Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais

Through his work at the Radium Institute with Irène and Frédéric Joliot-Curie in Paris and at Churchill’s secret anti-submarine research unit in Scotland, he worked with many scientists with different specialities and was also able to exchange ideas with them in other fields. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge also brought him into contact with many creative people, so that he was able to explore and educate himself extensively on a variety of disciplines and subjects. Even before developing his method, he wrote a book on self-defence techniques, which also found followers in the French Resistance during the Second World War. The famous French mime Marcel Marceau, who was also a member of the French resistance movement, is said to have said to Moshé Feldenkrais during a meeting: “Feldenkrais, you saved my life”, alluding to this very book.

Because of his self-developed techniques, he came into contact with Jigoro Kano, the founder of the martial art of judo. Kano ignited in him a passion for judo. Moshé Feldenkrais was the first European to be awarded a black belt in 1936. He founded the Jiu Jitsu Club de France together with Mikinosuke Kawaishi in 1936.

Moshé Feldenkrais devoted himself entirely to the development of his method from the 1950s onwards. He worked one-on-one with countless people with a wide variety of backgrounds, ailments and needs. At the same time he trained the first generation of Feldenkrais teachers from the 1960s onwards. He led a total of three training courses until his death. He also had close friends in Switzerland. This resulted, among other things, in the 24 Feldenkrais lessons spoken by Franz Wurm, which were broadcast on Swiss radio in 1969.