Working in Movement

Strength Real or Imagined: Does It Make a Difference? Feldenkrais Awareness Thru Movement lessons sometimes involve imagining movements instead of doing them, and the effect can be quite dramatic. Often, a deep sense of ease and coordination follows the imagined movement. (To experience it yourself, try this sample lesson.)  Now it turns out that imagined movements can also improve strength.  The American Council on Exercise site carries a summary of a research study in which subjects were asked to imagine exercising their little fingers or biceps. And, with this being a legit scientific study and all, there was a control group that did nothing, real OR imaginary. Well, it turned out that the imaginary exercise correlated with real increases in strength of the little finger or biceps. There were no findings, however, on the gubernatorial aspirations of the newly-minted body builders.