Table Of ContentHadaka-Jime: Practical Unarmed Combat is a unique Moshe Feldenkrais, D.Sc., a physicisr, served
training program that is based on one core rechnique. Dr. Feldenkrais as a scienrific officer in the British Admiralry in
developed the program as emergency training for soldiers in World War World War II. During his rime in rhe British Army
II. Through ren one-hour lessons, soldiers learned ro defend rhemselves he raughr Judo ro the officers and soldiers, which led
againsr an armed opponent in rhe most rapid and effecrive way possible. to rhe publication of Practical Unarmed Combat. Dr.
The program is based on one Judo technique. Feldenkrais authored four more books on marrial
arrs, ju-jitsu and Self Do/me ( 1931 ), ABC du Judo
Feldenkrais emphasized conceprs of rhe learning process rhroughout
the book. He encouraged rhe reader ro mainrain a relaxed artirude, to ( 1938), judo: The Art ofD o/ns~ and Attack ( 1941 }, Moshc Fddenkrai\,
starr wirh slow and precise movements as he explained rhe riming. and ro and Higher judo ( 1952). After mecringjigoro Kano, D.Sc. 1904-1984
masrer rhe movements by reperirion. The resulr would be a spontaneous he was active in promoting Judo in France and in
movemenr which was correct and precise. founding rhe European Judo Union.
He claimed thar a fighrer musr first acquire the abiliry and then put In 1950 Feldcnkrais moved ro Israel where he was given a position
ir ro practical use. Thus, rhe firsr three lessons reach rhe core technique, in rhe Science Departmenr of rhe Israeli Defense Forces. He left in 1953
Hadaka-Jime. The remaining lessons implement rhe technique in a ro focus on the developmenr of whar is known today as the Feldenkrais
variery of siruadons-againsr armed or unarmed atracks from different Metbod."' He aurhored numerous books on his merhod including, Body
directions-all ofw hich culminate in the use of rhe core rechnique. This and MaN~rt Behavior, Awarenm Through Movmunt, and The Potent S~lf
approach deepens rhe learning so rhat rhe fighrer can effecrively perform
rhe core rechnique with many alternatives to survive the situation. Moti Nativ's Fo"word directs rtttdffs to understand that the conc~pts,
principks, and methodology laid out by F~ldmkrais can be applied to all
areas "whff~ karning and masury rrsult i11 ttchieving the maximum."
This impacrful book "v~als a pionur who is ~qual parts warrior and He has done a brilliant job of~ it,ifying tim~ urlmiques U'bich art still
rducator, who mates a mson-lik~ op~rim~nt. rich in th~ intnplay oftlmn~
relromlt today. Thts dftcimt system by F~ldmkrais can Sfft'~ as a umplatt
and variation. Thank you, Moti, for making this historically important book
for mania/ ans, combat trnining, and se/fdifms~ instructional programs.
avddabk onct again.
It is simple, effictivt, and dupliCttbl~.
- Larry Goldfarb, Feldmkrais Trtlinff
-Sheila Haddad, ISrh Dan Bujinkan Budo Taijursu. Direcror,
This ts a small book wtth b1g itkas. Feldmlmzis mn-g~d ag~ old, Ori Seido lnsrirure for the Warrior and Healing Arts
~mal s~lfrkftns~ uclmiquts with th~ o:planatory powff ofscimct ro crmu n
novel u/fdo/nu strnugy thm is easy to kanz and ttst. It will be ofu nques ISBN 978-1-884605-25-3
i95
tioned value to both mnrtial artists and Feldmkrais flmctitioners.
Genesis II Publishing. Inc.
- Dmms Lm, Ftldmkrais Tramtr and Martial Artist
PO Box 2615. Longmont, CO 80502
u.s. www.AchievingExcellence.com
$16.95
9 78 "" 605253 "
HADAKA-JIME
The Core Technique for
PRACTICAL UNARMED COMBAT
MOSHE FELDENKRAIS, D.SC.
PREFACE, AFTERWORD, FOOTNOTES, AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
BY MOTI NATIV
Genesis II Publishing
Longmont, Colorado
AchievingExcellence.com
Feldenkrais, Moshe, 1904-1984.
Practical Unarmed Combat I by Moshe Feldenkrais © 1942
Updated with a new foreword by Moti Nativ, and updated photos and
resources.
Copyright © 2009 Moti Nativ. All rights reserved. Based on credit agreement
with Michel Silice Feldenkrais. No portion of this book, except in brief review,
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise
without written permission of the publisher. For information contact Genesis
II Publishing, Inc.
Feldenkrais®, Feldenkrais Methot:F', Functional Integration®, and Awareness
Through Movemen~, are Service marks of The Feldenkrais Guild®
Published by Genesis II Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 2615, Longmont, CO 80502
www.AchievingExcellence.com
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-1-884605-25-3
CIP:2009930056
Michel Silice Feldenkrais (1953-2009)
My dear friend Michel dedicated his life to the promotion of the Feldenkrais
Method. He wholeheartedly supported this publication by providing a
wealth of historical materials, clever advice, and his abiding respect for the
Feldenkrais Method and the memory of his uncle, Moshe.
I'm honored to dedicate the new edition of Practical Unarmed Combat to the
memory of Michel Silice Feldenkrais.
PRAISE FOR HADAKA-JIME: PRACTICAL UNARMED COMBAT
Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais was a remarkable man; teacher, soldier, researcher, judoka, visionary, martial artist,
physicist, and pioneer. He was a founder of the European Judo Union, and respected by Gunji Koizumi, Mikino
suke Kawaishi, and Jigoro Kano. I therefore consider it an honour and a privilege to have been asked to write an
endorsement to the new edition of his important text.
I met Moti Nativ when he visited the Bowen History of Judo Archive at University of Bath to continue his
research into the life and work ofMoshe Feldenkrais. I was immediately struck by his passion and commitment, and
his depth of understanding into the relationship of mind and body as applied to Budo.
For me this book speaks on three levels. It is a treatise of an effective course of unarmed combat which has
withstood the test of time. It is also an important document of social and cultural history when considered in
the context that it was written. Thirdly it provides a level of insight for the advanced follower of the Feldenkrais
MethorP into the early thought processes of the founder.
Moti Nativ and Genesis II Publishing are to be commended for reminding us about the relevance of this
text, and sharing with us the thoughts of a remarkable man.
-Dr. Mike Callan, President, The International Association ofj udo Researchers, International judo
Federation Sixth Dan
This impactful book reveals a pioneer who is equal parts warrior and educator, and offers a snapshot of a
method in the midst of its making.
If you follow the trajectory of training outlined in this book, you'll find the very same strategies and tech
niques that become the basis of Dr. Feldenkrais' yet-ro-be-announced method. By teaching only one martial
arts technique, Feldenkrais creates a lesson-like experiment, rich in the interplay of theme and variation. The
training reveals the big picture as it clarifies the details and, just as the student begins to put it all together,
Moshe changes the action's orientation to space. And so on!
Thank you, Moti, for making this book available once again. The beautiful, user-friendly design is a fit
ting tribute to its historical importance.
- Larry GoUfarb, Feldenkrais® Trainer
This is a small book with big ideas. Utilizing his deep understanding and mastery of Judo, Moshe
Feldenkrais created a course in practical unarmed self defense for the British during WWII. However, it was
in how he addressed his task that we see the mind of a genius at work. Feldenkrais merged age old, Orien
tal self-defense techniques with the explanatory power of science, combined with his own unique brand of
pedagogy to create a novel self defense strategy that is easy to learn and use. Based on the slow and thorough
learning of one technique and its applications, the ten lessons artfully disarm the fears and apprehensions of
those being trained while giving them the expertise necessary to succeed in combat. For the discerning reader
a central idea will become evident: that if one first trains the act to be accomplished from its "ending" it allows
for many beginnings. Once an act, here a particular stranglehold, is learned in its simplest form and becomes
second nature and can be performed unselfconsciously, then that simple unitary act can be made either more
complex or made to fit more complex situations. The approach taken in this book is consonant with the basis
of all Feldenkrais' approach to learning. It will be of unquestioned value to both martial artists and Feldenkrais
practitioners.
Moti Nativ is to be commended not only for bringing this book out of retirement but also for his intro
duction and commentaries which convey the observations of a true teacher of the martial arts and a Feldenkrais
Practitioner.
- Dennis Leri, Feldenkrais Trainer and Martial Artist
Both martial artists and movement students will find Hadaka-jime The Core Technique for Practical
Unarmed Combat a valuable guide with both practical techniques and profound insights about the learning
process. Feldenkrais' clear instructions, peppered with his wry humor and personal philosophy, make this much
more than a combat training manual. The illustrations provide a fascinating window into the development of
Moshe Feldenkrais' methodology as well as clear instructions to accompany the text.
- Lavinia Plonka, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, author, What are You Afraid ofa nd Walking
Your Talk
CONTENTS
Foreword to 2009 edition, by Moti Nativ
Preface to 1942 edition, by Moshe Feldenkrais 11
Introduction - Concepts oft he Practical Unarmed Combat Training 13
Warning - Safety Advice 17
1. First lesson - The Core Technique, Basic Application 19
2. Second lesson - The Core Technique, Completions 23
3. Third lesson- The Core Technique, Silent Attack from the Rear 33
4. Fourth lesson-Moving Behind the Attacker, Defense Against Knife Stab to the Neck 37
5. Fifth lesson - Defense Against Knife Stab to Abdomen, and Against Alternate Attacks 43
6. Sixth lesson-Defense Against Alternate Left and Right Attacks, Understand Timing 47
7. Seventh lesson- Overcome Attack with Bayonet from the Rear 51
8. Eighth lesson-Alternative Movements Against Bayonet Attack from the Rear 57
9. Ninth lesson - Defense Against Bayonet Attack from the Front 63
10. Tenth lesson - Defense Against Deviated Attack and Variations on Hadaka-]ime 69
Afterword, by Moti Nativ 77
About Moti Nativ 79
Appendix-Additional Photos 81
Notes 87
Acknowledgements 90
Resources 91
Hadaka-Jime: Practical Unarmed Combat
FOREWORD
IT is with great awe that I approach the writings of Moshe British mandate of Palestine, to lend a hand in building the
Feldenkrais. I marvel at the genius of his thought processes and fledgling Jewish settlement and to play a role in the struggle for
at his fighting spirit. So with great reverence I am writing the an independent Jewish state in the land of Israel. At that time,
foreword to his unique book Practical Unarmed Combat. building the Jewish settlement mainly consisted of hard physi
callabor, and was often accompanied by violent brawls between
In this distinctive book, Moshe Feldenkrais lays out a par
the Jewish pioneers and their Arab neighbors. The British gov
ticularly successful training process. His conclusions regarding
ernors forbade the pioneers from carrying guns. Even though
the essence of learning through clear, direct statements and by
the pioneers received some self-defense training in Ju-Jitsu, the
implication are clearly presented to the reader. He provides a
confrontations often ended in heavy casualties.
very detailed and accurate description of specific combat tech
niques and also presents the reader with principles of the learn Moshe Feldenkrais took an active part in these brawls and
ing process which are valid for all of life's endeavors. came to understand that there were basic flaws in the training
that purported to prepare the Jewish warriors to handle these
Anyone who reads this book can use it for the practical
events. He decided to put together his own system of combat.
study of the combat techniques presented or implement the
At that time, in addition to his knowledge of Ju-Jitsu, Moshe
principles to design a personal training program.
was well educated in boxing, learning from his friend Amiel
(Emil) Avineri1 also he grabbed whatever he could read and
ABOUT MOSHE FELDENKRAIS ,
hear, as the American wrestling style "catch as you can", and
Moshe Feldenkrais was born in 1904, in Slavuta, in the
based on his practical fighting experience he published his first
present-day Ukrainian Republic. By 1912 his family moved book, jiu-jitsu and Self Defense, which was designed for Jewish
to Baranovich, located in Belarus, Russia. As a fourteen year
defense forces, the Hagana.2 Moshe planned to continue his
old boy he undertook a daring journey from his home to the
study in France and chose to move shortly before the book's
FOREWORD
publication in 1931, in part because he was apprehensive about reaching and, as a result, the phrase 'mind-body' became a per
how the British authorities would react to the publication of manent feature in Moshe Feldenkrais' vocabulary. Kana's ap
the book.3 proach to the martial arts resonated with Moshe, and echoes
of his philosophy can be found throughout Dr. Feldenkrais'
While in France he enrolled in an engineering college, the
teachings.5
Ecole Speciale des Travaux Publics de la Ville de Paris.
In 1940, following the Nazi invasion of France, Moshe Red
He subsequently earned his D.Sc. in Physics from the
to England and because of his important knowledge he was post
Sorbonne and was a close associate of Nobel Prize Laureate
ed as scientific officer in the British Admiralty, where he con
Frederic Joliot-Curie at the Curie Institute in Paris, where they
ducted anti-submarine research in Scotland from 1940-1945.
conducted research together.
During his stint in the British army, he also taught Judo
In France, Moshe continued his involvement with the
to the officers and soldiers on his base, which led to the publi
martial arts. While studying at the Ecole Speciale des Travaux
cation of Practical Unarmed Combat. Mter leaving the Admi
Publics, he started a ju-jitsu club. Meeting with Professor Jig
ralty, he was active in the U.K. Budokwai in London, learning
oro Kano, the founder of Judo, in 1933 was a significant mile
from Gunji Koizumi. In 1948, he was involved in founding the
stone in his development as a martial artist. As a result of this
European Judo Union and was nominated to serve on its first
meeting, Moshe developed a strong bond with Judo. Jigoro
board.
Kano was impressed by Feldenkrais and was sure that he would
rapidly progress towards a perfect possession of Judo. The co Moshe Feldenkrais published also three books on Judo that
operation between Kano and Feldenkrais made a significant are still used as reliable source material for Judo theory and
contribution to the development of Judo in France. In 1935 training. Through the years, the value of Moshe's unique ap
Mikinosuke Kawaishi joined Moshe and also became active in proach to the martial arts was recognized by modern martial
the Club Jiu-Jitsu de France.4 arts masters. Gunji Koizumi wrote extensively about the value
of Feldenkrais' contribution to Judo.6
Jigoro Kana's influence on the young Feldenkrais was far
2
