The odyssey that is Moshe Feldenkrais’s life began in Eastern Europe, in what is now Ukraine. He came of age amid many of the central crises of the 20th century, experiencing firsthand the turmoil of the World War I as a child. He emigrated alone, at 14, and became part of the establishment of a Jewish Palestine. Later, Moshe would work with the Curies in groundbreaking nuclear research and find a mentor in Jigoro Kano, the creator of Judo, who deputized him to introduce this martial art to France.

Moshe’s intellect was formidable, and his explorations led him to become a pivotal figure in the science of somatics. A synthesis of Feldenkrais’s life and his work, this biography will be compelling reading for those who would like to learn about his thought processes and about the Feldenkrais Method, and indispensable for anyone deeply engaged with this work.

“Mark [Reese] artfully interweaves the evolution of Feldenkrais’s ideas with those of his personal history. The result is a multilayered tale of the development of the Feldenkrais Method® as spellbinding as Feldenkrais’s life story. “ —Elizabeth Beringer

1. Eastern European Roots
2. Eretz Yisrael, 1919-1930
3. France, 1930-1940
4. Great Britain, 1940-1946
5. London, 1947-1951: Inventions, Judo, Early Classes
6. London, 1947-1951: Body and Mature Behavior
7. London, 1947-1951: The Potent Self
8. London, 1947-1951: Alexander, Guardjieff, Jacoby

• End Notes
• References
• Subjects Index
• Names Index
• Books Index (M. feldenkrais)
• Books by Moshe Feldenkrais
• About the Author

Help Build a Buzz About the Method:

The biography is also an opportunity for us to build a buzz about the Method. The beautifully designed book reflects well on our founder and the work in general. Here are some ideas:

• Bring the book to your workshops or classes. Talk about it. Leave a copy visible in your office or waiting room so you can start conversations about Moshe and the excitement about the bio. Regardless of whether a client or student might want to own or read the bio themselves, Moshe is an impressive figure and his story helps illuminate the Method in a myriad of ways.


• Show some of the pictures in your classes, or tell some stories from the book. The book is full of details connecting Moshe's life to his work. There is lots of potential for story telling.


• Post on Facebook about it, blog, twitter etc. etc. Again build the buzz.


• Review the book on the Feldenkrais® Resources website. As of this writing, no one has yet reviewed it.


• Review or write about the book in a local publication.


• Announce the book on your home page, (we can support you with the artwork). Whether people want to buy it or not, it casts a glow. (Consider setting up an affiliate account so people can click through your home page to purchase the book. You get a percentage of all sales that come through your site).


• Ask your public library to carry the book, ask your students to request it.


• Download a copy of the beautiful book poster designed by Kaethe Zemach-Bersin. Print it and hang it somewhere it will be seen. Again it can serve to start a conversation. (You can download a PDF for no charge by clicking HERE. It can be printed at any high quality copy store.


• Other ideas? Share them.

Part of the responses we've been getting include questions about the book and its future. I've included answers to some of these at the bottom of this mail. And yes, there is a plan for volume 2!

Build the Buzz! Elizabeth B. (Dated 9/16/15)

Frequently asked questions:

Q. Will the book come out as an e-book?

A. Yes, sometime, possibly later next year. We have begun to research the details.

Q. Why is the book not being sold by Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other large booksellers?

A. This book was a labour of love, over many years. It demanded an incredible amount of work including extensive research, editing and at the end, production and design costs. This has created debt and until this is paid off the majority of the proceeds from the book are going for debt remediation. Thus Feldenkrais Resources is returning the majority of the proceeds to ReeseKress Somatics Press for the time being. These large corporate booksellers also take large cuts! Once a substantial part of the debt is paid off the book will be distributed more widely.

Q. Will there be a Volume 2?

A. It is very much Carol Kress's intention to finish Volume 2 as well. Resources will need to be accumulated for this to move along.
Q. Why is the book important for Feldenkrais Practitioners and Students?

A. If you want to fully understand the genesis of the Feldenkrais Method® and the essential ideas that are the foundation of the Method, this is the book to read. This should be the "go to" book for every Feldenkrais Practitioner who wants to be able to speak eloquently about the Feldenkrais Method.