In the realm of personal development and wellbeing, two approaches stand out for their transformative potential: coaching for behaviour change and the Feldenkrais Method. While these methodologies may seem distinct at first glance, they share remarkable similarities in their processes and underlying principles. In this blog I delve into the fascinating parallels between these two approaches, highlighting how they both empower individuals to achieve lasting change and improved well-being. As a coach these insights have also directed my current study in becoming a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner.
Client-Centred Approach
Both coaching for behaviour change and the Feldenkrais Method prioritize a client-centred approach, recognising the individual as the expert in their own life and experiences.
In behaviour change coaching, practitioners focus on empowering clients to take ownership of their health journey. They understand that each person is unique, with their own needs, preferences, and challenges. At it’s centre is the notion that the client is the expert in their own life. This approach fosters a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy, crucial elements for sustainable change.
Similarly, the Feldenkrais Method emphasises the client's role in their own learning and development. Central to this Method is the tenet that the individual becomes their own measure for efficient functioning.This philosophy underscores the importance of individual awareness and discovery in the process of change.
Awareness and Self-Discovery
A fundamental similarity between these approaches is their emphasis on increasing awareness as a key component of change.
In behaviour change coaching, practitioners use techniques like; open ended enquiry, active listening and reflection to help clients gain deeper insights into their behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. This increased self-awareness allows individuals to identify patterns and triggers that may be hindering their progress.
The Feldenkrais Method takes a unique approach to awareness through movement-based exploration. By engaging in slow, deliberate movements and gentle exercises, practitioners can uncover habitual patterns, tensions, and restrictions that may have developed over time. This heightened body awareness translates into greater overall self-awareness, allowing individuals to recognize how they relate to challenges, confusion, or discomfort.
Neuroplasticity and Learning
Both approaches leverage the brain's capacity for neuroplasticity to facilitate change and learning.
Behaviour change coaching often incorporates cognitive-behavioural techniques, which aim to rewire thought patterns and behaviours. By identifying and reframing negative beliefs, coaches help clients develop more supportive and positive mindsets.
The Feldenkrais Method utilises neuroplasticity to promote lifelong learning. Through mindful movements, the method encourages the nervous system to dismantle complex body coordination and reconstruct more effective movement patterns. This process of unlearning and relearning extends beyond physical movement, permeating various aspects of life, from personal habits to interpersonal relationships.
“What I'm after isn't flexible bodies, but flexible brains" - Moshe Feldenkrais.
Incremental Change and Process-Oriented Approach
Both methodologies recognise that change is a gradual process and emphasise the importance of incremental progress.
In behaviour change coaching, practitioners often use models like the Stages of Change to understand and facilitate the process of intentional behaviour change. This model identifies five distinct stages that individuals typically progress through: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. By recognising where a client is in their change journey, coaches can provide more targeted and effective support.
The Feldenkrais Method similarly embraces a process-oriented approach. It uses small, gentle movements to facilitate incremental progress. This approach allows practitioners to experiment with different ways of moving without being goal-oriented, creating a space for exploration without needing a particular outcome.
Non-Judgmental Environment
Creating a safe, non-judgmental space for exploration and learning is crucial in both approaches.
Behaviour change coaches strive to maintain a non-judgmental stance, especially when clients face setbacks or relapses. This approach encourages open communication and helps clients feel comfortable discussing their concerns and aspiration.
The Feldenkrais Method also emphasizes a non-judgmental environment. By moving into curiosity and getting up close to habits without judgment, individuals can let go of patterns causing strain. This approach fosters a sense of safety and openness to new experiences.
Personalised Approach
Both methodologies recognise the importance of tailoring interventions to the unique needs and circumstances of each individual.
In behaviour change coaching, practitioners develop personalised coaching programs that cater to the specific circumstances and goals of each client. This individualized approach ensures that strategies and interventions are relevant and effective for the client's particular situation.
The Feldenkrais Method similarly adapts to individual needs. In Functional Integration sessions, practitioners use hands-on strategies to guide clients toward discovering enhanced body awareness and improved coordination. It does so through an invitation to explore rather than forceful manipulation. This one-on-one approach allows for highly personalized learning experiences.
Empowerment and Self-Efficacy
Both approaches aim to empower individuals to take ownership of their change process, providing tools and strategies for self-directed improvement.
Behaviour change coaches focus on building clients' self-efficacy, helping them develop the confidence and skills necessary to navigate challenges and maintain positive changes. This empowerment is crucial for long-term success and sustainability of new behaviours.
The Feldenkrais Method empowers individuals by enhancing their body awareness and movement efficiency. As students discover new ways of moving and functioning, they gain a sense of control and capability that extends beyond physical movement.
Holistic Perspective
Both methodologies consider the interconnectedness of mind and body, recognizing that changes in one area can influence others.
Behaviour change coaching often addresses multiple aspects of a client's life, understanding that health behaviours are influenced by various factors, including emotions, thoughts, and environmental conditions.
The Feldenkrais Method explicitly works with the mind-body connection, using movement as a gateway to broader changes in perception, thinking, and overall functioning. This holistic approach recognizes that physical changes can lead to cognitive and emotional shifts, and vice versa.
Curiosity-Driven Exploration
Both approaches encourage a sense of curiosity and exploration in the change process.
Behaviour change coaches often use open-ended questions and reflective listening techniques to stimulate clients' curiosity about their behaviours and motivations. Change is a process of many and varied experiments. Coaches help their clients engage in a method of trial and correction. This curiosity-driven approach can lead to valuable insights and discoveries.
The Feldenkrais Method is fundamentally based on curiosity-driven exploration. Rather than using a reward-based process of negative and positive reinforcement, Feldenkrais lessons foster learning through curiosity and information feedback. This approach allows students to explore options and soften the automatic pulls of habit.
Focus on Process Over Outcome
Both methodologies emphasise the importance of the journey and the learning process, rather than solely focusing on end results.
In behaviour change coaching, while goals are important, the focus is often on the process of change itself. Coaches help clients develop skills and strategies that will serve them not just in achieving their current goal, but in other contexts as well.
The Feldenkrais Method similarly emphasizes the process of learning and discovery. The goal is not just to achieve a particular physical outcome, but to enhance overall awareness and functioning. As Feldenkrais said, "Movement is life. Life is a process. Improve the quality of the process and you improve the quality of life itself.”
A final reflection
The similarities between coaching for behaviour change and the Feldenkrais Method are striking and profound. Both approaches offer powerful tools for personal transformation, emphasizing awareness, incremental change, and individual empowerment. By recognising these parallels, practitioners in both fields can potentially enrich their work, drawing inspiration and insights from each other's methodologies.
Whether you're seeking to change a specific behaviour or enhance your overall functioning, both coaching for behaviour change and the Feldenkrais Method offer valuable pathways to personal growth and improved well-being. Their shared emphasis on self-discovery, curiosity, and holistic change makes them powerful allies in the journey towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.
As I continue to explore and understand these methodologies, I open up new possibilities for integrating their strengths, potentially leading to even more effective approaches to facilitating change and wellbeing. The synergy between these approaches reminds me that the path to change is multifaceted, involving both mind and body. True transformation often comes from a combination of gentle guidance, personal exploration and increased awareness. J
"Health is the ability to realize our avowed and unavowed dreams" - Moshe Feldenkrais.
Comments