Has it ever happened to you that, after Feldenkrais class, problems you were chewing on seem more solvable? You have fresh inspiration about a creative project? Or maybe you gain new insight about your technique? There’s something about slowing down and sensing yourself generously that can open you up to something new, shift your perspective, or provide a thought detour that unsticks a stuck flow.
Maybe you’ve never done a Feldenkrais class, but you recognize what I’m talking about—moments when creativity ‘just happens’. Often we think of these moments as random and uncontrollable. In a sense, they are, but there are ways that we can increase the odds that we run into them.
This is what I propose to share with you. After almost forty years of creative practice, I’ve developed a “box” of simple “tools” anyone can engage with to find their way into creative flow. You just need a little curiosity and an hour.
Who might benefit?
Learners, writers, artists (visual or otherwise), musicians, dancers, actors, performers of any kind, sole proprietors, care workers, teachers, language learners, designers, scientists, parents, pragmatists and dreamers.
Do I need any experience?
Nope. None needed. It’s all self-explanatory.
Why does it work?
I really don’t know. I just know that it does. Many times I’ve lain on the floor to do a Feldenkrais® class, and I’ve had compelling imagery spontaneously arise without a clear provocation, often prompting me to sneak an insight into my notebook. Many years of teaching has brought me into contact with hundreds of people who tell similar stories. They came to class with a sore neck, and left with a freer neck and title for the story they were working on. They arrived with a wish to make their profession less physically burdensome, and left with the beginnings of a new profession. Those are stand-out cases, but every day I witness students who have small but meaningful shifts in their perspective. What is it that brings up this creative inspiration? Is it the stepping away from daily life? Is it the reclining position? The immersion in pleasant sensation? The detailed attention we put on our noticings? It’s probably all these things and more—and it’s very likely that the freer neck and the creative freedom are not unrelated.
What will we do in the class?
My intention is to bring in a plan like a delicate lace, with just the right blend of structures and freedoms to inspire individuals and accommodate the group. You’ll begin with a very short creative gesture at the beginning of class—a quick timed write, for example—to make a simple starting point. Then I’ll guide you through a Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lesson, where you’ll take a deep dive into movement, stillness, sensation and awareness. Sometimes these lessons will be calming, sometimes stimulating, often a bit of both. We’ll generally end class returning to the creative process we began at the start, in order to notice how it might feel different, and to allow it to grow. The processes we’ll dip into include, but are not limited to: writing, sounding (voice and/or instrument), drawing, and playing with found objects. In all cases you will have choices. While the class is only an hour, I encourage you to set aside additional time after class to explore on your own.
How do I do online classes?
- All you need is an internet connection with a camera. (Use a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.)
- You don’t need to watch the screen! Feldenkrais classes are taught verbally, so your attention is on YOU.
- Never used Zoom? It’s best to download it ahead of time onto your device. This should take only a minute.
- Join us from anywhere in the world!
I don’t want to share my creative process with anyone!
No worries! You’re under no obligation to do so! This is creative process time—not production time. There will be no sharing, critiquing, or other things terrifying during these classes. All I ask is that you keep your camera on during the movement lesson so I can teach well. And I will generally ask for reflections on the class, verbal or written, again, to help me teach well, but also as part of your developing process.
How do I register?
Sign up for a series of 7 classes or drop in for a single class. Those who register for the series will have access to recordings (audio only!) for classes missed.
Fees: $145 for the series; $22.50 to drop in
Pay what you can commitment: If you would like to attend class and find my published rates to be an obstacle, please contact me.
Thursdays, 9:00-10:15 am Pacific, 12:00-1:15 pm Eastern, 5:00-6:15 pm British, 6:00-7:15 pm Europe
(Please note that the U.S., where I am located, changes to daylight savings time March 9, long before the UK and Europe on March 30. That means that for the March 20 class, Brits and Europeans would join us an hour earlier on their clocks. Confusing? I think so. Please check for your local time.)
February 6
February 20
March 6
March 20
April 3
April 17
May 1
(That is, every other Thursday, February 6 – May 1.)