Journal of Education & Social Policy

Implications of the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education for Training College Students to be Transformational Leaders
Mary Margaret Fonow, PhD; Judith A. Cook, PhD; Richard Goldsand; Jane K. Burke-Miller, PhD

Abstract
We explored the Feldenkrais Method® as a tool for developing transformational leadership. 138 undergraduates at a large state university participated in a single-session, 35-minute Feldenkrais® Awareness through Movement®lesson via: 1) in-person instruction, 2) video/audiotape or 3) audiotape only. We tested for changes in levels of body awareness, stress and self-perceived empathic and communicative leadership capacities using standardized scales administered pre- and post-intervention. Significant increases were found in body awareness and self-assessed leadership capacities and significant decreases in stress between pre-and post-test. Body awareness and leadership increased significantly regardless of instructional modality, while stress reduction occurred for the in-person intervention

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