Moshe in motion

When I met Moshe Feldenkrais in Amherst, Massachusetts, in June 1981, he was 77 years old. He was a vibrant, fascinating, and charismatic gentleman. Even with his advanced age, you could clearly see the traces of his mastery of martial arts in his carriage.

Starting in 1933, Feldenkrais headed the Jujutsu section of the École Spéciale des Travaux Publics de la ville de Paris, located in the Latin Quarter. It was then that he met Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo, who encouraged him to study this method. In 1936, Moshe established the Jujitsu Club de France with his teacher, Mikonosuke Kawaishi. That year, he earned the rank of shodan, first-degree black belt; he went on to achieve the rank of second-degree black belt (nidan) in 1938.

While we have photos of Moshe from that period, some of which caught him mid-motion, they are merely static snapshots. It was always problematic, if not impossible, for me to imagine him in action in the dojo, dynamic and potent in his prime. That is until I discovered a rare gem: a judo demonstration filmed in 1939, months before the start of the Second World War, by the pioneering French film company Pathé. This brief Pathé Journal newsreel is a true treasure for martial arts enthusiasts and Feldenkrais aficionados alike, offering a dynamic glimpse of Moshe in his prime.

To access this fascinating film, you first need to create an account on the GP archives website, named after Gaumont and Pathé, the founders of the French film industry. (Please note that I’m providing the link for the English version of the site.) Signing up for an account is absolutely free. Once you receive your account, you can search for “demonstration of judo” to find the film clip. Alternatively, you can log in and then click on this link.

Though the film is less than 30 seconds long and Moshe is featured only a fraction of that time, its historical significance is immeasurable. Even in the brief seconds he appears, you can see the fluidity and precision of his movements and his effortless, delightful physical mastery, a hint of the deeply embodied understanding of biomechanics — and joy in action — that would later inform his teaching.

This short movie is an incredibly rare opportunity to witness Moshe in motion in the early days, a precious opportunity to witness the man behind the method. Don’t take my word for it; please take the chance to see for yourself.

If you take me up on this invitation to watch the film, I would be most grateful if you took a few moments to share your thoughts in the comments below.

I am deeply grateful to my French colleague Carmen Llerenas for bringing this film to my attention. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to my Israeli colleague and friend, the martial artist and historian Moti Nativ, for his unwavering dedication to unearthing the history of Moshe’s early years. His passion for chronicling and preserving our lineage is genuinely inspiring; his efforts have enriched our understanding of Moshe's legacy.