Chrish's Latest Calendar 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.
- 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.
Ruthy Alon demonstrates Movement Nature Meant
Feldenkrais Method® Around the Globe
From Schwyzerduetsch FK in Switzerland comes this movie:
Schedule of Workshops for Summer 2009
The following workshops take place in Chrish’s Studio on 38th Street, NW. Please sign up in advance for a workshop. Call Chrish at 202-338-1867 to book your space or email her at chrish@chrishkresge.com.
Saturday, June 13th 2pm-5pm
An afternoon of Bones for Life®
Learn how improving your posture can improve bone health and achieve optimal movement organization. Spend an afternoon learning easy processes based on the Bones for Life® program. Find your own Biological Optimism in these easy to do movements. Call Chrish at 202-338-1867 to sign up. Cost is $50 to include refreshments. Bones are challenged/stimulated to grow new tissue when they are bearing weight. It is 'use' which triggers growth. That is why doctors 'prescribe' weight bearing exercise--but there is not much movement intelligence behind most of these programs, and many injuries come about through people being advised to lift weights for 'upper body strength'. The Bones for Life® Program teaches ‘proportional weight bearing’ throughout the skeletal system, especially the spine and hip joints. Almost no one bears weight equally between their left and right hip joints--we are all more weighted onto one hip/leg/foot. Yet most doctors only order a bone density scan of one hip! Read more at www.bonesforlife.com.
"BFL provides a sound theoretical framework and a progressive set of activities that enhance patients' functional performance. On a personal level, BFL has allowed me to undo my pain patterns and improve my posture."
Shereen D. Farber, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA
Call Chrish at 
202-338-1867 to book your space.
Saturday, July 11th
2-5pm
Play with Your Feet
A Foot workshop based on Feldenkrais® and Bones for Life®.
An exploration of how important your feet are to your entire organization and movement, sense of balance and postural health. We will do some foot self-care, followed by two Awareness through Movement® lessons and a Bones for Life ® process, all designed to improve your awareness of your feet, improve your standing and walking, and generally feeling more powerful and springy. Cost is $50 per person, to include refreshments and a take home manual. 2-5pm.
Call Chrish at 202-338-1867 to book your space.
Saturday, July 25th
2-5pm
The Eyes Have It
A Feldenkrais Method® workshop about your Eyes
Learn how critical the eyes are to your self-organization, balance and self-image. We will do some unusual eye exercises and movements that will have a deeply relaxing effect as well as bringing about a different self-perspective.
Come and be ready for some new "insight"!
Cost is $50 to include refreshments and a take home manual. 2-5pm
Call Chrish at 
202-338-1867 to book your space.
Favorite Links
"Wild Garlic" - Can be acquired through the website of Peggy Tolleson...
