Feldenkrais Method and Stress-Related Responses in Adult Women

This pilot study aimed to explore whether the Feldenkrais Method, a gentle movement and awareness practice, could help reduce stress and improve well-being in sedentary adult women. Twenty-four women aged 26-59 years were recruited. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group, which completed eight consecutive daily Feldenkrais sessions (90 minutes each), or to a control group. Before and after the program, all participants were assessed for: resting heart rate (HR), averaged over 5 minutes, and heart rate variability (HRV) to measure nervous system balance; total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW), and a marker of stress response, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis index, using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); weight and height; and questionnaires to evaluate psychological well-being and self-compassion.