About

About me

Dr. Paolo Maccagno – Certified Feldenkrais practitioner®

I started practising the Feldenkrais method during my first years of running. I thought it could improve my performance in marathons. It did much more.

My path into Feldenkrais includes:

• Bones for life teacher – training 2008-2010
• Feldenkrais teacher – training  Milano-Levico 4, 2011-2015
• Abof – biographical analyst with a philosophical orientation – four years diploma Philo, school of philosophical practices (Milan, 2009-2014). See here
• PhD in anthropology – Through these walls. Steps to an anthropology of the limit, University of Aberdeen, supervision Prof. Tim Ingold (2014-2019)
• a series of ongoing advanced somatic trainings (neuroplasticity, trauma, unfolding anatomy) through the Feldenkrais UK Guild

These different trainings helped clarifying how the idea of limit, whilst being a foundation of Feldenkrais’s Method, could be a doorway and threshold to transformation: inhabiting the body through a journey to its limits!

Moreover they equipped me with a set of bodily disciplines and practices which allowed me to offer autobiographical paths of self-discovery and healing through movement. These processes are at the same time individual and collective mirroring the two modalities in which Feldenkrais is taught, FI functional integration (one to one) and ATM awareness through movement classes (group classes).

My way of understanding Feldenkrais valorises an educational approach connected to a “limit experience” which opens an existential space of freedom.  I consider Feldenkrais as a philosophical practice opening processes of personal growth and creating sense of community.

Find me in the Feldenkrais UK Guild here

What is Feldenkrais?

The Feldenkrais method is a somatic educational method based on movement invented by Moshè Feldenkrais (1904-1984) in the middle of the 20th century, synthesized in the words “awareness through movement®”. Directing attention to internal sensation through exploratory sequences of movement, you will question your habits and learn to move more freely, with greater ease, flexibility and grace whilst improving posture, balance and coordination. The non-judgemental approach of the method encourages creative response and personal exploration/discovery. At the heart of the Feldenkrais Method is the development of a heightened awareness of the self in stillness and in action. Rather than a technique to fix problems it is a practice of care which develops inner stability, a state of ease, self confidence, presence. Recently under the attention of neuroscience for its intuitions (e.g. neuro-plasticity of the brain), Feldenkrais’ pedagogy is a practice of attention and listening. The educational principles embedded in the method challenge at the root many problematic conventions in our society which confront artist/audience, teacher/student, doctor/patient. The Feldenkrais method is a philosophical practice of care of the self where the body awareness is the possibility for exploratory paths of self discovery through movement opening processes of growth and creating sense of community.

How is it taught?

Feldenkrais is taught in two forms: movement classes called Awareness Through Movement ® and a hands-on modality called Functional Integration ®.

Awareness Through Movement®

Awareness through Movement is experienced through group lessons that involve verbal instructions in exploratory journey to a more functional use of the whole self in movement. During Awareness Through Movement classes and workshops, I lead students verbally through a sequence of gentle movements, breaking down complex actions into smaller movement components. You do the movements at your own pace and in your own way; I do not demonstrate the “correct” way to move, and you are not required to perform for others. As you move I guide your attention to help you discover the habits that inhibit your freedom to move (and live). These lessons are helpful and interesting for people at all levels of ability including those who are extremely healthy and those with serious injuries. Classes and workshops are generally done lying down, but also sitting, standing, or walking. Group classes meet weekly, and provide regular opportunities to learn about yourself through movement.

Functional Integration®

Functional Integration is a hands-on approach that enables the practitioner to use his/her physical organisation and experience to guide the student to discoveries. If you have a particular question, acute difficulty, or if you are someone who learns best in one-on-one environments, private lessons may be best for you. Each lesson uniquely addresses your individual needs. During a Functional Integration session, you and I discuss your situation and consider how moving better may improve it. Then, I use my hands to move you in small, gentle motions, exploring the ways in which tension and ineffective muscular activity are impeding your moving freely. I combine this non-verbal investigation with verbal cues that direct you to make specific movements and notice how your movement habits are getting you in trouble. This dialogue instigates a powerful process of realignment in your nervous system, in which new or rediscovered movement choices emerge through your experiential learning. The lesson takes about an hour. During a lesson you remain clothed, and will most often be lying down.

For whom?