The Feldenkrais Research Journal addresses practical and theoretical aspects of research for the Feldenkrais professional field, interested researchers, scholars, and thinkers in related disciplines, and members of the public. It focuses on research into the Feldenkrais Method, and related fields of practice, thought, research, action, and awareness. The Journal seeks to engage in a dialogue about research within the Feldenkrais professional field and beyond.

Here is a list of the types of articles that the Journal will consider for publication.

Original Research

While recognizing that there is great value for research into Feldenkrais Method to be published in peer-reviewed journals in other relevant fields, the Feldenkrais Research Journal also seeks to publish new research into the Method and related fields and practices. (Additional peer review processes will be used for submissions of original research. The Editorial Committee may recruit content and research methods experts to augment the peer-review process. Additional guidelines for original research are being developed. Please contact the Editorial Committee if you plan to submit original research.)

Hypothesis and Theory

Articles, interviews, conversations, or papers presented at conferences, which are:

• Explorations of theoretical bases of the Feldenkrais Method, as part of identifying key research domains, topics and questions for the Method.
• Theoretical perspectives from relevant domains of research and practice which provide possible frameworks for researching Feldenkrais and similar realms, including articles comparing theoretical aspects of Feldenkrais and other domains.
• Research perspectives, developed from within the frame of the Feldenkrais Method, which contribute to new approaches to research and theory development.

The Editorial Committee has identified some priorities for these kinds of articles, interviews or conversations, or papers presented at conferences, including material exploring:

• Neuroscience (including such topics as, the role of inhibition, neural plasticity, sensory-motor coordination, awareness practices and changes of state in the nervous system)
• Cognitive science/embodied cognition
• Human development, including both child and adult development
• Dynamical and environmental approaches, such as material drawing on dynamical systems, ecological psychology, and related approaches
• Pedagogy/learning theories
• Arts and creative practice
• Creativity
• Gender studies
• Empathy and compassion
• Mindfulness and other contemplative practices, movement-based contemplative practices
• Health and wellness
• Affective states and processes, mood, and emotion
• Ethics
• Social justice and equity.

Research and study into the history and development of the Feldenkrais Method, including the development of the thought and practice of Moshe Feldenkrais, is another important area in which submissions will be welcomed.

These topics reflect identified, existing areas of study. It is anticipated that, as Feldenkrais Method and related fields are engaged with emergent ways of thinking and forms of action, that submissions may also not neatly fit within these descriptors – this is welcomed.

Case Studies and Case Study Research

The Feldenkrais Research Journal would like to continue to publish case studies of Feldenkrais Method practice. These may include studies of work with an individual or small number of clients or students, examples of a particular class, workshop, or program, or some other application of the Feldenkrais Method in a bounded situation. Based on the typology published in Volume 4 of the Feldenkrais Research Journal, these may include the following types of case studies:

• Descriptive/Narrative/Naturalistic: While primarily narrative and descriptive in form, these case studies should also include references to Feldenkrais Method concepts and practices, and some degree of reflection on practice
• Reflective: case material used to illuminate and reflect on Feldenkrais and related theory and practice
• Mixed Measures (qualitative & quantitative) Single or Multiple Case Study
• Single System Research Design (experimental model).

(Please contact the Editorial Committee if you are interested in submitting as case report, and we can discuss the type of case report and specific requirements for a case report.)

Reflections on Practice

The practice and particular pedagogy of the Feldenkrais Method deserve further description and research. We are seeking articles that describe:

• Learning from Practice: How Feldenkrais Method is taught to the public and in programs training Feldenkrais practitioners. What are best practices of teaching and what are the ideas behind them? How are they related other pedagogical approaches, and what other approaches are relevant to Feldenkrais practice? What can Feldenkrais approaches contribute to the understanding of the facilitation of learning? (As an example: How can the different modes of practice, Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration, inform Feldenkrais thinking and practice?
• Frontiers of Practice: Where is the Method being practiced in interesting and innovative ways and locations including particular countries/cultures, and new settings/applications (medical, artistic, educational, particular populations). What are the areas of practicing the Feldenkrais Method, including evolving and emergent practices and applications, which deserve to be researched?

Research in Progress

Articles describing current and developing research projects.

Research News

Short articles reporting on Feldenkrais conferences, symposia, and other significant events and developments. These may be published in the body of the FRJ or the Announcements section as appropriate.

Research Paradigms and Methods

Articles are sought describing and discussing research models and paradigms that are of interest and relevance to researching Feldenkrais Method and similar domains of thought and practice. In addition to explorations of quantitative-empirical approaches, discussion of rationalist (e.g. structuralist, linguistic), qualitative, descriptive, and interpretative (e.g. phenomenology, grounded theory, narrative, hermeneutic–interpretive) approaches to human science and human understanding are welcomed. Of particular interest are innovative approaches to research suitable for the study of somatics, embodiment, movement, awareness, human function and learning. What can be learned and contributed in dialogue with a variety of fields and their approaches to research?

These articles may take the form of more theoretical papers about research paradigms, or papers that describe practical aspects of research design and process – kinds of “how to” articles that would encourage involvement in research. Articles dealing with the practicality of the social/organizational aspects of doing research and trying to get it published would be of help to future researchers. Papers reflecting on the process of creating research, which may have been published elsewhere, can be useful for developing a dialogue about research.

Reflection on Research Practice

These topics are descriptive of areas of ‘content’, however the Editorial Committee is also interested in papers on research paradigms and methods. Indeed, the two are related in vital ways. The Editorial Committee encourages papers exploring the dynamic relationship between areas and ways of knowing, and the processes of how understanding is generated in the process of research. Questions that might be address include reflection on the theoretical framework and methodological preferences and their suitability for the practices studies. How can lived practices’ be “grasped” in the research process? Which understanding of practice and science is used? Reflection, reflexivity, and reflection-in-action about the role and embodiment of the researcher in the research process is valued.

Research Abstracts, Reports, and Reprints

Much research into the Feldenkrais Method has been done as part of Masters or Doctoral theses or dissertations, or has been published in journals or in formats where it may not be readily available. We are seeking abstracts or reports on research into the Feldenkrais Method and relevant fields and practices, based on graduate studies or previously published research papers that can make that research more widely available. Likewise, where authors have the rights to republish previously published research, we would also welcome submissions of relevant research articles.

Papers that have been presented at professional and academic conferences are welcomed. Also reports on relevant Conferences, Symposia and similar events, which describe and discuss the content of a number of the papers presented.

Reviews

Review articles focusing on research into the Feldenkrais Method that has been published, or comparisons between research into Feldenkrais Method and related areas of thought and practice, are welcomed. Likewise we welcome reviews of creative works and performances in which Feldenkrais Method and somatic practices were a significant part of the creation and presentation of the work.

Reviews of books and other literature about the Feldenkrais Method and related topics are also welcome.

• Reviews of books about the Feldenkrais Method and other relevant subjects
• Reviews of new and interesting theoretical or research literature
• Reviews of other interesting educationa or research resources (online, audio-visual, etc.).

‘Gaps and Desires’

Short articles identifying where there is a gap in research and discussion, describing the gap, and seeking dialogue on the topic.

 
Additional notes of the types of articles sought and to be published

Audience

The audience for the Feldenkrais Research Journal is Feldenkrais Practitioners, as well as other movement, mind-body, and somatic practitioners, and researchers in various fields of human development, and also the informed public. Articles do not need to include a general description of the Feldenkrais Method. They should also not assume a common language or set of particular conceptions common to only Feldenkrais practitioners based on their training.

Publication Languages

As the current lingua franca of the Feldenkrais professional community is English, it is anticipated that the majority of articles will be published in English. However, we invite submissions of articles in other languages. We will endeavour to assess and edit these articles in a timely manner. However, as this process will involve identifying and recruiting additional editorial assistance, this process may take longer. Please contact the Editorial Team if you are considering submitting an article in a language other than English. (See also the note on translation.)

Translation

There are important articles or research studies that are not readily available to a significant number of practitioners in the Feldenkrais community, other researchers and thinkers, and the public. It is our aim to translate relevant and important articles in the Journal. The priority is for the translation of articles into English, however, publication of important articles into other major languages within the Feldenkrais professional community will be considered. (Please contact the Editorial Committee if you have an article you wish to submit for translation or with any suggestions for material deserving of translation.)

Please contact the Feldenkrais Research Journal Editorial Team if you have any questions about these guidelines for the types of articles we are seeking, email us at: researchjournal@feldenkrais-method.org

 

Part 2: Manuscript Requirements

1. Article lengths

1.1 Longer submissions: Articles, interviews, transcribed and edited conversations: 3,000 to 5,000 words

(Types of articles: Hypothesis and Theory, Original Research, Research Reports, and Reprints, Research Reviews, Research Paradigms and Methods Articles, Case Studies and Case Study Research, Reflections on Practice Articles)

Please provide Abstracts for Articles, or Summary Introductions (for Reviews and Reflections on Practice, and interviews of edited conversatios), and Keywords, and Author bio.

Abstracts and Summary Introductions should be: 250 to 200 words.

Keywords: 5 keywords or short key-phrases (max. of 3 words)

1.2 Shorter submissions: News and Reviews: 500–1,000 words

(Types of articles: Feldenkrais Research News, ‘Gaps and Desires’ papers, Book and Article Reviews)

2. Author Biographies

If a longer submission is accepted, please provide an author biography approximately 150 words. We may ask you to edit longer biographies.

3. Formats for Submissions

Submissions should be:

3.1 Digital format: In Microsoft Word .docx files or .doc files, or .rtf files

3.2 Font: Use Times New Roman 12 point or Helvetica 12 point font for body type.

3.3 Citations and References

3.3.1: Use Feldenkrais Research Journal Reference Style Guide for citations and references.

Please refer to the Feldenkrais Research Journal Reference Style Guide.

Please refer also to the Feldenkrais Research Journal Formatting and Citation Style Guide. These FRJ Style Guides are your primary references. Our referencing system is based on the Harvard referencing system: for further detailed formatting queries about using Harvard reference format: https://library.aru.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm

3.3.2: Provide the hyperlink for any citations and references found on the Internet in the Reference list.

3.4 Style for Submissions: Please be consistent with following our style guide.

4. Ethics and Permissions

All authors will be asked to attest to the originality of the submission if accepted for publication. Any research using human subjects is required to protect the privacy of the research subject, and to comply with the research ethics requirements of the relevant academic or professional organization, or the state or territory in which the research was conducted.

5. Register and Voice

In general a third-person voice will be required for hypothesis and theory and research papers. The first person is acceptable in phenomenological, descriptive, narrative, and case study papers, and research news and conference reports, as appropriate.

6. Editorial Process

6.1 Longer format submissions: Two editors will assess each longer format submission, and will make a recommendation to the whole Editorial Committee. If there are significant differences in assessment of papers between these two editors, the Editorial Committee or Coordinating Editor may appoint a third reader. In addition, abstracts or summary introductions will be circulated to all members of the Editorial Committee. If editing or revisions are requested, one Editor will be allocated to work with the author(s).

6.2 Shorter format submissions: These submissions will be circulated to all Editorial Committee members. Two Editors will make a recommendation to the Committee. If there are significant differences in assessment of papers between these two editors, the Editorial Committee or Coordinating Editor may appoint a third reader. If editing or revisions are requested, one Editor will be allocated to work with the author(s).

7. Submissions

Submissions can be made via this journal website.

We do urge you to contact us if you are considering making a submission.

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Please contact the Feldenkrais Research Journal Editorial Committee if you have any questions about these guidelines and formatting your submission: researchjournal@feldenkrais-method.org