Project Final Conference in Brussels
Brussels • Friday 23 January 2026 • 11:00–16:30 (CET)
📍 Brussels | Atelier 29, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29
🗓 Friday, 23 January 2026
🕚 11:00–16:30
💻 In-person & online participation (In-person spots are limitated)
Background/ context of reference
Health is conceived as a dynamic equilibrium between body, mind, and emotions. Yet sustaining this balance throughout prevention and healing processes remains a complex challenge.
Europe has long approached health as a multifactorial construct, advancing targeted research and policies in areas such as Global One Health and Mental Health. Within this evolving landscape, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has proposed the notion of the environome, a lens that views mental health as shaped by the dynamic interconnections among personal, social, natural, and built environments.
The professional landscape has been enriched by numerous specialized practitioners, each contributing distinct approaches to address these multiple dimensions. Integrative medicine, body awareness practices such as the Feldenkrais Method, art therapy, and other modalities seek to combine diverse perspectives in order to respond to the uniqueness of each individual.
These approaches should converge within a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary framework, fostering integration rather than fragmentation.
During the final conference, the project will present the results, outcomes, and insights developed over its two years of activities. Special guests will join to broaden the discussion on the key issues addressed throughout the project.
📌 KEY THEMES
- Feldenkrais within somatic disciplines for health
- Opportunities and challenges of the Feldenkrais Method in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic pain
- Multi / Inter / Trans-disciplinary approach: integrative medicine for prevention and treatment
- Professionalism and recognition of Feldenkrais practitioners
📌 PROGRAMME
MORNING SESSION
11:00 am.-12.30 p.m. The Feldenkrais Method in the world of somatic health disciplines
The two-year project explored opportunities and challenges in three main areas: the professional identity of practitioners; their visibility and recognition; and integration with other practices and methods. The session will present and discuss the results, conclusions, insights, and reflections drawn from the lessons learned.
- From project to policy: insights from the survey and actions for institutional recognition, Lorenza Leita, AIIMF and Project Coordinator
- Resources4ALL: Feldenkrais in the Spotlight, Uwe Jaschke, FVD partner
- Piloting Joint Training to Foster Transdisciplinary Collaboration and Integration, Sonia Farah, AISF partner
The event will feature the participation of all project partners, including contributions from Vesna Purić (IFF) and Marta Zardini (AIIMF)
12:30 – 1:30 pm Light lunch
AFTERNOON SESSION
Session moderated by Lorenza Leita (AIIMF, Project Coordinator), in collaboration with all project partners.
Towards a transdisciplinary approach to health and well-being: bridging somatic practices in the treatment of people with fibromyalgia and chronic pain
The session will explore various factors that can influence the success of an integrated approach, such as a solid scientific basis, a shared common language, and effective and operational networking. The discussion will combine direct experience of the Feldenkrais Method with comparisons between different points of view, thanks to the contribution of special guests.
1:30– 2.30 pm From Concept to Practice: Evolving Paradigms in Health, Prevention, and Care
- PsychoNeuroEndocrineImmunology (PNEI) paradigm, Recording from Nicola Barsotti, MIBES Academy
Open debate based on short live speeches, comments, and questions with the contributions of the special guests:
– Sandra Coecke, EC Joint Research Centre – Digital Health, Two Lenses on Human Complexity: Environome and PNEI
– Yvo Mentens and Nikos Appelquist, Feldenkrais Education, Sustaining Transformation Through Inclusive Platforms
– Marco Chiera, MIBES Academy, Lifelong Learning in Integrated Health: Empowering Professionals together
2:30 – 3:30 pm Chronic pain and fibromyalgia: the potential of Feldenkrais practice
- Results and outcomes from the present research and scientific studies on Feldenkrais practice for chronic pain and fibromyalgia, and some suggested elements for future research, Recording from Cliff Smyth, IFF Research Group and Journal
Open debate based on short live speeches, comments, and questions with the contributions of the special guests:
Sandra Coecke, EC Joint Research Centre- Digital Health: Global Research and Evidence Driving EU Policy
Yvo Mentens, Feldenkrais Education, Neurosomatic Process Learning: from therapeutic to educational practice
Marco Chiera, MIBES Academy, Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia in the PNEI Paradigm: current research, studies and evidence
3:30 – 4:30 pm The Healing Power of Voice: Guiding Relationships in Integrated Medicine
- The Role Of The Voice In Polyvagal-Informed Health Communication, Recording from Mathilde Shisko, PVI informed Voice Coach
Open debate based on short live speeches, comments, and questions with the contributions of the special guests:
Sandra Coecke, EC Joint Research Centre- Digital Health: Vocal Communication and Mental Health: Integrating Somatic Insights into Decoding Depression
Yvo Mentens, Feldenkrais Education: The voice in Neurosomatic Learning
Marco Chiera, MIBES Academy: Vocal Dynamics in Therapy: A PNEI‑Informed Approach 4.30 pm Conclusion and greetings
👥 AUDIENCE
Professionals, institutional representatives, heads of professional associations, and stakeholders in the field of somatic practices and health prevention, rehabilitation, and care
