About Anat Baniel

Anat Baniel, born and raised in Israel, now living in Marin County, CA, has been called a miracle worker because of her ability to bring new life and vitality to thousands of people of all ages and with all conditions.  Endorsed by leading physicians and cutting-edge medical professionals throughout the world, her work literally redefines what it means to be fit, awake, and alive. Her method and trainings have been providing self improvement courses, MT and PT continuing education and an alternative medicine approach to thousands of professionals and individuals.

“A new paradigm; scientifically based.  As a medical doctor I am trained to observe and make sense out of what I see.  As the mother of a child with severe developmental disorders, the progress I have witnessed borders on the miraculous.  What Anat does makes complete sense.  How she does it is inspiring and often ingenious.”
~ Cheryl Cooper, MD, OD Member of the Board,
       Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Early in her life Anat was a serious student of dance and began participating in Moshe Feldenkrais movement lessons. In college she was drawn to psychology and then pursued a third interest in statistics, which kept her connected to the sciences and rigorous intellectual activity that she had always loved.  She graduated cum laude from Jerusalem University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Statistics.

While continuing her studies toward a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Tel Aviv University, she worked as a psychologist for the Israeli Army in a program that addressed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Looking for answers in psychology, she found limitations in its verbal approach. She began looking for ways to integrate what she had learned about movement and creative expression with working with people.  She found her way back to the work of Dr Moshe Feldenkrais, who frequently taught classes in Anat's parents' living room when she was a young child. She was struck by the immediate results she and others experienced where the seemingly impossible was made possible over and over again.

Through her apprenticeship with Feldenkrais, she found what she’d been seeking—an approach that had rigorous scientific underpinnings that gave her the opportunity to
integrate body and mind. For 15 years, she continued her close association with Dr. Feldenkrais; teaching, studying, and traveling with him all over the world. During the same years, while in graduate school, she opened her own private practice in Jerusalem, began teaching dancers at the Jerusalem academy for Music and Dance, and taught classes and workshops for the general public.

"You are a masterful teacher, the best I've ever had! You are very supportive in your approach. The conditions are fabulousto learn. Your work with children is magical. You are an extension of God's hands."
~ Ray Burns, PT, Anat Baniel Method for Children Practitioner, Feldenkrais Practitioner

Anat moved to the United States in 1982, where she was able to bring her work to greater number of people while creating larger circles of professional acceptance in the medical and therapeutic communities. She began working with the Tanglewood Music Center musicians, including world class musicians like Seiji Ozawa and Leon Fleisher. She has also worked with the San Francisco Symphony musicians, with world famous dancers, athletes, and for her, most importantly, with thousands of special needs children and adults suffering anywhere from back and neck pain, to those suffering from stroke, anxiety or a sense of loss of vitality.

“I have observed Anat’s work with severely challenged individuals over a period of more than two decades, and have witnessed transformations that are simply stunning. Over the years, Anat explained to me the premises of her work, and I have become a life-long enthusiast.”  
~ Dr Daniel Graupe, Professor of Bioengineering and Adjunct Professor of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Illinois, Chicago

Anat first taught in a professional training program for Dr. Feldenkrais in 1980 in Amherst Massachusetts. She was the youngest trainer and in 1982, when he fell ill, he put Anat in charge of the training curriculum. By 1986, Anat was organizing and running her own highly successful professional training programs. Through her extensive work both in private practice and in groups with children, parents, high performer and a wide range of other adults, combined with extensive teaching in training programs, workshops and public presentations, Anat has evolved her knowledge and experience into the Anat Baniel Method.

Anat states that what she teaches people to do is scientific; based on deceptively simple applications that virtually anyone can learn.

Anat has launched her first Anat Baniel Method Professional Training Program in 2000 and has since successfully graduated three basic ABM Professional Trainings, three ABM for Children Mastery Trainings, one ABM for Vitality and Anti Aging Mastery Training and one ABM for High Performers Mastery Training. The fourth ABM Professional Training and ABM for Vitality and Anti Aging Mastery Trainings are currently in progress.

“Each segment of the training is like a pearl; each segment is more priceless than the one before”
~ Victoria Rosen, recent graduate ABM Training, mother of special needs child

“I love Anat’s lectures and find them so profound. The Training is so dynamic with lots of variety and Anat is so accessible. I take better care of myself because of her sensitivity to my obstacles.”
~ Judith Henriksen, OT, recent graduate of ABM Professional Training

Anat’s teaching is very dynamic and engaging. She makes even the most demanding materials accessible to her students. Anat empowers her students to begin using all that they learn, both professionally and in their personal lives, right away.

“Anat is a gem of a teacher. She is very advanced and cutting edge with her knowledge and teaching style.”
~ Karen Toth, PT, recent ABM Professional Training graduate.

“Anat’s teaching style is very enjoyable. I love the richness and the pacing. The hands on instruction was clear and easy to follow, I like the details and the demand she puts on us to 'really get it'!”
~ Anne Pavlisen, Feldenkrais Practitioner, ABM and ABM for Children Practitioner

Anat opened her new, 4000 sqft Anat Baniel Method Center in May of 2005. It is a brand new elegant facility with a large space dedicated to professional trainings and workshops located in beautiful Marin County, California.

“Anat’s ability to speak in a way that is clear, intentional and enthusiastic is unparalleled.”
~ Alice Lewsey, Pediatric OT, recent graduate ABM Professional Training