View Chrish's Summer Schedule of Classes and Workshops

Would you like to feel, move, and look better?

The Feldenkrais Method® might be the answer for you! Feldenkrais is a mental and physical improvement system based on discovering natural, easy, efficient and pleasurable ways of moving your mind and body. It is an advanced educational approach to well-being using your brain’s amazing capacity to reorganize yourself. It is based on the premise that all human beings have the potential to learn to do everything they do in easier, less effortful and more satisfying ways than is their habit.

The particular way a person is “organized” to sit, stand, walk, run or speak in public, etc., reflects that person’s inner state, or their self-image. Human beings have a tendency to acquire subtle and sometimes damaging physical and mental habits of functioning which can become deeply ingrained. Some habits are useful – many are not. The Feldenkrais Method® can facilitate change by creating the awareness you need to alter those habits which don’t serve you well.

Feldenkrais will lead you towards:

• Moving with greater ease and efficiency
• Relief of chronic muscular-skeletal pain
• Increasing your range of movement without painful stretching
• Improvement in your posture and coordination, whether you are sitting, standing or walking
• Enhanced ease of performance and vitality in things you do every day
• Relaxation and emotional well-being, and engaging yourself positively in the world
• Feeling and looking years younger
• Transforming the quality of your life

The Feldenkrais Method® was founded by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, (Bio) an Israeli engineer, nuclear physicist and black belt in judo, who spent over 40 years researching the field of mind/body/environment integration. Using movement as a tool, he developed a step-by-step process involving hundreds of different lessons designed to improve our awareness and self-image. His method has been taught to a wide variety of people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including teachers, musicians, artists, scientists, athletes and physical therapists.

Dr. Feldenkrais applied his extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, physics and engineering as well as his mastery of martial arts to restore his own functioning and that of countless others.

On its basic level, the Feldenkrais Method® improves posture, coordination, flexibility and suppleness. Moreover, it alleviates pain by minimizing physiological and psychological stress associated with restricted functions. Patterns of inefficiency, compromised self-expression, and forgotten ways of feeling can all be improved.

Feldenkrais can be experienced through:

GROUP CLASSES (Awareness Through Movement®): You are verbally guided through gentle movement sequences called Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) lessons. In these group classes, gentle exploratory movement sequences are designed to give each person more understanding of themselves. You learn to move with less pain and effort, and in such a way that changes occur in the brain patterns which organize control of your body. You will learn how to translate intention into action with ease, while getting rid of unnecessary interfering habits.

Lessons last approximately one hour. Most people take one class per week, though you will improve more rapidly if you take two classes. There are hundreds of ATMs to choose from in the Feldenkrais Method. The aim of these lessons is not necessarily relaxation, but rather healthy, powerful, easy, and pleasurable action.

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS (Functional Integration®): This is "hands-on" Feldenkrais to meet your specific needs. The practitioner communicates, through gentle and non-invasive touch, the experience of comfort, pleasure and ease of movement, while the client learns how to reorganize their body and behavior in new and more effective ways. The practitioner's touch is instructive and informative, never corrective. Feldenkrais practitioners are trained to detect minute resistances in your movement patterns which often represent emotional, psychological as well as physical limitations. Using highly sensitive touch and gentle, exploratory movements, you will find freedom from compulsive, imprisoning patterns. It's often a huge relief! Functional Integration (FI) lessons are particularly suitable for people with specific problems such as back, neck, shoulder or other chronic pain, movement limitations or a need to improve any type of function.

Here are links to some short videos on YouTube.com, giving you an idea of what it’s like to experience a Feldenkrais lesson and how the Feldenkrais Method could help YOU! Go here.

 

Schedule of Summer Workshops - 2008

Please sign up in advance for a workshop by paying a deposit of $20.

Bones for Life® Introductory
Workshop - Bones for Life® (BFL) is an exercise program created by Ruthy Alon as a natural movement-based alternative for improving bone health and preventing osteoporosis. The uniqueness of the BFL program lies in its use of weight-bearing patterns to teach safe transmission of force through the skeleton, without causing shearing stress in vulnerable joints. New to Bones for Life? Why not invite a friend to join you? Bones for Life introductory and basics. 2-5:30pm. Cost $50 per person, to include refreshments. Go to www.bonesforlife.com for further information about the program.

Are You Sitting Comfortably? -
Learn how to be more comfortable while sitting...think about how many hours you spend in front of the computer! This workshop will help you to prevent and diffuse back and neck pain by learning new and non-habitual ways of moving, improving your posture and comfort while at your workstation, in the car or just sitting and relaxing. Three Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lessons, refreshments, a short video and useful tips. Cost is $45 per person.

Your Feet - A three hour exploration of how important your feet are to your entire movement, organization, skeletal and postural health. Three Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons, useful foot health tips, one-on-one demo, and of course refreshments. It will be great fun! Cost is $45 per person.

Introduction to the Feldenkrais® Method - Felden-what? Have you heard about it but just not sure exactly what it is and how you “do” it? Please come and join Chrish for an enriching afternoon of learning to be more comfortable, reduce pain, become aware of habits of movement and thinking that may not be serving you. We will do some Feldenkrais Awareness through Movement lessons, have a short one-on-one demonstration and watch a clip of Moshe Feldenkrais. Refreshments are also included. 2-5pm. Cost is $45 per person.

Back Playshop! - The statistics are out there: most people suffer from backache at some point in their lives. Some live in constant pain, others fear recurrence, and many just feel like their backs are weak. Here is an opportunity to learn more about the causes of back pain, some useful strategies for relieving it quickly, and of course Awareness Through Movement lessons to help you have a more intelligent back, which will not let you down at the slightest hint of stress. Cost $45 per person, to include refreshments. 2-5pm.

My Favorite Links

"Wild Garlic" - Can be acquired through the website of Peggy Tolleson...