Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 14, Issue 3 , Pages 227-233, July 2010

Qi Gong exercises and Feldenkrais method from the perspective of Gestalt concept and humanistic psychology

    Dr.
  • Paul Posadzki

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44 01603591223.
  • , Dr.
  • Andrea Stöckl

      Affiliations

    • School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
    • Tel.: +44 01603 591879.
  • , Dr.
  • Dariusz Mucha

      Affiliations

    • Health and Physical Education Institute, Radom Polytechnic, 26-600 Radom, Poland
    • Tel.: +48 601 482 162.

Received 11 April 2008; received in revised form 15 December 2008; accepted 16 December 2008.

Summary 

This study describes two similar approaches to human movement: Qi Gong exercises and the Feldenkrais method. These systems are investigated in terms of Gestalt concepts and humanistic psychology. Moshe Feldenkrais created the concept known as Awareness Through Movement. This concept assumes that by becoming more aware of one's movements, one functions at a higher level. In similar ways to those using the Feldenkrais method, individuals may become more aware of their own movements by performing Qi Gong exercises: A therapeutic modality that facilitates mind–body integration. Qi Gong exercises commonly lead to increased personal awareness accompained by enhanced quality, fluency and smoothness of movement. These two methods of movement therapies are explored in terms of their relations with Gestalt concept and humanistic psychology.

Keywords: Qi Gong, Feldenkrais, Gestalt concept, Humanistic psychology

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PII: S1360-8592(08)00205-2

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.12.001

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Volume 14, Issue 3 , Pages 227-233, July 2010