The Science

Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais was a renown physicist, and the method he created embodies the neuroscience of movement. His ingenious work and legacy, and that of his protege Anat Baniel, are described in The Brain’s Way of Healing. Chapter 5 is the story of Moshe and Anat: “Moshe Feldenkrais, Healing Serious Brain Problems Through Mental Awareness of Movement”. Anat Baniel Method® NeuroMovement® is offered through group classes and private sessions, and as part of our Resiliency Boost program.

The Brain That Changes Itself Chapter 3, and The Brain’s Way of Healing Chapter 1, highlight the pioneering neuroscientist Dr. Michael Merzenich. Considered the world’s leading researcher in the field of neuroplasticity, Dr. Merzenich led the Cochlear Implant team at UCSF where he is now Professor Emeritus. He founded multiple brain software companies including Scientific Learning and Posit Science, where he and his team created the most validated digital brain training programs available for children and adults. Our programs NeuroShield and NeuroRecovery feature this award winning approach.

Dr. Stephen Porges, a leading expert in Neurophysiology and Interpersonal Neurobiology, is most famous for his research on the nervous system and heart rate variability. HRV measures the profound yet simple link integrating health of the brain’s central nervous system to the heart and gut through the vagal nerve system. Dr. Doidge describes Porges’ work as “one of the most useful contributions to our understanding of the nervous system”. Porges is referenced in The Brain’s Way of Healing, Chapter 8. HRV feedback and tracking is featured in our Resiliency Boost, NeuroShield and NeuroRecovery programs.

The Brain’s Way of Healing Chapter 2 describes the “conscious movement technique”, practiced by a man with Parkinson’s that dramatically reduced his symptoms. Dr. Doidge uses this example to introduce the effects of exercise on the brain. Dr. John Ratey from Harvard Medical School calls the growth factors released during exercise “Miracle Grow for the brain”. Ratey extensively researched how exercise heals, and authored two books with his findings: Spark and Go Wild.  All our programs apply neuroplastic principles, and 3 programs apply Dr. Ratey’s methods.