Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
Dr. Feldenkrais, a physicist, engineer, biologist and 
judo master, developed a method based in the understanding of 
the conditions the brain needs in order to learn. Understanding 
the importance and centrality of movement in the evolution of the 
healthy functioning of the brain and the body, Dr. Feldenkrais 
chose movement as the main way to communicate with the brain. 
Movement and awareness of movement are the primary tools in 
promoting change and improvement of functioning in this method.

Dr.Feldenkrais developed two modalities: group movement lessons and individual 
hands-on work. Dr. Feldenkrais invented hundreds of group movement lessons. 
Each of these lessons focuses on a specific movement skill. The lessons are structured 
in a gradual and systematic way to bring about rapid learning and improvement.
Anat Baniel translated 250 of these lessons from Hebrew into English, making them
available in English for the first time.

Dr. Feldenkrais also developed an extremely effective hands-on process. The teacher
guides the client through a gentle movement process, which provides the opportunity 
for learning and improvement.

Anat Baniel and Dr. Feldenkrais

Evolution of the Method: Anat Baniel's Method
Anat Baniel has fully mastered and embraced the theory and practice 
of Dr. Feldenkrais' work. As his closest student and protégé, she 
has continued his work in an authentic, potent, and accurate manner. 
At the same time, from the very beginning in 1977, as she practiced 
side by side with Dr. Feldenkrais in his institute, Anat brought her 
own unique talents and interpretation of the method to the work.

With Dr. Feldenkrais’ blessing and encouragement Anat began 
working with babies and children, developing her own unique 
understanding and techniques every step of the way. The remarkable 
outcomes with these children from the very start led Dr. Feldenkrais 
to say, "Today she can bring handicapped babies to rapid and 
effective improvement that has to be seen to be believed."  

"Anat's teaching has 
changed everything: 
the way I feel physically
and emotionally. I even 
think in new ways. This 
class has truly changed 
my life. The whole 
training is one giant 
learning session and 
it all is significant." 
-Heather Faulk, OT, Anat Baniel 
 Method Practitioner

Soon afterwards Anat began working with world class musicians and orchestras 
developing ways to bring about rapid change and recovery from pain and injury. 

When Dr. Feldenkrais fell ill in 1981, he designated Anat Baniel and 7 others 
to be his trainers and continue teaching his trainings. Anat was the youngest 
ever to become a trainer. Soon after Dr. Feldenkrais passed on in 1984, Anat 
was the first to develop an explicit curriculum for professional trainings in his 
method, teaching trainings worldwide. 

Trusting in the evolutionary quality of the process, Anat continued to develop 
new understanding and unique techniques to help her students, young and 
old, to overcome limitation and discover delightful life giving possibilities. 
Her method now not only promotes the development of better movement and 
awareness, but also incorporates the evolution and improvement in the areas 
of thinking, feeling, emotion and human interaction. 

By implementing her unique theoretical understanding and techniques, Ms. Baniel
developed a new approach in teaching and applying the group lessons. The 
outcomes for the students are remarkable, tapping into the immense potential for 
learning and change that human brains posses. Students find themselves transforming 
old limiting habits into vibrant life giving possibilities quickly and effortlessly. The students 
re-discover the joy and ease of learning they had as babies and very young 
children. Hence the name: Transformational Movement Lessons.

Functional Synthesis is Ms Baniel’s evolution and development of the individual 
lessons. As with the group lessons, the outcomes are transformational and 
immediate. In addition, she has taken the remarkable body of knowledge 
and practice and developed it so it can be used to meet unique needs. Now 
practitioners can specialize working in the areas of children with special needs; 
vitality and anti-aging; pain relief; and high performers. 

As for the professional training program, Ms. Baniel has and continues to search 
for the most accessible, effective and efficient ways to pass on the knowledge to 
new practitioners. Inspired by the remarkable learning and progress she observes 
with the children and adults she works with, Ms Baniel created a training program that 
is effective, interesting, fun filled and transformational. Her graduates have immediate 
access to the theory and practice. They also have great freedom and creativity in 
how they apply the work. 

The Anat Baniel Method Professional Training offers the student 
the opportunity to learn the full scope of the authentic method 
developed by Dr. Feldenkrais and the Anat Baniel Method.

 "I am moved to tears over and over by the quality of Anat's contact 
with children and adults, by the changes that occur simply and quickly. 
Anat, thank you for your kindness and support in this work. I have felt 
the Method in a new way." 
-Josie Davenport, LMT, LCSW, Gestalt psychotherapist, 
FELDENKRAIS(R) Practitioner, Anat Baniel Method for Children Practitioner
  

  ANAT BANIEL METHOD(SM), TRANSFORMATIONAL MOVEMENT(SM),  
and FUNCTIONAL SYNTHESIS(SM) are service marks of Anat Baniel. 
FELDENKRAIS® and FELDENKRAIS METHOD® are service marks of 
the FELDENKRAIS GUILD® of North America (FGNA). 

Anat Baniel with Student in Training

"Anat Baniel is indeed
a unique asset to those 
who have the good 
fortune to come into 
contact with her." 
-Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

Anat Baniel with Students in Training

"Her deeply rooted 
knowledge, and years of 
intensely dedicated work 
with Moshe Feldenkrais, 
gives her a multitude 
of insights into every 
aspect of awareness and 
freedom of movement. 
Working with Anat Baniel 
is a total pleasure and 
exhilarating experience." 
-Daniel Kobialka, Violinist, 
San Francisco Symphony