The Effect of Feldenkrais ATM(Awareness Through Movement) on Dancers’ Body Awareness and Alignment

Abstract

This study examined the effects of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement(ATM) classes on improving body awareness and alignment in five professional dancers. The overall classes were structured as a total of 12 sessions, comprising six specific ATM lessons selected from Feldenkrais’s seminal work, with each lesson conducted twice via real-time Zoom video conferencing. Pre- and post-intervention assessments yielded the following findings: First, the ATM classes had a significant impact on dancers’ body awareness in the areas of noticing, acceptance, attention regulation, return to body, and trust (excluding the mind-body connection factor). Second, the classes significantly improved key body alignment indicators, specifically pelvic tilt, pelvic rotation, and lumbar lordosis. These results confirm the effectiveness of Feldenkrais ATM classes in enhancing dancers’ overall body awareness and alignment.