Frequently Asked Questions
About the Anat Baniel Method
General
How does the Anat Baniel Method compare to Yoga?
How Does the Anat Baniel Method compare to Tai Chi or other
martial arts?
How does the Anat Baniel Method work with other sports and
physical activities?
How does the Anat Baniel Method work with weight training?
Is the Anat Baniel Method a fitness program?
I'm not active, will the Anat Baniel Method work for me?
Who does the Anat Baniel Method work best for?
What is the spiritual or mind/body component to the Anat
Baniel Method?
Programs and Tapes
How often should I use the Anat Baniel Method programs and
tapes?
How many times should I do each lesson?
If I feel any pain as I do the movements, what should I
do?
How often should I purchase a new set of tapes? Which ones?
When is the best time in the day to do the lessons?
If I stop using the program, will I lose my progress?
I travel frequently; can I use the program away from home?
Children with Special Needs
Why has my doctor never heard of the Anat Baniel Method?
How does the Anat Baniel Method for Children work with other
therapy approaches?
How does the Anat Baniel
Method compare to Yoga?
Differences: UnlikeYoga, the Transformational Movement
Lessons do not involve stretching or holding of positions. Therefore
it does not stress muscles and joints and is very safe. The benefits
are attained by constantly introducing new movement patterns instead
of repeating and holding set poses. All the movements are done slowly
and gently allowing for change and improvements to be realized instantaneously.
The repertoire of new and improved movement skills grows very fast.
One also learns the underlying principles as to how we learn best, the
principles of harmonious movement, and the attitudes that bring us maximum
health and vitality.
Similarities: Like Yoga there is a spiritual component
to the Method that enhances feelings of well being and the unity of mind
and body. Through the ANAT BANIEL METHOD people experience a renewed vitality
and a sense of freedom and happiness that limitation and pain often suppresses.
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How Does the Anat Baniel Method compare to
Tai Chi or other martial arts?
Differences: Unlike most martial art disciplines, the
Method does not require any practice or intensive training to receive
its benefits. There are no repetitive or ritualized movements and no physical
conditioning required in advance. Since the ANAT BANIEL METHOD works on
the principal of introducing new movement patterns to the body and mind,
It allows people of all levels of performance improve and transform their
movement skills, flexibility and strength very quickly without struggle.
Similarities: Like most martial arts, the Method works on the concept
of power generating from the center of the body. Like martial arts, using
the Method increases mobility, flexibility and strength. And finally,
both promote a mind/body connection that results in feelings of renewed
vitality and general well being.
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How does the Anat Baniel Method work with
other sports and physical activities?
Since this method helps people learn how to move in harmony
with the structure of the body and utilize the brain’s ability to learn
and optimize, it is extremely beneficial in enhancing the performance
of any exercise or sports activity. Golfers, weight lifters, runners,
tennis players, aerobics, cyclists, all learn how to use their bodies
in ways that reduce unnecessary efforts, decrease injuries, improve coordination
and transform performance.
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I work out at a gym regularly. How does the
Anat Baniel Method work with weight training?
Using the Method with weight training gives you an opportunity
to improve your flexibility and increase the safety of your workout. You
will learn how to bring into play the stronger muscles in your body more
so that you maximize your strength without loosing flexibility. This more
efficient movement also helps avoid injury.
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Is the Anat Baniel Method a fitness program?
Participation in the Transformational Movement lessons
greatly enhances flexibility, strength, coordination and well being. Anyone
doing these lessons will find themselves moving easier, faster with greater
pleasure. The body comes to life. Even though it is not necessary to participate
in any additional activity to gain all these benefit, most people find
that with their increased vitality and improved ability to move, they
want to do a lot more. Many begin walking more, hiking, swimming, weight
lifting, some pick up ball room dancing, other join a Martial Arts class.
Also many people who play competitive sports like tennis or golf have
found that using the Method has vastly improved their game.
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I'm not active, will the Anat Baniel Method
work for me?
Absolutely yes. The ANAT BANIEL METHOD does not require
any preexisting level of fitness. Many people are inactive because movement
is painful and uncomfortable. When you do this program you will discover
how to move free of pain and with great ease. As a result you most likely
will want to do more and be more active, which will promote your health
greatly.
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How often should I use the Anat Baniel Method
programs and tapes?
For healing or for chronic pain, or for rapid improvement
in performance level, you can start by doing one lesson per day in the
order suggested to see the maximum results. When you have done each lesson
(usually there are six in a program), redo the tapes in order and move
to two to three times a week. For less serious problems you may start
with two to three times per week. When pain is reduced or if you are
pain free, continue to use the lessons one or two times a week for maximum
benefit.
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How many times should I do each lesson?
When you purchase a program you should do each lesson
in the order suggested and complete the entire program at least three
times. Afterward we find that everyone has favorite lessons that seem
to work well for him or her. However, you should not do just one lesson
over and over. You benefit the most from introducing new movement patterns-information
to your brain at planned intervals for powerful transformational outcomes.
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If I feel any pain as I do the movements,
what should I do?
Stop immediately. Pain is a message to you that the way
you are doing the movement is
damaging to you and should not be attempted this way.
Instead, visualize the movement. Research shows that you can get the same,
or better benefit from visualizing the movement as from actually performing
it. Some of the lessons in the program guide you to visualizing moves
as a part of the lesson. After visualizing you can try doing the movement,
but very small and gentle, to see if you have found another way to do
the movement, pain free.
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How often should I purchase a new set of
tapes? Which ones?
That depends on the intensity with which you choose to
work the program, but at least every six months. Since the body works
as a whole and all the different parts are interrelated, improving one
part will improve the rest. Coupled with the fact that the brain and body
thrive on new information, it is highly recommended that once you have
gone through your initial program that focuses on the area most in need,
like the back, or neck, or joint, that than you proceed with the next
program. That way you build the repertoire of your lessons and have more
lessons to work with for many years to come.
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When is the best time in the day to do the
lessons?
The best time is anytime, when after the lesson you will
have the time to focus on the how you feel and the changes that you experience.
This gives the opportunity for the changes and improvements to be integrated
and be carried over into your life. Many people find that the evening
is a good time for this reason.
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Will the Anat Baniel Method work for repetitive
stress injury?
Yes. The program works extremely well for injuries due
to repetitive motion. The foundation of the Method is teaching your body
and mind to perform movements in a harmonious, efficient manner. Once
the quality of movement is improved that way, the pain and inflammation
disappear.
If it is possible for you to refrain from doing the movements
that are causing pain for the first 3 weeks of the program, please do.
But if you are unable to, take frequent breaks, visualizing some of the
movements you learned from the tapes, or even performing these movements
in short sequences while on the job can help you heal the injury and avoid
future ones.
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If I stop using the program, will I lose
my progress?
You can retain the progress gained from the program provided
you have done it at least three times and that you apply awareness and
intentionality in applying what you have learned to your daily life/movements.
The more lessons you do, the more improvement and benfit you’ll get and
the less you will tend to revert to old habits. Once the body and mind
experience a more efficient way to move, the movement is remembered. However,
stress and strain can cause you to revert to old habits so it's better
to continue using the program. Once you have mastered a lesson, you can
recall the outcome by doing an abbreviated lesson or even visualizing
the movements you have learned. Some choose to do the lessons less often
or when they have a flare-up. Also you'll find that if you take a break
from the program, when you begin again you will progress much faster than
you did initially. Ideally you should continue adding new programs so
you can move beyond pain and continuously experience new levels of flexibility,
strength, skillfulness, and vitality.
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I travel frequently. Can I use the program
away from home?
Yes, easily. That's one of the wonderful things about
the program. It's completely portable since there is no equipment or props
required. If you have a tape player, you have the program with you any
time, anywhere.
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You mentioned there is a spiritual or mind/body component
to the Anat Baniel Method what does that mean?
One of the great benefits of the program is the clarity,
vitality and sense of well-being that results. As new patterns of movement
are introduced to the brain, it reawakens these feelings. People report
new energy, vivid dreams, increased awareness, and improved ability to
concentrate. A strong feeling of connectedness to the world around, of
joy, and that life is well worth living emerges.
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Who does the Anat Baniel Method work best
for?
Since the method addresses learning and the underlying
principles of harmonious, effective movement and action, in effect the
program can be useful for everyone. These programs have helped people
overcome pain, reverse the symptoms of aging, re-discover vitality, improve
performance and discover the joy and pleasure of movement. Musicians improve
their playing, golfers improve their stroke, injured athletes go back
to playing, and the life of those choosing to partake in these programs
improve. If you feel bad it will make you feel good. If you feel good
it will make you feel great.
Do these lessons with your spouse, your friends, your
kids and your parents and everyone will improve on many levels.
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Why has my doctor never heard of the Anat
Baniel Method?
Some doctors have heard of the Anat Baniel Method and
of Dr. Feldenkrais. More and more doctors are becoming aware of it as more
parents request this work for their children and as more practitioners
are available to offer it.
This is a relatively new technology, and we feel it will be soon be breaking out more into the mainstream with the release of Anat's book in 2008.
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How does the Anat Baniel Method for Children
work with other therapy approaches?
Some methodologies of the Anat Baniel Method for Children,
which is a non-medical, learning and movement-based approach, can be in
conflict with physical therapy and other therapeutic practices which are
based in the medical model. In those instances we suggest to the parent
to first consult with their medical professionals and than see if they
can find a period of time where they feel comfortable suspending the other
therapies for a few weeks in order to see if this method is beneficial
for their child and to what degree. For more articles on this subject, click here.
There are some therapies that work very well with this
method: therapeutic horse back riding, homeopathy, computer based training
of the brain, vision therapy, and all other gentle therapies that work
within the level of present time capabilities of the child.
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For additional information in any of these areas please
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