Overcoming Obstacles by Reducing Force

In her TED talk (www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FUlRjBcGGE), Professor Dorit Aharonov talks about how principles learned in her practice of the Feldenkrais® Mind/Body method can be useful in an entirely different realm: scientific and mathematical research. Combining study and the body in movement with her own experience in scientific research, she suggests four ways to overcome obstacles with less force.

4 Body/Mind Principles for Learning

1. Start within your comfort zone and make it even more comfortable

2. Not too easy, not too hard:
 Pick an interesting challenge within your reach

3. Move away from your desired goal,
 and come back to it from different angles.

4. Play with it, connect it to other things you know,
 make it your own.

Dorit was born in Washington D.C and grew up in Haifa, Israel. She did her BSc in Physics and Mathematics summa cum laude at Hebrew University, where she continued doctoral work in Computer Science and Physics.

Dorit is fascinated by mathematical beauty and its connection to the physical world. In her PhD she discovered ways to make quantum computers noise tolerant. After a postdoc year at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Princeton and another at UC Berkeley, she joined the Hebrew University computer science department where she is now a full professor, and studies quantum computational processes.

Dorit’s other passion is body-mind processes, particularly the Martial Arts. She studies and practices Tai-Chi, Yoga, Kung-Fu, and in addition has recently become a teacher in the Feldenkrais method of self improvement and awareness through movement. Other interests include human rights, art, literature, hiking outdoors, inspiring human stories and human potential.

Originally published at buildingabrandonline.com.