Awareness in Movement

Name: Awareness in Movement
ISBN: 9787571400361

摩谢·费登奎斯 / 林若宇 / 曹晓东 / 郭建江Beijing Science and Technology Press · ChinaJun 2024

4.3

Word count: 85K words
Chapters: 25
ISBN: 9787571400361

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Summary

This book is divided into two parts. Part One introduces Feldenkrais's core ideas—self-image, stages of development, the relationship between awareness and evolution, and more—and explains why one should begin with movement to enter awareness. Part Two consists of twelve "Awareness Through Movement" practice lessons that help readers know themselves more deeply through exploration, develop a fuller self-image, and awaken innate potential.

Editor's review

Awareness Through Movement is a classic by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais and holds a 9.0 rating on Douban, a testament to its profound influence in the field of somatics. Drawing on his dual background as a physicist with a doctorate and a judo black belt, Feldenkrais combined neuroscience, anatomy, psychology, and Eastern mind-body practices to create the unique Feldenkrais Method. This book is not an ordinary exercise guide but a profound system of self-education. Through a series of gentle, slow "movement-awareness exercises," it guides readers to rediscover subtle sensations of the body at rest and in motion, breaking long-accumulated habits of stiffness and unconscious patterns. In the editor's view, its core value lies in "learning through movement"—we tend to over-rely on vision and thinking while neglecting the body itself as a carrier of intelligence. The exercises are ingeniously designed, emphasizing process over result and, under the principle of minimal effort, awakening the nervous system's plasticity. For problems common among modern people—chronic pain, poor posture, anxiety and tension—the book offers a fundamental path: not forced correction but restoration of natural, efficient movement function. It suits readers who find mainstream fitness or medical approaches limited and who long to explore mind-body integration and improve their quality of life. Feldenkrais's writing is clear and philosophical, translating complex principles into practicable daily exercises—a life book worth repeated practice and internalization.

Who it's for

A good fit for

People long troubled by chronic pain or postural problems who hope to improve their mind-body state at the root
Learners and practitioners interested in mind-body integration, mindfulness, somatic therapy, and related fields
Ordinary readers who feel stiff and poorly coordinated and long to restore ease and grace in movement
Professionals in education, the arts, sports, or occupations requiring high mind-body awareness

Not a good fit for

Those seeking quick pain relief or instant fitness results and unwilling to invest time in patient practice
Those expecting traditional medical diagnosis or treatment and skeptical of non-mainstream mind-body approaches

Reading tips

Begin with the preface and Chapter One to understand the philosophical foundations and core principles of the Feldenkrais Method before attempting the exercises
When doing the exercises, be sure to follow the guidance to go "slowly, gently, and with attention to sensation," setting aside the habit of pursuing range and intensity
Integrate the exercises into daily life—for example, choose one or two brief movements during a work break and keep observing changes in the body

About the publisher

Beijing Science and Technology Press China · Founded in 1981

Beijing Science and Technology Press is a science and technology publisher focused on health, medicine, and popular science. Its current collection of 158 titles covers categories such as health, popular science, applied psychology, and medicine, addressing practical subjects like physical training and sports anatomy as well as emotional regulation and psychological healing. Representative titles include You Don't Have to Forgive to Heal, Night Sky Watching, Starting Strength, Burns' Feeling Good, The Female Body: Everything About the Amazing Female Body, Sports Anatomy, Strength Training Programs, and The Schwarzenegger Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. In terms of authors, works by Pete Walker, Terence Dickinson, Mark Rippetoe, David Burns, and Sheila de Liz are included, while translators Yan Feifei, Zhuang Zhonghua, and Li Zhanjiang have contributed to related titles. Overall, the press balances professional rigor with accessibility for general readers and has developed a clear publishing profile in areas such as fitness training, self-help psychology, and women's health. Public information is limited; this introduction is based on the titles available in the collection.

版权信息
致读者
第一部分边做，边理解
引言
自我意象
发展阶段
从何处着手，如何开始
结构与功能
发展的方向
第二部分边做边学：12节课
引言
学习提示
第1课什么是好姿势
第2课什么是好动作
第3课动作的基本特征
第4课分辨与呼吸有关的部位与功能
第5课伸肌与屈肌的协调
第6课通过虚拟钟表盘进行骨盆动作的分化
第7课头的摆放如何影响肌肉的状态
第8课优化自我意象
第9课空间关系与动作协调
第10课用眼睛的动作组织身体的动作
第11课用我们可意识到的部位去觉察那些我们意识不到的部位
第12课思考与呼吸
附言

FAQ

Can I practice without any exercise background?

Absolutely. The method is designed for everyone and is especially suited to beginners. Practice emphasizes perception rather than fitness; the movements are gentle, with no risk of injury.

How is this book different from yoga or Pilates?

The core difference lies in purpose and method. The Feldenkrais Method focuses on re-educating the nervous system, improving function by exploring movement options, whereas yoga and the like mostly practice specific postures or strengthen muscles. It often serves as a foundational complement to other forms of exercise.

How long do I need to practice each day to see results?

Results vary from person to person. Quality matters more than duration. Even 15–20 minutes of focused practice a day, continued for several weeks, will let most people feel improved body awareness and relief from discomfort.

Comments

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About the author

摩谢·费登奎斯 Author

Moshe Feldenkrais is the author of Awareness Through Movement. His publicly available biographical information is limited, and the available details are not sufficient to confirm his nationality, dates of birth and death, or English name, so this introduction focuses mainly on his work. Awareness Through Movement is often classified as a health book. It concerns the connection between bodily perception, ways of moving, and self-awareness, and it guides readers to understand themselves by paying conscious attention to everyday movements. The writing does not rely on complicated terminology; instead, it emphasizes firsthand practice and gradual bodily experience, with a style that is methodical and practical. As far as the library's holdings are concerned, this book is currently the main entry point for understanding Feldenkrais's ideas, and it is suitable for readers interested in mind-body practice, movement education, and self-regulation.

林若宇 Author

Lin Ruoyu: publicly available information is currently limited. It is known only that one work appears under this name, Awareness in Motion, which is classified under health. Judging from the available information, the book falls into the field of physical health and self-awareness, and its title suggests an approach that combines bodily movement with perceptual practice; readers may encounter methods of self-observation related to everyday movement and physical states. Because further public records of the author's background, biography, and creative development are not available, a full assessment of the writing style and overall influence is difficult, and only this single work can be briefly noted. For readers interested in health writing, especially body awareness and movement practice, the book may serve as an entry point into the subject. Whether the author has other works or longer-term writing plans remains to be seen as more material becomes available.

曹晓东 Author

Public information about Cao Xiaodong is currently limited. The only known work by this author is Awareness in Movement, which is classified under Health. Based on the available information, Cao Xiaodong's writing centers on physical health and self-awareness, linking bodily activity with awareness practice and addressing general readers concerned with physical and mental well-being. The title itself suggests a focus on maintaining awareness during movement or bodily practice rather than pursuing fitness or technical difficulty alone, which is consistent with health books that emphasize the integration of body and mind and the value of daily practice. Since only one work is included in the database and reliable information on the author's life, education, and writing career is lacking, it is difficult to judge how fully this book reflects the author's overall style. Readers interested in the relationship between bodily practice and awareness may use this book as an introductory reference while noting the conditions under which its specific methods apply.

郭建江 Author

Guo Jianjiang is an author for whom limited public information is currently available; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly documented. Within the library's holdings, he is represented by a single work, Awareness in Motion, which is classified under health, indicating that his writing interests center on the body and health. The two key words in the title, "motion" and "awareness," suggest that the book may focus on movement, bodily perception, and self-observation, guiding readers to experience the connection between body and mind through movement practice and to sharpen their awareness. Books of this kind are usually aimed at general readers, with plain and followable language that emphasizes practical methods rather than theoretical exposition. Given the scarcity of biographical information, it is difficult to judge the author's professional identity or the full scope of his writing, but this one work reflects an orientation toward putting health ideas into daily practice. Readers interested in mind-body exercise and self-managed health may find it a useful introductory reference, while further material would be needed for a fuller picture of the author.