Balancing: the Unstable Stability

Week 13:
Releasing Tongue and Jaw Tension

Week 14:
Opening the Chest: Finding the Space Within

Week 15:

Regular attendance is critical to the learning of the Feldenkrais Method; therefore it can greatly affect your grade.
1. The Theatre Department’s rules of attendance will be strictly adhered to. Four absences will result in a failing grade.
2. Three tardies will constitute one absence.
3. In a class that meets 2 times a week, three unmade-up absences will lower the final grade one letter.
4. The door will be closed at 9:15 a.m. Anyone entering after that time will be marked tardy and must sit-write (take notes on the lesson being taught). The student is responsible for turning in a legible copy of these notes at the next class session, plus a one page analysis of the benefits or problems experienced when the lesson was done by the student at home.

II. Make-Up Policies and Procedures:
Students are expected to attend all scheduled class meetings. However, if extraordinary circumstances force a student to miss class(es), they will be permitted to make-up a limited number of classes each semester.

1. The exact number of make-ups allowed is determined by the number of times per week that the class meets:
Class meets 1 time each week, 1 make-up allowed
Class meets 2 times each week, 2 make-ups allowed
2. Obtain a make-up slip from regular instructor.
3. Notify the make-up instructor of intention to attend their class for make-up (the instructor has the right to refuse the student if the class is over-crowded).
4. Get make-up instructor to sign the make-up slip and then return it to regular instructor.
5. MAKE-UPS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED OR ACCEPTED FROM THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEMESTER. NO EXCEPTIONS!

III. Sit-Write Policy:
1. A student who sits out any portion of a class and does not write will be considered absent.
2. Sit-writes are available as an escape valve when absolutely necessary. Do not take advantage of them or take them lightly. Excessive numbers of sit-writes (at instructors’ discretion) will lower grade.
3. A student who is sitting must write a minimum of 1 full page.

IV. Attire Policy:
1. Students are expected to have proper attire for class. Do not wear skirts to class or clothing so tight that it restricts freedom of movement.
2. Students who do not come to class with proper attire will be asked to sit-write.

V. Other Policies:
1. Journals will be turned in on the last Thursday of each month. Failure to do this at any point in the semester will lower the final grade one letter.
2. Students must ask permission to leave class for any reason. Because these are physical classes, a student leaving suddenly may disrupt others concentration. Close the door quietly!