Have you ever felt yourself drifting off during a Feldenkrais session? You’re not alone! Many people experience a sensation of drowsiness or even fall asleep entirely during these gentle, mindful movement explorations. But why does this happen?
Your Body’s Relaxation Mode
When you settle into a Feldenkrais session, your nervous system often shifts into what’s known as the parasympathetic response, or the "rest and digest" state. In this state:
- Your heart rate slows.
- Your breathing deepens naturally.
- Your muscles let go of unnecessary tension.
This shift sends a signal to your brain: “We’re safe here. It’s okay to relax.” That deep calm can feel almost like sleep—but it’s actually your body embracing a moment of ease and comfort. Just entering this state can relieve pain and strain in different areas of the body, creating a profound sense of relaxation.
Your Brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN)
There’s another fascinating reason behind this sleepy sensation. In 2001, long after Moshe Feldenkrais passed away, neuroscientists identified a brain function known as the Default Mode Network (DMN). This network is a group of brain regions that activate when we’re at rest, daydreaming, or reflecting.
The DMN includes areas involved in thinking, memory, and self-awareness. While I’m not a neuroscientist, I’ve come to believe this network may play a role in the sense of “dozing off” that can come up in Feldenkrais.
When you engage in slow, unfamiliar movements during a Feldenkrais session, your brain may enter this “default mode.” It’s like a reset button: your mind pauses its usual patterns to explore new sensations and movements. That fleeting drowsiness? It’s your brain integrating these new experiences and resting in the process.
Falling Asleep? It’s a Natural Benefit of Feldenkrais. Enjoy it!
If you’re practicing Feldenkrais on a mat, or even in bed, you might find yourself fully falling asleep—and that’s okay! This gentle form of somatic exploration can set the stage for quality rest, giving your nervous system a break and your brain a chance to integrate.
So, if you start to doze off during a Feldenkrais session, let it happen. It might be exactly what your body and mind need in that moment.
