About Eilat

Eilat Almagor

I was born in Jerusalem and raised in Nahalal, Israel. For my B.A I studied Mathematics and Physics. I studied for my Ph.D in the Neurobiology department in the Hebrew University in Jerusalem with Prof. Peter Hillman and Prof. Baruch Minka – both wonderful teachers. I spent about 5 years in a small dark room, lighting the tiny eye of the Balanus with dots of colorful light. All this, to learn something about the process of converting light to electrical energy passed to the brain.

During my Ph.D studies I started practicing “Awareness Through Movement” Feldenkrais lessons with my friend Anat Baniel. I Discovered that in every lesson I learn something new- a new movement or a general insight on learning process. Sometimes I was surprised by how instantaneous the process is- I could almost “catch” the nervous system during the exact moment of learning. As a brain researcher, the Feldenkrais method enchanted me.

Even before I finished my Ph.D I joined the Feldenkrais training in Amherst. For me, the training was a revolution in the way of learning and studying, in movement abilities and my self-image. Moshe Feldenkraises’ lectures showed every issue in a new, unpredictable light. I was surprised to find out that you could professionally, yet without effort.

I started teaching groups from the 2^nd year of the training, while in Jeneve during my Post-Doctorate. After the training I started working with children and gradually left the academy to teach and make a living of Feldenkrais.

From the beginning of my way I worked with other teachers. In 1987 I founded with Eli Guy, Riza Yungrais and Dafna Alexandrowitz the Jerusalem Feldenkrais center. Today, Miriam Shlezinger, Riza Yungrais, Aviva Kloppfer and I work there together. Sometimes other teachers teach there as well. In the center I teach ATM lessons to groups and individual FI lessons to adults, teens and infants.

From 1984 I have been teaching in the Rubin dance and music academy in Jerusalem, in the movement department.

Feldenkrais teachers training:

The training in the course isn’t just theory. The student evolves and grows in a process similar to that of a child. In this natural process we each have our own way. The individuality in the learning is an important ingredient, and us teachers are required to see the unique way for each student to move, understand and express their feelings. The special corporation between Anat Krivine and I helps us in being available to all students and in listening to everyone’s special needs. Our bond allows us to each create at her best, and the joined work becomes a great joy.

We have finished 4 courses in Jerusalem, and the 5^th one has started July 2007, All under Ami Shaphir’s administrative organization.

In Tokyo, under the organization of Doron Navon, and with Anat Krivine, we are currently teaching the 3^rd course.

In Strigara, Italy, under the organization of Tina Brocoli , we started a 2^nd course.

In total we have trained so far about 300 Feldenkrais teachers.

In addition to the teacher trainings, Anat Krivine and I also teach together advanced seminars for teachers in several places world wide. This year we open a series of workshops in Zurich that will deal in improving stability in children with scoliosis.

This year (2007-2008) I am on a sabbatical, and I’m devoting it to renew the connection with scientists researching the organization of movement and the learning of movement in the brain. During the past few years there has been a big development in the brain research machinery. Various simulators allow testing the behavior of the brain during activity. The knowledge that has been accumulated and the curiosity of researchers allow the corporation of us, Feldenkrais teachers, and researchers, men (and women) of science. I hope that this year will open new routes for us in the study of learning through movement.