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May is a busy month!  International Feldenkrais Week 2019 (IFW) starts 5th May and this year focuses on 'Choices for Change: Feldenkrais for Thinking'.   Practitioner Yeu-Meng Chan take a closer look, below, at the theme in her insightful article and  lesson. 

Every day of IFW we will be releasing a new lesson on our website and on Facebook.  There will also be ten free events across the country with local libraries, who will then stock seven key Feldenkrais books - see details below.  And do check out the on-line Feldenkrais Summit from 1st May to 10th May.  We'd love to see you in person, or on-line.

Finally, to introduce myself: I’ve been on the Guild committee for several years and I edit the members' quarterly newsletter and Monthly Bulletin. Based in Sheffield, I teach several weekly classes and have an extensive one-to-one client list.   Dianne Hancock
Choices for Change -
Feldenkrais for Thinking

by 
Yeu-Meng Chan  
 
To an onlooker observing a Feldenkrais class, it may appear that it is simply a movement lesson. However, the intention of the lesson is to use movement to change the brain. This is a fundamental difference between this work and many other movement based modalities.
What does this mean?
 
Let me share a recent personal story with you.
 
I was sitting cross legged on the floor sorting my laundry out. I picked up the pile of clothes from the centre of me and placed certain items on the left and the others on the right. I noticed that when I turned to the right I had a twinge in my left hip joint and lower back but I didn't have the same sensations as I turned to the left.
 
Using my Feldenkrais curiosity, I began to ask myself “What is it that I am doing on one side that is causing this discomfort which I am not doing on the other side?” The solution came to me after a series of exploratory movements, all to do about the way I was using myself whilst I was turning.
 
Let’s break down the process.
 
1. Awareness:
If you know how you move, you can change. I was able to tune into the different ways that I was moving, one that caused me discomfort and the other that felt easy. Through being aware of the differences, I was able to make the choice to change how I moved so that I could avoid the discomfort in turning to my right.

2. Differentiation:
There are 206 bones in our body – we are an amazing feat of physics and engineering. When these bones move and connect as they are meant to, in harmony with the environment, we experience optimal functioning. However, life is such that we develop habits of moving which may not serve us so well. When we move, using smaller and slower movements, we begin to differentiate our movements and become aware of how we are moving.
 
Going back to my story, when I turned to the left, the turning seemed to be spread evenly from my hip joints up to my neck joints. When I turned to the right, I noticed that there was not much movement of turning from my upper chest. Therefore, the turning movement was done primarily in the lower part of my body, that is my hips and lower back, which then complained that they were doing too much work by sending pain signals to my brain. By inviting my neck and upper torso to be more engaged in the turning movement, the twinge in my left hip and lower back miraculously disappeared.

3. Choice:
The story above shows that the process of differentiation in movement leads to options. Through options, we have choice. Through choice we have the ability to change. We can choose to move in the old way or in the new way.
 
One student, after a workshop on ribs, remarked "If my ribs can move and I didn't know about it, how many other possibilities are there in my life I just don't know about."

“I believe that the unity of mind and body is an objective reality. They are not just parts somehow related to each other, but an inseparable whole while functioning. A brain without a body could not think."
Dr Moshe Feldenkrais

Yeu-Meng is a classical concert pianist as well as a Feldenkrais practitioner.  Her musical career was threatened by debilitating chronic pain caused by EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). Through the Feldenkrais Method, she now manages her condition totally drug free and is keen to share this empowering knowledge that gives people tools to help themselves and encourage positive change from within. Yeu-Meng teaches weekly Feldenkrais classes and workshops in South East London and South Essex, and has private clients in both locations.
 
Choices for Changes - a 20 min lesson
 
Try this lesson by Yeu-Meng Chan, which explores the theme of turning, and the wider implications this can have on our decisions in life.

'Do you feel as though you have options in your life...?

If someone has done something to make you cross hurt or angry, do you retaliate in a compulsive fashion or are you able to give yourself a moment to reflect and then try to dissipate the situation?'
News from the UK Feldenkrais Community
 
International Feldenkrais Week -  UK Library Events

Guild Pracitioners are organising 10 free events across the UK with their local libraries, who will then stock seven key books on the Feldenkrais Method.  These include the Elusive Obvious by Moshe Feldenkrais, with an introduction by Norman Doidge which has recently been re-published.

The events will be taking place in the following locations, with the following practitioners.  In some cases times are still to be finalised, but please click on the links on practitioners' names for further information.

Bath, 18th May, Bath Library, Shelagh O'Neill and Mamie Wisker
Cambridge,10th May, Friends Meeting House, Valerie Fabre
Canterbury and Whitsable; 6-12th May; Kristin Fredricksson and Ruth Del Bosque
Falmouth, date tbc, Falmouth Library, Ann Taylor, email annetaylor.writer@gmail.com
Frome, 18th May, Frome Library, Jackie Adkins and Ed Bartram 
Hebden Bridge, date and location to be confirmed, Caroline Scott
Primrose Hill, 9th May, Primrose Hill Library, Alexandra Frazier & Emma Douka
Fulham, 8th May, Fulham Library, Susan Martle - donation requested for Stroke Assoc. 
Southend, date to be confirmed, Southend Library, Yeu-Meng Chan
West Norwood, 6th July, West Norwood Library, Jenny Hill
York, 11th May, York Pilates People, Julie Wrigley - donation requested for MIND


Classes and Workshops
Take a look at the Guild website to find a teacher or a class.  For a list of Feldenkrais workshops taking place  in the UK in the next month:

Wales

• Sunday, 26 May, 10am - 1pm
Veronica Rock: Regenerate Your Movement; vhrock@feldenkrais.co.uk
Verve Fitness, Health & Wellbeing, 2-4 George St., LLANGOLLEN LL20 8RE


North of England

• Saturday, 11 May; 10.30 am - 2.30 pm
Virginia Taylor: Pelvis rules OK; www.remindyourbody.co.uk
Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, PENRITH CA11 7TR

• Saturday, 18 & 19 May; 2pm - 5pm
Anne Robertson: Love the Floor; annerobbo@talktalk.net
Bodywise Manchester Buddhist Centre.Turner St M4 1DZ

• Saturday, 18 May; 10am - 4pm
Caroline Scott: Make Moving Easier: A Mobile Spine; www.feldenkraisyorkshire.com
Hebden Therapy Centre, 9 Wragley House, Valley Road, HEBDEN BRIDGE HX7 7BZ

• Saturday, 1 June; 10.30am - 2.30pm
Virginia Taylor: Neck, Jaw, Larynx; www.remindyourbody.co.uk
Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, PENRITH CA11 7TR

• Sunday, 9 June; 1pm - 4.30pm
Caroline Scott: Feldenkrais into Dancing; www.feldenkraisyorkshire.com
Wainsgate Chapel, 4 Wainsgate Ln, HEBDEN BRIDGE HX7 8SU

• Saturday, 22 June; 2 pm - 5 pm
Anne Robertson: theme TBA; annerobbo@talktalk.net
Bodywise Manchester Buddhist Centre.Turner St M4 1DZ


Longer Courses / Outside UK

• Saturday - Saturday, 29 June - 6 July 2019, 4 hours per day
Tina Lehmbeck: Move With Ease - the Feldenkrais Method; www.cortijo-romero.co.uk
Cortijo Romero, Orgiva, SPAIN

• Wednesday - Wednesday, 3 - 10 July 2019, 10am - 1pm; 5 - 6pm
Shelagh O'Neill: Finding Space; www.nicefeldenkrais.co.uk
Mas Fontarnau, VIC, SPAIN

• Saturday - Saturday, 24 - 31 August, Daily 10 am - 1 pm; 3 - 5 pm or similar
Shelagh O'Neill: Walking on Air; www.nicefeldenkrais.co.uk
Village Hall, SCORITON TQ11 0JB, UK

• Saturday - Tuesday, 24 August - 3 September 2019, 10am - 6pm
Rebecca Meitlis: Exzellenz- Labor Gesang/OPer; www.exzellenzlaborgesang.de
WEIKERSHEIM ,D-97990, Germany

• Tuesday - Sunday, 1 - 6 October 2019, 10am - 6pm
Rebecca Meitlis: Step into Awareness, a Feldenkrais Retreat
AGISTRI 18010 Greece; www.walkingretreat.org.uk


London

• Saturdays, 4, 18 May & 15 June; 10.30am - 1.30pm
Sophie Arditti: Eye Workshops Parts 1, 2 & 3; www.feldenkraisplace.co.uk/
68 St Marks Road LONDON W10 6NN

• Saturday, 11 May; 10.30am - 4.30pm
Victoria Worsley: Eyes, Jaw, Tongue - and Spine; www.feldenkraisworks.co.uk
Dharma Shala, 92-94 Drummond Street, Euston, LONDON NW1 2HN

• Saturday, 11 May; 2pm - 5pm
Lou Coleman: Connections: Joining the movement dots; loucoleman.org
Yoga Point 122 Dalberg Road LONDON SW2 1AP

• Saturday, 18 May; 10.30am - 4pm
Scott Clark: Walking on Air; www.feldenkraislondon.com
The Classrooms, SE1 3QP; entrance from Weston Street, opposite the Greenwood Theatre

• Saturday, 25 May; 10.15 - 5.15pm
Victoria Worsley: Feldenkrais: Walking with Ease; www.feldenkraisworks.co.uk
The City Lit, Keely Street, Holborn LONDON WC2B 4BA

• Saturday - Saturday, 25 - 25 May; 1 - 7pm
Juliana Brustik & Judy Hammond: Moving with Ease & Joy - Feldenkrais & Alexander
Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-84 Chisenhale Rd, London E3 5QZ; www.julianabrustik-dance.com

• Saturday, 1 June; 1pm - 5pm
Maggy Burrowes: Harmonising The Rhythms Of Life - Diaphragms & Sphincters
Time For... Cafe, 116 Pentonville Road, LONDON, N1 9JB; www.maggyburrowes.com

• Saturday, 15 June; 2pm - 5pm
Lou Coleman; loucoleman.org
Yoga Point Dalberg Road LONDON SW2 1AP

 

South East of England

• Sunday, 5 May; 2 - 5pm
K
ristin Fredricksson: Eyes, Vision and Movement; kristinfredricksson.com/workshops/
Apotheca, 13 West Street FAVERSHAM, ME13 7JE

• Sunday, 9 June; 2 - 5pm
Kristin Fredricksson: Finding your Feet; kristinfredricksson.com/workshops/
Apotheca, 13 West Street FAVERSHAM, ME13 7JE

• Sunday, 9 June; 10.30am - 4.00pm
Sabine Schmid Blackaby: Connecting to ourselves, our movements and the world
26 Round Hill Street, Brighton BN2 3RG; www.feldenkraisbrighton.co.uk


South West England

• Saturday - Saturday, 4 - 11 May
Shelagh O'Neill: Take a Breath; www.nicefeldenkrais.co.uk
The Guildhall, Street-an-Pol, ST IVES, Cornwall TR26 2DS

• Saturday, 4 & 5 May; 2 - 6pm
Jackie Adkins: Effortless Walking; www.movetolive.co.uk
Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Rd, EDINBURGH EH16 5AB

• Saturday, 11 May; 10.30 am - 4.30 pm
Rona Wyatt: Movement is Life; bodymindandmovement@gmail.com
Quaker Meeting House, 1 Whiteheads lane, BA15 1JU, BoA

• Saturday, 18 May; 2.00 - 5.00pm
Baerbel Ruecker, Reaching For The Stars, Workshop #2; website link
Taurus Crafts, LYDNEY, Forest Of Dean, The Old Park, GL15 6BU Gloucestershire

• Saturday, 25 May; 2 - 4pm
Jackie Adkins: Are You Sitting Comfortably?; www.movetolive.co.uk
Room in Frome, Unit 1a Scott Rd, FROME BA11 1AL (above SK Fruits)

• Saturday, 25 May; 2pm - 5pm
Susanne Olfs: Introductory workshop; email: s.olfs@gmx.net
BRISTOL Wildgoose Space, 228 Mina Road, St. Werburghs, BS2 9YP

• Friday - Saturday, 7 - 8 June; 2 - 5pm
Nikhila Mary Ludlow: Neck & Shoulder Comfort
The Forge Yoga Centre TOTNES TQ9 5PJ; www.lifeworks4.me.uk

• Saturday, 22 June; 2.00 - 5.00pm
Baerbel Ruecker, Reaching For The Stars, Workshop #3; website link
Taurus Crafts, LYDNEY, Forest Of Dean, The Old Park, GL15 6BU Gloucestershire

• Saturday, 22 June; 2pm - 5pm
Susanne Olfs: Introductory workshop; email: s.olfs@gmx.net
BRISTOL Wildgoose Space, 228 Mina Road, St. Werburghs, BS2 9YP
 

East of England

• Sunday, 26 May; 2 - 6pm
Yeu-Meng Chan: Body Mindfulness through the Feldenkrais Method
Feldenkrais Essex Studio, WESTCLIFF ON SEA SS0 9EZ; www.feldenkrais-essex.com

• Saturday - Sunday, 8 - 9 June; 10am - 5.30pm
David Kaetz, Listening with your Whole Body; www.feldenkraisclassescambridge.co.uk
The Pavilion, Hughes Hall,CAMBRIDGE CB1 2EW

• Saturday, 15 June; 9.30am - 5pm
Yeu-Meng Chan and Jo Horder: Playing with Ease - Feldenkrais for Musicians
Benslow Music, Hitchin, HERT’S SG4 9RB; www.feldenkrais-essex.com

• Sunday, 30 June; 2 - 6pm
Yeu-Meng Chan: Body Mindfulness through the Feldenkrais Method
Feldenkrais Essex Studio, WESTCLIFF ON SEA SS0 9EZ; www.feldenkrais-essex.com
 

Central England

• Saturday, 18 May & 22 June; 10 am - 4 pm
Karin Major: Improve Your Seat - Movement Lessons for Riders - Safer Falling 1&2
Church Westcote Village Hall, CHIPPING NORTON, OX7 6SF; web link

Training to be a Feldenkrais Practitioner in the UK:

The Feldenkrais International Training Centre's (FITC) next training will begin in July 2019, with introductory 3 day courses in May and June 2019 coming up for those interested.  Click here for further information.
 
A bit more food for thought: a few recent articles / podcasts

Forget standing desks: to stay healthy, you've got to move all day by Christopher Keyes for Outside, 6th February 2019, www.guardian.com

Want to learn a new skill? Take some short breaks by National Institutes of Health researchers, April 12 2019, www.sciencedaily.com

Why excercise alone won't save us - Podcast, by Vybarr Cregan-Reid, Andrew McGregor, and Simon Barnard, 18th Jan 2019, www.theguardian.com

Dancing all the way to her doctorate in teaching physics, by Israel 21c staff, 13th March 2019, www.Israel21c.org

When civilization made people sick by Amelia Soth, 23 April 2019, www.wellcomecollection.org

And finally.... if you're not already on this newsletter mailing list, sign up here.

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