What is the Franklin Method?



Posted: Sunday, May 08, 2011

by Ellie Garwood

The Franklin Method is all about getting the most out of our bodies through a number of techniques including visualization, posture, movement, and thinking patterns. Whereas other postural correction techniques deal only with the physical, the Franklin Method sees the brain as massively important in organ in creating a pain-free, supple body.  It is about creating better co-ordination, the hidden strength of the body (and how to tap into this), but the method continues onto a much deeper level than many other techniques, and aims to not only improve what we have, but improve what we can become through changing structures, so that we can feel and move more harmoniously right down to individual cells. The ideology behind the Franklin Method says that nobody truly has bad co-ordination, or is clumsy, or tense; poor functioning, however, is merely a temporary forgetting of our body’s natural flow. There is always a better movement pattern waiting to be resurrected, it’s relearning this natural ability to move, to stand and to hold ourselves on a daily basis.

The Franklin Method has its origins in ideokinesis. Ideokinesis was devised by a lady named Mabel Todd, and first documented in her book, The Thinking Body, which was first printed in 1937. The Thinking Body described the link between the mind and body, and the importance of imagery in keeping our bodies healthy, supple and pain and tension free. At the start of the twentieth century Todd had an accident that paralyzed her. The doctors had given up on her, but Mabel remained positive and used her imagination, via visualization, to eventually walk again. What was more Mabel actually managed to move with better co-ordination than she was ever able to before her accident. In a time where visualisation was not recognized as it is today, she was quite a pioneer, and she soon had numerous students and patients asking for her help.

In modern day study ideokinesis is often included, especially in the study of dance, gymnastics, kinetics and physiotherapy. In recent years the theory has been developed, by lecturer and author, Eric Franklin, who devised the Franklin Method. In addition to what Mabel Todd taught, the Franklin Method now also includes a range of new repertoires, as well as exercises and props. The use of exercise balls and Thera-Bands (a stretchy long band, to aid stretching) have also been introduced in the Franklin Method.

Many areas of the body were not covered by Mabel Todd in the original texts on ideokinesis and so the Franklin Method sought to include these important areas which include the pelvic floor, knees and feet. Through the Franklin Method physical problems are dealt with at the root, they are not simply masked through pills, or other such temporary methods.
Ellie Garwood is a freelance writer interested in a host of topics. For a host of complementary medicine, and physical therapy related anatomy books she recommends the range available at Lotus Publishing.
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