In the News
Some old, some new!
Here are a few articles you might’ve missed about the Feldenkrais Method®:
Pacifica Radio
Monday, January 9, 2012, 11AM
“To Heal DC”
Our very own Chrish Kresge’s interview starts at 33’49.’’ It runs about 20 minutes!
http://www.wpfwfm.org/programming/archived-shows.html
Natural Health Magazine
December/January 2012
“Say no to the knife”
by Mary Jane Horton
pg 56-61
http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/health/say-no-knife
Massage and Bodywork digital Edition
November/December 2011
“The Feldenkrais Method”
by Lynda McCullough
pg 62-71
http://massagebodywork.idigitaledition.com/
People.com
November 20,2011
“Pregnant Pauses Helps Moms-to-Be Stay Mobile”
http://celebritybabies.people.com/2011/11/20/pregnant-pauses-dvd-series-alan-questel/#more-148608
Huffington Post
June 24, 2010
“Feldenkrais: Everything You ‘Know’ About Healing May Be Dead Wrong”
by Michael Sigman
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-sigman/feldenkrais-everything-yo_b_623848.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false
<Back
One Perspective: Thoughts on the New Competency Policy
Dwight Pargee, FGNA Board Chair
I saw this quote posted at the 3-day winter zen sesshin I recently attended, so I had plenty of time to ponder it as i was emptied my mind1:
“Real practice has orientation and direction, but has no purpose or gaining idea, so it can include everything that comes.”
- Susuki Roshi (another old guy who knew a bit about awareness)
Based on my experience helping develop and teach the competency profile -based workshops and organizing mentoring groups and mentoring workshops at the past two conferences, I really feel that FGNA’s new Continuing Competency Policy reflects this intention. I’ve heard such wonderful, positive feedback on these processes that help our community members create self-directed learning.
Research on competency and professional development has shown that effective practice is linked to inquiry, reflection, and continuous professional growth. We’ve been using these peer-reflective processes and learning how to give clear, compassionate, useful, non-judgmental feedback. This capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning is one of the defining characteristics of professional practice.
Reflective practice is a critical process in refining one’s artistry or craft. Reflective practice is also a way for beginners in a discipline to recognize consonance between their own individual practices and those of successful practitioners.
Julie Francis wrote awhile back about “deliberate practice” in regards to improving one’s competency:
Dr. Anders Ericsson of FSU and his work on what it takes to become an “expert2:”
For years, Ericsson and his team have been investigating what it takes to become highly skilled, i.e., an expert. They studied everything from memory to chess to music to sports. What they found is that years of “practice” have very little correlation to skill level. Instead, what matters is HOW you practice.
Although Ericsson’s work is often cited with the note that it takes at least 10,000 hours of practice to become highly skilled at something, the research concludes that DELIBERATE PRACTICE is the essential ingredient.
DELIBERATE PRACTICE requires remaining in conscious control while practicing.
Ericsson notes that experts do three things while practicing to increase their skills:
1. Focus on their technique - what they’re doing and how they’re doing it
2. Orient toward a goal - what it is they are trying to do/achieve
3. Get constant and immediate feedback - what they actually did and what effect it had.
Perhaps most powerful of all is his observation that learning requires us to consciously challenge ourselves, allow ourselves to fail, review what we did and
learn from our mistakes. He suggests, as Feldenkrais did, that we actually practice failing.
1This article has been slightly edited from its original publication on Feldy Forum.
2http://www.psy.fsu.edu/faculty/ericsson/ericsson.exp.perf.html
<Back
Updated Policies & Guidelines: Service Mark, Certification Mark & Trademark
Andrea Wiener, Policy Administrator
What’s New?
The policy “FGNA Service Marks, Certification Marks and Trademarks” has been updated as of October 31, 2011. The policy is now simpler, clearer and easier to apply.
Under this policy, you are no longer required to use italics or other font styles to distinguish the service marks and certification marks from surrounding text. We still encourage you to do so, because the use of a distinctive style can be a helpful tool for marketing your services and the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education. It’s also a way to bring attention to the special status of your services, and yourself, as an authorized teacher.
What’s Else Do I Need To Know?
It’s still necessary to use the appropriate symbol (®, CM, TM, SM or MD) after the first or most prominent use of each mark in a document, and at least once on each page of a website, to use the service marks in adjectival form, and to include a statement acknowledging FGNA’s ownership of the marks, except where it is not possible due to space constraints. (The acknowledgement can be easily included in a website footer, or newsletter template.)
Questions?
Please refer to the updated Guidelines for Use of Service Marks and Certification Marks (US or Canada version) for information and ideas about how to apply the policy. Download the new policy and guidelines at:
www.feldenkrais.com/profession/professional_policies/
If you still have questions, email us at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Additionally, we will provide you with a free service mark check on any document, email, advertisement, or publication, upon request.
We look forward to serving you!
<Back
Beware of Scams
FGNA Staff
There has been a series of email scams targeting Feldenkrais® practitioners with online listings. The general text of the emails reads:
Subject: Feldenkrais booking
From: Anthony Harvey
Hello,
I would like to book feldenkrais lessons for four of my colleagues arriving from the United Kingdom. They will arrive in Oregon Dec 7th. They will be in town from Dec 7th - Jan 12th.
Please advise cost and availability.
Thanks
Anthony Harvey
Carillion Plc
Birch Street,
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV1 4HY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-871503-9009
Fax: +44-700580-0758
Those who responded to the email, have received responses like this (typos were in email):
Hello,
I apologize for the delay in my response, I understand we have a bit of a time zone difference between you and I, So I hope you don’t mind e-mail for the time being, Please re-schedule the first appointment starting on the 19th of Jan - feb 23rd twice a week, They will like most of the lesson to be before 12:00 noon or after 4.00pm in the evening and sundays should not be included in the schedule, If the time frame will not work for you, Please get back to me with the time frame that can fit into your schedule.
The Manager left for a conference meeting in Australia on monday,He gave me a US check of 4000usd being payments for your service and the rest for the equipments they will be renting for their job but The Equipments rental manager stated that they only accept payment via western union as it is their company policy that all money for booking of Equipments must be wired to them via western union money transfer . I would have sent the Equipments managers money from here but it will cost 420 usd to wire the money via western union from here and it will cost less than 200usd to send the money within US, So I want to know if i can make the check in your name,so that when you receive it you take it to your bank and have it cashed, you deduct you part of the money and you help me send the rest via western union to the Equipments rental manager so that the equipment can be delivered to their hotel before their arrival, I will give you all the details and direction on how to handle it when you receive the check.
They will make reservations in the hotel below next week and i will send you all the details you will need as soon as the reservation is done and also their flight details.
Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago
401 N Wabash Ave,
Chicago, IL
Please let me know if the hotel is close to you
Below are the information i would need to write the check to you.
Name on check :
Address check will be sent to:
Phone Number to call on delivery:
Total amount for your job + Gratuity:
Hope to read from you soon,
Thanks
Engr. Piers Armstrong
Carillion Plc
Birch Street,
Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV1 4HY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-871503-9009
Fax: +44-700580-0758
Many of you are likely wondering how a scammer may get your email address.
On FGNA’s website, the ‘Find A Practitioner’ section encrypts each member’s email address using Javascript. Most website scraping software used by scammers cannot cope with encrypted emails, which is why practitioners don’t receive this sort of scam daily. However, there is nothing to prevent scammers from using humans to visit an online directory and send emails to people on that directory. Practitioners may always choose not to list their email address on FGNA’s website, to minimize risks, but this also prevents real clients from contacting you via email. As an alternative option, it may be best to familiarize yourself with how to recognize scams in the future.
To determine when an email is a scam, consider the following characteristics:
•Person emailing claims to be coming to your location for work, but emails from a free email address such as “@yahoo.com”
•The greeting is really generic like “Hello” or “Dear Friend”
•Often have poor spelling or grammar if the originating country of the person is not an English-speaking country.
•The person of wants to book a larger than normal number of appointments or hours
•The goal of a scam is to cheat you out of money. Two common ways that appointment scams work is by:
1. the person books appointment(s) and either overpays, asking for a refund of the overpayment, and then the original payment is returned by the bank, so you are out the money for the refund or
2. they cancel the appointment and ask for a refund of the money they have paid in advance before you realize that the check has bounced and then you are out the money for the refund.
When researching a potential scam, a good first step is to Google the email.
Search on Google by using some of the language/keywords from the email, but add the word “scam” or “email scam” to your search words. Looking at the text of our example email, we tried searching for:
•“Anthony Harvey” feldenkrais appointment booking scam
No relevant results
•Wolverhampton appointment booking email scam
The 4th result led to this page of scam emails from a site called Scam busters in the UK:
http://thescambuster.co.uk/Scam%20Emails.htm
Reading through the sample emails that people submitted at the bottom of the page, you’ll find an email with very similar wording, where someone with the same exact mailing address (but different name & email address) has four coworkers traveling in November and wanting to book acupuncture sessions. The text of that email was:
Scammer:
Piers Armstrong
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Scam Text:
Hello, I would like to book acupuncture sessions for 4 of my co-workers arriving from the United Kingdom. They will arrive in California,Tuesday November 8th. They will be in town from Nov 8th - Nov 30th, Can you have them scheduled for acupuncture session once a week for 4 weeks? Please advise on price and availability
Thanks
Engr Piers Armstrong
Carillion Plc
Birch Street
Wolverhampton
West Midlands WV1 4HY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-703186-3155
Fax: +44-700580-0758
It was almost exactly the same as the email our practitioners received! What are the chances that someone with a different name and email address shares the same mailing address of our writer from the UK? There is no chance at all! This email is clearly a scam, but by varying the sender name and email address, it makes it a little harder for people receiving it to find out that it is a scam. Our search for Anthony Harvey turned up no results because there are too many names that this scam email might come from.
For more information on Internet scams, these resources can help:
OnGuardOnline.gov, which is the federal government’s website to help you be safe, secure and responsible online.
Snopes.com is another resource for reporting and tracking online scams & hoaxes.
For more information on check fraud see here: http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/cashier.asp.
If you have been a victim of an online crime, please visit The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at http://www.ic3.gov, which is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), funded in part by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
How to keep aware of scams
We suggest using Google to search for other profession scam emails periodically and keep abreast of the patterns of scams that are hitting other professions, as a similar scam might be sent to you. Periodically do some searches for the following:
Massage appointment email scam
Acupuncture appointment email scam
These searches will turn up sites that explain what appointment scams are currently ‘hot’ for those professions. You’ll see a similar patterns in the types of email scams hitting various professions and hopefully be better able to recognize any scam that arrives in your own inbox.
<Back
Winter 2011
Note: Due to a fluke in our system, the Winter 2011/2012 issue is listed only as Winter 2011.
There are two options for reading In Touch.
You can read it online: http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/archive/2011/12/
You can also download a “Printable PDF” (Adobe Acrobat is required), and print it out. We know there are many members who like to have a paper version and the PDF file is the most cost-effective way for us to do this.
<Back
Feldies in the House!
Jane Johnston, GCFP
Eastern Region brings the Feldenkrais Method® to the NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo
We are delighted to announce that, for the first time, the Feldenkrais® Educational Foundation of North America (FEFNA), has been successful in the competition for not-for-profit booth space, and has been awarded a free, furnished booth at the NBC4 Universal Annual Health and Wellness Expo. The Expo will be held on January 14 and 15, 2012 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, 9th and L NW, from 9 AM til 5 PM.
The D.C. Expo is the premier health show in the metro area and the oldest and largest of NBC4’s dozen Expos, nationwide. The DC Expo annually draws upwards of 80,000 attendees over two days.
FEFNA’s educational outreach activities will be coordinated by Eastern Region practitioners. Our plan is to have a video station, distribute Feldenkrais Method literature, teach small ATM classes, offer mini-FIs and otherwise engage with attendees and the approximately 200 other exhibitors to publicize the Feldenkrais Method. If you would like to help promote our Method and give your practice a boost at the same time? We will need help setting up on Jan 13, running the booth 8:30-5:30 Jan 14 & 15, AND breaking down Jan 15. We need MANY volunteers to make this event a success. Please let me know when you can join us. Let’s do all we can to make this event a success!
In previous years, local practitioners have bought a booth at the Expo and worked together to showcase the Feldenkrais Method. It has been a very energizing experience to work with dozens of other traditional and complementary health and fitness organizations, businesses, and governmental agencies.
The downside to participating every year has been the not-inconsiderable cost of purchasing the booth at commercial rates. Having a free booth solves the affordability issue and opens up participation at the Expo to all Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioners(cm)! (The only cost of participation will be the purchase of our standard blue Feldenkrais Method long-sleeved t-shirt, for about $15.)
We hope everyone in the Region will consider coming to the Expo, to enjoy the many diverse exhibits at the show and volunteer to work at our FEFNA booth.
<Back
IFF: What's Going On
Rob Black, GCFP & FGNA Board President
The IFF Assembly for 2011 was at a delightful retreat center on a forested hill in the countryside not too far from Zurich. We ate together, discussed many things in the large group, in smaller working groups, and in informal groups. Nevertheless, we also had time for relaxation and reflection.
The first day, we did a scan of the world-wide practice of the Method with the novel questions of: What ‘impossible’ issues do you have? What are your most burning issues? What would you really be excited about if a solution was found? What issues have you solved?
As I listened to the representatives, I saw that we have many isolated communities and the IFF is the bridge between them. One Guild may bring up a serious problem they have been facing and several others will say, “We are experiencing that, too,” or “We have gone through a period like that and we would love to share some things we learned.”
The second day was spent with a facilitator, Franziska Espinoza, invited for her approach to embracing change. Her introduction to the process said it all. I have recreated her statements as best as I can: “Attempting the Impossible leads inevitably to failure. Knowing the possibility of failure, we can relax and find ourselves in a space of ‘not knowing’... Change comes not from what we know but from what we do not.” She described “U-Theory” as the process of having an open mind, an open heart and an open will.
An impressive list of “Impossibilities” was generated, covering perhaps all aspects of our work as practitioners, trainers, and as having the work and training imbedded in our communities. From this emerged enthusiasm to contribute to our ongoing work groups over the following days.
IFF Competency Profile Facilitator Training. In the past year, the IFF Competency team has continued adding value to the understanding of the ideas of competency through having facilitator training opportunities in several countries. This will continue for 2012 and we look forward to having a facilitator training opportunity in North America in the new year.
IFF Materials. Sales on the newest product, the Amherst Training DVD’s have been strong. For the price of a weekend “advanced training” you can study with the master in the privacy of your home. If the price is a little steep for you, there is also the option of purchasing one of the two years, Finally, if you would like to rent a DVD, contact FEFNA.
IFF Archive. Moshe had a library of hundreds of hours of recordings from workshops, mostly in English, but also some in French and German. The IFF acquired these materials about 10 years ago and the digitisation process is close to being complete. In addition to recordings, there were photographs and historical newspaper articles. We look forward to hearing more at the next Assembly in June 2012. The IFF is able to pay for this work from member fees.
IFF Newsletter. FGNA representatives brought forward a request for a regular newsletter from the IFF. A working group was formed on this topic and our very own Chrish Kresge took the lead. She is now the proud editor of the first soon-to-be released IFF Newsletter.
Amherst FI’s. Videos of Dr. Feldenkrais giving Functional Integration® lessons. During the Amherst Training, 1980 & 1981, Dr. Feldenkrais gave Functional Integration lessons after the end of almost every day of training at the Amherst training. Many of these were recorded. The recordings have been available, on VHS, to rent for almost twenty years. However, the quality has been deteriorating. Thus, the IFF took the bold commitment to digitise as many of the originals as were available and also to digitise reasonably good masters for the other lessons for which the originals were not available.
In the future, the IFF will have these videos available to members of member organizations of the IFF, as this best represents the volunteer time and significant expense paid through member fees.
Because the process of digitising takes time, not all videos are currently available. Nevertheless, there are enough for practitioners to begin to add real depth to their practice, so feel free to return to these pages regularly for updates. To view the videos, you need to log in to the IFF website. Find the list at: http://feldenkrais-method.org/en/FI_Videos
Materials Manager. At the Assembly, significant discussion was about how the IFF could be more methodical and systematic in its materials program, whether it be the IFF Archive or the IFF Distribution center. The whole materials program has complex objectives, from preserving to distributing. The Assembly recommended that funds be allocated to hire a part-time Materials Manager for one year. The IFF Board sent out a job description for this role and a number of applications were received from around the world. Jenni Evans from Australia was hired and she has begun the process of learning about the materials and taking on activities to support the materials program.
<Back
Treat your Brain & Body to the 2012 Annual Conference
Michelle Valentino, Conference Coordintaor
Plan now to join us for the 2012 FGNA Annual Conference, “Embodying Neuroscience: The Feldenkrais Method® in Human Development, Performance and Health” and the Esther Thelen Research Symposium at the San Francisco Airport Marriott, San Mateo, California from August 30 through September 5, 2012.
The title for this year’s conference, “Embodying Neuroscience” is intended to be provocative. How, you might ask, is it possible to “embody” neuroscience? And how might it be relevant to your practice of the Feldenkrais Method? If you come to San Mateo in 2012, you will discover answers.
The past two decades have witnessed spectacular conceptual and methodological advances in neuroscience, yielding unprecedented insights into human behavior and development. It is an area of study with wide-ranging implications in which scientists from a variety of disciplines meet at the frontiers. It is also an area that is receiving much popular attention—and we are planning a program that will attract both professionals and public.
The two-day Esther Thelen Research Symposium will explore the dynamics of human development and the brain. The Symposium is an opportunity to bring the Feldenkrais Method to the attention of neuroscientists and mind/body practitioners. With this event, we hope to cultivate relationships that can lead to future collaboration in this emerging and exciting field.
The 2012 Symposium and Conference are designed to be an integrated experience. Each Symposium session will close with a brief discussion by a Feldenkrais® practitioner that connects the material presented with an aspect of the Method. In the Conference program, the research, theories and ideas presented at the Symposium sessions will be taken “onto the mat” and applied in workshops. The goal is for Feldenkrais practitioners to develop a new understanding that enhances and deepens their practice, and for professionals from other fields to appreciate the relevance of the Method to their work.
In addition to the neuroscience topic, the Conference program will include workshops that draw on learning from the San Francisco training and others relating to embodiment, movement and learning.
During the conference, you can explore the attractions of the San Francisco Bay Area, a world-class vacation destination. You can venture into San Francisco for sightseeing, shopping or dining, take a trip to the nearby Pacific Coast, or enjoy other adventures. The weather in northern California is perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities.
You will appreciate the comfortable accommodations at the San Mateo Marriott, a four-star facility with a full array of business services, as well as a coffee shop, restaurant, bar, outdoor pool, hot tub, and exercise rooms. The hotel is located close to the San Francisco airport and freeways. It offers free wi-fi for conference participants, cable TV, premium bedding, and other amenities.
<Back
2011 Conference: An Essay in Pictures
Celeste River, FGNA Conference Photographer, has done a beautiful job capturing highlights of the 2011 Conference in this four page spread!
<Back
President's Letter
Rob Black, GCFP & FGNA Board President
My letters have been about change. The last one was about our new direction, changing Continuing Education to Continuing Competency, and how we will be moving towards it in 2012. This is a small, but important change and it elicited some healthy discussion on FeldyForum in late November. As FeldyForum is for practitioners worldwide, perhaps practitioners in other guilds will want to follow our directions.
Change in thinking about Feldenkrais® trainings is happening worldwide. Some of the pressures for change have been economic. For example, in Argentina (and, to a lesser extent in Brazil), the cost of running a training is far higher relative to the local economy than in Europe or America. Thus, the Argentine Guild brought forward to the IFF Assembly this past May the need to consider alternate models for accredited trainings and associated fees. This led to a fascinating discussion of the ways that Educational Directors have provided trainings with little to no financial benefit. Thus, there is the need to ensure that trainings are sustainable over the long-term.
The Australian Feldenkrais Guild (AFG) is investigating having their trainings accredited under the national government system. If adopted, this moves the practice of the Feldenkrais Method® towards being a recognized profession. When this happens, students may be eligible for loans to attend trainings and practitioner fees may be eligible for reimbursement. Among a myriad of activities to support these directions, the Australian Guild is putting the finishing touches on its “Emerging Practitioner Competency Profile”—the skills and abilities of graduates of trainings in Australia.
Holly Huon, President of AFG, recently wrote how the AFG is re-invigorating their organization:
The AFG is having a two day forum in January in which representatives from all the divisions, AusTAB, the training community, not to mention any practitioners, are invited to discuss together the best Operational Model for the AFG to implement for 2012 and beyond. That is, we are at the 25 year mark and it’s timely to have a review and discuss some proposals the National team has been working on to best use our resources ... and to discuss Hot topics, National Accreditation and Practitioner Livelihood ... hopefully fun and very productive!
In Europe, a profound shift in thinking about Feldenkrais trainings is underway. The EuroTAB Council embarked on a project to learn how to assess the skills of graduating practitioners. We are hearing indications that, in Germany, trainers and training organizers are asking deep questions about the definitions of trainings and what kind of organization would best review training needs. There is even talk about the practice of the Feldenkrais Method becoming recognized by the government as a profession. There are many more implications for being a profession in Germany than in America and this is a question that will forever change the practice of the Method in Germany.
What does it mean to be a part of a Feldenkrais community? What does it mean to you? Is it simply doing ATMs and FIs? Does it mean that you can read the various forums? I hope there is something deeper. One day at the Amherst training, Dr. Feldenkrais talked briefly about a society brought together by his Method:
...A society of men and women who have their own well-being at heart. The society will have to do the same thing because they won’t accept any other sort of treatment. They will know what to demand and how to get it.
How long it will take? I believe it will take much less (time) than anybody thinks. It won’t take more than one generation from now. And maybe some of you will see it. I hope to be there, too.
Moshe said this on June 16, 1981. Thirty years ago. How close are we to his vision of a larger society? What about in our inner society of Feldenkrais practitioners? Do we act from a place of having our own well being at heart? Does our Guild? Do you feel you demand enough from your Guild? Do you know how to get good treatment? Provocative thoughts for a new year, to be sure.
All the best in the New Year,
—Rob
<Back
2012: A Preview
Susan Marshall, Executive Director
Happy New Year!
For many of us, this new year comes with fresh intentions for a better and brighter future as a Feldenkrais Practitioner and a commitment to getting the word out about the Method.
In December, the FGNA Board approved a budget to support this intention. We begin the year with over 1291 members and 178 certified practitioners, with many more to graduate, renew and join throughout the year.
Here are some of the highlights of the coming year, many of which are noted in this issue:
January
We kick off the year with a Feldenkrais® Educational Foundation of North America (FEFNA) booth at the NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo in Washington DC. Thank you to Jane Johnston, Chrish Kresge and all the other Eastern Region Feldenkrais Practitioners who will represent FEFNA and educate the public about the Feldenkrais Method®.
All 2011 Guild members should look for your copy of the beautiful 2011 Feldenkrais Journal to arrive in your mailbox this month. If you were not a 2011 member and would like a copy, please contact the FEFNA Bookstore Manager Samantha Berg to purchase it.
March
Look for your 2012 Membership Directory to arrive.
April
Annual Feldenkrais Method Conference registration begins.
May
Participate in the 3rd Annual Feldenkrais Week. Organized by the FGNA Council of Regional Representatives, this week celebrates the Method while creating new opportunities to grow your Feldenkrais practice. Talk to your region representatives to find out how you can participate.
June
Find out what happened with the International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) this year. Rob Black gives us a report on the accomplishments and activities of the IFF, supported by your FGNA dues. FGNA pays approximately 5% of its annual budget in dues to the IFF. FGNA will send representatives to the annual IFF meeting in Israel this June.
August & September
In August and September, join us for the 35th Annual Feldenkrais Method Conference in the San Francisco Bay Area. Conference Coordinator Michelle Valentino tempts us to attend: Embodying Neuroscience: The Feldenkrais Method in Human Development, Performance and Health, which includes the first Esther Thelen Research Symposium.
September – December
We welcome a new Continuing Competence Policy—one based on intention and forward planning, rather than just reporting on the past. Look forward to seeing sample plans and templates to use during the membership and certification renewal drive this fall. Read President Rob Black’s “Presidents Letter,” as he discusses the new policy in the context of worldwide changes in thinking about how we educate ourselves. Also see Board Chair Dwight Pargee’s thoughts on the policy.
November
As the result of a grant received from the IFF, FGNA will sponsor a Practitioner Competency Training for practitioners and trainees in North Carolina. Stay tuned for more details.
On another note, we know we have arrived, when….
One of the hazards of becoming known both as practitioners and as part of a profession is that we become the object of “scams.” FGNA staff has included some tips on how to deal with this occupational hazard in this high tech day and age.
Read and enjoy this issue of In Touch.
<Back
North American Training Accreditation Board 2011 Trainer Seat Election Results
Trainer Seat #1
Term: 1/1/2012-12/31/2012
Donna Ray
Trainer Seat #2
Term: 1/1/2012-12/31/2013
Arlyn Zones
<Back
Notice of Change to FGNA Bylaws
Andrea Wiener, Policy Administrator
The FGNA Board of Directors voted on December 18, 2011 to amend Article 15.4 of the Bylaws, and voted on December 29, 2011 to amend 13.6 of the Bylaws.
The amendment to Article 15.4 will take effect on March 17, 2012 and the amendment to Article 13.6 will take effect on March 28, 2012, unless written notice of opposition is received in the FGNA office from 35 or more voting members, by February 10, 2012. In this case, the amendment(s) will be voted by the membership.
The Board of Directors voted to amend Article 15.4 in order add a provision for an Internet ballot, when the Bylaws are amended by a mail ballot. The amended article also specifies the required majority for Internet and mail ballots; and includes minor changes in language and formatting, for the sake of clarity.
Article 15.4 is currently:
15.4 Amendment of Articles and Bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation may be amended according to the State law. These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of two/thirds (2/3) of the members present at any annual or special meeting of the members or by mail ballot or by three/fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors (with restrictions) at any meeting, provided that the membership is given three months notice before it is effective; if written opposition by at least 35 voting members is received within 30 days after notice is given, the amendment must be voted by the membership. Notice of the meeting must specify that one of the purposes of the meeting is to consider a proposed amendment to the bylaws and must be accompanied by a copy or summary of the amendment. The Board of Directors shall not alter, amend or repeal any bylaw in conflict with state law or Articles 4 or 6. More information on specific procedures for amending the bylaws are described in the Protocol on Bylaws.
Article 15.4 will be amended as follows:
15.4 Amendment of Articles and Bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation may be amended according to state law. These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of:
(1) Two/thirds (2/3) of the members present at any annual or special meeting of the members, provided that
(a) notice of the meeting has specified that one of the purposes of the meeting is to consider a proposed amendment to the bylaws, and
(b) notice has included a copy or summary of the amendment; or
(2) Two/thirds (2/3) of the members responding to Internet or mail ballot; or
(3) Three/fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors at any meeting, provided that:
(a) the membership is given three months notice before the effective date; if written opposition by at least 35 voting members is received within 30 days after notice is given, the change shall be voted by the membership; and
(b) the Board of Directors shall not alter, amend or repeal Articles 4 or 6, nor any bylaw in conflict with state law.
The Board of Directors voted to amend Article 13.6 in order add a provision for an Internet ballot, for Regional elections. (The Bylaws already permit an Internet ballot for FGNA elections.)
Article 13.6 is currently:
13.6 Elections. Elections will be by mail ballot and follow the Regional Election Protocol.
Article 13.6 will be amended as follows:
13.6 Elections. Regional elections will be by Internet or mail ballot and will follow the Regional Election Protocol.
<Back
2012 FGNA Budget
Approved December 27, 2011
<Back
Summary of Feldenkrais Guild® of North America Board of Directors Meetings
Submitted by Dale Jensen, GCFP, FGNA Board Secretary
October 3, 2011, Teleconference
1. Board members engaged in Appreciative Inquiry process.
2. MOTION: “To accept the agenda.” PASSED.
3. MOTION: “To accept the 2012 election results.” PASSED.
4. Discussed developing 2012 Board Priorities, emphasizing developing very clear priorities. Work will continue online and at the next BOD meeting in order to complete the priorities prior to 2012 budget formation.
5. Discussed idea of separating certification from graduation beginning with formation of a task force in 2012.
6. Received an update on the formation of the Policy Review Committee.
7. Received an update on CORR activities including Google ad campaign, website, newsletters, and membership drive.
8. Option presented to optimize Board efficiency and distribute the work more evenly by revitalizing Board member portfolio system.
9. Executive Director presented regular report to the Board. Updates provided on office metrics, membership report, website revision project, publications, 2012 FGNA Conference, regulation, Federation Meeting Taskforce on Healthcare Reform, and CORR.
November 8, 2011, Teleconference
1. Board members engaged in Appreciative Inquiry process.
2. MOTION: “To accept the Minutes from June 2011 and October 2011.” PASSED.
3. Rescheduled December 5 Regular Board meeting to December 12 at 6 PM PT and Executive Committee meeting to December 6 at 7 AM PT meeting.
4. Updated on write-in votes for the Nominating Committee for the 2012 election. None of the write-ins were willing to stand for the position. Nominating Committee will be contacted by Executive Director to solicit candidates for the open position.
5. Continued discussion of the 2012 Board Priorities.
December 12, 2011, Teleconference
1. Board members engaged in Appreciative Inquiry process.
2. Updated on write-in votes for the Nominating Committee for the 2012 election and process for filling the vacant seats.
3. Updated on FeldyForum dialogue regarding Continuing Competency.
4. Reviewed the draft document describing the Task Force for Separating Certification from Graduation. Discussion tabled pending further refinements.
5. Presented, the 2012 budget to the Board by the Executive Director. Online vote to approve the budget to be set up by Rob.
6. 2012 BOD priorities were tabled for further discussion at the January BOD meeting.
7. Reviewed Board events planned for the 2012 FGNA Annual Conference.
8. MOTION: “To amend Bylaw 15.4 by deleting the present Bylaw 15.4 and replacing it with the proposed Bylaw 15.4 regarding voting by email as follows:
15.4 Amendment of Articles and Bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation may be amended according to state law. These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of:
(1) Two/thirds (2/3) of the members present at any annual or special meeting of the members, provided that
(a) notice of the meeting has specified that one of the purposes of the meeting is to consider a proposed amendment to the bylaws, and
(b) notice has included a copy or summary of the amendment; or
(2) Two/thirds (2/3) of the members responding to Internet or mail ballot; or
(3) Three/fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors at any meeting, provided that:
(a) the membership is given three months notice before the effective date; if written opposition by at least 35 voting members is received within 30 days after notice is given, the change shall be voted by the membership; and
(b) the Board of Directors shall not alter, amend or repeal Articles 4 or 6, nor any bylaw in conflict with state law.”
Motion TABLED. Online vote will follow.
9. Executive Director report presented to the BOD.
Online Meeting and Vote, Opened December 13, 2011; Closed December 29
1. MOTION: “To amend Bylaw 15.4 by deleting the present Bylaw 15.4 and replacing it with the proposed Bylaw 15.4 regarding voting by email as follows:
15.4 Amendment of Articles and Bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation may be amended according to state law. These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of:
(1) Two/thirds (2/3) of the members present at any annual or special meeting of the members, provided that
(a) notice of the meeting has specified that one of the purposes of the meeting is to consider a proposed amendment to the bylaws, and
(b) notice has included a copy or summary of the amendment; or
(2) Two/thirds (2/3) of the members responding to Internet or mail ballot; or
(3) Three/fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors at any meeting, provided that:
(a) the membership is given three months notice before the effective date; if written opposition by at least 35 voting members is received within 30 days after notice is given, the change shall be voted by the membership; and
(b) the Board of Directors shall not alter, amend or repeal Articles 4 or 6, nor any bylaw in conflict with state law. Online Vote. PASSED.
2. MOTION: “That the Board of Directors of FGNA accept the 2012 budget as presented by the Executive Director at the 12-Dec, 2011 meeting of the Board of Directors.”
Online Vote. PASSED.
3. MOTION: “To amend Article 13.6 of the FGNA Bylaws by deleting Article 13.6 and replacing it with the following:
“Regional elections will be by Internet or mail ballot and will follow the Regional Election Protocol.” PASSED.
<Back
Fall 2011
There are two options for reading In Touch.
You can read it online: http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/archive/2011/09/
You can also download a “Printable PDF” (Adobe Acrobat is required), and print it out. We know there are many members who like to have a paper version and the PDF file is the most cost-effective way for us to do this.
<Back
Dysfunctional Integration
Friederike Bental, GCFP
“Movement is life. Without movement life is unthinkable.” -Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
When integration is compulsive,
when differentiation has become impossible,
then, a dysfunctional, static, permanent integration prevails.
When shoulder blades get stuck to the ribs,
when the pelvis clings to the hips,
when the eyes can only look the direction the head is turned,
then, a dysfunctional integration has happened.
Movement and thus life
are inhibited, limited and curtailed.
When mother and child are inseparable,
when husband and wife have given up their individuality,
when addict and caretaker have grown co-dependant,
then, a dysfunctional integration has happened.
Movement and thus life
are inhibited, limited and curtailed.
When state and religion are viewed as holy union,
when government and economy join their goals,
when laws are made by those who implement them,
then, a dysfunctional integration has happened.
Movement and thus life
are inhibited, limited and curtailed.
Oh, that we may learn
from the suns and the moons and the stars,
how - in their magnificent dance of the universe -
they have found balance between gravitational pull and centrifugal force;
how they can be on their own, knowing they are part of the all,
how they can be close without getting enmeshed.
Oh, that each of us may know
its own purpose, orbit and destination!
That each of us may know
mutuality and consent as well as
freedom and independence,
so that differentiation may always be easy
and integration always functional.
F. B. July 5, 2011
<Back
Updated Policies
Publications
http://www.feldenkrais.com/download/E_Publications_20110608.pdf
Member Categories/Fees
http://www.feldenkrais.com/download/E_Member_Categories_Fees_20110901.pdf
Elections Protocol
http://www.feldenkrais.com/download/E_Elections_Protocol_20110914.pdf
<Back
2011 Election Results
FGNA Board of Directors President
*Q3/2012 meeting – Q3/2014 meeting
Rob Black
FGNA Board of Directors Seat #2
*Q3/2012 meeting – Q3/2014 meeting
Dwight Pargee
FGNA Board of Directors Seat #3
*Q3/2012 meeting – Q3/2014 meeting
Elinor Silverstein
Nominating Committee Seat #3
1/1/2012– 12/31/2014
vacant
Grievance Board (three seats)
1/1/2012 – 12/31/2012
Kathleen Cusick
John Quinn
Kathy Yates
Member Advocate Seat #3
1/01/2012– 12/31/2014
Robin Phillips
NATAB Seat #3
1/01/2012– 12/31/2014
Nancy Forst Williamson
*Q3 refers to the Third Quarter meeting of the Board of Directors. Once elected, Directors-Elect will attend Board meetings and teleconference meetings beginning with the Q3/2011 meeting.
<Back
President’s Letter: New Continuing Competence Policy
Rob Black, GCFP & FGNA Board President
I am writing this Fall to let you know about the progress on the Continuing Competency policy. Over the past year, the Board of Directors has engaged in a process of reflection and discussion that lead to approval of a new Continuing Competence policy which will come into effect January 1, 2013. I know practitioners want to know how this policy emerged, what parts of current policy it replaces, and how it may affect the average practitioner. This is a long report and some may find it too long. Others may find it too shallow, and to those who find this, I very much appreciate your concern and I invite your comments and criticisms.
This policy originated with the need to review the continuing education standards. Practitioners were having difficulties interpreting the standards that had been set and there were increasing questions about whether off-shoots of the work of Dr. Feldenkrais would be acceptable. To this end, a Continuing Education Task Force formed in 2008 and a moderated on-line discussion occurred. There was considerable discussion and debate. Members were surveyed in 2010 and the task force presented its findings to the Board in the fall of 2010. Full details of this process were described in the President’s letter last Fall (From “Continuing Education” to “Continuing Competence”
http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/article/ce_to_cc_fall_it_2010/)
As was stated in the report, “The Board is inquiring into the question, ‘How does having a philosophy of Continuing Competence affect the way the existing CE policy could be rewritten and implemented?’”
The first step in revising the policy was to get clear on the purpose of requiring that practitioners continue to develop their skills. We asked ourselves, “What do we see as the reasonable outcome?” We saw that the outcome would be that all certified practitioners would become highly competent in their practice of the Method.
But what does “competence” mean? At the Conference this summer, the Forum had a lively debate, and some who attended were really questioning the meaning of “competence.” Many, many writers have struggled with identifying this, as has many professions. Within the Feldenkrais® profession, the International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) researched the issues world-wide and proposed a way of viewing competency that is enlightening:
Competency is the ability to mobilize and focus the resources necessary to act successfully in a given situation.[1]
The IFF elaborated:
In any given situation, working with an individual, for example, a practitioner must be able to draw upon certain kinds of knowledge, particular abilities, and some experience or situational memories. The practitioner must do more than just mobilize resources, however. One must simultaneously grasp the client’s needs and expectations, as well as consider one’s own professional and personal expectations in the situation.[2]
The IFF Competency profile is on the FGNA website. You can download it at this page: http://www.feldenkrais.com/profession/iff_professional_competency_profile/
The Board’s next question was, “How can practitioners move from where we are now, to a future in which all practitioners are highly competent?” There are two aspects to this. One aspect is that practitioners need to practice. Hence, FGNA has historically had a yearly “minimum” of 100 hours of professional practice of the Method. This was not changed in the revision to the policy. What does this mean, very concretely? Given 52 weeks a year, allowing a two week break, this is the equivalent of giving one (one-hour) ATMsm class each week and one FIsm. Practice is not sufficient for developing ourselves, but it is a way to generate questions for self-development and it is a way to integrate the learning. Thus the second aspect is developing one’s knowledge, skills and abilities though going outside our circle of thinking/feeling/sensing to engage with others in some kind of learning process for professional development.
There is extensive literature on professional development. The most recent stems from Dr. Donald Schön’s groundbreaking work on reflective practice. He wrote that reflective practice is “the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning,” which, according to the originator of the term, is “one of the defining characteristics of professional practice.”[3]
The next question was, “On what basis can a practitioner reflect on her practice?” This was an underlying question in a great deal of the writing of practitioners in the continuing education forum. The IFF Competency Profile provides a clear road map. FGNA has been providing workshops using the Profile called “ReVivify!” for several years and hundreds of practitioners have participated. The main facilitators are Dwight Pargee and Candy Conino. Participants have found it extremely beneficial, noting, “The introductory workshop is necessary to bring it to life.“[4]
The policy that will come in to effect next year outlines a four step process which is done yearly using the reflective practice and the IFF Competency Profile:
1. Self-assess your needs (this is where the Competency Profile helps you)
2. Identify what you want to learn in the coming year
3. Plan to do this
4. Implement
You could call it a SIPI model (Self-assess, Identify, Plan, and Implement). Many practitioners are already doing this. What is different is the process is now explicit, rather than implicit.
As a professional, each practitioner needs to confirm that the requirements have been met. Currently, practitioners are required to complete twenty hours of “Continuing Education” yearly and when they recertify (usually in the fall), they confirm that they completed these hours in the past year. The new policy also requires twenty hours—but it is intended to be forward-looking (“My plan for this year will need at least twenty hours of learning”). Thus, when a practitioner is reporting to the Guild about her or his SIPI, only two statements need to be made at the time of certification: first, that the previous year’s plan was completed; and second, that a plan for the current year has been developed and that the practitioner intends to implement the plan.
I think it is important to restate this: the Guild does not specify when or how the practitioner creates the plan. The Guild only asks that, at the time of certification (usually in the fall of each year), that the practitioner can confirm that a plan has been created and she/he has the intention to follow it.
Bringing all of this into policy:
Using a reflective practice approach, each practitioner certified by the FELDENKRAIS GUILD® is required, at least annually, to:
• reflect on the plan of the previous year and certify that she/he has completed it (where applicable)
• complete a self-assessment based on the International Feldenkrais Federation (IFF) Competency Profile
• identify learning needs
• write a plan which includes at least 20 hours of learning
• certify that she/he intends to implement the current plan
Currently, the policy stipulated that the Guild has the right to ask a practitioner for her or his records. The new policy also requires this—for up to three years.
There are some exemptions. Historically, we have exempted practitioners who have twenty years or more of continuous practice; the Continuing Education Task Force did not comment on this, and the Board saw no reason to change this. Also, the first time a practitioner applies for certification, no professional practice is required (logically, how would they get the hours?)
Another simplification reflects the situation in which a practitioner recertifies during the year. While the intention is unchanged, in the future policy, the language is that the 100-hours of professional practice will be prorated according to the number of months up to the time of certification.
When will this policy come into effect? This new policy comes into effect January 1, 2013. This allows practitioners the whole of 2012 to begin to shift their thinking in order develop comfort with these ideas, that is, to go from the “impossible” to the “possible”, from the “possible” to the “easy,” and the “easy,” “elegant.”
In 2012, the Guild will begin to provide articles and documents and other resources to assist practitioners in making a smooth transition for 2013.
How big a change is this? For some, it may seem like a big change, and for others, the change is not so significant. Let me know your thoughts, either by adding a comment, below, or sending me an email or even calling me.
References
[1] IFF Competency Profile, P. 7. available for download at: http://www.feldenkrais.com/download/profession/IFFCompetencyProfile.pdf
[2] op cit, p 7
[3] Schön, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner, How Professionals Think In Action, Basic Books.
[4] see: http://www.feldenkrais.com/profession/iff_professional_competency_profile/
<Back
Changes Abound
Susan Marshall, Executive Director
As promised in the last issue of In Touch, many changes are here!
Amherst Perspectives
The last few months have been life changing—especially for those practitioners and members who took part in “Amherst Perspectives,” at the Annual Feldenkrais Method® Conference at Hampshire College. The presenters were inspiring, the atmosphere intimate and the participants aware and engaged- the Feldenkrais community at its best. See Mischul Brownstone’s article “The Quality without a Name,” highlighting some of the memorable interchanges among the wonderful Keynote Panel: Larry Goldfarb, Ned Dwelle, Elinor Silverstein, David Zemach-Bersin and Donna Blank, facilitated by Dwight Pargee.
During the “All Things Feldenkrais® and More!” presentation at the conference, I shared the varied ways that the Feldenkrais Method is becoming known. Check out these links to websites, videos, newsletters, books, etc. Also released was the new bumper sticker “Do It With Ease-The Feldenkrais Method.” Look for this to arrive with your new 2012 Certificate.
This was the second year we included a Mentoring Day. Mentoring took place in the very gym that Moshe taught and practiced in 1980-1981. A hugely successful concept, mentoring in a broader context is considered by former Conference Program Committee members Chrish Kresge and Julie Francis in their article ”Mentoring—Its Time Has Come.” Breathe in the insights and observations of seasoned practitioners, Ellen Soloway, Allison Rapp, Donna Blank and Larry Goldfarb.
To share some of the wonder that was this year’s conference with those unable to attend, the first segment of the video of the “Amherst Perspectives Keynote Panel,” will be released on Friday, October 14. Other segments will follow in the coming months. This Keynote Panel, as well as video interviews of students of Moshe Feldenkrais, comprise the beginnings of an exciting project. As part of the Oral History Project, Roger Russell, Garet Newell and Irene Gutteridge have interviewed Jeff Haller, Miriam Pfeffer, and Jerry Karzen. Look for more information over the coming year.
California Here We Come!
For those of you who receive “FGNA News,” you know that on September 30th we announced the location and dates of the 2012 Feldenkrais Method Annual Conference and Research Symposium in the San Francisco Bay area at the beautiful San Francisco Airport Marriott from August 30th-September 5th, over Labor Day weekend. The Marriott is located ten minutes from the airport, where the BART (commuter train line) takes you to downtown San Francisco in twenty minutes.
We have secured a phenomenally low double room rate for our conference attendees and families: $109/night (not including taxes). To be able to secure this rate in the San Francisco area during the peak of the America’s Cup Event in the San Francisco Bay is nothing short of a coup. (The same rooms sold for over $250/night during this past sold out Labor Day weekend.)
The Conference Program Committee (Chrish Kresge, Dwight Pargee, Roger Russell, Paulette Dolin, Rich Goldsand and Cliff Smythe) and the Conference Coordinator (Michelle Lawson) will be soliciting workshop proposals in November and December.
So, save the dates, make your reservation and plan to bring your family for a conference vacation. Let your family enjoy the sites the bay area has to offer while you commune with your fellow Feldies at the conference. We are planning a conference program stimulating by day, while reserving a few evenings for you to enjoy San Francisco by night.
FGNA Elections
Congratulations to the 2011 Elected Officers, Board and Committee Members.
New FGNA Policies
After important work done by the FGNA Board of Directors, the Continuing Education Committee and participation by many members in the Continuing Education Forum, the FGNA Board of Director passed a new Continuing Competence Policy to be effective for 2013 Feldenkrais Practitioner Certification. See Rob Black’s President’s letter describing this inspiring new direction in encouraging practitioner professional development.
FGNA has a new policy to assist practitioners in getting the Method known: Service Mark, Certification Mark and Trademark Policies. The new policy is shorter, more understandable and easier to comply with. If you have questions or would like suggestions, see the revised guidelines for ideas. In addition to the new policy, we have also secured additional service and trade marks in ATM®, FIsm and Feldenkrais (as applied to tables, rollers and mats). The new policy underscores why we have services marks—to further the visibility of the Feldenkrais Method.
The new membership and certification rates mark the first time in over ten years that the rates have been adjusted. The minimal rate changes were made in response to member practitioner survey feedback, the state of the North American economy, differences in member/certification benefit categories and the realities of running a small membership and certification organization. To ease any potential financial burden on our professional members, the 2012 professional membership rate will remain at $375 through December 31, 2011.
Other new and revised policies replaced outdated policies with respect to publications and elections, with more to come in the next few months.
New Certificate
To further streamline processes and save members money, the new 2012 Certificate has been redesigned to use year after year. Beginning with the 2013 certification year, you will receive a date sticker to place on your 2012 certificate. The certificate will still be impressively suitable for framing. You will, however want to frame it in such a way that you will be able to place the new date sticker on the certificate each year.
Website Revision Project
The new website has turned into three new interrelated websites for the public, professional and members. The new look and feel was unveiled at the Annual Conference in July to claps and whistles.
Look for screencasts of the new pages to be previewed by members in November, with an opportunity to provide comments. The Website Committee and staff, with the assistance of the Council of Regional Representatives (CORR), are now working on revising and adding content. Items to look forward to: Emphasis on selling the Feldenkrais Method, use of video and audio, more attractive layouts, a members login feature, regional pages and new geocoding tools for finding practitioners, classes and events.
Getting the Method Known
Check out new Feldenkrais Practitioner Peggi Honig’s article on “Growing Your Practice.” Even if you have been in practice for years, you may benefit from a refresher about keeping your practice fresh and “none habitual” in the Feldenkrais way!
Practitioner, Irene Gutteridge shares her views on moving the Feldenkrais Method toward its tipping point and getting it to “stick.” Please join us in this goal for 2012.
<Back
Growing your Practice
Peggi Honig, GCFP
We speak in our lessons of intention, initiation, the sequence of an action, changing the dynamic, foundation and following the path, connection and resonance. Are we doing this same thing in building our practices?
Though I am still a relatively new practitioner having just completed my first year post-graduation, I already have a thriving, full time, Feldenkrais® practice. I have repeat paying clients and teach in three different locations (a hospital, health club and physical therapist office.) I believe the key to my success is that I learned the fundamentals of small business entrepreneurship which provided a foundation for growing my practice, while also continuing to learn Feldenkrais techniques.
It is clear tome that while it is important to know the work, it’s just as important to invest time and effort in learning good start-up business skills. The process of setting up a brand – business cards, phone, location to see clients, a business name to work under and a website—are all ways of promoting yourself as a professional. It doesn’t hurt to pick up some sales skills that will help you talk to strangers about your work. There are plenty of valuable materials available to learn basic business skills.
I have also continued to work passionately as a student, practicing my learning in Awareness Through Movement® lessons from which my Functional Integration® sessions evolve. I receive numerous FIsms for learning purposes and frequent ATM®s. There is endless pleasure from the epiphanies of my brain waking up. This excitement creates a stir, an energy that attracts potential clients who feed off enthusiasm.
One of my dear mentors says, “Teach ATM”! From a commitment to explore ATM lessons, our internal repertoire develops. This creates a sensory language and inventory that guides us and from this, our classes and private lessons evolve. I have compared notes with my peers and often we may only be teaching one or two students – so what? Don’t be discouraged! This is completely normal in the beginning and not a reflection of you. Do your best and keep going, the momentum will build before your eyes. Remember the quote, “Build it and they will come.”
What has helped me create a successful practice? The steps outlined below:
-Do ATM lessons daily
-Attend ATM classes taught by peers and trainers. I drive the distance and make the time.
-Receive FI lessons to learn, for the curiosity of it! How many lessons is a question of your ability to process and integrate the information.
-Attend advanced trainings
-Attend regional meetings
-Create study groups and mentoring groups. Often these can be accomplished via the internet
-Mentor with a trainer or assistant trainer, they are there to assist us in our process, making it easier for us than they had it!
-Offer free introductory classes to anyone that might say yes, retirement communities, hospitals, Sports Clubs, YMCA, JCC, the Lions, Club… any organization in your area where you can approach them with a win-win situation.
-Offer to do an in-service and speak at support groups: MS Society; survivors of stroke; Parkinson’s; Early Dementia and Alzheimer’s; Fitness arenas; early childhood developmental support groups; music schools…
How can we expect to grow a business, with people coming to classes and private sessions, if we ourselves are not doing so? We must walk our talk and keep exploring this marvelous approach to self-realization and learning.
Finally, be willing to share your ideas. When any constraint surfaces that might derail you from moving forward, remember to make your butterflies fly in formation, breathe, do a seesaw lesson, a paradoxical breathing lesson and imagine how you might want the interaction to go. Then, allow it to happen!
<Back
Mentoring- It's Time has Come
Julie Francis, GCFP & Chrish Kresge, GCFP
Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction.
- John C. Crosby
When we think “professional development” most of us envision a “top-down” style of learning, typically an advanced training taught by an experienced practitioner. An alternative is now spreading within the Feldenkrais® community, thanks in part to a groundbreaking workshop first offered at the 2010 Feldenkrais Method® Annual Conference– mentor relationships with experienced practitioners. Through mentoring, practitioners are experiencing a deeper, more personal form of learning.
In 2010, the Conference Committee envisioned a learning environment where the basics could organically give rise to the more complex. What began as a half-day experiment, the “Mentor Workshop” became a highlight of the conference schedule. The 2011 conference in Amherst had more than twice the number of participants as the original. More “small group supervision” than true mentoring, the workshop nonetheless propelled forward a trend within the community. Now, the mentor concept is growing to include continuing education beyond the structure of the conference.
Top-down education continues to be important. Still, its conceptual structure can contain pitfalls that inhibit learning. Students in conventional workshops often feel as though their skills are on trial and shy away from asking what they perceive as “basic” questions. Teachers, too, may have preconceived ideas of what their students “should” know. A few have been known to express criticism of their peers for not teaching what they believe to be foundational essentials. Other teachers assume prior understanding and knowledge as the beginning point for their workshops. Either approach leaves students fearful of openly expressing the true limits of their knowledge. Less advanced students are left to flounder for answers.
If the objective of study is to become more proficient, mentoring may well be the answer. Ellen Soloway, one of the ‘mentors’ at the 2010 Conference, says about her own experience:
“My interest in mentoring grew out of my own frustration. I studied [for] many years with skilled trainers that I respected and they always taught large groups. Often, when I knew there was a technique I was not proficient with or a concept I needed to understand better, I asked directly for help. Because of the large group format, rarely did I get the attention I needed to become proficient, to fill the gap in my knowledge and understanding.
As a teacher myself, I found that working with practitioners in small groups gives me the ability to understand what they want for themselves, their dreams, their skills. I can perceive when their technique needs improvement and, over time, coach them in a way that allows them to learn not just technique “x,” but what in the client’s organization makes the technique necessary. As a result, the practitioner’s touch becomes more informative, more efficient.
Over time, a wonderfully strange paradox has developed. Because I needed to research what my students needed, I became a better practitioner and teacher as well. It is a two-way street that is fundamentally different from teaching an advanced training on a topic of my choice (top down teaching).
“I see a mentoring relationship as more personalized than that of student and teacher. The mentor comes to understand the aims and goals of the person(s) she is mentoring. She is also witness to their growth over time. I often mentor small groups of three to five people. In such an individualized system, everyone takes turns being the center of attention. The people who are watching pick up details they might not have known were missing in their knowledge base. Such specificity allows the teacher to switch focus from person to person quickly. There is the opportunity to ask, ‘What do you need help with NOW?’ The guidance can be immediate to each person’s process.”
In helping her students receive immediate practical answers to their questions, Ellen has expanded beyond in-person meetings. It’s not unusual for her to field questions from practitioners in Japan via Skype. Allison Rapp also offers long distance mentoring. She currently works from her home in California with practitioners as far away as Thailand, New Zealand and Europe.
Allison has been mentoring practitioners via the phone since 1985 and now also offers a group practice-building program. Like Ellen, she notes that mentoring and teaching are different and distinct. “Mentoring is a really close relationship. People pick a mentor for very different reasons than they would choose a teacher. Someone might go to a teacher to learn specific things - a deeper understanding of concepts or a curriculum, or for what that person brings directly from Moshe. In that case, whether you like or dislike the teacher is more or less immaterial. If you bring your attention to what you are there to study, you can learn from anyone. This is why I have such a strong belief that every new practitioner has what it takes to begin practicing and can find clients they can help.
“Picking a mentor, on the other hand, is much more personal. When you pick a mentor, everything will be easier if there’s good chemistry between you. You sign up to change your practice and find out you have to change yourself! So you want a person you can trust, someone who speaks to your heart, understands your challenges, and will be there for you when it gets hard.”
Allison stressed that the key to being an effective mentor is an ability to relate to your mentees. “I think one of the reasons I’m effective at mentoring practitioners who lack confidence or simply want more clients—or the right clients for them—is that I’ve been in their shoes. I understand what they’re going through and I know how to get out of it. I’ve moved and started over four times, but when we moved to a small town, where there was a lot of competition, I found that what I had done before to start a practice didn’t work. I had to find a way to stop that downward spiral of ‘I don’t have clients, therefore I’m no good, so I have even fewer clients because I feel so bad about myself.’“
Allison went on a quest to figure out how to build a sustainable practice. When she’d done it for herself, she distilled what she’d learned from her business mentors and adapted it to the unique challenges that Feldenkrais practitioners have. Allison now works with practitioners in strategy sessions designed to address their particular needs. Together they address issues from lack of confidence, to getting a practice filled with clients that make them feel great about their work. “Sometimes we deal with one of their clients who’s not progressing, and sometimes we create the curriculum for a workshop or make a plan for filling it. Just like FI, it’s completely individual, and everything is on the table.”
The approaches to learning within the mentoring environment are as varied as the mentors themselves. Donna Blank, presenter and mentor at the 2011 conference, began the workshop day by asking her group about their interests and what they wanted from the experience. As they spoke, the group went deeper and deeper into listening and reflecting until suddenly the morning was over. Donna commented, “A shared space began to emerge. It was that space rather than me as a teacher that created the base for what happened. As we broke for lunch one woman commented that she felt as if she had just had an FI, an observation that was affirmed when moments later someone from outside the group asked if she had.
Another participant noted that she came to the group with questions, but realized as others in the group spoke she essentially created her own ATM. She went through the whole process internally and in the end, discovered her own answers. People reached a deep understanding of how creating shared space could create a change of organization on all levels – thinking, feeling, and acting.
“My job as teacher was supporting the creation of that shared space, not providing answers or traditional kinds of leadership. I took essential things people were saying and pulled them into perspective in relation to what we were talking about. Another underlying intention was to support people in finding their inner resources instead of thinking they had to acquire more skill. Mia always says you know more than you think you do, but how do we find the resources within ourselves? There is so much insecurity and a feeling in the community of ‘do you get it?’ and ‘are you clever enough?’. The goal in mentoring is to create that space where people’s inner resources come forward in their unique ways - not my agenda, but how it comes through them. When this is done in a shared space everybody amplifies each other and it creates a sense of support that brings that inner knowing forth even more.
“Moshe said the work was about thinking, feeling, sensing and acting. They aren’t separate. The work these days often emphasizes a very physically focused perspective, focused more on improving movement per se. But awareness has a powerful impact of its own. Moshe said the work could be done in a 100 ways, he just happened to choose movement. I am fascinated in the function of awareness itself and how it is primary to changes in self-image and self-organization and to the phenomenon of what happens between people.
“People learn in very different ways. Some learn skill first, others learn through intuition and their skill develops through that. I was excited that the mentoring group was able to integrate both. After the morning of talk, we shifted to an afternoon of skill development. Even in that context, the mentoring environment allowed us all to learn from each other, myself included. Insights came up and we learned together. It was as if the group and the process were a living organism.”
The idea of mentoring is not new to the community. Larry Goldfarb found a mentor while still a trainee in the Amherst program. “From the moment I met her, when she showed me how to get garlic out of the skin by smashing it with the side of a knife, Edna Caila Rosenas has been teaching me. Thirty years later, I still talk to her about the work. Our relationship grew over time both professionally and personally. When I started working with her, she gave me FIs; now that she’s 87 ½, I’m giving her lessons. We spend time together as colleagues and as friends. Like any true mentor relationship, ours is about the professional development of the mentee in a personal context. That’s what makes it special.”
Like Ellen, Allison and Donna, Larry brings long term commitment and a personal touch to the people he mentors. “One mentoring relationship started when we met at her training twenty years ago. Since then she has come to public workshops, taken advanced trainings, received FI supervision, visited my training, and stayed in touch - in person, on the phone and via email. This is a personal relationship. I don’t have the ability or time to do that with very many people.”
Mentoring is growing within the Feldenkrais community, but the idea is common in other professions. Larry worked as a magician and trained in crisis counseling and therapy. He remarked that in both communities there was, and continues to be, an environment of mutual support. “Even though there was competition in the world of magicians, there was a personal investment in other people’s development. People with more experience helped those with less experience to help grow the profession as a whole. Realizing that the culture of supervision and support was missing in our community, I developed “Mentoring Mentors.”
“Someone may be a good teacher or trainer, but that does not mean he or she has the skills to be a mentor. The aim of “Mentoring Mentors” was to help colleagues develop the necessary skills to help fellow Feldenkrais teachers improve. I’ve taught three of these three year, sixty day long programs – two in the US and one in Europe – and I’m glad to say that nearly every graduate of the program continues to work with individual teachers or run small groups.”
Mentoring would seem a natural fit for Feldenkrais continuing education, especially given Moshe’s background. “Moshe taught in a dojo where black belts helped the new people develop skills. He also worked in a lab where close cooperation between people is essential. We need to find our equivalent to that kind of tradition and support. That doesn’t mean we rely only on trainers – we need a network of experienced practitioners to raise the level of our understanding and effectiveness.
“The question I keep asking myself is how do we learn together, as a community of learners? Professional development is a very important key to the Method maturing. That’s why I spend as much time teaching advanced trainings and supporting colleagues through supervision, consultation and mentoring as I do being a trainer.”
The idea of a supportive community, where more experienced practitioners actively guide the development of their less experienced peers is not a utopian dream. Ellen, Allison, Donna and Larry are but a few of the many trainers, assistants and senior practitioners who share their expertise as mentors. Despite different approaches, all four have one thing in common – a commitment to developing the profession as a whole by supporting the growth of others.
All agree that a mentor relationship goes far beyond that of teacher and student. Unlike traditional learning environments, mentoring is not limited to skill development or top-down instruction. It begins and grows from the heart. The primary requirement (outside of mentor competency) is trust. In a true mentoring relationship, both mentor and mentee open themselves to a close personal relationship for the purpose of professional development.
So how do you choose a mentor? In the next issue of In Touch, we’ll hear from several mentees and explore how their relationship with their mentors has changed their professional (and sometimes personal) lives.
<Back
Is the Feldenkrais Method® as Sticky as it Could Be?
Irene Gutteridge, GCFP
Revisiting Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
To be sanguine about the future, however, requires a plausible basis for constructive action: you cannot describe possibilities for that future unless the present problem is accurately defined. -Paul Hawken, Blessed Unrest
During the summer of 2005, nestled in a very hot and humid University setting called Purdue, the annual Feldenkrais Method conference was in full swing and the question of a “Feldenkrais® Tipping Point” was asked.
What it would take for the term/practice/ noun “Feldenkrais” to tip?
I was there and I don’t remember much in terms of solution and problem solving. Perhaps I wasn’t ready to listen. But earlier this summer, in a less humid setting of Whistler, I was rethinking this whole tipping point idea. After all, I hear so many colleagues talking about it with great enthusiasm, but was anyone actually doing anything to try and address it? Had they even read the book and studiously applied pieces within it to their practice? Were people actually trying to model some of Malcolm Gladwell’s ideas, the author of The Tipping Point: How little things make a big difference, in relationship to a Feldenkrais Tipping Point?
After revisiting ‘the tipping point idea’, and rereading the book earlier in the year, I got to thinking and questioning myself:
Q: Had my practice fully ‘tipped’ in my hometown?
A: Nope!
Q: What pieces could I apply easily, as taken from Gladwell’s findings, to test out this whole “tipping point” idea?
A: The Stickiness Factor was the ticket.
Stickiness Defined
“The Stickiness Factor says that there are specific ways of making a contagious message memorable; there are relatively simple changes in the presentation and structuring of information that can make a big difference in how much of an impact it makes.”
So off I went.
Now in early September:
1. I have my spaces for Functional Integration® lessons next week booked
2. I have classes filling up, and even for the following weeks.
3. I have a local business in town hiring me to come in and do Awareness Through Movement® lessons with their staff every Friday morning for 100 bucks hard cash no matter who show’s up.
I guess something’s worked!
So, I’d like to pose to you this question of “stickiness” in terms of your own private practice and ‘doings’ when it comes to ‘getting the Feldenkrais Method’ out there and tipping in your world.
Is what you’re doing sticky:
• In your private sessions?
• In your trainings?
• In your group classes?
• In your promotions & marketing?
• In your blog posts and writings?
• In ALL that you do from a business standpoint?
First, I’d like to present some real-life examples of stuff getting ‘stickier’ in Gladwell’s writings.
An example from virology
“Epidemics tip because of the extraordinary efforts of a few select carriers. But they also sometimes tip when something happens to transform the epidemic agent itself…….this is a well-known principle in virology. The strains of flu that circulated at the beginning of each winter’s flu epidemic are quite different from the strains of flu that circulate at then end. The most famous flu epidemic of all – the pandemic of 1918 was first spotted in the spring of that year and was relatively speaking quite tame. But over the summer the virus underwent some strange transformation and over the next six months ended up killing between 20 to 40 million worldwide. Nothing had changed in the way in which the virus was being spread. But the virus had suddenly become much more deadly.”
Yes, this is a morbid example, but it holds some interesting pieces. (The better example is actually in reference to HIV spreading and how it become a more potent virus, but it’s descriptive quality is too lengthy for this article – I will simply encourage you to read it.)
What might we need to do, what could we tweak, in how Moshe’s content is presented such that the transformation and presentation of it becomes more potent, memorable and ‘sticky’?
Because, Moshe’s content is bang on. It works. The constraints in the lessons do their job. Seemingly innocuous movements have gross effects across all pieces of the body and nervous system and no matter how hard I try not to change things, a scan at the end of a lesson inevitably ends with a person gaining greater contact and support from their environment.
But, how many times do clients say things like: “It is so hard to remember what we’ve done,” and how many times have you answered, “The actual steps aren’t important, it’s the process.”
Here’s the conundrum, if the actual steps aren’t important, why bother doing them in the first place? And, is it important for people to ‘remember’ the content of what happened in class or is it more important for people to remember that ‘something else’ that sets Feldenkrais® practice apart from other modes of mind-body practice? This is a question that I’ll leave you to answer for yourself.
For me, this is what I’m starting to sense and think both in my brain and gut:
I think we get seduced by Moshe’s content and forget the real roots of what this is supposed to be about. After all, my teachers said to me that Moshe could have taught what he wanted to teach by teaching calligraphy or mathematics, he simply choose “movement” as the vehicle. And we all know why he choose movement………so,
in essence you could say that you could teach the exact same lesson and “movements” every week in your classes and still get some pretty rich learning and personal growth.
Which leads me into the next example of “stickiness:”
An example from children’s television
“‘Blue’s Clues’ succeeds as a story of discovery only if the clues are in proper order. The show has to start out easy – to give the viewers confidence-and then get progressively harder and harder, challenging the preschoolers more and more, drawing them into the narrative……the layering of the show is what makes it possible for a child to watch the show four or five times: on each successive watching they master more and more, guessing correctly deeper into the program, until, by the end, they can anticipate every answer.”
In Gladwell’s book, he compares the two kids television shows, “Blues Clues” and “Sesame Street.” When you read the full story of this (which I highly recommend as it pertains to human learning!) it is very hard to imagine that the simplicity of “Blues Clues” could anchor itself so well in a child, not to mention that the repeat programming of the “exact same show” over five days, would have a greater success rate with the kids in terms of their learning. (This example you see in various university setting’s, especially some cutting edge medical schools, where the students study one topic over a four week period rather than bombarding their brains with five subjects over twelve!)
I experimented with this during my summer classes. I simplified things. I repeated many things over and over with the same people. You’d think folk would become bored. They didn’t. They actually started to understand what was going on. They stayed and asked more questions after class. They were learning and they were coming back for more, and I was actually teaching effectively.
To give you a little more information: the classes were never 100% the same, but I took the time to make sure a “movement-idea” let’s call it, was understood from an experiential, theoretical, principle and foundational point of view. As well as in different orientations. This way, people got the goods of the Feldenkrais Method from a more ‘training-point of view’. (Come to think of it, I’ve seen very few training’s that take or have the time, to dive that deep into one single ‘movement-idea’).
I would also have class participants repeat what we might have done the class before:
•First on their own without my guidance at all. (i.e., their scan at the beginning was them having ten minutes of free time to explore a specific piece from past classes).
•Then, before diving into another lesson, we’d review it from not only the ‘lesson-perspective’, but also from their personal interpretation of what they learned the lesson before.
I titled all my classes this summer “Lower Back Love” and each week was a different theme that would help out “your lower back and give it some loving.” Therefore, the lesson per se was seemingly different from an outsider’s perspective each week, but they were consistently bringing it back to their lower back, layering and adding dimension to their movement repertoire. By the end of four weeks, they could intelligently speak about:
“What (a) Feldenkrais class is, what goes on in class, why it’s important for the body, how it’s helped them, and how it would help someone else.”
The latter piece I sense is another factor of importance in helping our Method “tip.” Can our clients intelligently talk about their experience and what goes on in a class and how it might help someone else? After all, they are our walking advertisements and it’s hard to convince an innocent bystander to try out something new if the only piece of information that one can give is that, “you just have to try it, it helped me.” It may work for some, but it’s a rather clumsy sales pitch.
To end with my “Blues Clues-oriented” classes, the other piece that remained the same and permeates throughout my teachings now is having a standing scan that we’d do at the beginning, at the end, and even in the middle of the lesson. This way, they became really skilled in this “ONE THING,” and could implement this scan whenever they remembered outside of class.
If you’d like to listen to this “standardized scan” you can find it here:
http://www.thehumangroove.com/mp3/Beginning%20Body%20Scan%20for%20Potent%20Posture.mp3
To Wrap Up
There are countless examples from the book that can be used and broken down for us as Feldenkrais practitioners to learn from. I’ve got scribbles all over my notebooks and am eager to keep implementing them and testing them over the next year. I’d love it if you’d try it out and see what comes up!
Perhaps we can join up at the next annual conference, compare notes, exchange our successes and failures, and actually move this kick-ass mode of learning that we like to call the Feldenkrais Method forward to a true tipping point!
Irene
<Back
Summary of Feldenkrais Guild® of North America Board of Directors Meetings
Submitted by Dale Jensen, GCFP, FGNA Board Secretary
May 12, 2011, Teleconference
1. MOTION: “To approve minutes from the following meetings:
March 16, 2011 Online vote
April 21, 2011 Online vote
March 10, 2011 Regular Meeting
April 6, 2011 Regular Meeting
April 6, 2011 Executive Session Meeting.” PASSED.
2. MOTION: “That the 2010 US Tax Return Form 990 with Schedules and US Tax Return Form 990-T as prepared by FGNA accountants, Napier and Company, LLC, be approved for filing with the signature of Susan Marshall.” PASSED.
3. Board provided feedback to Rob and Chrish with regards to questions posed by the IFF to attending representatives for discussion at the 2011 IFF Assembly.
4. Continued discussion of proposed Continuing Competency Policy. Executive Director presented several issues with regard to implementation. Board will continue discussion on this proposed policy.
5. Board discussed logistics of Canadian Board Seat transition between Giselle and Vita. Transition will take place at a short BOD meeting immediately prior to Annual Meeting at 6:45PM on July 10th.
6. Idea was presented for using automated phone system for practitioner renewals.
7. Board discussed alternatives to having both a President and a Chair on the FGNA Board of Directors. BOD will revisit how to address future Board Presidency in the June Regular Meeting.
8. Executive Director Report was presented to the BOD with information about membership.
9. MOTION: “That the Board appoint members Katrin Smithback as 2011 Journal Editor and Judy Windt as 2011 Journal Assistant Editor.” PASSED.
10. Executive Director presented DRAFT Journal Policy for content purposes only with the recommendation that BOD revisit this at the June meeting.
11. Deadline to complete submissions for Annual Report is May 27.
12. Update on Conference registrations. Currently half way to financial goal.
13. Executive Director was directed to schedule trainer / assistant trainer meeting on Saturday July 9th at lunch.
14. Update on member survey. BOD asked to make comments by May 16.
15. Regulation update with details on pending Nevada bill and passage of Oregon bill.
16. Update on Feldenkrais® Week.
17. Bylaw compliant elections process reporting requested from CORR.
18. Agreements with IFF and FEFNA have been reached regarding the Amherst DVD agreement.
19. Dwight is going to visit FGNA office staff on May 27.
20. Update provided on FEFNA activities.
July 10, 2011, In-Person Meeting, Amherst, MA
MOTION: The Board acknowledged the 2010 FGNA Election results and the seating of the Canadian Director, Vita Kolodny. PASSED.
Board members expressed appreciation for outgoing Canadian Director, Gisele St. Hilaire and her many contributions to the Board.
Annual Meeting
1. Rob Black showed video of Moshe telling Tamiment workshop in the Fall 1980 about his Guild.
2. Rob read the mission of the FGNA.
3. Introduction of Board members.
4. FGNA Staff members were introduced.
5. Recognition of 2010 volunteers.
6. Jane Johnston was awarded Volunteer of the Year for 2009.
7. Richard Newton was awarded Volunteer of the Year for 2010.
8. Bonnie Humiston received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
9. Rob presented the President’s report - outlining FGNA BOD Priorities for 2011.
10. Sam Nelson presented the Finance Committee report contained in the 2010 Annual Report.
11. Susan Marshall presented the Executive Director report - outlining 2011 finances, future direction for FGNA, and FEFNA activities.
12. Rosa Murnaghan and Karen Dold presented the Nominating Committee Report.
13. Membership questions were solicited.
a. Susan Marshall reported on the trends and activities underway to encourage growth of members.
b. Kudos were given to Rob Black
14. Rob Black closed the meeting.
July 14, 2011 to July 16, 2011, In-Person Meeting, Amherst, MA
1. Check-In following FGNA Conference
2. Briefly discussed impressions about the 2011 Conference. Agreed to return to discussion about Conference later in the In-Person meeting.
3. Reviewed Emerging Practitioner Competency Profile written by the Australian Guild and discussed how it might be usable by FGNA.
4. Reviewed NATAB policy to familiarize BOD before meeting with NATAB.
Joined by NATAB Members.
5. NATAB members present described what they would like to discuss with the Board during this meeting.
6. An alternate training model was presented to the BOD.
7. Discussed the Committee to Review Training Policy.
8. Discussed current thoughts about separating certification from graduation.
9. Discussed creating a policy, statement or procedure with regard to trainer / student sexual relations and how to communicate such a policy to trainees.
10. Reviewed historical competency activities beginning with Motion at the Annual Meeting in 1997 to move toward competency based certification.
11. Discussed proposal to create ethics policy with regard to trainer / trainee sexual relations.
12. Discussed training logistics for Argentina.
13. MOTION: To appoint Hans Machado to the Board-appointed vacant seat on NATAB for a two-year term beginning 14 July 2011, ending 13 July 2013.
Discussion TABLED awaiting further BOD discussion.
14. Discussed agenda for BOD / CORR meeting tomorrow.
15. Reviewed agenda for BOD meeting following the meeting with CORR.
Joined by CORR.
16. Members of BOD and CORR engaged in an Appreciative Inquiry Process
17. CORR described idea for advertising campaign (Google ad to promote the Feldenkrais Method®) as this year’s big project.
18. Discussed opportunities for cultivating a culture of competency in our organization.
19. Discussed how to increase volunteerism and deepen community connections.
20. Debriefed CORR Meeting
21. Continued work on a Draft Continuing Competency Policy.
22. Reviewed the Certification Policy within the context of developing a Draft Continuing Competency Policy.
23. Continued work on DRAFT Continuing Competency Policy.
24. Discussed IFF Budget and Dues.
25. Debriefed 2011 Conference.
26. Initial discussion of 2012 FGNA Board Priorities.
27. Suggestion to have Executive Director and Chair go to 2012 IFF Assembly.
28. Initial planning for the February 2012 In-Person Meeting.
29. Expressed appreciation for Board meeting with CORR following the conference and how best to support CORR in its activities.
30. Discussed how to proceed with consideration of option to combine Board President and Chair into one position.
31. MOTION: To appoint Hans Machado to the Board-NATAB appointed vacant seat on NATAB for a two-year term beginning 14 July 2011, ending 13 July 2013. PASSED.
32. MOTION: To appoint Ellen Solloway to NATAB effective 14 June 2011 through 13 June 2013. PASSED.
33. MOTION: To nominate Nancy Forst Williamson to the member-elected seat on NATAB effective 21 January 2011 through 31 December 2013. PASSED.
34. Discussed appointing a chair of the Policy Revision Subcommittee to replace the Executive Director who currently has responsibility.
35. MOTION by Rob “Move to adopt the Continuing Competence Policy as follows:
Continuing Competence Policy
Ends
It is the vision of the FELDENKRAIS GUILD that all certified practitioners be highly competent in their practice of the FELDENKRAIS METHOD;
Continuing Professional Practice Requirements
Each practitioner certified by the FELDENKRAIS GUILD is required, at least annually, to certify that she/he engaged in at least 100 hours (prorated for periods less than one year) of professional practice of the FELDENKRAIS METHOD.
No professional practice hours are required for:
• Initial certification
• Provisional certification or
• Practitioners with 20 cumulative years of certification
Continuing Competence Plan
Reflective Practice is “the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in a process of continuous learning,” which, according to the originator of the term, is “one of the defining characteristics of professional practice1”. 1Schön, D. (1983) The Reflective Practitioner, How Professionals Think In Action, Basic Books.
Using a reflective practice approach, each practitioner certified by the FELDENKRAIS GUILD is required, at least annually, to:
• reflect on the plan of the previous year and certify that she/he has completed it (where applicable)
• complete a self-assessment based on the International Feldenkrais® Federation (IFF) Competency Profile
• identify learning needs
• write a plan which includes at least twenty hours of learning
• certify that she/he intends to implement the current plan
Practitioners will retain copies of their plans for three years. FGNA reserves the right to review a practitioner’s plans.
Exemptions
Practitioners with twenty cumulative years or more of practice are exempt from Continuing Competence Plan requirements.
Limitations
For the purposes of this policy, where “Guild” is mentioned in the IFF Competency Profile, it is intended to refer to FGNA.
The Executive Director has the authority to grant waivers.
Effective for practitioners certifying for January 1, 2013, and later.
END OF POLICY”
36. Reflected on Board process at this In-Person meeting and expressed appreciation for individual roles in the planning and execution of the meeting.
September 6, 2011, Teleconference
1. Board members engaged in Appreciative Inquiry process.
2. Finalized date of In-Person Meeting as February 1 to 5, 2012 after online vote by Board members. Meeting will be held at Elinor Silverstein’s house.
3. Reviewed FGNA BOD priorities from 2011, Member Survey Results, in preparation for setting 2012 priorities. Discussed options for increasing participation in member feedback. Discussed how to grow participation in the Method. Rob will create an online discussion process to finalize the 2012 priorities.
4. Motion: To hold election in 2011 for two trainer seats to the NATAB, with terms of 1/1/2012-12/31/2012 and 1/1/2012-12/31/2013, in order to re-establish terms as required by Board policies E2.2.1.2 and E2.2.1.12. PASSED.
5. Motion: To appoint Susan Marshall as the Executive Director to be Acting Secretary solely for the purpose of authorizing her to change signers on all bank accounts located at Chase Bank and owned by the Feldenkrais Guild of North America and to report the same to Chase Bank as the Acting Secretary. PASSED.
6. Jaclyn Boone will Chair the Policy Review Committee, a standing BOD subcommittee. Gisele St. Hilaire, Susan Marshall, Dwight Pargee, Rob Black, and Vita Kolodny will be on the committee. Of immediate concern for this Committee is updating the Executive Limitations.
7. Executive Director provided her report to the BOD.
8. MOTION: To approve Agreement for Employment between The Feldenkrais Guild® (“the Guild”) and Susan M. Marshall (“the Executive Director”) - Amendment #1.” PASSED.
9. Discussed options for Personnel Committee configuration.
<Back
Save the Dates!
Join us in the San Francisco Bay Area
Research Symposium:
Thursday, August 30 - Friday, August 31, 2012
Feldenkrais Method® Conference
Friday, August 31 - Wednesday, September 5, 2012
<Back
The Quality without a Name
Mischul Brownstone, GCFP
In attempting to describe my experience of this year’s conference, the phrase of the architect-philosopher Christopher Alexander “the quality without a name1,” keeps coming up.
The workshops I attended were stimulating and satisfying. It was wonderful to re-connect with old friends and acquaintances from my training in Amherst, as well as those I’ve met through the years. I taught what I love - “Language of Touch for Feldenkrais® Practitioners” - to a very receptive audience. I became aware that our Guild Executive Director, Staff and Board of Directors were doing a very good job, taking care of business very competently and with heart. David Kaetz’s presentation of Moshe’s youthful writings broadened my understanding of Moshe’s humanity and the influence of his early environment and culture. The panel on “How the Feldenkrais Method® has Evolved,” led to interesting discussions about our community and the direction of the Method’s development since Dr. Feldenkrais’ death and into the future.
The conference was interesting and thought provoking. It was well run. Relationships were nourished and new ones formed. Donna Blank commented to me about the sense of community she felt and that “something was in the air.”
During the panel discussion, David Zemach-Bersin talked about how Moshe “understood something deeply profound about how life works.” David’s words speak to my experience of Moshe as well. Something is being transmitted through Moshe and his work that inspires and contributes to our aliveness, our curiosity. Ned Dwelle commented, “Curiosity generates life. Life comes from life.”
Yet something remains elusive, both about the conference and our Method. Life cannot be reduced to a sentence, a formula. But the sharing of our experiences and the expression of our ideas is an essential part of life. Something is going on: “the quality without a name.”
The Keynote Panel members were Donna Blank (1983), Ned Dwelle (1977), Larry Goldfarb (1983), Elinor Silverstein (1983), David Zemach-Bersin (1977) with Dwight Pargee (1996) moderating. I highly recommend that you watch the videos of the panel that the Guild will soon be making available. Below, I am paraphrasing and quoting the panelists, mindful that communicating an idea without the context of the story it was told in may not do justice to what was being conveyed.
What we shared is that we’ve all been touched and inspired by the Feldenkrais Method in a way that sustains, even demands, our involvement. The particulars of our attraction to and experience of the Method varied greatly. Donna found it interesting and rare to be expressing our different perceptions of our experience of the Method in a forum as public as the panel.
I consider it a sign of our increasing maturity as a community that we can listen, accept and appreciate our different understandings of and insights into what the Method is. As David Kaetz so beautifully writes in his book, Making Connections: Hasidic Roots and Resonance in the Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais2:
“In front of scientists Moshe was a scientist’s scientist. …. There is clearly more going on in Moshe’s teachings, and manner of teaching than anything pure science would deign to embrace. …. there are those for whom the Feldenkrais Method is a well-differentiated path to freedom and wholeness. …. One might … prefer to imagine the Method as terribly elegant physiotherapy. Another might see it as a technique to enhance performance. Another might imagine it as a new approach to human learning. And another might see it as a path of dialogue, a way of entering the present without any baggage. …. Embracing them all, we may get some idea of the vastness of it [the Method].”
To the question, how did Moshe affect you personally, Ned responded: One aspect of Moshe that was for me personally very important, I experienced him as both highly competent in a field that was new to me and I experienced something that I had not experienced in very competent people in other fields.
He seemed to be very conscious of where his borders were. He used to always tell us that the only person you can actually control is yourself. I experienced Moshe Feldenkrais in his movement and in his organization.
Another part that so touched me about Moshe was experiencing his vulnerability. There was never a sense of him not letting his vulnerability be present. I experienced his vulnerability as part of his great humanness and strength. This guy always showed, to me personally, a deep respect of me—as an individual and as a worthwhile human being.
A major theme of the panel was the evolution of the Method in Moshe’s lifetime. From his first assistant Mia’s training, to the thirteen Israeli’s he trained in the late 60’s, and then the Esalen, Berkeley, San Francisco and Amherst trainings.
David commented: SF had a structural approach and Amherst was much more process orientated.” “In those few years [between SF and Amherst] Moshe changed radically. In his potency, in relation to the work, his confidence.
Larry: Every training was different. Every training was a disjuncture and a new beginning. I don’t think he was one to so much incorporate from the last time. It was just a new adventure. A new experiment. They really are different styles.
Donna’s thoughts were: Amherst was a very phenomenological training. Therefore, our perceptions of what the work is varies. This is important to our future, because there are really quite different perceptions and that doesn’t mean that one is right and one is wrong. Moshe was very process-oriented and I’m interested in how much it had to do with his resonance with us. It wasn’t just experimenting on us like we were lab rats, but that he was responding to us. And that creates a very different field of awareness when that resonance is at work. It’s very non-linear and sometimes synergistic things happen.
I just watched the [Amherst] prayer lesson. Nobody is doing the same thing in that room, yet everybody is in that lesson. I think he was in a field of resonance with everyone. He didn’t care what my name was or how you felt. It wasn’t anything personal at that level, but there was another level at which we were one.
Elinor had this to say: It didn’t stop at Amherst. Post-Amherst he still lived a couple more years. And his work changed, it morphed dramatically. As time went on and it became more difficult for his body, his work morphed again. It became emotional, it became more – please accept my apologies on my word usage – but more psychic orientated, and I don’t mean psychic as in psychic. I’m trying to come up with a word. Meaning that he was really spiritual, intuitive, but he was connecting with everybody on a completely additional level that scientifically he never gave himself the permission to do before, out loud.
I asked him: Where do you think this work is going to go? Do you ever think that anyone will be better than you?
He said that of course people will be better than him, because if he did his job teaching, and he felt that he did - that people would continue to further the work.
I said, do you think it will be exactly the same as this?
He said: Well, if it is, I didn’t do the job and they didn’t get what I was teaching them. So, here’s your permission to use your own handwriting in the way you do this work.
Larry responded: For me the best example of that is the recordings of the ATMs from the ATM book. They’re not really the same as the book. So he couldn’t repeat himself. So if we’re repeating him, then we can’t be practicing his Method. Yet, there’s a Method. So the question is, what’s the Method, if it’s not repeating what the person does? That’s the thing that’s really interesting. There still is a Method that we can recognize.
Elinor: In that Method is a thinking. It’s for you to go down inside yourself and pull up that thinking. That’s what he challenges everybody to do. That’s why I call it the Feldenkrais Philosophy. It’s the Feldenkrais thinking.
Ned closed his remarks with: “We grow, we develop, when we inspire other people.”
I’ve been ruminating on this idea since the conference. I’m finding that when I let myself notice that I’m inspiring another person it opens something in me, giving me a larger space in which to live and the potential to connect more deeply with life and others. And to turn it around, it’s also true that when we grow, we inspire others by our example.
So the rhetorical question is, where does the Feldenkrais Method go from here? What’s our future? Since it’s unlikely that a single person can encompass the breath and depth of what we’ve been so fortunate to inherit, how do we as a community carry our evolution forward?
There’s no guarantee that we won’t go down some narrow road, especially with the economic and social forces that operate and the cultural imperative to be “successful” and grow. It’ll be up to us to keep our rich multifaceted potential alive. To grow qualitatively as well as quantitatively and to think outside the limitations we may be placing on ourselves.
The panel brought alive a discussion in public, about our evolution, about our core principles, about what has profoundly affected our lives. I look forward to participating in this continuing discussion and to our conference next year in the San Francisco Bay Area.
1. Christopher Alexander, The Timeless Way of Building (New York: Oxford University Press, 1979), 19-40.
2. David Kaetz, Making Connections: Hasidic Roots and Resonance in the Teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais (Metchosin: River Centre Publishing, 2007), 11-12.
<Back
New Policies & Guidelines: Service Mark, Certification Mark & Trademark
Carla Feinstein, Service mark Administrator
As of September 19, 2011, FGNA has a new service mark policy and with it, updated the guidelines.
What’s New?
ATM®
FGNA has acquired a new service mark! ATM® is now registered and as such, must follow the rules for service mark use, including differentiating it from the rest of the text and including a ® after its first, or most prominent use.
FIsm
Also a service marked term, now FI must have the SM after its first or most prominent use. FI must also be differentiated throughout from the surrounding text.
Footnote Rule
You are now required, except when it’s not possible due to space constraints, to include a statement acknowledging FGNA’s ownership of the service and/or certification marks used.
Questions?
Download the new policy and guidelines. If you still have questions, call or email us. Additionally, the Guild will provide you with a free service mark check on any document, email, advertisement, or publication, upon request.
We look forward to serving you!
<Back
2012 Membership Drive
2012 is shaping up to be a banner year for FGNA:
-The new FGNA website will be up and running
-The 2012 Annual Conference is being held in the Bay Area in celebration of Moshe’s San Francisco Training
-We will be educating our members regarding the new Continuing Competency Policy
-We’ll be celebrating the third annual Feldenkrais® Week
By renewing as a professional member, your joining the excitement! Members receive a discount on their conference registration, have the chance to volunteer with other local practitioners in promoting the Method and are able to advertise themselves and their classes on the FGNA website.
<Back
Volunteer Awards
Bonnie Humiston was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Annual Meeting. Bonnie has been instrumental to FGNA since the early days of the Guild.
Congratulations, Bonnie.
Jane Johnston was awarded the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award at the 2011 Annual Meeting, as she was unable to receive the award in person in 2010.
Congratulations, Jane.
Richard Newton was awarded the 2011 FGNA Volunteer of the Year Award. Richard was a Regional Representative for the New York Region for three years and contributed a great deal of time an energy towards creating a foundation for the first Feldenkrais® Week.
Congratulations, Richard.
<Back
Thank You, Michael Purcell
Andrea Wiener,GCFP
Michael Purcell’s last day as National Regulation Coordinator was May 31, 2011.
We were very fortunate to have had Michael’s steadfast leadership and incredible commitment to FGNA’s Regulation Program for nearly twenty years, fifteen of which he served as FGNA’s National Regulation Coordinator.
Michael was instrumental in drafting the FGNA Position Statement on Regulation, which has guided our regulation program since 1996. Though Michael’s leadership, statutes in twenty states and the District of Columbia include provisions that explicitly or implicitly exempt the Feldenkrais Method® from regulation under massage statute.
Michael developed cooperative relationships with colleagues in the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations. Through participation in the Federation’s Joint Governmental Relations Committee, Michael contributed to the development of a legislative packet that provides model language for exempting the Feldenkrais Method and other practices, and that serves as a guide to volunteers in creating coalitions to successfully prepare legislation that meets the needs of diverse professions.
Any successful effort has relied heavily on volunteer initiative. Michael has a gift for encouraging volunteers in the regulatory arena. He’s provided volunteers with information and support, greatly contributing to the success of their efforts.
Here’s what a few people who’ve worked with Michael over the years have to say:
Our Regulation Program is a success due to the contributions of many people, but we owe special thanks to Michael for his many years of commitment to the creation and development of this strong program. – Andrea Wiener
Because of the work that Michael has done, Feldenkrais® practitioners all over the United States are free to practice the Method without regulation and without the burdensome additional costs of massage training and fees. When New York was in the throes of battling the state Massage Board, Michael was a rock. He was always available with advice and strategizing, always ready to review documents and plan tactics. With his help we created a binder explaining the process of training Feldenkrais practitioners, a video demonstrating FI and prepared for two public meetings with the Massage Board, one of which included a live FI demonstration. Michael put in hundreds of hours of work for New York and I know he did the same for other states. He has been the staunchest champion we could have had. He will be missed in his position as National Regulation Coordinator but he has laid the groundwork for any additional work that needs to be done. And I hope you enjoy your free time, Michael! – Kira Charles
Michael’s knowledge in regulatory issues is amazing. As this whole area of laws, regulations and the legislative process in itself was not of any interest to me, I resented it and resisted getting involved. I could not have worked on behalf of the Feldenkrais Method without Michael’s support and guidance. His patience in explaining contexts and processes was extraordinary. He also had a very keen eye (or ear) to pinpoint when things got off track and needed attention. Without Michael’s support, New Mexico would not have a law exempting us from massage regulation. Many thanks to you, Michael. – Cornelia Sachs
During the four-year process of achieving massage therapy legislation here in Montana (2005-2009), Michael was everything that has already been said by both Kim (in New York) and Cornelia (in New Mexico), and more. During the long process here in Montana some of the Federation’s member groups had no one in Montana to represent them, so I volunteered to watch out for them as well, while standing in place for our own Feldenkrais’ interests. Because of this, I took part in a number of phone meetings and email discussions with those groups’ JGRC reps, which revealed to me how much Michael knew, how well he spoke among them, and how much he was respected by his fellow Federation JGRC members. The strength of the coalition was the leverage that helped us through the legislative issues. I was able to stand strong and consistent in requiring the unadulterated use of the exemption language that has been carefully developed by the Federation. Thank you, Michael. We could not have succeeded as well as we did without your finesse and expertise. – Celeste River
<Back
Can't be clear about your work? Join the Club!
Gabrielle Pullen, GCFP
My father, John Milnor, has been designated the 2011 recipient of the $1 Million Abel Prize from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters for “pioneering discoveries in topology, geometry and algebra.” Over the years, I have asked him to describe some of his research, but never gotten a straight answer. When pressed, he’s said that it has to do with how spheres behave differently in seven dimensional space. Hhn? Then he changes the subject, or says things that I CAN relate to like, “The human brain is amazingly able to tackle all sorts of things.” Our communication is pretty devoid of common ground, I’m afraid.
A professor at Stony Brook University, New York, he has written sixteen books in theoretical mathematics and is noted for being adept at making these concepts accessible to other mathematicians. Unfortunately, it’s hard to make them easy for the rest of us to understand. Sound familiar? Going to a party for mathematicians may well be akin to being the only non-Feldenkrais® person at a Feldenkrais party. We, too, like to study shapes whose properties aren’t changed by twisting, but retain their original identity. And we also speak a language all our own.
When he first showed me a picture of a fractal pattern which he had generated by putting an algorithm into a computer (I think that was the over-simplified explanation), I wondered what the practical significance of this could be given the state of the world at the time. He didn’t go into the principle of self-similarity which stipulates that, under magnification, any small part of the image is quasi-self-similar: a smaller, slightly different version of itself. Now I get the connection between this idea as a metaphor for how we work with any part of the Self in Feldenkrais, and the idea that how we move is a representation of how we do everything. Improve even the smallest function and the global function will be similarly affected.
You can imagine that my ears perked up decidedly when, in my Feldenrkrais training, Yvan Joly started on about chaos theory and the butterfly effect in the middle of an ATM. There I was, relaxed, present in my body, minding my own business, and this work that my Dad does pops up as a topic related to the Feldenkrais Method®. The butterfly effect? What did that have to do with ATM and how does Chaos Theory relate? The butterfly effect is in reference to sensitive dependence on initial conditions - like the initiation of movement. It’s a layman’s way of referencing any dynamic system sensitive to initial conditions that may influence the outcome in completely diverse and unexpected ways if the inception is changed by only a small degree.
What’s that you say? Give your average race horse an FI before the race, and chances are, you can influence the outcome of the race. An increase in the range of motion at the shoulder could translate to a huge increase in length of stride at the other end. (This makes me wonder why large numbers of Feldenkrais practitioners are not meeting at the race track to place that wager.) But back to higher math. When I make these kinds of comparisons between math and the Feldenkrais Method in front of my father, I get a pat on the head. According to popular interpretation, chaos theory does have inferences in physics, economics and philosophy. But he claims it’s not the same thing. It’s like using quantum physics to explain consciousness: New Age jargon. Who am I to contradict my own father, the expert?
Never mind that that stuff relates to the Feldenkrais Method too: remember the concept that what is observed is in fact affected by the outside participation of the observer? Hence all scientific study is a result of the interaction between the two and is there for not objective at all. There IS no such thing as an entirely objective experiment - which tends to confirm the methodology of ATM as a valid means of self-understanding since it, too, is entirely subjective.
But for every discipline with it’s own paradigm, language is key. Chaos Theory studies the behavior of ‘dynamical systems’ that are highly sensitive to initial conditions. With the Feldenkrais Method, we think of the living organism as a ‘dynamic system,’ the Nervous System as affecting the whole not just it’s individual parts. In math, a dynamical system refers to a rule that describes the time dependence of a point’s position in ambient space. This couldn’t possibly have something to do with how the brain calibrates coordination could it?
Then there’s the issue of what remains invariant. In math, it refers to objects that remain unchanged when transformations (theorems) of a certain type are applied. In ATM, we use the framework of a lesson to provide variations on the Sense of Self that remains constant and becomes stronger the more it’s exposed to the chance to discern the difference between what is variant and what is invariant. In other words, we help people strengthen their Sense of Self by providing safe ways to negotiate the unknown and spontaneously come up with their own unique solutions to life’s inevitable series of changes and challenges.
I remember the first time I tried to have one of these conversations with my Dad. Confidently naive, and happy to have some borderline topic we might be able to converse intelligently about, I said, “So tell me about ‘integration,’ what does that mean in mathematics?” I got a blank look. Then he said the equivalent of ‘Go ask your mother, dear.’ He told me to ask my step mother, Dusa McDuff, also a math professor at Stony Brook. “She’s better at calculus than I am,” he said. Well apparently, integration IS an important concept in math. Together with differentiation, it’s one of the two main operations in calculus. “‘An operation’ - is that like a ‘function?” I wondered. Did I imagine that she rolled her eyes? “No, no” she said. Then she went off on a tangent about integrals, variables and intervals that lost me altogether. So, alas, I still live with the mystery of it all, the search for comfort in a state of not knowing; but at least it’s one that can keep my entertained for life, comfortable in my body and is very, very practical!
<Back
Summary of Feldenkrais Guild® of North America Board of Directors Meetings
Dale Jensen, GCFP, FGNA Board Secretary
January 13, 2011, Teleconference
1. MOTION: Move to approve the agenda. PASSED.
2. Board members engaged in an Appreciate Inquiry exercise.
3. MOTION: Move to approve the Minutes from the December 8, 2010 FGNA BOD meeting. PASSED.
4. MOTION: Move to approve the Minutes from the Board of Directors Meeting, Online Vote which began December 18, 2010 and ended December 20, 2010. PASSED.
5. MOTION: Move to approve the Minutes from the Board of Directors, Online Vote to accept the 2010 budget, which began December 28, 2010 and ended December 30, 2010. PASSED.
6. Board members discussed the “2011 FGNA Board Priorities” document.
7. MOTION: Move to accept the 2011 FGNA Board Priorities as follows:
*Develop a vision and programs for organizational Continuing Competence
*Support practitioner development/competency
*Continue to develop an attractive and technically capable web site
*Continue to improve organizational viability and financial stability of FGNA
*Promote and support sustainable volunteerism
*Strengthen and clarify intellectual property rights. PASSED.
7. An update was provided on the Policy Revision Project.
8. An update on documenting the Continuing Competency project was provided.
9. Board members discussed the 2006 NATAB Proposal to separate certification from graduation.
10. Agenda items for the February In-person meeting were discussed.
11. Susan Marshall provided the Executive Director Report.
February 17, In-Person Meeting, Capitola, CA
1. February In-Person Board meeting is called to order by Dwight Pargee.
2. Reviewed agenda for the day and the entire meeting.
3. Board members participated in a personality type (Meyer’s Briggs) exercise led by Executive Director.
4. Historical perspective on policy governance was presented and discussed.
5. Executive Director provided a review of membership as well as aspects of FGNA financial management.
6. Board members watched a video presentation by John Carver on his Policy Governance model and discussed applications for the FGNA Board.
7. Executive Director provided a six month self-review.
8. Finance Committee function and responsibilities were discussed.
9. MOTION: That the Executive Limitations document will be reviewed and revised in consultation with the Executive Director by the end of the Summer 2011 Board In-Person Meeting. PASSED.
10. Susan reviewed Board and Executive Director roles and responsibilities.
11. Board discussed example of member dissatisfaction and how to respond.
12. Board members reviewed the new FGNA website design treatments.
Friday, February 18, Capitola, CA
13. Idea presented an to improve Board access to various metrics.
14. FGNA Board Google website was presented.
15. Board members reviewed and discussed the By Laws document - “0. Bylaws 2008_07.doc.”
16. Reviewed Board Process, using document A_Board Process20101201DRAFT.doc.
17. Reviewed “A1.8 Bare Minimum Participation policy.” Discussion about BOD meeting scheduling communications.
18. Email communication between individual directors, the entire BOD and ED was discussed.
19. Reviewed “A1.9_Conflict_of_Interest_1997.doc.”
20. Reviewed “A2.1_BOD_Job_Description199907.doc.”
21. Reviewed “A2.2_President_Job_Desc_199907.doc.”
22. Reviewed “A2.3_First_VP_Job_Desc_199907.doc.”
23. Reviewed “A2.4_Secretary_Job_Desc_199907.doc.”
24. Reviewed “A2.5_Treasurer_Job_Desc199907.doc.”
25. Reviewed “A2.6_Director_Job_Desc_1998.doc.”
26. Executive Director reviewed the Metrics spreadsheet.
27-32. Executive Director presented Report on membership, finances, publications, and regulation.
33. Executive Director continued presentation of ED Report with details on website funding options, conference update, CORR update and FEFNA update.
34. MOTION: That the BOD Meeting 2011 Schedule is amended as follows: March 2, 6 PM PT; April 6, 6 PM PT; May 5, 7 AM PT; June 8, 6 PM PT; In-Person Meeting July 14-16. TABLED until the end of the retreat at which point decision will be made whether to meet in March.
35. Discussed sending representatives to IFF Assembly in Switzerland.
36. Discussed role of IFF in perspective of FGNA.
37. Discussed whether to present or suggest a topic at IFF assembly.
38. Clarification was provided by President regarding his roles in work for FGNA and the IFF.
39. Vice-president detailed her roles as Interim Chair of the IFF Archive and the Secretary of the IFF DC Board.
40. Secretary detailed his work for the IFF Archive and IFF DC on digitizing Amherst FI videos and investigating methods of distribution.
41. Discussed value of FGNA paying dues to IFF.
42. Discussion about FGNA proposing a project to IFF or requesting additional information from IFF about ongoing projects.
43. Discussion about who to represent FGNA at the IFF meeting in May 2011.
Saturday, February 19, Capitola, CA
44. Discussed proposed Continuing Competency policy.
45. Continuation of discussion regarding proposed Continuing Competency policy.
46. Discussed proposal to separate graduation from certification.
47. Discussion about whether to make a motion about creating a task force to move proposal to separate graduation from certification forward.
48. BOD read through policy “A4.2 regarding Task Force and Ad Hoc Committee formation.”
49. Discussion about how to fund a committee to work on separating certification from graduation.
50. Discussion about whether Executive Director should be included in in-person meetings.
51. Board members discussed whether to pursue Separating Certification from Graduation as a priority at this time. Board members discussed this as a long-term investment.
52. Board members agreed to do further research between this meeting and the March Regular Board Meeting to determine how to proceed with Task Force to separate Certification from Graduation formation.
53. Friendly Amendment of MOTION: That the BOD Meeting 2011 Schedule is amended as follows: March 4, 7 AM - 9 AM PT; April 6, 6 PM PT; May 12, 7 AM PT; June 8, 6 PM PT; In-Person Meeting July 14-16. PASSED.
54. MOTION: That we appoint Chrish Kresge, Rob Black, and Keith Johnson to be the FGNA reps at the 2011 IFF Assembly in May 2011. PASSED.
55. MOTION: That Policy E2.4.2.2, ‘Guidelines for the Use of The FELDENKRAIS GUILD® Service Marks’ be removed as an FGNA BOD policy. PASSED.
56. MOTION: That Policy E2.4.1, ‘Service Marks’, be removed as an FGNA BOD Policy. PASSED.
57. Discussion that E2.4.2.3 and E2.4.2.4 need to be revised by the Policy Review Committee.
58. MOTION: That Policy E1.3.1 ‘MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES AND FEES’ be removed as an FGNA BOD policy. PASSED.
59. MOTION: That Policies E1.6.4.3 ‘Newsletter Editorial Policy’, E1.6.4.5 ‘Use of Database Policy’, E1.6.4.6 ‘Label Policy and Order Form’, E1.6.4.7 ‘Video Rental Policy and Order Form’, and E1.6.4.8 ‘Resources’ be removed as FGNA BOD Policies. PASSED.
60. MOTION: That Policy E1.6.4.4 ‘Web Policy’ be removed as an FGNA BOD Policy. PASSED.
61. MOTION: That Policy E1.5.2 ‘Elections Protocol’ be removed as an FGNA BOD policy. PASSED.
March 10, 2011, Teleconference
1. MOTION: Adopt the IFF Competency Profile. PASSED.
2. MOTION: To adopt the Policy on Continuing Competence.
3. Board members continued the process of crafting the language of the proposed Policy on Continuing Competence.
4. Board members discussed options for the Guild Forum at the 2011 FGNA conference.
March 13, 2011 to March 16, 2011, Online Vote
MOTION: To approve the proposal of two items for IFF Assembly topics (identified in the Board Agenda, 2011-03-10, Item #3) and that these items be sent to the IFF Board.
Items for IFF Assembly:
1. Member organizations hear from their members questioning the involvement in, and amount of dues to the IFF. In order for members of member organizations to feel that the IFF is relevant, it is recommended that the IFF to produce a hands-on Newsletter. This newsletter could be distributed by member organizations to their members. Secondly, it is recommended that the IFF use its website tools to send regular, short notes to those who are registered.
2. Practitioners from around the world are coming to North America to practice, either for a short term, or to stay. Our policy is that, in order to use the Service Marks, practitioners must be graduates from a TAB-Accredited training or have completed the EuroTAB…. Practitioners new to North America often do not know about these rules and may not have brought documentation supporting their requests for certification in North America. FGNA proposes that the IFF coordinate a database of members of member organizations, which would allow a look-up, which would simplify and streamline the process. Such a database may be helpful for other member organizations. PASSED.
April 6, 2011, Teleconference
1. Discussed logistics of In-Person Board meeting at the FGNA Conference in July.
2. Continued discussion on developing Continuing Competence policy.
3. Susan Marshall reported on remaining FEFNA debt.
4. MOTION: That the BOD accept the following FGNA financial statements as presented to the BOD by the Executive Director: 2010 Balance Sheet and 2010 Profit and Loss Statement as presented and that we direct her to forward them to the accountants to serve as the basis for determining final adjusting entries including depreciation and a write-off of $20,657.76 (remaining amount of 2008 FEFNA debt) an adjustment to the 2010 FEFNA invoice to eliminate charging for fixed costs of $8,414.18, and other minor changes as are needed to insure accuracy in order to file federal and state tax returns. PASSED.
5. Executive Director Report on metrics, membership, plans to increase income, financial report, publications, regulation, FGNA participation in the Federation Meeting in Boulder, CO, database/website revision progress and annual conference update, Feldenkrais Week, NATAB and FEFNA projects.
6. MOTION: That the Board revoke E2.4.2.3 Policy by Board Motion 4/19/2005: To prohibit the use of FGNA service marks to describe services not sponsored by, affiliated with or endorsed by FGNA. PASSED.
<Back
Hidden Simplicity: The Elegance of the Feldenkrais Method
Mary Morrison, GCFP
“....this is a system of questions, it is not a system of answers.” -Mia Segal
How a pair of ideas have revolutionized my practice.
I graduated from my Feldenkrais® Professional training knowing that I loved practicing the Feldenkrais Method. I’d been through such far-reaching personal transformations and I was excited to begin facilitating experiences for others. There was something obscure though, that I kept coming up against. After taking time to reflect, I realized that I was sensing an obstacle of some kind and that underlying this sensing, there was a thought: “Actually, I don’t think I really know what I am doing.”
I was finding that I was clumsy in my ability to inspire and guide others in their process. I was met resistance when I talked with people about our work and when I worked with them directly. The Feldenkrais Method remained somewhat of an intangible and mysterious practice. How could I bridge this connection between my process and the process of my students more clearly?
If I really didn’t know what I was doing, then one obvious solution would be to learn more! If I truly did know what I was doing and was somehow confused about this, then maybe, I simply needed to get started and begin working with people. These two intertwining paths became my journey and over the next two years my teaching improved dramatically.
I took a big first step after hearing that Mia Segal was going to be giving a two day workshop as part of the 2009 Feldenkrais Method Annual Conference. I knew very little about her, only that she had worked with Moshe for many years. That was just enough to pique my curiosity. I was inspired to find out who she was and how she taught. I signed up.
On the first day, during the first few minutes of the first ATM, a gem, of what was to be a long string of gems, shined out for me:
“You learn through differences only.” So simple and so profound. I reflected on how many times in my training I had watched demonstrations quizzically, not wanting to admit that I was unable to see these elusive differences. Students I was working with, mostly my friends at the time, were not experiencing them either. Many times after an ATM, I often knew something was different but I wasn’t sure what, exactly, I was experiencing differently.
This was it. This was where to begin! I needed to find out how to truly experience differences and effectively create this experience for another. That’s all, just that one thing, for now, at least.
So, what did I need to do differently?
Later that day the first tool in my new tool kit dropped in my lap: clearly and precisely observe myself and others through asking questions.
During the workshop three people were asked to lie down, just as you would in a scan at the beginning of an ATM, so the rest of us could observe the differences in the way they were lying.
How did they choose to lie on the floor?
What were the differences between the way each one was lying?
What parts of themselves did they sense contacting the floor?
What were the differences between each person and what was the difference between each side of each person?
The people on the floor were then asked to do a small piece of the ATM we had all just finished. This way we could continue to observe how they moved differently from one another.
“Where are they moving and where are they not moving? How do you know that what you see is true? If you put your hands there, is what you sense the same as what you see?”
I thought, what?! I don’t have to do anything more than use my senses to find out what it is like for them? This is not about me doing something?
“If you can see and sense how they are moving then, what are they sensing?
Recently, Mia told the story of the first time she observed Moshe giving a lesson. It was an amazing lesson, she had never seen anything like it in her years as an Alexander Technique teacher and at the end of it he asked her if she had any questions. She said, “Well, actually, you don’t have time now, I’ve got many questions but there is somebody else waiting outside, so I won’t ask now.”
He replied, “If you know the question, it will take one minute.”*
She said that this was the best lesson he ever gave her.
By incorporating precise, clearly formulated questions into my practice I am observing and sensing tangible differences. My students are sensing differences and leaving from their lessons happily knowing what they are learning and how to ask themselves questions!
“These ATM’s are really powerful and you can take a piece of them and change somebodies life.”
Through asking questions with our voices and our hands we can go deeply into each ATM and each Functional Integration® lesson. I’m finding that by breaking ATMs into smaller pieces, students are able to grasp the essence of lessons more quickly and their learning process expands. Each lesson is a profound experience that they can take with them. How does one go more deeply? Through creating an environment of natural, organic learning which includes, exploration, curiosity, options, choices, and new experiences.
“The movement is only an excuse or an opportunity to find out more about yourself. How are you doing the movement? What stops you from going a little further? Who stops you from going a little further?”
By asking questions with clarity and precision of thought you can guide your students to understand their own way of thinking and moving. From there they can go a little further and find new directions and possibilities.
In practical terms, I have changed the format of my classes, lengthening them to ninety minutes. The conventional format seems to be: the students come in, find their places, do the lesson and leave. I have never found this very satisfactory. Creating community through interaction is, to me, essential for learning. With the longer format, there is time for the students to observe each other, even to follow each other’s movement with their hands, to share experiences and to ask questions.
“The whole thing is based on one big question mark and I think you will go on asking.”
All above quotes: Mia Segal
*except Mia Segal quoting Moshe Feldenkrais
“I believe that knowing oneself is the most important thing a human being can do for himself. How can one know oneself? By learning to act not as one should but as one does. We have great difficulty in sorting out what we do as we should from what we want to do with ourselves.”
—Moshe Feldenkrais from The Elusive Obvious
<Back
Annoucing the new Feldenkrais Journal Editor & Assistant Editor
Feldenkrais Journal Editor Katrin Smithback began her studies with Moshe Feldenkrais in 1980. She joined the Amherst Training on the basis of one ATM lesson, so it was love at first scan. Before that she worked as a naturalist, outdoor educator, and canoeing instructor, with a degree from the University of Wisconsin in German literature. She has always been fascinated by language and languages. As the Educational Director of the Tokyo 2 Feldenkrais® Training, she is now trying her hand (and tongue and brain) at learning Japanese. When not traveling and teaching in training programs, she lives in Santa Fe, NM, where she has maintained a Feldenkrais® practice for the past thirty years. She is also trying to maintain a garden, but it’s just not working out. She’s looking forward to working with Judy on the Feldenkrais Journal, and would like say to all those who have ever thought of writing an article for the Journal, now is a great time.
Feldenkrais Journal Assistant Editor Judy Windt, who lives in Menlo Park, California, received her certification in the Feldenkrais Method® in 2003. She began as an English major, earning her PhD at Stanford, and taught literature and writing for many years, followed by freelance work in medical writing and editing. At an age when many people think about winding down their careers, she was overjoyed to discover the world of somatics and the Feldenkrais Method. She teaches Awareness Through Movement® classes, where her love of language comes in handy, and maintains a small private practice.
Send 2011 Feldenkrais Journal articles to Judy at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thank you to The Journal Editor Search Committee:
Elizabeth Beringer (Chair), Gay Sweet Scott (past Editor), & Elaine Yoder (past asst. Editor)
<Back
New for Members: a newsletter template
Paulette Dolin, GCFP
A new benefit will be available soon to Guild members through “My Newsletter Builder” that will make it easier to promote your practice by sending professional looking communications. Guild members will be able to subscribe to “My Newsletter Builder” at a discounted rate and use the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education template free. There will also be access to photos and articles that can be shared, and the service mark info is built into the template.
Not sure this is for you? We Feldies love to explore our options, so a free trial will be available giving you an opportunity to try it out, use the template or create your own. There will be an opportunity to see and experiment with “My Newsletter Builder” (MNB) and the template this summer at Amherst and we’ll be scheduling Webinars so everyone can learn more about how to maximize this new member benefit.
This is the latest of the Council of Regional Representatives projects intended to offer marketing tools and resources for our members in an efficient and affordable way. Email newsletters are a great way to reach out and educate prospective and existing students. Practitioners can get their own subscription, or collaborate with others to make newsletters for a particular event, geographic area, or specialty. We hope you’ll surprise us with your ideas.
This project came about because some practitioners mentioned having difficulty creating a template the way they wanted using photos and sizing them properly. Learning would be too time consuming and hiring a designer could be expensive. It seemed like distributing the effort and sharing the expense would be a good way to create a template that would be available to members.
The template includes a banner with photos and a footer with Guild info. There are two versions, one with correct service marks for the US and one for Canada. The banner and footer are fixed, but the color background, articles and other features in the body of the newsletter are flexible.
Finishing touches are now being made on our MNB landing page, a web page just for Guild members to access features available only to us. As soon as it’s ready, we’ll send the information you need to get started, so you can see for yourself all the ways this service can help you market your practice! We want you to have more time to actually practice. Beyond the basic functions of the template, there is potential for collaboration, so let’s work together to promote the Feldenkrais Method to the public, each in our own unique way.
Look for an email announcement next month.
<Back
Search and Find:
Check out Feldy Notebook
Laura Yedwab
What is Feldy Notebook?
Feldy Notebook is the place to find, annotate, and share Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement® lessons. It is:
•A searchable catalog of ATMs enabling you to find the ATM you want.
•An resource created by the community for use by the community.
•A way to collect and share our insights about ATMs.
•A way to organize and relate ATMs together using tags, themes, and explicit links
A typical write-up of a lesson in Feldy Notebook includes factual information like the author, source, synopsis, and outline of the lesson. It also contains a section where people can share their understanding of the ATM and their personal experiences. Lessons can be browsed by source or searched for by keywords, text, and themes.
Who is Feldy Notebook for?
Feldy Notebook is for people interested in finding ATMs, deepening their understanding of ATMs, discussing ATMs, understanding the relationship between ATMs, or sharing their experiences and insights about ATMs.
Who can contribute to Feldy Notebook?
Anybody can contribute. To contribute, you first become a member of Wikispaces.com and then you join Feldy Notebook. Having joined, you are free to edit existing pages and create new pages. Feldy Notebook comes with a visual text editor, so editing a page is easy. Go ahead and try it!
How did Feldy Notebook come to be?
I’m in Jeff Haller’s Victoria II training. Last summer, I began to teach ATMs. To prepare for teaching an ATM, I would try to find two to three different sources for the ATM so I could experience how different teachers taught the lesson and/or how Moshe varied the lesson over time. I found the process unreasonably difficult. I have tons of material—all the Amherst Transcripts, the Victoria II training DVDs, the SF training transcripts, recording of the SF evening series, the ATM book, Alan Questel CDs, some of the Alexander Yanai volumes, and much, much more (see Figure 1). However, I had no simple way to search or cross-reference the material. In addition, I found it frustrating that there was no place I could learn more about the ATMs beyond the original transcripts.
So, in July of 2010, I decided to tackle the problem in a way that would help both me and the community as a whole. I started by reviewing the many different wiki systems that are commercially available.
In August, I chose wikispaces.com because it was inexpensive, had a visual text editor, and was hosted (meaning that wikispaces.com manages the server and storage). I created the basic layout of the site, the lesson template, and authored a number of ATM pages.
In September, I invited Lynette Reid to join the wiki. This, by far, was the smartest thing I did! Lynette has been an incredible contributor and collaborator.
The site is still in its infancy. Today, Feldy Notebook contains over 100 ATMs. My hope is that by this time next year, it will contain over 500.
How can you help?
There are a number of things you can do to help:
•Contribute: The notebook is only as valuable as the information in it. Even providing a simple synopsis of a lesson or sharing your experiences doing an ATM will help. The system keeps a complete history of every page, so you have no need to worry about messing up. Be bold. All changes can be undone.
•Provide feedback: What do you find confusing? What is missing? What is hard to do? There is a discussion forum on the home page for feedback (http://feldynotebook.wikispaces.com/) or you can email me directly.
•Spread the word: Tell your friends and colleagues.
•Link to the site: Update your own website to point to Feldy Notebook.
In closing, I would like to again thank Lynette for all her wonderful contributions and express my deep gratitude to Jeff Haller who has inspired me to deeply explore this material.
If you have any questions, please email me: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I would love to talk directly to you about Feldy Notebook.
<Back
Call for Nominations: Looking for a few good Volunteers
The Nominating Committee
Do you have ideas that might move our profession and organization forward? Then, volunteer and take an active role in advancing and supporting your professional organization. Consider where your skills could best meet FGNA’s needs. NOW is the time to create THIS YEAR’S ballot with a choice of candidates. Place yourself on the ballot, following the process outlined below. Or nominate an associate. The vibrancy and even viability of our organization depends on all of us.
The Nominating Committee identifies qualified nominees for open positions and presents a ballot at the Annual Meeting in Amherst in July, 2011. If you are interested in serving or know of potential candidates for these positions, please contact FGNA or a member of the Nominating Committee: Nancy Rosenthal (Schumacher) (Chair), Karen Dold, Phyllis Eveleigh, and Rosa Murnaghan.**
Nominations may also be made by any voting member at the Annual Meeting or through the FGNA office. Nominations close ten days after the Annual Meeting. In order to have names appear on the ballot, nominees must consent to serve and submit a completed Nomination Form. If you are suggesting someone, please ask them if they would like to be nominated prior to submitting their name(s).
Thank you to all who volunteer to serve FGNA!
Open Positions & Term
FGNA Board of Directors President
*Q3/2012 meeting – Q3/2014 meeting
(currently Rob Black)
FGNA Board of Directors Seat #2
*Q3/2012 meeting – Q3/2014 meeting
(currently Dwight Pargee)
FGNA Board of Directors Seat #3
*Q3/2012 meeting – Q3/2014 meeting
(currently Elinor Silverstein)
Nominating Committee Seat #3
1/1/2012– 12/31/2014
(currently Karen Dold)
Nominating Committee Seat #4
(appointed, not elected, position)
1/1/2011– 12/31/2012
(currently empty)
Grievance Board (three seats)
1/1/2012 – 12/31/2012
(currently Kathleen Cusick, John Quinn & Kathy Yates)
*Q3 refers to the Third Quarter meeting of the Board of Directors. Once elected, Directors-Elect will attend Board meetings and teleconference meetings beginning with the Q3/2011 meeting.
Member Advocate Program
The Member Advocate Program facilitates resolution of issues, outside the scope of the Ethics Committee, that arise for member practitioners within the Guild. (The Ethics Committee handles complaints regarding possible violations of Code of Professional Conduct and Standards of Practice). Member Advocates act as impartial fact-finders, problem-solvers and resource-brokers. They are advocates for the members and approach their task from this perspective.
Qualifications for Member Advocate include: Communication skills, integrity, organizational ability, and the ability to learn and understand organizational structure. Personal references are checked.
Although members do not make nominations for Member Advocates, the Nominating Committee welcomes your suggestions of suitable people for this position. Contact Nancy Rosenthal (Schumacher), Nominating Committee Chair, with your suggestions at: 516.295.1325 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Open Position & Term
Member Advocate Seat #3
1/01/2012– 1/12/2014
(currently Robyn Phillips)
Want to know about the time requirements, skills and expectations of FGNA Volunteers?
Go to: www.feldenkrais.com/profession/fgna/information_on_fgna_volunteer_positions
**TO NOMINATE: Please contact the Guild or the Nominating Committee Chair, Nancy Rosenthal (Schumacher) with nominations for the above positions. Nancy can be reached at 516.295.1325 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You can find out how to contact the other volunteers on the Nominating Committee at:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/profession/fgna/2011_fgna_volunteer_positions
To contact the Guild, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or send nomination to:
FGNA
Attention: Elections
5436 N. Albini Ave.
Portland, OR 97217
<Back
Summer 2011
Do to a fluke in our system, I am unable to alter the season of this In Touch Issue. The issue actually covers Spring/Summer 2011, not just Summer.
There are two options for reading In Touch.
You can read it online: http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/archive/2011/06/
You can also download a “Printable PDF” (Adobe Acrobat is required), and print it out. We know there are many members who like to have a paper version and the PDF file is the most cost-effective way for us to do this.
http://www.feldenkrais.com/content/intouch/pdf_archive/
<Back
President's Letter
Rob Black, GCFP, FGNA Board President
June, 2011
We, the Feldenkrais® community, are at a junction. What is undeniable is that we cannot, and will not, stay the same. Change happens, will happen and already has happened. How we act now, either consciously or otherwise, profoundly affects our collective future.
The junction that I have been attending to is the degree to which members are participating in their membership organizations. Representatives from our Council of Regional Representatives have been telling the Board of Directors that there are fewer practitioners stepping forward to participate at the local level. I am also hearing from membership organizations in the United States and from Feldenkrais organizations around the world that practitioners are less engaged in their membership organization. Internationally, I have heard similar comments from member organizations.
Change is happening, a movement toward apathy, toward non-movement. Thus, I have been investigating how other communities have dealt with this. What I am hearing, over and over again, is that a way to look at this question is through community, developing community. Think about our history. How did you come to your decision to take a Feldenkrais training? The Feldenkrais Method® took off in North America in the 1970’s one person at a time, one conversation at a time. It was about connection, about freedom, about possibilities. Discovering our unavowed dreams. Our passion.
There are some great, new ideas about social change. Writers like Diana Whitney, (Keynote at the 2009 FGNA Conference) who started the movement on, and has written extensively about, Appreciative Inquiry, Paul Born, who wrote Community Conversation, and Meg Wheatley. It is very inspirational and interconnected reading. For example, when Paul Born hears that a community wants to learn about itself, he has them do an Appreciative Inquiry. Paul is an inspiring speaker. At a recent keynote at a small college, he had the staff and faculty spellbound with his stories and experiences with social change.
In helping communities, Born brings all stakeholders together. In one example, reducing poverty, he brought together the usual helping organizations and government, then also brought in the business community, and then, finally added representatives from the “target” community—those who were impoverished. Each segment had ideas on what needed to be done—but like the story of the elephant and the blind men, no one saw (apperceived) the entire scope.
Born says that in the dialogues that happen with these large groups, the first phase is where everyone describes how the situation is impossible. In the next phase, everyone is an expert and brings their own heritage and point of view to solve the problem. After this, Born, says, is another phase which can be accessed if the group can hold the space long enough. This phase requires going to the realization of “not knowing”—letting go of knowledge, perceptions, and perhaps even values, to come to a place of real understanding. It is from here that something new emerges.
Meg Wheatley, an inspiring writer, has a deep, earthy feeling about humanity and community. Through participation in events worldwide and locally, Wheatley has noticed that many communities are hoping for a “true” leader, a savior, someone who has the vision to move them from the confusion they are in. She believes that there is a new way:
It is time to stop waiting for someone to save us. It is time to face the truth of our situation—that we’re all in this together, that we all have a voice—and figure out how to mobilize the hearts and minds of everyone in our communities.
-from Deborah Frieze and Margaret (Meg) Wheatley
What to do?
What can we do? A whole lot, in fact. At every level of our community we have the opportunity to begin the conversation. We can begin this conversation anytime. Here are some ideas from Meg Wheatley:
Talk to one Another
There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.
Ask “What is possible?” not “What is wrong” Keep asking.
Notice what you care about.
Assume that many others share your dream.
Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.
Talk to people you know.
Talk to people you don’t know.
Talk to people you never talk to.
Be intrigued by the differences you hear.
Expect to be surprised.
Treasure curiosity more than certainty.
Invite everybody who cares to work on what is possible.
Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.
Know that creative solutions come from new connections.
Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.
Real listening always brings people closer together.
Trust that meaningful conversation can change your world.
Rely on human goodness. Stay together.
—Meg Wheatley
Try this: A conversation to Knock Your Socks Off
We can begin the conversation anytime, anywhere. Call up a friend, a colleague who you haven’t seen for a while and say, “I have a couple of questions that could knock your socks off!” A conversation that will bring you new passion and commitment in the next few days - wouldn’t that knock your socks off?
Maybe ask, “Tell me about a time when you really connected with a student/client… what did you do? What happened? How did you feel? How did they feel?” Discover your passion; discover that you care.
Again, to draw on Meg Wheatley,
One of the things we need to learn is that great change starts from very small conversations held among people who care. Allow yourself the privilege of being in conversation between two people, in which there is real listening, hearing, understanding. To paraphrase Kathryn Stockett, “...trying to understand is vital to our humanity… to realize we are always just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as one might think.”
Let’s move through this junction by talking together. The Conference is a great place to connect with other practitioners. If you cannot come to the Conference, then consider beginning conversations. If you don’t know who to call, then call me. 403.242-2909. I’d love to hear from you.
A few Questions to ask yourself or someone else:
What would you regret not fully doing, being, or having in your life?
When was the last time you tried something new?
If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
Some resources:
* Something Extraordinary is happening in Columbus Ohio by Deborah Frieze & Margaret Wheatley
http://www.walkoutwalkon.net/united-states/a-story-of-citizenship-in-columbus-ohio/
* 10 Key Principles for creating Healthy Community Change
http://www.youtube.com/user/NDSQueensland#p/c/D1204DAE4DCD8B42
* Diana Whitney
http://www.positivechange.org/
* Paul Born
http://tamarackcommunity.ca/
* Meg (Margaret) Wheatley
http://www.margaretwheatley.com
* Terry O’Reily “The Age of Persuasion”, CBC. Online podcast, Feb, 5, 2011.
http://www.cbc.ca/ageofpersuasion/episode/season-5/2011/02/05/marketing-pioneers-visual-elements-copy-and-commercials/
“The amazing thing about pioneers: they stare the at the same things we all stare at, but they are able to see the future.” Terry O’Reily
<Back
Moving Forward: the winter board meeting
Gisele St. Hilaire, GCFP
Your FGNA Board of Directors set aside five days for our bi-annual in-person meeting from February 16 – 21, 2011. The first and last days were required for travel days, while the middle three consisted of meetings. The Board would like to express its gratitude to Lester and Janet Loops for hosting this in-person meeting at their home in Capitola, CA. We are very grateful for their generosity.
The exciting news is that this is the first time in over a decade that FGNA is poised to engage fully in moving our organization and profession into the future. Looking back, it is wonderful to see that we are indeed embodying the Feldenkrais Method®, as we truly have expressed resilience in the face of significant challenges.
Not since 1997 have we found ourselves in a situation where we are not in debt! We have a balanced operating budget. We have a strong and capable Executive Director, an excellent staff, and an engaged, passionate community working and dreaming together at the same time.
The main areas of focus for our meetings included:
•Organizational Business
•Policy Governance
•Upcoming IFF meeting
•Continuing Competence
•Separation of Graduation from Certification
Organizational Business:
An Executive Director (ED) review was completed.
Updates on ongoing business at the Guild office were given for:
•2011 FGNA Conference
•New construction of the Guild’s website
•Latest metrics from the Guild office
Policy Governance:
The Board continues work towards ever-greater efficiency and effectiveness within our organization. A very significant aspect of this is shifting toward a model of Policy Governance. To this end, we have been reviewing, revising, and deleting policies that are inefficient, inadequate, outdated, or otherwise unhelpful.
Prior to this in-person meeting, the Board asked the ED to organize all current policies into a format that would enable us to use, review and revise our policies in as efficient and effective a manner as possible. Additionally, the ED highlighted which policies were most in need of review according to practical operations in the Guild office.
A volunteer committee of three Board members sorted the policies into those that were in alignment with our Policy Governance model and those that were not. This review was completed over two phone meetings prior to our time together in Capitola. The Board then took action in Capitola. For details on which policies we addressed (deletions and/or revisions), you can choose to review the minutes of the meeting.
The committee will continue review policies and provide the Board with recommendations for deletions and suggested revisions until all policies are well- organized, current, and written clearly in language, consistent with the Policy Governance Model.
Upcoming International Feldenkrais® Federation (IFF) Meeting:
Because a portion of our membership dues go towards FGNA’s membership in the IFF, we take great interest in ensuring that said membership in the IFF brings value to the Guild. We recognize the inherent value of the IFF for activities such as:
•the preservation of archival materials
•having access to the archival materials, whose copyright is held by the Feldenkrais family, (only members of IFF have the permission of the copyright holders to access these materials)
•IFF Competency Project
•IFF website, through which archival materials have been made available for free download
•enhancing the community and connectivity of Feldenkrais practitioners worldwide, as well as improving our understanding of ourselves and our profession
We also recognize the potential that could be tapped into by an organization such as the IFF. The Board identified the following as being of interest to our Guild and will put forth a request to have these included in the agenda for the IFF meeting in May:
•Member organizations are questioned by their membership about their involvement in, and amount of dues paid to, the IFF. In order for members of member-organizations to feel that the IFF is relevant, it is recommended that the IFF produce a hands-on newsletter. This newsletter could be distributed by member organizations to their members.
•It is hoped that the IFF use its website tools to send regular, short notes to those who are registered.
•Practitioners from around the world are coming to North America to practice, either for a short term, or to stay. Our policy is that, in order to use the Service Marks, practitioners must be certified by FGNA or have completed the requirements for visiting, foreign practitioners. Practitioners new to North America often do not know about these rules and may not have brought with them documentation supporting their requests for certification or authorization in North America.
Thus, FGNA proposes that the IFF coordinate a database of members of their member organizations, which would allow a directory look-up and would simplify and streamline the process. Such a database would also help other member organizations.
After some discussion, we identified the representatives who will attend this meeting: Rob Black, Chrish Kresge and Keith Johnson.
Continuing Competence:
Our discussion of Continuing Competence addressed the final details that needed to be clarified in order to revise the continuing education requirements. We are now at the point of crafting the policy in language that is consistent with our Policy Governance model. An announcement will be made through “FGNA News” as soon as the new policy is approved.
Separation of Graduation from Certification:
This is a topic that has been of interest to our community for over a decade. At the 1997 Annual General Meeting in Tamiment, a motion to move FGNA towards separating Graduation from Certification was brought to the floor by the membership, discussed and passed. In 1998, a lawsuit was brought against the Guild and considerable time, energy and resources went towards it. After its resolution, many other issues, not the least of which was the debt incurred in fighting the suit, made progress on the motion to separate graduation from certification take a backseat.
In 2006, the Board elected a task force to evaluate alternative training models in cooperation with NATAB. The following year, the Board voted to address “The Question of Competency” before evaluating alternate training models. The subsequent Board(s) spent considerable time and energy rectifying financial and structural issues, bringing the Guild to our current healthy state. The time is now ripe for us to revisit the topic.
The Board carved out time to orient fully to this issue. Discussions included a review of what had already been done. In particular, the Board discussed the work of a group that was commissioned to prepare a generic Emergent Practitioner Competency Profile by the Australian Feldenkrais Guild Inc, the AusTAB and the European TAB Council.
The Australian Feldenkrais Guild has not been alone in finding themselves needing to pay attention to national governments and licensing authorities that may make it difficult for Feldenkrais practitioners to practice without holding licenses in other professions (such as Massage Therapy). This group also has many of the same concerns that the FGNA Board and many of FGNA members have about these issues. To quote:
“Early on in our Feldenkrais community history the question was posed - how to develop a system by which the graduation of Feldenkrais Practitioners can be undertaken in a way that is recognized by our governments? Underneath this question was another. If we are to use a Competency system how do we represent the three dimensionality of our Method in a rigid two-dimensional system? And under this question; are we likely to harm the integrity of The Method by trying to shoe-horn it into government requirements?”
Obviously, appealing to governmental agencies was not the only reason to move towards separating graduation from certification, but it has contributed to the discussion and been one important factor that shapes the process. A far more important aspect was, very simply, for new, emerging practitioners to have an even deeper understanding of themselves and the Feldenkrais Method. Thus, formulating the basis upon which further self-reflection and continuing competence could grow and make our own professional lives and our professional community a stronger, more vibrant one.
Beyond such discussions, the Board framed a plan to pursue. Such a process requires great diligence, care and a significant amount of work. The Board is committed to ensuring that any action taken in this regard be done well, and is taking great care to “attend to the emerging future” (to borrow a phrase of Peter Senge, et.al.).
Our first step will be to organize a Task Force that includes individuals who have been engaged in certification for some time, and thus are familiar with many of the issues and questions regarding separating graduation from certification. Said individuals might include, among others, Educational Directors, Trainers, Assistant Trainers, those who have worked on the NATAB, the IWG, the IFF Competency Group and those who were involved with this question in 1997. The Board will be responsible for outlining clear goals and objectives, recommendations, limitations, and timelines for this Task Force. This Task Force will not have “the final say” on any changes in policy; this will only be one step in the process of separating graduation from certification.
As it is a priority of the Board for the Guild to operate within the annual budget, this process will be a priority for 2012, and thus be taken into consideration for the budget of that year. Our current budget reflects the necessary priorities for this fiscal year, and we intend to stick to our previously made budgetary commitments. The Board will keep you abreast of all future activities in this regard. And, as always, we welcome your comments and feedback on this and any other activities of the Guild.
These are exciting times for us as Feldenkrais practitioners and members of the Guild. It has been a very long time since we’ve found ourselves in such favorable circumstances. Through strengthened collaboration, passion, mutual support and a deep commitment to engage in learning, we intend to continue to touch the lives of ever more individuals in profoundly beneficial ways through our Method.
<Back
Teaching via the Internet:
A Report from Poland
Jacek Paszkowski, GCFP
A few years ago, I received a phone call from a music teacher who worked in the ministry of education. Within the ministry, they’d developed a department focused on continuing education for artistic school teachers. She asked weather I’d be interested in teaching a Feldenkrais® course via the internet; I’d been recommended by a friend who is an Alexander Technique teacher. The course was titled, “Relaxation Techniques” and was comprised of two parts: two weeks of Feldenkrais lessons followed by two weeks of Alexander work.
When we met to discus the idea, I listened carefully. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be involved in the project. I questioned the medium of the internet, but then I thought: People do lessons from recordings. I have a monthly lesson on my website. Participants in my workshops have access to the lessons through my website, so they can work with the material before we meet for the next class. Why not hold a course via the internet? I said that I’d give it a try.
I picked about twenty, mostly short, lessons. Some were only extended scans; others were short lessons lying or sitting down. There were a few hour-long lessons.
The technical staff put the lessons on their internet platform, so the participants would have to log in to access the lessons. The course started with one face-to-face meeting of which approximately half of the participants showed. The students were from all over the Poland, so not all of them were able to travel to Warsaw. The meeting was about three hours long. During that time, we did a couple of lessons, talked about the course, the main principles of the Method, and how to benefit from the lessons. The participants were mostly teachers from music schools, but a few were from fine arts schools.
The official goal of the whole course was to learn tools to better cope with stress in one’s professional life. I explained up front that I would not teach them how to relax. Instead, they would learn how to become more aware of what was happening to them. They’d also learn easy ways to modify themselves, so that they felt more comfortable, less stressed. Those who participated in the initial meeting reported later that it was a very helpful part of the course.
So, how did it work? Every couple of days I would post an assignment on the forum. For example, I would assign three short lessons and a written response for each. Students shared their “aha” moments, doubts, frustrations, as well as the joy of discovering something significant. Some of the students were wordy, while others were more modest in expressing their experiences.
Since it was an official course and the participants were to receive a certificate of completion, we discussed with the organizer how to determine how someone “passed” the course. I believed that scores were out of the question and that the only way to pass was to do the lessons and leave a trace on the forum proving that they actually completed it.
Although not a part of the main curriculum, I asked the students to consider ways of introducing the principles they experienced during the course into their teaching environment. For instance, I suggested that when they worked with a student at the piano, and they wanted the student to drop their shoulder during the play, that the teacher do something opposite of what they did so far, like lift the shoulders even more. They were amazed at the results such approach brings in a short time.
Over the last two years, I have taught four courses. It is a great way of doing the work, especially for people who are far away or who have very limited time. (Besides being teachers, many of them also perform, so they travel a lot). I’m glad I decided to be a part of this project. The work will continue.
<Back
Want another perspective?
Read this book!
Jacek Paszkowski, GCFP
One book that recently made me think about the Method was Exercises in Style, by French writer Raymond Queneau. It’s not about somatic education. Nor is it about movement. It’s about choice and variety, flexibility of language and the mind. Queneau describes an innocent event that took place in Paris. It is no more than one-third of a page long. After that initial story, he goes on to describe the same event differently.
You’re probably thinking: Oh c’mon what the big deal? But, Queneau goes on to describe the same event differently again and again and….All together 99 ways of describing such an uneventful event! One would think that it must be very boring: quite the contrary. It is very funny, ingenious, fascinating.
On one side, we know that it is the same story, so turning the page and knowing that we will hear the same story again seems like it would make one quit reading. But it is written in such a funny way that each next page, each next way of describing the same story is even more fascinating. One would wonder, what else the author could think of when writing about the same thing? But this book is not about WHAT. Instead, it is concerned with HOW. Sounds familiar? Reading it, I thought about Moshe Feldenkrais trying to describe his ideas in soo many ways until everyone would get it.
While reading this little book about changing the perspective, the wording, the timing, the historical, philosophical, mathematical… the context around the same story, I’m thinking of my own teaching, the vast ocean of possibilities that lies in looking at the use of language. It translates, of course, into movement and action, into how many different ways can we find to do a certain thing. The hero of the story, the main character, is the invention, the uninhibited freedom of transformations, of reframing, changes… remember Moshe’s lecture about the golden roof? I think Exercises in Style is one of the most funny books, but at the same time, you would not find it in the humor section in nearest bookstore.
If You think that you’ve exhausted all possibilities of finding words for something, for describing, whatever You want to describe, and You are just about to give up, reach for this book. I think is a must read for Feldenkrais® practitioner.
<Back
Marty Weiner: an unusual man
Roger Russell, GCFP
I was shocked and saddened to get the news about Marty. I cannot imagine what moved him to take his own life, but my heart goes out to him and his loved ones.
Many people have responded to this news with stories, photos and videos of Marty. Thanks, they remind me of why I liked him. And they reminded me of moments with Marty.
I have known Marty since I was first confronted with his presence in the San Francisco training with Moshe in 1975. I say confronted, because Marty was rarely just quietly in the room. Not that he was disturbing, but he was assertively present with his thoughts, opinions and insights.
He was a live wire, and kept the power going until just a few days ago when he chose to take his own life. Some of my first experiences of Marty were of him sharing his experiences in Aikido with Dennis Leri and others during the training breaks in the first year with Moshe. One day, when we were doing some pretty impressive Feldenkrais® gymnastics which turned out to be the judo roll lessons, Moshe pointed out what an excellent learner Marty was; after just a few lessons he had discovered how to roll over his shoulder to sit and then stand up. I was impressed. Little did I realize at that point that Marty had already mastered this skill in his Aikido practice.
I remember Moshe telling Marty that he was an unusual man and that he, Moshe, expected him to accomplish unusual things. Marty was a philosopher. Trained to think critically, he told me in 1976 that I should read Kant’s “Critique of Pure Reason” – “an incredible work of clear thinking” were Marty’s words. Well, thirty years later I am learning a few things about philosophy, but attacking Kant is still intimidating to say the least.
Marty decided that in order to learn with Moshe in the San Francisco training, he would have to give up the responsibilities at Stanford University that he had as an assistant dean. So he quit. He had found out that as a bartender he could work evenings and earn lots of bucks in tips if he became a bartending artist. So he did. He loved showing us his techniques of flipping bottles around and pouring glasses full of beer with the bottle three feet from the glass behind his back and not losing a drop. I would have given a good tip too, if I ordered a beer and it was delivered with such original skill.
After the training, he immediately established a successful FI practice. One of his neighbors in Palo Alto, CA, in the heart of what was in the 1980’ and 90’s to become Silicon Valley, was a businessman who rode the dot-com business up to immense wealth. When I talked with Marty at the Omega conferences in 2003 and 2006, this neighbor was sending his private jet for Marty in order to have FI lessons during his travels around the world. Marty’s stories of this were wonderful to listen to; he was an excellent storyteller: lively and full of humour.
In 1998, I was at the FGNA conference in Los Angeles. Carl Ginsburg, Yvon Joly, Ulla Schlaefke, and I visited Marty in his home in Santa Barbara. He had begun to sculpt and proudly showed us his workshop and his artwork. I was astounded by this turn in his life: philosopher, academic, master bartender, Aikido expert, FI expert and now artist and sculptor, teacher and mentor. Marty was a man of many talents.
He told a story at the FGNA Omega Conference in 2003 about being a young man in Israel, hiking near the Israeli border with Syria, and accidentally wandering across the border. He was picked up by Syrian border patrol and spent; I think he said two weeks in solitary confinement before the American ambassador got him out and on the way home. I remember thinking at the time, “Gosh, that would have marked me for life!” But it seemed like just one more exciting incident in his life.
In 1978, Marty was responsible, with Hilda Kessler, for the organization of the fourth year of the San Francisco training. During this six week session with Moshe, Mia, Gaby and Yochanan we gave FI lessons most of the day under supervision. This was the source of the tradition that still persists of giving FI lessons under supervision during the fourth year of the training. Marty and Hilda had the challenge of finding enough clients for the practicum FI lessons for the 65 people who were in the training. They contacted many clinics and doctors around the Bay area and we were flooded by clients: but what a group, some of them were very handicapped, and I remember most of us very concerned to give FI lessons under the eyes of Moshe and his assistants for these clients, many of them being Feldenkrais beginners.
I will miss Marty, personally and in our Feldenkrais community. His presence was always stimulating, his thinking informed and critical, and his handling of people always respectful. At the same time, he was constantly challenging them to grow. His posts on the Feldy Forum were some of the few that I read every time he came across the wires. He always had something to say that was an enrichment of the discussion and a reminder that stepping back and looking carefully always paid off.
There is a wonderful poem by Stephen Spender, and a few lines seem appropriate at this time:
“I think continually of those who were truly great.
…The names of those who in their lives fought for life,
Who wore at their hearts the fire’s center.
Born of the sun they travelled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.”
Marty, you left the vivid air signed with your honor! I will miss you.
Roger Russell
<Back
Working with Senior? Check this Out!
There is a big push on the Federal level to prevent seniors from getting injured and helping them heal. There is $500 million being spent on making this happen and a website you can contact to sign up for the partnership.
Learn more about the Partnership for Patients and join the partnership by visiting the Partnership website:
http://www.healthcare.gov/center/programs/partnership
Read the “Affordable Care Act Newsletter,” which provides additional details about the Partnership for Patients and the
Community-based Care Transition Program (CCTP):
http://www.aoa.gov/Aging_Statistics/docs/ACA_Enews_P4P_041211.pdf
<Back
Paris Kern discusses "Brain Handles"
Suzanne Ausnit
Why Come to Amherst?
Because there will be an amazing selection of inspiring workshops to choose from, colleagues to catch up with, history to contemplate, and probably some wild dancing and floor rolling!
Work exchange attendee Suzanne Ausnit recently spoke with Assistant Trainer Paris Kern about her workshop, “Brain Handles: Your Intention Informs Your Action.”
SA: How did you come up with the concept for your workshop?
PK: As an assistant trainer, I mentor a lot of practitioners and students and see where they get stuck when creating FIs. The problem is they think in terms of pushing through the skeleton, focusing on what kind of movements—pushing, pulling, lifting—they need to do. For example, they see that a client’s ribs are short on one side, long on the other and think that doing a series of movements designed to “even them out” or “go with the pattern” will improve the situation. But movement, in and of itself, is really nothing. It’s only relevant when we use it to enact an intention. And intention only comes from the brain. So, this workshop is designed to help participants figure out how to match function to intention so that they can give better FIs.
SA: What do you mean by the term “brain handle”?
PK: The only part of us that can learn something is the brain—not your muscles, not your bones, not your cells. And by brain, I’m talking about the whole nervous system. The nervous system is the vehicle for learning and growth. If you want to teach someone to tie their shoes, you have to think what their eyes need to do to do facilitate the movement, what their fingers need to do, what their back muscles need to do and what bending over and bringing their knees closer to the chest will mean. All these are the various “brain handles” a practitioner needs to consider. These brain handles are the conduits through which we talk directly and powerfully to the nervous system in order to give it a coherent lesson or message.
SA: What do you hope participants will learn?
PK: I’d like them to start thinking in a different way so that they can turn around and give their clients potent and powerful FI lessons. By constantly asking themselves, “What is [my] intention as a teacher?,” they will find what brain handle is the most direct link to communicate new possibilities. It’s difficult because there is no formula. That’s why when you understand the principles behind learning, you can then start thinking about function and real life situations. I’m hoping that the workshop will help practitioners come up with FIs organically and spontaneously, while still maintaining a rigorous and cogent lesson. When clients come to you, it’s very often because they’re in pain. But pain is tied to something. They are using themselves in a certain way that is giving them pain. So the FI lesson has to relate to something the clients do in their day-to-day lives—whether it is playing the violin or picking up their triplets.
SA: What kind of format are you planning to use?
PK: That will depend on how many people attend and their experience. Like any good FI, the workshop will be created for and tailored to the specific participants who are there. However, we’ll clarify what is meant by function and then look at some potential “issues.” Say, for example, there is a participant who has trouble scratching his right shoulder. Every person would come up with a different way of addressing the problem. Once you know what you want to teach someone, then your hands will go to the right place automatically. So if I want to take my right hand to my left shoulder, I have to consider all the brain handles where I can touch a person and start to communicate that movement. Just think what has to happen in the clavicle, in the rotation of the left arm, what has to happen with the shifting of the weight, with the head, with the left arm and left shoulder. When you think of movement in that fashion, it’s really about communicating global movement.
SA: How is your presentation related to what Moshe taught at Amherst?
PK: It relates to Moshe in that his FI philosophy was not concerned with logistics—where you hold a person—but with what you’re doing with a person. In other words, if you know what you want to communicate, teach, illuminate for the student, you will then know the how.
SA: How has the way you give FIs evolved over the years?
PK: I’m faster at figuring out what is the most strategic “brain handle” at any given moment. It used to take me 3 to 4 lessons with someone, while now it becomes evident in half a lesson. That’s where seventeen years experience comes in handy!
Paris Kern will teach “Brain Handles: Your Intention Informs Your Action” on Saturday, July 9 from 10am -5pm. This workshop is open to Practitioners and Trainees. For more details please go to:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2011/conf_event/3841
Register for this workshop and other exciting events:
www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2011/register
<Back
2011: Good and Getting Better
Susan Marshall, Executive Director
In the last issue of In Touch, I talked about the FGNA Board priorities for 2011 and gave some insight into the process of how these priorities are developed, how they influence the budget and how we use them to guide us in our support of members and certified practitioners. I also reported on the results of the 2011 membership drive. (http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/article/board_2011_budget_it_winter_1011/)
What changes can members and certified practitioners expect in the coming months of 2011?
Membership
I am happy to report that membership has remained stable and is growing! Although most members join before the deadline of December 1st of the previous year, some student members join just before they graduate to take advantage of the free upgrade to professional membership.
In the last issue of In Touch, I talked about the FGNA Board priorities for 2011 and gave some insight into the process of how these priorities are developed, how they influence the budget and how we use them to guide us in our support of members and certified practitioners. I also reported on the results of the 2011 membership drive. (http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/article/board_2011_budget_it_winter_1011/)
What changes can members and certified practitioners expect in the coming months of 2011?
Membership
I am happy to report that membership has remained stable and is growing! Although most members join before the deadline of December 1st of the previous year, some student members join just before they graduate to take advantage of the free upgrade to professional membership. Others upgrade from a certification only status during the membership year. The result is that our membership numbers fluctuate throughout the year; typically lowest at the beginning of the year and highest by the end of the year.
When comparing membership numbers as of April 2010 to April 2011, the number of members was exactly the same: 1361. Our membership as of June 1 has grown by fourteen members for a total of 1375. With four FGNA accredited Professional Feldenkrais® Training Programs graduating over 110 new practitioners this year, that number may well exceed our 2010 membership of 1392 members.
This is good news. With rising costs and the fact that membership and certification dues have not been raised in ten years—it’s time.We’ve tightened our belts to get the Guild in the black over the last few years. In order to continue to operate effectively and move forward within a balanced budget, we will need to adjust our certification fees and membership dues.
Website Revision Project
A Staff /Volunteer Effort:
We have been working carefully and continuously on the development of the new website design and database reconstruction. The following groups of staff and volunteers reviewed several rounds of revised website treatments until we have arrived at a website look and feel that we could agree on:
1) FGNA Website Committee: Chair Jane Johnston and members Chrish Kresge, Bob Josh Schreiber, Dale Jensen, Rob Black;
2) Website Revision Project team: Project Manager, Michelle Lawson, IT/Web Manager Deana Meyer, Communications/Publications Coordinator Carla Feinstein;
3) FGNA Board of Directors;
4) FGNA Council of Regional Representatives; and
5) Internal and contracted FGNA staff.
Activity Highlights:
•content revisions identified by the website committee in 2008
•long standing data base fixes from the previous 2006 database project
•reorganized information to be more available to public, professionals and membership
•unveiling of the new look and feel at the 2011 Conference in Amherst
Current Project Plan Milestones through January 2012:
•separate professionals and public home page
•emphasis on selling the FM
•use of video and audio
•more attractive layouts
•improving functionality
•a member login feature
•Launching the public and professionals sites after testing.
If you have any suggestions or thoughts, please contact me. I would love to hear your ideas.
All Things Feldenkrais…and More!
Last year, I had the opportunity to listen to members, practitioners and trainees in a variety of settings: annual survey, annual conference, annual membership drive, ATM classes and in the first year segments of my Feldenkrais Professional Training Program.
I cringed every time I heard someone say: “How come the Feldenkrais Method® is not more well know? Why is nothing happening?” See Mary Morrison’s article, “Hidden Simplicity,” where she explores how the the Method is an “intangible and mysterious practice.” Lack of visibility can come from our hesitancy to define for fear of getting it right. Read Gabrielle Pullen’s article, “Can’t be Clear about your Work? Join the Club.”
We all have our theories, but I decided to investigate. I found that there is a lot happening—and not just a first approximation! From websites, to Facebook to Twitter to Youtube; from bumper stickers to posters to emails and newsletters; from research to articles to books; from friends to classes to FI clinics. As one example, see Laura Yedwab’s article detailing the creation of Feldy Notebook, an innovative way to access and use Awareness Through Movement® lessons.
On July 8th, FEFNA will present to the public and practitioners at the Annual Conference: All Things Feldenkrais…and More! Come and be pleasantly surprised to discover by how many ways the Feldenkrais Method is becoming known.
More Changes in the Wind
The Guild has changed significantly just in the last year. See President Rob Black’s Letter about how change happens with appreciative inquiry, letting go, and engaging in positive dialogue. The FGNA Board of Director, staff, and I have been working on policies that will shape the future direction of the Guild. See Gisele’s article, “Moving Forward,” about the Board’s hot topics of continuing competence and separating graduation from certification.
Michael Purcell, after over twenty years of service to the Guild in the area of regulation, fifteen of which was as the National Regulation Coordinator, has turned over the reigns to Andrea Wiener. See his article on his last meeting representing the Guild at the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations (the “Federation”) meeting this past spring. Also see the article “Thank you, Michael Purcell,” detailing Michael’s accomplishments. He ends his tenure on a high note, having successfully ushered in a state exemption from massage laws for Oregon Feldenkrais practitioners in the last month.
The FGNA Board of Directors has appointed the new Feldenkrais Journal Editor Katrin Smithback and Assistant Editor Judy Windt to replace past Editor Gay Sweet Scott and Assistant Editor Elaine Yoder.
Thanks to the effort of the Council of Regional Representatives (and especially Paulette Dolin), members will soon have an easy-to-use newsletter template through My Newsletter Builder. See Paulette’s article.
Stay tuned for an easing and clarification of service mark guidelines, which will more effectively promote the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education for all practitioners.
Finally, you can be part of the change. Read the “Call for Nominations” for 2011 Ballot. If running for office to govern the Guild is not your thing, let us know what your preferences are by responding to the member survey that will be released this summer.
See you at the 2011 Feldenkrais Method Annual Conference!
Susan
<Back
Federation Report
Michael Purcell, National Regulation Coordinator
Every year, most of the major nonprofit organizations that represent massage, bodywork and somatic practitioners in North America meet to discuss common issues, differences and progress in the larger field of the somatic professions. This group, the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork & Somatic Practice Organizations, began in 1991 with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the Rolf Institute (RISI), The American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA), the U. S. Trager® Association (USTA), and the American Organization of Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA). The Feldenkrais Guild® was the first new organization to break the ice and join this group independently. Other recent additions include the International Association of Structural Integration (IASI) and the Biodynamic Craniosacral Association of North America (BCTA/NA).
FGNA has had a major impact on the Federation, initially causing the name to be changed (to add “Somatic Practices”), establishing precedents for promoting exemption from massage laws for non-massage touch practices, and ultimately bringing in other movement-based professions. Today, the Federation includes not only FGNA and USTA, but also the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) and the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). Thus it is that an affiliation of organizations which started out meeting about massage and bodywork, today consists 40% of somatic movement education practice organizations. See:
www.federationmbs.org/
This year’s meeting took place at the Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO. Many common issues were noted. For example, almost all organizations recognized a lack of younger practitioners being attracted into the field. Points of discussion included that it is expensive for young people to take trainings; but often those retiring, looking for a second or third career and feeling the effects of aging will be attracted. There is also indication that the work may seem less relevant to younger generations.
Federation meetings used to be raucous affairs, with sometimes combative discussions about regulation and philosophy of whether we are basically all doing the same kind of work, or something quite different. Meetings have gone much smoother lately. There is more feeling of cooperation today, and some actual cooperation between organizations, particularly on regulation.
Most organizations have seen a decline of membership numbers recently, with two exceptions. AmSAT has held steady, and the Rolf Institute has seen an increase, despite the recession. The reason is that RISI is a school as well as a membership organization. Through their ability to oversee and coordinate efforts over the entire scope of Rolfing® as a profession, they have developed an active, successful program for recruitment of new students for Rolfing training, including the ability to get funding for their students.
AMSAT and IASI (International Association of Structural Integrators) have gone to management companies to handle their office work. AMSAT reports that this freed up leadership and volunteers to focus on certain things – AMSAT revamped their website, totally with cooperative volunteer labor, not using office staff. (http://www.amsatonline.org/) Yet, while Federation meetings have traditionally been the place for Presidents and Board members to meet, this year saw a much heavier representation by organizational staff members at the meeting.
Some organizations have actively moved towards more practitioner support services and less focus on development of the profession through policy and structural changes. However, there is also a strong trend towards developing certification exams, now including Massage Therapy, Asian Bodywork, Structural Integration and Polarity Therapy. There is great interest in, and a recognized need for legally defensible entrance exams to somatic professions. This parallels the rise of “the other Federation,” the FSMTB or Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. FSMTB has put greater emphasis on fuller control and standardizing massage regulation throughout the states.
This has caused two effects on non-massage practices: there is more effort to include them under massage regulation (which has been seen most notably with Asian Bodywork practices), and perhaps a cleaner demarcation line has separated movement practices like the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander Technique from massage practices. This development of clarity may not have been possible without the work of the Federation.
There was a lot of discussion about Liability insurance, which used to be provided by a group plan that covered all Federation practitioners. This is now handled by many different plans and companies, causing confusion. There is some interest in once again trying to establish a Federation plan.
Over the last year, the Federation established a Task Force to look at the impact of changes in Health Care law and policy on our professions, and how our work is seen and classified by those focused on creating such categorizations. This group has been chaired by me, Michael Purcell of FGNA. I recently resigned my role as FGNA National Regulation Coordinator and Federation rep, effective this month, but will continue activity with this committee.
The Federation JGRC (Joint Government Relations Committee) continues to be the most active part of the Federation, reviewing important bills and changes in state law as they come up. Exemptions and Health Freedom bills (which protect alternative practitioners from prosecution under medical acts) continue to be of greatest interest. The impact of the FSMTB in trying to stabilize massage law and massage board activities is also of great interest and importance to us. FSMTB will be writing a Model Practice Act, setting stiffer rules for Continuing Education and working to improve portability between states for massage practitioners. Andrea Wiener will be continuing in the role of JGRC rep for FGNA, upon my departure. Andrea and I have been working together over the past few months to smooth the transition.
I am ending an uninterrupted period of almost twenty years of following regulation and working with the Federation. I look back on what we have accomplished in that period, with some satisfaction, but I know there is more to be done. I have made some proposals for how we can work cooperatively within current constraints, using our Federation connections and visibility, to make Feldenkrais® practitioners more visible in connection with other professions. One would involve working somewhat cooperatively on promotion with Alexander teachers and other movement educators, using resource sharing arrangements.
Another would attempt to create an avenue for Feldenkrais practitioners to teach workshops on self-use for credit to Licensed Massage Therapists, with State Board approval. I don’t know whether either of these ideas will bear fruit. Much work remains if they are to be accomplished, but I feel that it would be wise to take advantage of our Federation connections by developing such plans.
<Back
Passed! Oregon Exemption Bill
Michael Purcell, National Regulation Coordinator
On May 16th, 2011, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed SB454-A, exempting the Feldenkrais Method® and several other professions from regulation under the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. This represents the culmination of years of work nationwide on exemption issues and negotiation with massage boards, legislators and representatives for many professions.
Work in Oregon itself began in the early 1990’s. In this time of political divisiveness, the process of this bill’s passage was marked by civility and grace. Many thanks go particularly to Andrea Wiener, Deborah Skell and Michael Purcell for seeing the bill through its many obstacles over the past two years to final passage.
Over two decades, FGNA has established official exemption laws and policies for the Feldenkrais Method in almost half of all states. Because of these precedents, there is less of a threat of inappropriate regulation remaining in the others. This means that more Feldenkrais® practitioners can focus on developing quality practices without needing to struggle with regulations that do not fit the Feldenkrais Method.
<Back
Members Appreciate FGNA Benefits
Rob Black, GCFP, FGNA BOD President
Summary
Members completed an online survey in 2010. Some of the survey questions related to FGNA benefits: members identified whether they had used a benefit in the previous year (2009) and rated how important the benefit had been to them. The information was rich, for it showed us some benefits that were both used and rated as highly important and other benefits that members felt were important, despite not using them often. In fact, almost all the benefits were rated as being “important.” When the information was further analyzed using a sophisticated statistical technique, five factors emerged: “Core Services,” “Guild Communications,” “Certification & Service Marks,” “Membership Directory,” and “Prof. Liability Insurance.”
In May 2010, all professional members of FGNA were sent an email inviting them to complete an online survey. Two hundred and thirty-nine (239) responded. The first question on the survey presented a list of member benefits and invited members to identify which of the services they used in the past year (that is, 2009). The benefits were sorted from most used to least used, and tabulated in the graph on the right.
“FGNA News” was the benefit most regularly identified as having being used (by 91% of professional members). The least utilized benefit was the Amherst Tape rental, used by only eight members.
One might make judgments about the services according to the utilization. Yet when making decisions based on utilization, important information may be missing. Hence, in the next question on the survey, members rated their sense of Importance of the service.
The two points of information – utilization and importance are displayed graphically on the right. There were some benefits that were both highly used and felt to be highly important. These were the communications, including “FGNA News,” In Touch, The Journal, SenseAbility, and print copies of the Membership Directory.
On the other hand, there were benefits that were highly valued, but used less frequently: Professional Liability Insurance, Website Event Listing, Regional Group Activities, and Practitioner Marketing materials.
A number of benefits infrequently used but highly important: the Annual Conference, legislative and regulatory advocacy program, and the Amherst tape rentals program. In fact, all categories (except for mailing lists) have Importance ratings, indicating that these benefits are very important to professional members – even if some are hardly used.
Service Marks and Certification
Service Marks are important to most practitioners; in fact, 82% used the Service Mark protection plan in 2009. Additional details were in the second question relating to the importance of Certification and of Service Marks. The following Table shows that the Certification process is felt to be important by almost all practitioners, and the right to use the Service Marks is also important to a very high proportion of professional members.
What this Means
Often, member benefits were criticized because some members said the benefit was either “Not Important” or “Not Used.” This survey gives very strong evidence that these member benefits are highly valued by member practitioners.
Perceptions of Member Benefits- Underlying Factors
Eighteen member benefits were rated by professional members, with many rated very high in terms of importance. We wondered if there might be an implicit structure that members were using to rate the importance of each benefits. For example, members may have held a belief that certain benefits should be available but others were not important; thus members would rate all these with “High Importance” and the others “Low Importance.” If it were possible to detect the set of “high Importance” benefits, then the Guild management would have a clearer vision of what members were wanting.
A statistical method available to do this sort of analysis is called “Factor Analysis.” In this process, mathematical correlations are calculated between all pairs of ratings and placed into a correlation matrix; a special mathematical process is used that detects the possible implicit structures within the correlation matrix. This process was often used in psychology to validate theoretical structures. Readers may be familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality test or the multiple Intelligence theory of Gardiner. Factor analysis validated these approaches.
The data for the ratings of services by practitioners were submitted to the Factor Analysis algorithm[1]. The results suggest that practitioners have five basic ideas about Guild services. The results are shown in Table F1 below.
The first basic idea has been labeled “Core Services.” These included regional group activities, website directory listings (“find a practitioner”), website event listings (“ATM and training events”), bookstore purchases (member discount), Amherst tape rentals, practitioner marketing materials (PR kits, business cards, brochures), mailing list rental to promote workshops and events, Annual Conference (member discount and CEUs), In Touch newsletter (quarterly), “FGNA News” email communications, SenseAbility newsletter (a FEFNA-sponsored publication), The Feldenkrais Journal (annual), legislative and regulatory advocacy program, and the service mark protection program.
The second basic idea has been labeled “Guild Communications” as it contained all the activities that the Guild does to keep practitioners inform. It might also be called “Linking practitioners.” The benefits in this factor were: Annual Conference (member discount and CEUs), In Touch newsletter (quarterly), “FGNA News” email communications, SenseAbility newsletter (a FEFNA-sponsored publication), and The Feldenkrais Journal (annual). All of these were also included in the “Basic Services” factor. Thus, these have a dual function in the minds of practitioners.
The third idea was labeled “Certification and Service Marks”; it could also be related to “Ensuring Quality Service to the Public.” The benefits were: legislative and regulatory advocacy program, service mark protection program, certification to practice Feldenkrais Method®, and the right to use service marks. We note that two of these, legislative and regulatory advocacy program, and service mark protection program, were also in the “Basic Services.”
The final two factors each have single benefits:
· Print copy of Membership Directory, and
· Professional liability insurance program
That these two benefits were unique indicated that, to members, these were not part of “Core Services” or other activities of the Guild. It was intriguing to note that the print copy of the membership directory was viewed separately and it was not connected with the Website Listing, which is clearly viewed as part of “Core Services.”
Table F1. Factor Structure Underlying Practitioner Ratings of Member Benefits*[1]
What we can see from this is that it is clear that members value the services offered by the Guild. It is important that the services are available when the members need them; in some cases, a member may not need a service regularly. The second aspect is the deeper structures in how members view the services. There are “core” services, which are augmented by Guild communications. Recognized as separate but no less important are the Certification and Service Marks activities. Finally, there are two different, but no less important, factors, the print copy of the Membership Directory, and Liability Insurance.
*The numbers indicate the degree of correlation between the importance of the benefit and the function or factor. The correlation ranges between -1 and +1 where -1 indicates a perfect inverse relationship, 0 indicates no relationship and +1, indicating a perfect relationship. Values between -.3 and +.3 were removed as they are no different from zero. Values between .3 and .4 are usually considered possibly indicative; values above .8 indicate a very clear relationship and may be the leading indicator for that factor.
[1] Factor Analysis Details, for those familiar with the procedure: Factor analysis procedure using SPSS. All eigenvalues greater than 1 (recommended for normative, multidimensional space) with Principal analysis (emphasis is to load as many variables onto the first factor, as in the general G or “General Intelligence” factor which many disliked, including Moshe Feldenkrais). Then Varimax rotation (opening up the variability into multidimensional space in which the axes are orthogonal)
<Back
Letter from the President
Rob Black, GCFP, FGNA Board President
Since starting as President in July of 2010, I have spoken to several people who consult with boards on a variety of topics. Each consultant asks similar questions about the structure of our Guild in order to get a sense for how we organize ourselves, and how they can help us make a difference. Almost invariably they comment that we have a very complex structure for such a small organization… As I reflect on this, I remember similar feedback when I was on the FGNA Board in 1998.
How is the Board organizing Itself?
The role of the Board of FGNA is to have an integrated picture of the organization, the needs that drive the organization, the overall mandate and goals, and then to develop priorities for action. Some years ago the Board wrestled with describing the mission and purpose of the Guild. The most recent iteration has been:
Because the Feldenkrais Method® transforms people’s lives in deep and profound ways, freeing them to enact their avowed and unavowed dreams: it is the mission of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America, a membership organization, to act in stewardship of the legacy of Moshe Feldenkrais.
I have spent some time thinking about this statement; at first it left me cold. But my feeling has changed, and, perhaps you would like to know how this happened. One day, I challenged myself to reflect on the ways that my practice of the Method does transform people’s lives. My mind drew in one student and I thought about the ways that her life may have changed; then I went on to another student, and then another, and another, and as I did this, I realized that a kind of kaleidoscope of images and conversations was emerging. Then I brought in the possibility of other practitioners also transforming people’s lives and the kaleidoscope of their practices. I wondered, how many could I hold in my awareness at one time; as I pondered this it became clear that there was a limit; yet I had a sense that there was more beyond my personal limit. Then I realized that it doesn’t matter; while the possibilities are infinite, the subset of the infinite that is possible to hold in one’s awareness is sufficient for meaning to arise. Following the thread of meaning to the source of all of us doing this work, brought me to one man, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais. This is one organizing principle for the Guild. Hence, the Guild is a concept, a vessel, a non-limiting container to connect people trained by Moshe Feldenkrais (and those of us trained by his trainers), to continue his legacy in transforming people’s lives.
How.
Perhaps twelve years ago, the Board of the FGNA identified that it was having difficulties managing that which needed to be done. It wasn’t that different priorities needed to be set, or more meetings or fewer meetings, or more hands-on projects by board members, or more board members, or any of these. Instead, a different way of looking at HOW the board was managing itself was needed. After considerable research, the Board settled on an approach called “Board Governance.” Considerable energy ensued as that board began the process of changing not only their points of view, but also, in a fundamental way, changing the way that the Guild was being run. Through this, the main policies were revised and presented to the annual meeting in 1999. Overall, members were supportive of the change.
The basic changes were:
1. The board limited its activities to setting policy
2. The board specified the kinds of results or outcomes expected.
3. The board empowered the Executive Director to implement the policies. Further, the board explicitly gave freedom to the Executive Director to determine how to best implement the policies to meet the expected outcomes.
4. The Board also limited the communications of individual board members with staff, with the intention that the flow of direction to staff would be by the Executive Director.
In other words, the Board changed its way of doing things from being an action, project-based type of board, to being a Policy board. In order to do this, a fundamental change occurred: the Board realized that it had to trust the Executive Director to direct staff (paid and volunteers) to follow the direction given by the Board.
Back to the current time. The current Board has made a commitment to reacquaint itself with the concepts of Board Governance. Part of each Board meeting is spent on these concepts and we use emerging issues as examples to fine-tune our understanding.
Seth Godin, an entrepreneur and blogger who thinks about the marketing of ideas in the digital age, has an amazing online blog with many inspiring pieces, some of which challenge the conventional wisdom. Recently he wrote, “... large-scale service and manufacturing businesses, are organized for efficiency. Or consistency. But not joy….”
“...organize for joy…give their people the freedom (and yes, the expectation) that they will create, connect and surprise…. embrace someone who makes a difference, as opposed to searching for a clause in the employee handbook that was violated.” SETH’S BLOG, October 25, 2010 (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/organizing-for-joy.html)
This is what I want, and I hope you do too: An organization that is alive and responsive, self-supportive and sustainable, and that has the vision and drive to take us where we need to go. and joyful.
Celebrating Points of Light.
At the 2010 Guild Forum, we had a delightful hour in which practitioners spontaneously described “Points of Light.” The idea came from an article that we had read comparing the outcomes of two ways of investigationing organizations. One kind of investigation, what I now think of as the “FBI” approach, asks the question, “What is going wrong?” and searches out all the examples of errors. The reasoning was that, if one were to uncover all the errors, perhaps there would be a pattern that could be corrected. And, in any case, these errors would be fixed.
The second type of investigation is to open one’s vision and ask, “What is going right? what is contributing to my sense of wellness (or the goals of the organization)?” This approach is of course imbedded in our own work. At an organizational level, it is significantly used by the leaders of Appreciative Inquiry, notably Diana Whitney, keynote at the Conference in 2009 and President of the Corporation for Positive Change. What emerges from the second approach are stories that often create conditions for positive change by allowing the emergence of solutions to the errors that would have been found in the first approach; but these solutions, like the Feldenkrais Method, don’t just “fix” the errors, they transform the experience.
At our forum, practitioners formed groups of six to eight practitioners, and were asked to identify “points of light that made a difference in their practice.” Through their awareness of their communities, practitioners identified many, many examples. Hearing all these was deeply inspiring.
The Feldenkrais Method around the World.
Last year, I had the opportunity to go to the Middle East and see many sites that I had only dreamed of visiting. I met with a few practitioners in Tel Aviv, Israel. Some practitioners who spoke English spoke warmly of their times in America, whether because they grew up there, or completed their training there. Some felt that they would like to re-connect with their American colleagues and they asked me to somehow send their greetings and best wishes.
I was lucky enough to be hosted so that I could also visit several of the places that only those closest to Moshe remember: his apartment, where Moshe taught his lessons on Alexander Yanai, and even the approximate location of the soccer field on which he first severely injured his knee. Yet more than this, I was able to visit his grave. These days, not too many people visit cemeteries; our lives are all fast moving; visiting cemeteries is something done only by past generations. Moshe’s final resting place is shaded by healthy trees and beside him are his mother Shendel and brother Baruch.
Connecting with Office Staff.
Early in December, Jaclyn Boone (our Vice President) and I were in Portland working on IFF Archive materials. Dwight Pargee (Director and Chair of the Board) drove up from Bend and we spent the afternoon at the FGNA office. The staff put on a wonderful luncheon and toured us through the recently painted, well-organized offices. Then Dwight, Jaclyn, and I had the joy of giving FI’s to the staff. A special kind of energy and synergy happens when each member of the staff look and feel more of themselves, and are able to see each other in this way.
What are your “Points of Light”?
I invite you to reflect on “Points of Light” in your life right now. If you are reading this online, you can add your thoughts, to be read by other practitioners, in the comments box below. If you are reading this in hard copy, feel free to send an email to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
<Back
Dates of the Annual Feldenkrais® Week: May 6 - May 15!
Jane Johnston, GCFP, Eastern Rep, 2011 CORR Chair
Feldenkrais Week 2011 will take place Friday May 6th - Sunday May 15th. We hope to make this event BIGGER and BETTER every year with many activities throughout the US and Canada. Please begin planning now to offer an event for the public that will help us promote the Method! We all would like ‘Feldenkrais®’ to be a household word, like yoga and Pilates, so let’s take this opportunity to work together and publicize our work. Here are some ideas for activities that you might want to consider:
-Have your students bring a guest for free during your regular Awareness Through Movement® classes
-Offer first timers a free ATM class or offer a special class for newcomers
-Offer an introductory class before the beginning of your next session
-Get a permit and take your class outside to a park or do a demo session in a public place
-Have a group reading and discussion of one of Moshe’s books
-Offer workshops targeted to special populations: athletes, dancers, yoga students, people with back issues, musicians
-Plan a party for Moshe’s birthday!
-Write an article for your local newspaper about the Feldenkrais Method®; or give an interview to your local radio station
-Get local practitioners and do a series of ATMs.
The Council of Regional Representatives (CORR) has several tools to help you publicize your activities (and we plan to have more). We have posters to publicize your activities, a Feldenkrais Week website where we can publicize all of the related events, sample press releases, sample letters for your mayor to proclaim Feldenkrais Week in your city or town, etc. We have a Yahoo group to share ideas, tools, etc. with your fellow practitioners. And of course, please publish your events in the regular events section on the FGNA website.
To have your activities listed on our national Feldenkrais Week (http://www.feldenkraisweek.com) website, please contact your CORR representative. Contact information can be found at:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/profession/fgna/2011_council_of_regional_representatives
and/or Jane Johnston (2011 CORR Chair) at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
To join our yahoo group, go to:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FeldenkraisWeek/ tell me who you are and request an invitation.
Your Regional Representatives hope that you will join us and take this opportunity to help publicize the Feldenkrais Method.
<Back
Donald Himes
It is with great sadness that I let you know of the sudden death of Donald Himes on Monday, January 3rd.
Don had been recovering wonderfully from recent hip replacement surgery; so it was a deep shock to all his friends and family when, due to post-operative complications, this vibrant and much-loved man passed away.
Don was truly a Renaissance man. His full life included the professions of musician, dancer, choreographer, composer and educator. The latter included Principal of the Toronto Dance Theatre School, Piano and Dalcroze Eurhythmics Teacher for the Royal Conservatory of Music and Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Instructor. Don was recently awarded the ‘Honorary Diplome’ from Geneva, the highest award in the Dalcroze world.
Generations of children grew up running to the television as the sound of Don playing his piano composition introduced the long-running, and extremely popular television program, Mr. DressUp (Canada’s equivalent of Mr. Rogers).
Don and I graduated from the Amherst Professional Feldenkrais Training Program in 1983. Our friendship grew when we shared living space for three years during the training, and later as we collaborated on numerous workshops and projects. He has been a faithful and highly respected teacher and colleague at The Feldenkrais Centre since it opened in 1991.
His devoted students benefited from his vast knowledge and delighted in his sophisticated dry humor. At the end of each (Feldenkrais) class his students would gather round as if in a salon, sharing experiences and soaking up his words of wisdom.
Donald Himes lived life his way - with elegance & grace.
His presence and contributions will be greatly missed, their loss deeply felt and leaves a void in the Arts, Dalcroze and Feldenkrais communities, and in our hearts.
Marion Harris, GCFP
<Back
Franz Wurm
Franz Wurm on 29 September 2010 in Ascona died.
He was a friend and companion of Moshe Feldenkrais, and has made outstanding services to the dissemination of the Feldenkrais Method® in Germany.
He was born in 1926 in Prague to Jewish parents. The family emigrated to England in 1939, where he met Moshe Feldenkrais in 1948, before he came in 1949 to Zurich. 1966-1969 he was cultural editor at the Swiss radio broadcast every Sunday and through the lessons in Awareness Through Movement®, the method known in Germany. In 1974 he co-founded the first German Moshe Feldenkrais Institute in Zurich, which he directed for many years.
For all of us he is best known as the translator of Feldenkrais’ books. In addition to these so important to us and formative works, he also leaves a great work of literature, especially poetry.
In 2004, Franz Wurm was given the honorary prize of the Feldenkrais Guild of Germany for extraordinary contributions to the Feldenkrais Method, the first and only time that this prize was awarded.
We lose in him an important witness to the emergence and spread of the method in Europe.
The Board of the Feldenkrais Guild of Germany
October 2010
i. A. Karin Miller
Feldenkrais-Verband e. V. Germany
Jägerwirt Straße 3
D-81373 Munich
089 1202125-14
e-mail: @ karin.miller feldenkrais.de
<Back
Winter 2010/2011
Do to a fluke in our system, I am unable to change the year of this In Touch Issue. The issue actually covers Winter 2010/2011, not just Winter 2010.
There are two options for reading In Touch.
You can read it online: http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/archive/2010/12/
You can also download a “Printable PDF” (Adobe Acrobat is required), and print it out. We know there are many members who like to have a paper version and the PDF file is the most cost-effective way for us to do this.
http://www.feldenkrais.com/content/intouch/pdf_archive/
<Back
Board Adopts 2011 Priorities and Budget
Susan Marshall, Executive Director
The FGNA Board has established the following priorities:
2011 Priorities
* Develop a vision and programs for organizational Continuing Competence
* Support practitioner development/competency
* Continue to develop an attractive and technically capable web site
* Continue to improve organizational viability and financial stability
* Promote and support sustainable volunteerism
* Strengthen and clarify intellectual property rights
To support these priorities, the Board passed the following balanced budget in December of 2010:
The FGNA Board has established the following priorities:
2011 Priorities
* Develop a vision and programs for organizational Continuing Competence
* Support practitioner development/competency
* Continue to develop an attractive and technically capable web site
* Continue to improve organizational viability and financial stability
* Promote and support sustainable volunteerism
* Strengthen and clarify intellectual property rights
To support these priorities, the Board passed the following balanced budget in December of 2010:
How are priorities set each year?
The Board of Directors, over several meetings, discuss and vote on priorities for the upcoming year.
These priorities augment the Board policies developed in accordance with policy governance principles. For more on policy governance, see President Rob Black’s “Letter from the President” in this issue.
How do we arrive at the annual budget?
Comparisons to previous years. The 2011 budget was developed based on my best assessment of how we spent our funds last year, with some comparison to previous years. Right now, the expenses and income accounts of 2010 are being reconciled. They will be officially reported in the 2010 Annual Report.
Results of the Membership/Certification Renewal Drive. Many members ask why membership dues and certification fees are due on December 1st. This date allows us to make an informed decision on the coming year’s income and pass a budget before the year begins.
During the 2011 membership renewal drive, we contacted almost all of our 1392 members by phone, email, and mail, with the assistance of the entire FGNA staff, Board, and the Council of Regional Representatives (CORR). Many members thanked us for the reminders; we tried to make it as easy as possible to renew.
As the staff talked with members on the phone, we had an opportunity to listen to your questions, interests, and concerns first hand. We talked with members about their expectations around what the Guild is doing to make the Feldenkrais Method® more visible to the public, how membership dues are established, and what challenges they have faced maintaining their practices during an economic downturn.
Making membership affordable. We continue to try to make membership as affordable as possible through a number of programs:
• Hardship dues program. Many members contribute to a program that makes due affordable to members struggling with medical and financial issues. So far this year, we have awarded approximately $2,400 to members through this program.
• Payment plans. Many members pay their dues over time in exchange for a modest administration fee to cover our processing costs.
• Early bird Membership Drive. (September – October) These rates are designed to reward members who pay their membership dues early.
• Super Early bird Membership Drive. (August) Although this program began in reaction to the financial crisis of 2007, we have continued this program every year since to reward members who are able to pay membership dues in full even earlier than the Early bird rate period.
• Student Member Campaign. (February –June) Student members are the future of the Guild. Their membership rates are lower. Graduating student members receive a free upgrade to professional membership for the year that they graduate. In addition, all graduating students receive free certification in the year that they graduate.
How did we do this year?
Membership Drive Results. As of February 1st, we have 1336 renewing members and 244 who chose certification only status. We will gain members and certificated only members throughout the year. Here is how we compare to the last few years:
*only through 2/1/11, not final count
The trend toward smaller membership reflects, in part, attrition due to retirement and those who may not be certified because they don’t meet the annual minimum number of practice and continuing education hours. We also have fewer trainings and graduates to replace those practitioners who leave. An estimated 3000-4000 people have graduated from Feldenkrais® Professional Training Programs accredited by the Guild through the North American Training Accreditation Board (NATAB) since its inception. This estimate does not account for deceased graduates or those who no longer live in Canada or the United States.
The increase in certified only members reflects our policy of supporting new graduates by offering free certification. We hope that this helps them get their new professional practice up and running.
How do we support FGNA Members?
Earning a Living as a Feldenkrais Practitioner. As a past small business owner offering legal counsel to small businesses, I know how difficult it can be to start and grow a new small business. It is well known that in the United States, most small businesses fail in the first few years. Many graduates plan to begin part-time businesses as a Feldenkrais Practitioner or incorporate the Feldenkrais Method into their existing business as licensed health care professionals; exercise, martial arts, and yoga instructors; sports and performing arts coaches, just to name a few.
To assist members in their pursuit of careers as Feldenkrais Practitioners, we help the public find our practitioners by:
1) Maintaining a Feldenkrais Method website
2) Maintaining a web-based searchable Find a Feldenkrais Practitioner service
3) Maintaining a web-based searchable Find Feldenkrais classes and events service,
4) Maintaining public inquiry lists for member’s to rent
5) Funding regional activities through the region allotment
6) Supporting FEFNA in its efforts to educate the public about the Feldenkrais Method through the bookstore, public inquiries, sale of PR kits, publishing and distributing SenseAbility, and marketing the annual conference to the public.
7) Supporting the regions in their outreach activities. See the article regarding “Feldenkrais Week 2011” in this issue.
Marketing the Feldenkrais Method . Members have three words for us: Website Website Website. The FGNA Website committee, staff, and I are focused on developing a new website design, web architecture, and data base to support easier public access as well as a member login feature. Although work has been done on this project since the website “broke” in 2007, we are making more significant progress this year. Stay tuned.
Marketing the Feldenkrais Method through the Feldenkrais Educational Foundation of North America.
The Guild established the Feldenkrais Educational Foundation of North America (FEFNA) to educate the public about the Feldenkrais Method. FEFNA is a way to meet a marketing goal important to all Feldenkrais Practitioners.
FEFNA’s activities include co-sponsoring the Annual Feldenkrais Method Conference and the website, and funding outreach and publicity efforts.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, members may make tax-deductible donations to support FEFNA’s efforts to increase recognition of the Feldenkrais Method. Many Guild members and certified practitioners contribute to FEFNA through the Esther Thelen Research Fund and the FEFNA general fund. In 2010, the New England Region and the Midwest Region donated a portion of their regional allotment to advertise the annual conference to the public.
The Guild supports FEFNA indirectly by sharing office administration expenses and allowing FEFNA to pay over time. For example, a number of staff members work on FEFNA projects. We coordinate with a number of volunteers to achieve FEFNA ends. These volunteers include the FEFNA Board of Directors, Research Committee, Esther Thelen Research Committee, the Feldenkrais Method Annual Conference Program Committee, the Editor of SenseAbility, as well as other ad hoc committees. FEFNA recently accepted a donation and entered into an arrangement to sponsor work done to memorialize the work of Moshe Feldenkrais during the martial arts period of his life.
Engaging Students in Feldenkrais Professional Training Programs. Training programs are the future of the Feldenkrais Method in the United States and Canada. Student membership has varied over the years, going up and down depending on the number of mid-year graduations. Last year, student membership accounted for 7% of all membership. Currently, one training program pays for student membership for all of their trainees.
In the last few years, staff has provided educational directors with student membership informational packets to distribute to their trainees. Additionally, CORR, Board, and staff members have visited professional trainings near graduation. This year we intend to visit more trainings.
One of the best benefits for first and second year students is their discount on products in the bookstore and on the Annual Feldenkrais Method Conference registration fees. Third and fourth year students enjoy these benefits as well as the right to use the service marks as they begin to teach Awareness Through Movement classes, the opportunity to rent mailing lists and be listed in the website’s searchable databases.
How we will be able to afford the projects and activities important to the members?
Affording any projects and activities over and above the basic costs and responsibilities of running an international Guild and fulfilling certification responsibilities is a creative endeavor! As a small organization, we rely on member dues, certification and accreditation fees, sales of directory listings and mailing labels, and conference income for funding.
FGNA LAST RAISED DUES IN 2001. Since that time, we have done more with less, using technology and reorganization to reduce costs.
We also have dedicated staff and volunteers working to accomplish our organizational goals. Read about our newest staff member, Molly Merideth, in “Welcome, Molly” and our newly elected volunteers in “2010 Election Results” in this issue.
What Important Benefits does FGNA Provide?
Maintaining organizational and financial responsibility. Maintaining financial accountability is important not only to members but also to external governmental regulating and tax authorities. To support, this we must maintain financial, database, and computer systems. We have shored up our infrastructure in the last two years. We have a stable, talented staff, a new executive director (me), and a fantastic Board of Directors. We have been out of debt for the last year and are moving forward with projects important to members.
Member Communication. We have moved over the last few years toward almost exclusive electronic communication, cutting costs in the process. We publish In Touch 3-4 times per year, “FGNA News” biweekly, “Conference News” biweekly in the spring of each year. We still annually print hard copies of the FGNA Directory and Feldenkrais Journal. We also maintain and are improving our website to provide members with the ability to login to a FGNA members only site
Certification and Accreditation. We are the only certification and accreditation organization in North America for Feldenkrais Practitioners. We maintain the public database of practitioners who are certified to practice the Feldenkrais Method, trainers and assistant trainers who are certified to teach Feldenkrais Professional Training Programs, and accredit Professional Training Programs. These activities are key to maintaining our regulatory independence as a profession.
Service Mark Enforcement. We have very strong service marks. In fact, we have filed applications for three new federally recognized marks: FI, ATM and Feldenkrais (as it applies to tables and props). We review publications and announcements for members and others who mention the Feldenkrais Method in publications including books, recordings, and websites, at no charge. We encourage suspected service mark violations of non-members, particularly non-Feldenkrais practitioners, to be reported at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). See the article “Have your Ads Checked” in this issue regarding the service mark service available free of charge to members.
Monitoring Government Regulation. While regulation is mostly done on a state-by-state basis in the United States, we do find trends in regulation. Specifically, if we don’t act for the benefit of our members, we could see the Feldenkrais Method relegated to a position of inferior importance as a subspecialty of other licensed professions, instead of maintaining or rising to the level of a profession unto itself. For information on what the Guild is doing with respect to regulation, see Andrea Wiener’s article, “Filed in Oregon” and Michael Purcell’s article, Regulating the “Feldenkrais Method: Is There Another Way?” in this issue.
Conclusion. Thank you for all that you do for your Guild and your profession. We endeavor, as always, to spend your funds wisely. Despite the tough times we have weathered organizationally and fiscally, we continue to support members and practitioners and to promote the Feldenkrais Method.
Please let me know if you have comments and suggestions for increasing our support to you.
Susan can be reached at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
<Back
Tell Us What You Think
During the Fall of 2010, we provided members with links to Elizabeth Beringer’s Keynote Speech at the 2010 Conference.
Did watch the videos? Would you like for FGNA provide links to similar videos in the future? If so, let us know!
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Missed the videos? You can watch them at:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2010/videopart1
http://www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2010/videopart2
http://www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2010/videopart3
http://www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2010/videopart4
http://www.feldenkrais.com/events/conference/2010/videopart5
<Back
Managing Action:
An Advanced Training with Ralph Strauch
Action is what you do -- how you interact with the world around you. Intention is what you want to do. Action is the manifestation of intention. This workshop will explore the relationship between intention and action, and the influences that facilitate or impede that relationship.
The processes through which we shape our actions are complex, multi-faceted, and distributed throughout the nervous system. Conscious voluntary action is directed primarily from the cerebral cortex, but is heavily supplemented by subcortical control of supporting activities such as coordination, balance and, overall organization. We will examine these two components of motor control and the interactions between them. Well-coordinated cortical and subcortical control results in integrated and effective action, while poor cortical/subcortical coordination leads to inefficiency and cross-motivation. Awareness provides a major integrating agent, so Feldenkrais® work can significantly improve integration.
The training will include Awareness Through Movement® lessons and other experiential explorations to clarify these concepts and Functional Integration® practices that utilize them, as well as lecture and discussion. You will learn to deepen skills and sensitivities you may not even have realized you possess. You will leave the workshop knowing what you are doing, as well as being able to do it, with a new sense of confidence in your ability to work at ever deeper levels!
The cost of the training will be $575 (US or CDN), with an early registration price of $525 before April 1 and an early-early price of $475 before March 1.
More information and registration at:
http://www.somatic.com/action.html
If you have any questions, please contact:
Ralph Strauch at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310-454-8322 or Katarina Halm at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or
604-263-9123
(paid advertisement)
<Back
Regulating the Feldenkrais Method®:
Is There Another Way?
Michael Purcell, GCFP, National Regulation Coordinator
Imagine a future in which there are tens of thousands of Feldenkrais® practitioners across North America, as well as the world. They work in many settings—such as university dance, drama and music departments; in fitness centers; in athletic programs and with teams; in private practice working with people with a great variety of needs; and in rehabilitation settings helping to restore and enhance functioning of those who have suffered strokes, brain injuries, musculo-skelatal dysfunctions, and many other conditions.
In this imagined future, the Feldenkrais Method is so well known that people seek us out naturally as a means of overcoming obstacles in their lives as well as keeping themselves fit. This is what Moshe imagined the Feldenkrais Method could become, and what many of us who worked with him and participated in the early formation of the Guild hoped and expected our work would eventually be. Is that still likely, or possible?
Our Method is based on universal principles of human functioning and can be extremely potent in skilled hands—should we not expect it to grow to be used much more? One thing this depends on a great deal is how the Method is perceived.
How any new idea or activity becomes accepted, used and integrated into society is dependent on it either using the forms and structures of that society, or changing them. In the case of practicing the Feldenkrais Method, one of the most persistent structures that we have to deal with is regulation.
Over the years in my work with regulation and on the Board of FGNA, I’ve had to deal with enough questions about why or how we are regulated that I should be very tired of dealing with them—and I am. For example, shouldn’t we be a licensed profession? Do we really need the service marks any more, if we ever needed them? Haven’t they served their purpose? Couldn’t we move on to something else? Questions like these are difficult to address simply, and they often seem unlikely to go anywhere. So why bother? And yet I think we need to continue asking such questions, because though they sometimes seem futile, the reasons behind them remain intriguing.
Is there a great and urgent need to change anything right now? The fact is that our regulatory approach—and our high success rate in achieving what we sought—has become very stable over the last ten years. Those coming into the profession recently may not be aware of the problems we faced in earlier years, so what is urgent seems different. The idea that we might have to become licensed massage therapists in order to practice our work has come up in only one or two states, and even then without much potency.
Our struggles in Washington state, New York, New Mexico, etc. over massage regulation have subsided, as today we work closely with AMTA and other massage organizations to craft massage laws that exempt us. We are currently pressing hard in Oregon, one of the few remaining “difficult” states, to put in place an exemption from the massage law. Even complaints about the main form of regulation we do use—our service marks—have lessened recently. Most practitioners now see why we have our marks and what they do for us.
To understand our situation clearly, though, one has to consider the nature of our practice and the regulatory environment we operate within. To have no form of regulation would be chaotic and make stability impossible. On the other hand, even if we had consensus that we should be licensed (and we don’t), in virtually every state and province, we are still a very small body of practitioners. This in itself makes independent licensure unmanageable. Also, becoming a licensed profession is costly, involving resources far beyond anything we could afford, because such laws are written and lobbied for independently in each state.
On the other hand, service marks use federal law, and allow us to self-regulate the profession through the Guild. This provides a way to have stable standards for training and practice of the Method and to keep those who do not adhere to our standards from using our name. This allows us to reassure governmental authorities concerned about a need to regulate Feldenkrais practitioners, that this is not necessary.
So, if that’s the case, why raise the question I asked in the title of this article? If our service marks regulate our work, what other issues are there to consider? Have I raised this simply because I want to convince you that there is no better way to do it, and nowhere to go from here, because our service marks are the be-all and end-all of our regulatory future? Well, that might be true, except for a “fly in the ointment.”
At the beginning of this article, I mentioned the potential for a much bigger future for the Feldenkrais Method and I described many of the venues that Feldenkrais practitioners work in. This is the veritable fly buzzing our future. It is our blessing and our curse. Our Method is based on such fundamental features of human (and even animal) functioning and has so many possible applications, ranging over goals and needs that are usually addressed by separate professions, that arguably, we as a group don’t really know who we are—and the public and government understand us even less. This sets up conflicts which confuse practitioners individually and keep us in a long and drawn out internal community struggle.
For example, many of us find our work difficult to market, which seems astonishing. Why such difficulty selling a service which has universal applicability and can help so many people? I believe the fact that we enjoy so many possible marketing opportunities keeps our public, and even us, in conceptual turmoil. Rather than become an asset, it confuses the picture.
A similar situation exists with our regulatory position. In the first paragraph of this article, I described a number of practice settings in which we work. In the last one, I slipped in the word, “rehabilitation.” No big deal, we all know that use of the Method can help restore function for people with many kinds of serious conditions. Moshe actually became famous because of this, not because he was a great “fitness coach” or did interesting work with actors. He became known as a sort of miracle worker who could help people that few others could; and a great number of us signed on for this adventure because of that very promise.
Rehabilitation, however, is the province of the medical world. Those who are known in our culture as the “go to” people for rehabilitation and recovery from serious dysfunction, those whose work is most expected to be proven and effective, are in the Health Care professions—and they are licensed.
That’s not to say the public doesn’t use alternatives or that these are not useful—we know that they do and that they can be. NIH and other studies show that; but not all alternatives will stand up to the test of proof and survive. However, those that do succeed and grow over time eventually become mainstream. Perhaps the Feldenkrais Method in its current form and presentation will never become mainstream; but one promise of the Method is that it could be.
Moshe himself wanted this and struggled with the issue of acceptance. Some of us might actually be concerned about seeing this happen, fearing it could “corrupt” our work, but for others this looks like the best thing that could possibly occur. How likely, or even inevitable is the eventual wide recognition of what we can do for people with serious disabilities? More important, how likely is it that our work will be widely used and Moshe’s vision fulfilled?
Already, today, many practitioners are using the Feldenkrais Method in rehabilitation. Who are they? Except for a few practitioners who are well established, who have refined their skills and developed a name for themselves such that they can get students and get paid well even though they cannot take insurance payments, those working in rehabilitation are medical people—physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, etc. That is, they are licensed health care professionals. Some of us may not choose to be part of that system—there are many downsides; we may even be the majority. It is also feasible that recognition of the Method as a “rehab” alternative will grow without any sort of independent licensing for those who address this population. But for many unlicensed Feldenkrais practitioners, this currently represents an inequitable situation. It’s one which practitioners notice and that I hear about—it irks them. Many of these practitioners are quite skilled, some even more skilled than those with licenses, but they have a harder time getting this clientele. The great majority of people will not sign on for lessons but will go where the vast medical and insurance system leads them.
As with any market, the issue is access, even when you acknowledge the headaches of working with insurance. It’s not only the possibility of accepting 3rd party payment; more than that, it’s positioning. How do you become recognized as the person to go to? In our profession, there is both a marketing side and a structural side to this question, and a vital part of that structure is regulation.
The great, ironic problem we have is that one regulatory solution does not fit equally well all the applications and environments we work in. While I don’t have an immediate solution to this dilemma, I think it’s one we cannot afford to ignore, and I would like to hear observations and ideas that other practitioners may have on this question.
One reason why now is a good time to consider these questions is that there is evidence that the environment for alternatives and new ideas in Health Care is changing. It is interesting to note that when the new health care law was written (the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” or PPACP), it included many references to “Complimentary and Alternative Medicine” (CAM). It also used some new, evolving terms which are not yet even fully defined, such as “Integrative Health Practitioner.” The fact that there is growing attention to alternatives within mainstream medicine and government, as well as an awareness that the borders of medicine may be fuzzier than previously believed, is a sign that we should be paying attention.
There are even proactive projects happening to try to consciously redefine terminology, based on this recognition. A “focus group” on umbrella terms met recently in Vancouver. Cultural philosophers and health specialists reconsidered whether CAM is an appropriate term. “Complementary and Integrative Medicine” (CIM) and “Integrative Healthcare” are two terms they considered as possible alternatives to CAM. A report that came back to me via our work with the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations (FGNA is a member) described the new understanding and focus of what they are trying to name: “A patient centered system of health care encompassing an array of disciplines that looks at optimal health as a goal.”
This is significantly different from the standard health care description, or even some recent “alternative medicine” descriptions. Whereas previously Feldenkrais practitioners had a hard time seeing themselves as adequately described under any “umbrella” term, such a shift in consciousness and expectations about what health care is supposed to be might cause us to reconsider.
Could you see describing yourself as one of a class of “Integrative Health Practitioners?” Would you consider working under a special credential within a clinical “Medical Home” environment? (“Medical Home” is another new term that emerged recently and is described in the PPACP as a sort of clinical environment where many practitioners work together as a team, generally headed by a physician, but with more autonomy than before.)
There is currently a lot of political energy to kill the PPACP; nevertheless, the intent of finding more cost-effective health care models will not die, and that could gradually drive medical people to seek out Feldenkrais practitioners. Will those of us who are interested be ready to participate? Will our regulatory profile foster and assist us or be an impediment that stands in the way? Is becoming a licensed professional under another profession the only viable way for a Feldenkrais practitioner to actively participate in such a clinical environment?
I stated earlier that a new idea becomes prevalent either by using the current forms and structures of society or by changing them. In order for our work to grow dramatically, many, many more practitioners will need to be trained. However, will it also become necessary or wise to participate in the medical system—even a transformed one? Or could an entirely new cultural value take hold and eventually become “mainstream.” I sometimes wonder if the Feldenkrais Method could become the advance guard and spearhead of a movement where approaches like ours come into their own on another completely separate and powerful track.
What would it take for that to happen? Do you wonder too?
Recently a committee has started to meet to address both immediate regulatory needs and long-term issues. Should you have any suggestions which you would like to put forth to that group or any responses to this article, please post by clicking on the link below.
or contact Michael at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
530.274.9977
<Back
Summary of FGNA Board of Directors Minutes
Submitted by Dale Jensen, GCFP, FGNA Board Secretary
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 [by teleconference]
1. Agreed to “Approve the Agenda”
2. Agreed to approve BOD Minutes:
• Approved the minutes of the Summer 2010 Board of Directors Retreat.
• Agreed to approve the minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting, Executive Session on July 30, 2010.
• Agreed to approve the minutes of the meeting between the Board of Directors and Council of Regional Representatives, July 31, 2010.
• Agreed to approve the minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting, Executive Session on August 1, 2010.
• Agreed to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Directors Meeting on September 2, 2010.
• Agreed to approve the minutes of the Regular Board of Directors Meeting, Executive Session on September 2, 2010.
• Agreed to approve the minutes of the Special Board of Directors Meeting on September 7, 2010.
• Members of Continuing Education Committee Join.
3. Discussed Continuing Education Committee (CE) - history of formation, intentions for CE Committee formation and refocusing of BOD using the Carver Model.
Members of CE Committee Depart, 6:58 PM PDT.
4. Rob Black agrees to work on “Continuing Education” article for In Touch.
5. Board members participated in a brief Appreciative Inquiry process.
6. Began process of generating ideas for BOD priorities in 2011.
7. Agreed that the Executive Director be authorized to submit trademark (including servicemark) applications and to negotiate and enter into trademark (including service mark) licensing agreements with individuals who are not otherwise authorized to use FGNA’s trademarks, provided that such agreements
(1) do not inadequately maintain, or unnecessarily risk FGNA assets; and (2) do not license non-certified individuals to teach Functional Integration® or Awareness Through Movement® lessons, nor provide training in the Feldenkrais Method®.
8. Agreed to delete the following policies from the FGNA Policy Manual:
FGNA Board of Directors Governance Resolution [1999]
Litigation Steering Committee [Secondary Carver]
A1. Organizational Structure of the Guild
A3. 1989 Board Resolution
A9. Procedure for Acceptance of Member/RC/other Proposal
A10. Project Manager job description
A13. Articles of incorporation
B1. Board Administrative Policies
B8. 2nd Vice president job description
B12. BOD/Committee Relationship
B15. Parliamentary Comments
B16. Principle Rules Governing Motions
B17. Purposes of Motions/Parliamentary Strategy
C4. Requirements for certification renewal
D4. Newsletter Ad Policy
E3. Conference
F5. Candidate form for nomination to FGNA Board
H1. Policy on International cooperation
H2. FELDENKRAIS® professional organizations policy
H3. Criteria for the formation of alliances with other organizations
H4. Federation of Massage/Body workers
H6. IFF Representative Application Form
I1. Relationship of the Training Accreditation Board to the BOD
I3. TAB History, who we are, what do we do and why
I5. 1995 Addendum to Feldenkrais Professional Training Policy
I14. Guild Liaison Coordinator
I15. Policy-Guild Liaison to Training Programs
I16. Guild-Liaison to Training, Job Description
I17. Student Representative to the Guild from a FPTP
I20. Letter regarding student’s ‘rights’
PASSED.
9. Susan Marshall provided Executive Director report. Preliminary details of FGNA 2011 Conference at Hampshire College were presented.
10. Special FGNA BOD meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 [by teleconference]
1. Board members participated in a brief Appreciative Inquiry process.
2. Discussed history of formation of Executive Committee and need for clarification of Executive Committee role, process, and monitoring.
3. Discussed process for BOD review of Executive Director draft contract.
4. Agreed to accept in principle, the proposal by Susan Marshall for her employment contract subject to review by the FGNA lawyer Paula Goedert.
Thursday, November 11, 2010 [by teleconference]
1. The Board engaged in an Appreciative Inquiry process.
2. Minutes for March through October were tabled for approval via online meeting.
• March 17-19, 2010 Online Conference minutes
• July 26, 2010 regular BOD meeting minutes
• July 27, 2010 Annual Meeting minutes
• October 6 and 13, 2010 regular BOD meeting minutes
• October 13, 2010 Executive Session minutes.
• November 15, 2010 Online meeting and Motion to approve 2011 FGNA election results
3. Agreed “To approve the agenda as amended.”
4. It was reported that the 2010 FGNA election results were approved by an online meeting and vote. After the elections results are announced to the candidates, Rob Black agreed to call Vida Kolodny to welcome her on board as voting Canadian Representative beginning the term in July 2011.
5. Priorities for 2011 were discussed and the following subgroup was created composed of Dwight Pargee, Susan Marshall, Chrish Kresge, Rob Black and Elinor Silverstein to discuss how the suggested priorities can be condensed and regrouped into similar levels. The subgroup will report back to the BOD with categorizations.
6. Dwight Pargee agreed to forward to the BOD a Draft Competency Proposal (3/29/06) from the NATAB in regards to separating certification from graduation and moving towards a competency-based certification organization.
7. Policy Revision Project Update was provided by Susan Marshall. The following subgroup was created composed of Susan Marshall, Dwight Pargee, Giselle St. Hilaire, and Jaclyn Boone to work on the next step of determining policy review and revisions relative to the ED, the BOD or both ED/BOD responsibilities. In addition, the ongoing work on the Continuing Education (CE) policy would also include Rob Black. The subgroup will report back to the BOD with recommendations at the December Board meeting.
8. The Board discussed a proposal for host location and logistics for the March 3-5, 2011 In-Person Board Meeting.
9. Rob Black reported that Diana Whitney (Appreciative Inquiry consultant) is not available during the March 3-5 dates for appreciative inquiry work for the Board. Rob will contact her to see if she will be available to work with the FGNA membership at the 2011 Annual Conference as a possible Pre-Conference event. Susan Marshall will talk to the 2011 Conference Program Committee about this.
10. Susan provided an Executive Director Report.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010 [by teleconference]
1. The FGNA Mission Statement was read aloud.
2. Board members participated in a brief Appreciate Inquiry process: “What does it mean to act in a sustainable manner?”
3. MOTION to “Approve the Agenda”
PASSED.
4. Motion: “To approve specific minutes for March through October (listed below)
March 17-19, 2010 Online Conference minutes
July 26, 2010 Regular BOD meeting minutes
July 27, 2010 Annual Meeting minutes
October 6, 2010 Regular BOD meeting minutes
October 13, 2010 Regular BOD meeting minutes
October 13, 2010 Executive Session minutes
November 15, 2010 Online Conference minutes. PASSED.
5. Motion “To approve the minutes for November 11, 2010 Regular BOD meeting.” PASSED.
6. Discussed results from survey of BOD members regarding proposed 2011 FGNA Priorities.
7. Susan Marshall presented the current working budget for 2011 which had already been reviewed and recommended by the Finance Committee.
8. An update was provided on the Policy review project.
9. Reviewed Continuing Competency as a potential 2011 priority for the BOD to develop. Ideas were discussed to continue to involve members in this process. Rob Black, Dwight Pargee, Gisele St. Hilaire, and Susan Marshall will begin crafting a paper on Continuing Competency. This will be drafted by the end of 2010 and made available to the rest of the BOD prior to the January BOD meeting. An update on this process to members via In Touch was suggested.
10. The February In-Person Board Meeting logistics were discussed.
Saturday, December 18, 2010 [Special Meeting, Online Vote]
1. MOTION: “That the in person Board Work Session be held in Capitola, CA beginning 2/16/11 and ending 2/19/11.
Location: Capitola, CA (Lester’s Beach house)
Travel day: Wednesday 2/16
Meeting days: Thursday 2/17- Saturday 2/19
Travel day: Sunday 2/20 flying in and out of San Jose airport (45 minutes away)”
Passed.
Saturday, December 28, 2010 [Special Meeting, Online Vote]
1. MOTION: “Moved: To accept the 2010 budget distributed by Susan Marshall on 26 December, 2010. The Finance Committee recommends that the Board accept the budget.“
Passed.
<Back
Let us Check your Service Marks
Advertising a workshop or class?
Designing packaging for a new Product?
Interested in selling your product through the FEFNA bookstore?
Confused about the service marks? Let FGNA help!
Using words like Feldenkrais®, the Feldenkrais Method®, Awareness through Movement®, Functional Integration®, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Pracittionercm or Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher® in your advertisements? Not sure that you are using the service marks correctly?
FGNA has a service mark team that is happy to assist you by reviewing your advertisement and providing you with guidance on how to use the marks accurately.
Before your send your item, please review our service mark guidelines at:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/profession/professional_policies/#servicemarks
Want to learn more? Email Carla at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Please allow four business days for your advertisement to be reviewed.
<Back
Alt.md Service Discontinued
Despite our best efforts to maintain a relationship with Altmd.com, the company has been unresponsive to our attempts to contact them. As a result, we can no longer offer a free listing to our members.
<Back
Answers for your Basic Tech Questions
Need a place to go for free, easy to understand tech support?
Check out:
http://www.teachparentstech.org/
<Back
The Feldenkrais Method® In the News
Check out these articles on the Method:
Published in The Herald, Everett, WA, on September 21, 2010
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100921/LIVING/709219993/1027
Published in The Huffington Post on June 24, 2010
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-sigman/feldenkrais-everything-yo_b_623848.html
Published in The Globe and Mail, Toronto, ON on June 10, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/feldenkrais-classes-a-tuneup-for-mind-and-body/article1598957/
Published in The Villager, NY, NY on May 12-18, 2010
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_368/feldenkrais.html
Published in The Pain Practitioner, Volume 20 Number 1, Spring 2010
http://www.aapainmanage.org/education/EducationLit/Pain%20Practitioner%20Spring_2010.pdf
<Back
2010 Election Results
FGNA Board Vice President
(Q3 2011- Q3 2013)
Jaclyn Boone
FGNA Board Seat #1
(Q3 2011- Q3 2013)
Chrish Kresge
FGNA Board Seat #4
(Q3 2011- Q3 2013)
Dale Jensen
FGNA Board Canadian Seat
(Q3 2011- Q3 2013)
Vita Kolodny
Grievance Board
(1/1/11-12/31/11)
Kathleen Cusick
John Quinn
Kathy Yates
Member Advocate Seat #1
(1/1/2011-12/31/2013)
Ruth Hurst
Nominating Committee Seat #2
(1/1/2011-12/31/2013)
Nancy Rosenthal
NATAB Seat #1
(1/1/2011-12/31/2013)
Keith Johnson
Find a list of all elected volunteers at:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/profession/fgna/about_fgna/
<Back
Welcome, Molly
Molly Merideth joined the FGNA staff as a temporary employee on October 1, 2010 and became a permanent staff member on December 31. Her previous work experience includes sixteen years of administrative support in various departments at Oregon Health & Science University. Prior to 1994, she worked in the Boston area.
Following her interest in self-understanding, she lives in a meditation community and has taught hatha yoga since 2002. Since coming aboard FGNA, she has had the opportunity to have two FI lessons. Molly finds the new information and interactions with the practitioners very enjoyable, as well as a welcome addition to her ongoing learning. She really appreciates the Method’s focus on awareness and well-being.
Molly also enjoys the FGNA staff, as she feels each one is a unique and interesting individual, and they work together so well as a team.
Outside of work, Molly enjoys hiking in the beautiful Oregon outdoors, good music and dance, and good friends.
<Back
Filed in Oregon: Bill for Massage Statute Exemption
Andrea Wiener, Policy Administrator
On July 10, 2010, SB 454 was introduced in Oregon. SB 454 would exempt certain practitioners from regulation by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists, and would apply to Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teachers®. Please see below for partial language of the bill. The complete bill can be found here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measures/sb0400.dir/sb0454.intro.html
The exemption language of the bill applies to those who:
(A) Do not claim expressly or implicitly to be massage therapists;...
(B) Limit their work to the following practices:
... Using touch, words and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement and suggest new possibilities of movement…. and
(C) Are certified by a professional organization or credentialing agency that:
(i) Requires a minimum level of training, demonstration of competence and adherence to an approved scope of practice and ethical standards; and
(ii) Maintains disciplinary procedures to ensure adherence to the requirements of the organization or agency….
National Regulation Coordinator Michael Purcell and I have been actively involved in monitoring legislative activity in Oregon for over ten years. In 2009, bills were filed to exempt Polarity Therapy and Bowenwork®. FGNA supported these bills with a request to include exemption for the Feldenkrais Method®. Our practitioners responded strongly, overnight, with a letter-writing campaign. Although the 2009 bills did not come up for a vote, Michael and I have continued to work with others on issues in Oregon, and we participated in drafting SB 454.
Regulation issues are part of my work as Policy Administrator, but our high rate of success in getting the Feldenkrais Method exempted from massage statutes in 18 states is possible only through many hours of practitioner volunteer work at the state level. Since 2010, my work on Oregon regulation issues has been primarily on a volunteer basis. We just had our first meeting with Oregon practitioners and trainees on January 26, and already, many others are actively involved. Thank you to Ahma Lia Bride, Deborah Skell, Steve Cable, Sabra Marcroft, Ken Largent, Linda Tittle, John Chapman, and all others who’ve participated and will be participating in the weeks ahead!
<Back
Why Come to Amherst in 2011?
Deborah Page, 2011 Conference Coordinator
Moshe Feldenkrais was one of the most distinct thinkers of the human potential movement. His sophisticated and innovative approach to understanding and exploring the unity of body and mind and the brain’s capacity for learning have relevance today to many diverse disciplines, including science, education, athletics, and the arts. “Drawing from the deep roots of Jewish traditions, the the eastern martial art of Judo, and the science and philosophy of the west; and grounded in original insights into our shared human nature, he created a body of work inherently practical, widely applicable, and brilliantly thought through.” (R. Russell, personal communication, December 2011.) The opportunity to study with him was to be in the presence of a Master.
Although practitioners today no longer have the opportunity to study personally with Moshe, there are resources available for continued learning and reflection. The lessons taught at Alexander Yanai, the videotapes from the San Francisco and Amherst trainings, along with many books, articles, and interviews, all offer insight into the questions Feldenkrais was exploring and the development of his methodology. The Amherst training addressed a variety of themes, including his understanding of biology and evolution, insights into human development throughout the life-span, reflections on the process of organic learning, and his emerging understanding of the processes of awareness, attention and open inquiry (ibid). The 2011 Feldenkrais Method® Conference will offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in this foundational period of the Feldenkrais Method.
The 2011 Conference workshops will draw from Amherst material. Awareness Through Movement® classes from the Amherst training will be held in the same gym that Feldenkrais taught in during 1980-81. (Dr. Feldenkrais may even make an appearance via technology!) A keynote panel discussion of Amherst graduates will provide a historical perspective on the relevance of our work today and in the future. You can also look forward to a multimedia presentation designed to inspire, inform, and evoke your curiosity.
All forward progress has roots. As our work expands worldwide, the importance of visiting the foundation of the Method is paramount. Our perception of our history shapes the way we view the present and informs the solutions we create for our current challenges. The 2011 Conference will offer practitioners and students the opportunity to intimately explore this period of our work in order to move intelligently forward with greater awareness.
Save the dates July 8-13th and join us in Amherst!
Picture of Moshe provided by the IFF Archive
<Back
The Feldenkrais Journal:
Searching for a new Editor & Assistant Editor
The Feldenkrais Journal Issue #23 titled “Asthetics” is hot off the press. The Guild mailed this issue to all 2010 Guild members in January 2011. Please let us know if you have not received your copy.
This was the last issue for Journal Editor Gay Sweet Scott and Assistant Editor Elaine Yoder. We congratulate them for a job well done and are grateful to them for their many years of service in this endeavor.
We now begin our search for a new Editor to plan and produce Feldenkrais Journal Issue #24.
If any members are interested in applying for the Editor and/or Assistant Editor position, please email Executive Director, Susan Marshall at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by March 1, 2010 to indicate your interest. A modest honorarium is available.
<Back
Check out Feldy Notebook!
Bookmark this Link!
FGNA Student member, Laura Yedwab, has put together a very interesting open source website called Feldy Notebook at http://feldynotebook.wikispaces.com that functions as a searchable database of Amherst ATM lessons. For each ATM, the following are included: the source of the ATM, a short description, a lesson outline, focus, key ideas, principles or strategies, advice, related ATMs, other links, other space to share insights, discuss or comment.
Any questions? Contact Laura at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
<Back
Connecting at Conference
Liese Weber-Frutchey, GCFP
“If you do not know what you are doing…You cannot do what you want”
This is a favorite quote of mine. Long an explorer and creative risk-taker, I found myself a bit more nervous arriving in Chicago at the end of July for the 2010 Conference than I was on the first day I attended my Feldenkrais® training program in Vienna, Austria! Excited by the prospects of my own Feldenkrais-time after a very complex year since my graduation in Vienna February 2009, I knew the week would bring many possibilities and rediscoveries. It was especially nice to see several of my Trainers and Assistant Trainers from Vienna: Carl and Lucia Ginsburg and Ellen Soloway. The new, but familiar friendly faces and the generous, informative nature of the teaching finally connected me deeper with books, CDs, websites, tightly woven and integrated into the first seven years of my Feldenkrais journey.
Not only were the facilities and the setting at Loyola University in Chicago inspiring, so was the distinguished collection of my North American colleagues. As a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher, I have never considered myself shy, therefore I found myself engaged in remarkable conversations with new friends sharing a common interest-the Feldenkrais Method®.
An earlier email from Linda Flanders peaked my curiosity regarding her film documentation planned for the FGNA website in connection with Elizabeth Beringer’s keynote address. This seemed like a calling to get involved and jump in body, mind and spirit! How delightful is was to dance in a fountain, a garden and the common spaces used for the conference to the melodious improvisations on the alto sax by Stephen Duke.
Connections were started during that week, which have already encouraged shifts for me in my own development as a new practitioner. I was totally inspired by the sessions I attended and the expertise shared, as well as the potential for development of the method within my present work in the Arts.
Until this point in time, nearly 90% of my USA experiences with Practitioners has been with my mentor Aliza Stewart in Baltimore. It was a wonderful opportunity to have the perspective from both sides of the ocean, each providing valuable and rich learning experiences that shape the future of the Method. The FGNA organization, the presenters, the spaces, and the collection of those who attended were more than what I hoped for. My only regret was not being able to attend more of the workshops offered. The shared professionalism and enjoyable interactions on a daily basis were exactly what I needed to connect in this country. I am already looking forward to our future experiences in the years ahead!
Liese Weber-Frutchey, (New Orleans, LA) attended the Feldenkrais International Training Program-Vienna, Austria (February 2009)
<Back
Fall 2010
There are two options for reading In Touch.
You can read it online: http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/archive/2010/09/
You can also download a “Printable PDF” (Adobe Acrobat is required), and print it out. We know there are many members who like to have a paper version and the PDF file is the most cost-effective way for us to do this.
http://www.feldenkrais.com/content/intouch/pdf_archive/
<Back
How do you describe the Feldenkrais Method®?
The woman waiting behind you in the checkout line asks what you do for a living.
You’ve got 30 seconds. What do you say?
<Back
Amherst Training Now Available on DVD!
Wow!
1980-1981 Amherst Training Now Available on DVD
This 2-volume set of 50 DVDs documents the last professional teaching by Dr. Feldenkrais. The long awaited digital version can be
ordered as a set for $500.
Free Shipping if you order by Monday, November 11, 2010
Go to:
http://www.iffmaterials.com/order_here/amherst_training_on_dvd
IFF Distribution Center
503.380.6024
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
http://www.IFFmaterials.com
<Back
Renew your Membership for 2011
2011 Professional Member Benefit Highlights:
•Your website listing in our searchable practitioner listings, enabling the public to find out about your Feldenkrais® practice.
•Certification to practice the Feldenkrais Method® in the United States and Canada
•Licensed use of up to four service marks and two certification marks.
•Your ATM class listings and events on our website
•Ability to rent mailing lists of practitioners and the public who have expressed interest in the Feldenkrais Method
•Monitoring governmental regulation of the Feldenkrais Method in your state
•2011 Feldenkrais Method Annual Conference discount.
•2011 membership directory—free listing
•Customized templates for Business Cards, Postcards, Posters, and more
•Subscription to Guild Communications! (“FGNA News” bimonthly, In Touch, quarterly.)
•The Feldenkrais Journal, (annually)
•FEFNA Bookstore 10% discount
Are you a professional member? Take $25 off the regular rate if you pay in full by October 31, 2010!
Important Dates for 2011 Renewal:
•Early Bird deadline: October 31, 2010
•Final deadline: December 1, 2010
•Payment plans: available & subject to a $5 processing fee per payment
•Directory Listing deadline: December 1, 2010
•$25 late fee applies to payment arrangements made after December 1, 2010
http://www.feldenkrais.com/resources/page/2011_membership/
Call 503.221.6612 ext 125 if you need assistance with your membership application or membership benefits.
<Back
Finding Her People: A First-Timer at Conference
Sharon A. Costianes, GCFP
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before… A Feldenkrais® Practitioner walks into a bar. The bartender says, “What do you do?” “I’m a Feldenkrais Practitioner” “…a what?” The bartender physically pulls back, uncomfortable…Not sure if he should serve the woman sitting in front of him, he pauses. The FP leans forward and says, “There’s no ‘T’ at the end…”
For a small town in upstate NY there are more GCFPs in Ithaca than one might expect. There are three of us listed on the Guild’s site. There are another three or four folks who have practiced at one point or another. But even so, life can get lonely when you’re constantly explaining what you do to the general population. And being treated like a mad woman…well let’s just say it can wear on you. From time to time, I yearn for someone who ‘gets the lingo’ without explanation. Even more so, I yearn for an FI. I make it a point to connect a few times a year with the other Practitioners within my local community. We trade lessons, have tea, exchange the odd email.
I went to my first National Conference this July not knowing what to expect. The course descriptions intrigued me. The thought of meeting and networking with the larger Feldenkrais Community – a community that for the most part, I had never met in person – was exciting.
By the end of the week, I discovered something: There is something about Feldies coming together en mass that is just…special. Who else in the world would connect with colleagues by ‘line rolling’ on the floor in the Conference Olympics? Who else prides themselves on going even more slowly than the next person? Who else would crack up while singing “F – G – N – A!” to the tune of “YMCA” – with an encore? I had found my people.
But seriously - aside from having a great time and connecting with colleagues from all over the globe, there were many opportunities to expand my knowledge of this profound work. I spent hours discussing research findings and applications for Feldenkrais philosophy and practice. I rediscovered the movement available in the rib cage; re-named the “rib cage” the “rib basket” (which makes me think of french-fries and BBQ and makes me chuckle). I explored vision, expanded my knowledge of the Nervous System, the joints, and my own internal processing systems.
I came away from the conference feeling enlightened and inspired! My understanding of the work has deepened. I’ve made new professional connections, strengthened old connections as well. I got clear about where I’m headed in the near future in my practice and gained confidence in my skills as a Practitioner.
I will return to the conference next year. The opportunity for advanced training is, of course, wonderful. If nothing else, simply connecting in an arena where we Feldies can talk face-to-face, practice together, learn together, play together, and connect with one another as a national community makes the conference invaluable. We are a richly diverse group in the Guild. That diversity offers incredible insight, varied experience and gorgeous opportunity for growth.
Back home in Ithaca, I’ve stopped leading with my title, choosing instead the first approximation that the individual can relate to. Depending on the circumstances, I tailor my response to the inevitable “what do you do?” at parties, networking events, grocery store lines. “I teach people how to move efficiently” “I teach people how to move out of pain and into comfort” “I teach people how to use their bodies in the most effective way possible.” These stories are understood. I am greeted with curiosity rather than apprehension and a conversation begins… I say confidently, “I do this with the Feldenkrais Method. There’s no ‘T’…”
<Back
Members Reflect on Continuing Education
Rob Black
Many In Touch readers will remember receiving an e-mail on July 2nd inviting them to participate in an online survey about Guild functions. There was an incentive to participate (receiving $50 off the 2011 membership). The deadline for participating was July 17th. As with other online surveys, most respondents participated within the first few days. In total, two hundred and thirty-nine (239) responded. Further details about the survey will be presented in a later edition of In Touch; some of the questions are pertinent to the very “hot” topic of Continuing Education.
For the Survey, the Continuing Education (CE) Committee was very involved in the development of the questions pertaining to Continuing Education. Some very pointed input was requested.
The current guidelines for maintaining certification through Continuing Education are summarized in a downloadable document from the Guild website: http://www.feldenkrais.com/download/resources/FGNAcertFAQ.pdf
The first question asked whether we should retain the current policy with respect to specific FELDENKRAIS® content. The proportion in favor of retaining the specific content was the same as the proportion against (40% in favour, 39% against).
We should retain current policy requiring FELDENKRAIS METHOD® content:
Perhaps some practitioners were not clear on the policy. The next question helps clarify the ideas of practitioners by pointedly requesting their agreement with the question about having specific content requirements. Here, 64% agreed there should be “some specified content.” Nevertheless, nearly one-quarter (23%) disagreed.
There should be some specific content requirements for continuing education:
There was considerable debate on the CE Forum regarding whether there should be explicit, or FELDENKRAIS-specific requirements.
Another question on the survey drew this information more succinctly. Survey respondents clearly disagreed (71%) with the statement that “there should be no explicit…” requirements. In other words, the respondents would likely agree with there being explicit FELDENKRAIS requirements.
There should be no explicit FELDENKRAIS METHOD-specific requirements:
On the CE Forum, there were recommendations that new graduates should have requirements for their continuing education, but those with more years of experience would not need this. Here, only 15% agreed, and 59% disagreed. Thus, the majority of practitioners feel that new graduates should not have specific CE requirements. We also note that one-quarter of respondents selected “no opinion.”
We should limit and/or specify such requirements only for recent graduates:
The last question in this series was the hardest to put into a survey question. The CE Committee wanted input regarding whether (member) practitioners felt that they were willing to take the responsibility to assess their own skills and determine their continuing education needs. Almost all practitioners reported that they were ready to take on this responsibility.
I am willing to take the responsibility to self-assess my continuing education needs and to base my choices on what I need to strengthen my FELDENKRAIS METHOD work:
Linked to the idea of taking responsibility is the notion of keeping records to demonstrate this. Some professions actually audit a percentage of their members for compliance on CE. In the current policy, FGNA has retained the right to ask practitioners for their records. Question five asked practitioners about their record keeping for CE experiences – what would happen if FGNA did an audit?
One-third of Professional members reported that they had accurate records. Another third had moderately accurate records (“a file in which I have recorded some of my activities”). Almost forty percent reported that they did not have current records, but could search for information. Finally, given the option of “No information”, very few (1%) noted this.
The FGNA Certification policy requires that each practitioner keep yearly records of their study. If you were asked to produce your records for last year, which answer would you give?
We noted above that members had reported that they were in favor of specific FELDENKRAIS content. Thus, another question requested by the CE Committee was how much of the 20 CE hours should be explicitly NON-FELDENKRAIS content.
Overall, the majority of professional members felt that half of the CE requirements could be non-FELDENKRAIS. A further third felt that allowing 4 hours of non-FELDENKRAIS-specific CE would be acceptable. One-fifth (19%) felt that there should be no non-FELDENKRAIS content allowed at all.
The current FGNA Certification policy requires 20 hours annually of study that is explicitly in FELDENKRAIS METHOD content. FGNA’s Continuing Education Committee is considering recommending that we allow for learning in related areas to count toward continuing education requirements.
What percentage of your annual continuing education credits should be allowed for learning that is not specifically related to the FELDENKRAIS METHOD?
The next questions have to do with practical aspects of how Professional Members have developed themselves.
The CE Policy identifies six areas in which a practitioner can develop her understanding of the Method. The area that most practitioners noted they use was “Self-Directed Study.” The area next most commonly used was “Advanced Trainings.” The least frequent area has been using the Amherst Training Videos. (However, with these now being available at such an affordable price effective August 27, this may change dramatically.)
How many hours did you denote to each type of continuing education study in 2009? (Note: the total can be more than 20 hours):
Another question had to to with the basis upon which practitioners made decisions about the CE programs that they attended. Overall, the factor that was strongest was the presenter.
Reflect back to the continuing education programs you attended in 2009 (or to programs you plan to attend in the future). Please rate the degree to which you valued each factor in selecting these programs.
Finally how much do practitioners spend? Some spend between $250 and $500; quite a few spend over $1000.
How much did you spend in 2009 to get your 20 hours of continuing education credit for 2010?
Overall, this survey has covered a broad range of information relating to aspects of Continuing Education: Costs, how workshops are chosen, what types are most common. Attitudes about how CE should be guided have been identified, including:
* general agreement that there should be explicit FELDENKRAIS requirements
* some (up to half) of the CE hours could be non-FELDENKRAIS-specific
* generally, recent graduates do not need to be limited to FELDENKRAIS-specific CE
Practitioners have reported that they maintain records of the CE activities, and that they were willing to take the responsibility to assess their own skills and determine their continuing education needs.
In bringing this information to members, we anticipate that this will stimulate thinking and reflection on how these results inform your continuing education practices.
There is opportunity for comments within In Touch, and I look forward to reading your feedback.
Warmly,
Robert Black
<Back
Reflections from the 2010 IFF Assembly
Robert Black
This year’s Assembly was hosted by the Italian Guild; meetings were held in an elegant hotel on hills which overlooked the plain that stretched to the Gulf of Venice. Food was excellent and the Italian Guild showered us in delightful wines from the area. Overall, the environment was warm and supportive (and not expensive).
There were many threads to the meetings. One was, “Things that should be simple can quickly become complex.” Another was, “When we work together, we can make a difference. That makes a difference.”
The overall theme for the Assembly was: DISCOVERING THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION. Days 1 & 2 were focused on discovering each member organization - what is working for them; what are areas of challenge and new learnings. Details of this are available online at: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhrt97jb_222dgvftmcp
Topics and Reports
Fees and Requests for reductions. Fees remain at 8% of fees paid to member organizations, capped at 20,000 EUR. For the third year, Germany applied for, and received, a reduction of 5,000 Eur. Germany has had significant financial challenges resulting from its lawsuit; this is the 3rd of the 5 years that the Guild is taking to pay down its legal bill.
Report from the IFF Archive. The Archive Committee met in February, 2010 and was very effective. Since Richard Ehrman passed away, the Archive has been coordinated by George Kutz; George has recommended that Moti Nativ be the coordinator. (As many of us know who have met him, Moti has a very strong sense of the vision of Dr. Feldenkrais). The Archive put in a substantial budget request to continue the digitisation of materials. We learned there has been another location of (historic materials about Moshe: the Wingate Institute, located outside Tel Aviv. This is a degree-granting sports institute which also researches history of physical education. They acquired many of Moshé’s materials when he died (e.g. his library, and other memorabilia).
The LOGO. After years of maintenance by the Swiss Guild, the IFF has taken responsibility for the LOGO. Costs in France are considerably cheaper than in Switzerland. Recent Trademark treaties have also reduced the costs of maintaining the Logo.
SRC Follow-up. Last Assembly, (2009) there was a great deal of discussion on the “Structure Review Committee” or SRC, culminating in a one-day workshop (http://feldenkrais-method.org/src). Since then there has been little energy specific to this area; further, there are indicators of small change around the world.
Amherst FI Digitisation. George Krutz reported that perhaps half of the FI’s have been digitised. He presented a concept in which the FI’s could be viewed by members of member guilds. He is working with a wizard from America to develop a website for this purpose.
Translations. Italy, France, Spain, Argentina and now Japan, want translations of the Alexander Yanai (AY) lessons. Germany is currently part-way through translating AY following the IFF’s policy to ensure very high quality translations - but other, smaller, Guilds are finding they cannot afford this. A number of suggestions were made with variations on quality or number of AY’s. It was also suggested that the IFF, with several years of accumulated surpluses, could consider grants and help with loans to cover the capital investment. Also, more flexibility was introduced in which sets of AY’s might be translated.
The Passing of Yochanan. Many practitioners of IFF member organizations trained with Yochanan. The IFF drafted a letter to the widow of Yochanan, expressing the very special way that the Community feels about him. This was to be delivered by the representatives from Israel.
IFF Budget. The Assembly voted to draw on past reserves for:
1. Digitisation of the Archive and travel for face-to-face meetings
2. Competency - Translations and funding Facilitator training
3. Website - redesign and support for hosting the FI Videos
4. Assembly travel Subsidy (for small guilds)
Leadership. The IFF provided leadership ideas to member organizations which included tools to engage their members and develop connections between practitioners. We met on our first day in an unusual setting - rather than a large room with chairs all around, we found ourselves at tables with four chairs—we joked that it was like being at a café. Soon we learned that we were invited to join an integrative experience called the World Café, very apropos given the world representation of our group. We were given a topic to stimulate discussion.There were graphical tools (crayons, felt markers, etc) for us to doodle and note the discussion points. After a few minutes, three of the members left the table and joined another, the one staying was the “host” who gave an introduction to the ideas gleaned in the past group. We repeated this twice, so that each table had ideas from 10 people, and the ideas on the table represented integrations of ideas from multiple other tables. There was a collation process, followed by each table reporting to the larger group the images and ideas. This was a delightful process which deepened our understanding of our purposes and gave us some very good ideas for later work.
“What makes a Method a Good Method, a Genius Method?” On our last day of meetings, Denise Alvarez lead the Assembly to consider the concept of a Wisdom Council. The Wisdom Council Process is a new way to transform the collective decision-making process of large systems. It facilitates the people to become more informed, competent, creative and collaborative and to come together in one whole-system conversation where the most important issues are resolved.
In addition to the main themes and topics, there were many opportunities for side conversations between member organizations. For example, I learned that the Australian Guild had gone through an extensive review process and emerged not only invigorated, but also with extensive plans and priorities for the next few years. They were kind enough to share these documents with me (which I have forwarded to the FGNA Board and other groups).
The Assembly was a time for representatives from around the world to connect, reflect, and think together to bring ideas to fruition. It is a time when we have the opportunity to generate enthusiasm for shared projects and visions. Each of us who participate return feeling a new sense of ourselves as a practitioner. If you, as a member of FGNA, feel drawn to participating at the international level, please contact the Board (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
<Back
Learning by Doing: Presenting at the 2010 Conference
Bridget Quebedeaux
When Carla asked me if I would write about my experience teaching at the 2010 Feldenkrais Method® Annual Conference I decided right away that I definitely could not. No one needed to know that I hardly ate or slept for a week before my presentation. It would not be helpful for anyone to hear tales about how absolutely freaked out I was to present in the company of trainers and assistant trainers like Allison Rapp, Chava Shelhav, Donna Ray, Larry Goldfarb, Candy Conino, Ellen Soloway, Elizabeth Beringer and Carl Ginsberg (to name a few)—-or how concerned I was about how several hours of Powerpoint presentation, very little moving and no touching would be received by a group of Feldenkrais® practitioners. I did the only thing there was to do. I began an email to Carla: “Sorry, I just can’t write anything.” Then I had a thought. Maybe there are practitioners out there who would like to present their work their way but have many reasons why they could or should not.
I had reasons too (lots of reasons) why I should not, never, no way present at the annual conference. Ever. For starters, I’m not a trainer or an assistant trainer. I’ve never taught other practitioners. I’ve been practicing for over 12 years, but have not been a visible part of our community. Until recently I wasn’t involved with FGNA at all outside of paying my dues. I’m not published like Lavinia Plonka, I haven’t invented anything like Stacy Barrows, I’m not wicked smart like David Webber, and I just don’t light up a room like MaryBeth Smith. I have a sordid past (which includes teaching aerobics, personal training and massage). My future is questionable as well. I’m working on a Master’s Degree in psychology, and I am particularly taken with accelerated approaches to therapy. I use dirty words like energy, and therapeutic relationship, and as a result of the many years I spent working in a physical therapy office, sometimes I slip and refer to the people I work with as patients.
I presented at the conference on Wednesday and was pretty sure I’d find myself tarred and feathered by Thursday morning (or at the very least placed against my will on the first Red Line “L” train out of town). But it didn’t go down that way. It turns out the folks in our community are flexible, open, intelligent and curious. Go figure. They like to move and touch, but if you’re doing something different, they’ll do that too. They appreciate looking at familiar things from a different perspective. If they don’t agree with your ideas or your choice of words, they will tell you and the respectful conversation that follows will be a lesson for you and them. They don’t care about where you’ve been or where you’re going so long as you have something to say now. They want to hear about your experiences, and they want to tell you about theirs. Last but not least: it’s not only possible to teach your teachers and learn from your students, it’s also fun and empowering—- and addictive. I can’t wait to do it again. Care to join me?
<Back
From "Continuing Education" to "Continuing Competence"
Robert Black
Continuing Education requirements to maintain certification have not changed significantly since they were created twenty years ago. As currently constituted, many practitioners have felt that they were too restrictive for their needs. Over two years ago the Board of Directors directed the formation of a committee of practitioners to investigate the ideas of Continuing Education in our community. The Continuing Education (or CE) Committee has been actively pursuing this.
Recently, the Board of Directors re-vitalized its earlier commitment to a form of policy governance that minimizes bureaucracy and steps away from “rule based” policy while simultaneously enhancing efficiency, enabling growth and maturity, and enabling adaptability—all of which are vital to the Feldenkrais Method®. The Board of Directors is deeply engaged and committed to the process of embodying the work of the Feldenkrais Method at the organizational level of the Guild. Applied to Continuing Education, this would allow the adoption of options that would better serve the membership and enable practitioners to become more competent as they pursue professional development.
At the present time there is no change in policy. Practitioners who currently are reviewing their compliance with the Certification guidelines can rest assured that they do not have to suddenly adjust to new guidelines.
A Brief History on the CE Committee
Those who participated in the CE Committee include Donna Blank, Deborah Bowes, Olivia Cheever, Rob Cohen, Irene Gutteridge, Annie Thoe and Violet Van Hees; Michael Purcell was the Chair.
The CE Committee initially took on a narrow task of reviewing some specifics about which activities might be considered under the CE policy. As the committee investigated the specifics, they sensed that there were bigger issues underlying the details, that there was more to be fully understood, and thus they recommended, and implemented, an online community discussion group — the Yahoo CE Forum.
The online dialogue proved to be immensely active and many practitioners participated. There were two phases of online discussions: the first between June and Oct. 2009, and the second between June and July 2010 with a total of 533 posts logged on the Forum.
In July, 2010, the Guild sent out an online survey to all members. This survey had a number of questions directly related to the ideas that the CE Committee was considering. The results specific to Continuing Education are reported elsewhere in this issue.
Reporting to the Board
The CE Committee has been successful in their original directive to formulate considerations pertinent to changing specifics in the CE policy and provided their initial in-depth feedback, information and suggestions to the Board of Directors on Sept. 7.
Their feedback is historically significant as this is the first topic in a long time in which member input was encouraged and heard at all levels of the Guild. The BOD thanks the CE committee not only for the time and energy they have devoted but also for their work in connecting with the community, listening to a great wealth of input from practitioners, and holding/considering the viewpoints of all stakeholders. Among a number of issues discussed on the Forum, the Board particularly recognized the CE committee’s vision to investigate the ways in which practitioner self-assessment can be an effective part of Continuing Education.
The Next Steps
The Board is now taking the work of the CE Committee and shaping it. The CE Committee has inspired the Board to look beyond the immediate aspects of Continuing Education and the attendant rules and regulations that have governed us. The Board is clarifying the reason and purpose for having Continuing Education and how this would enlighten the policy. The dialogue on the CE Forum has provided very real input. Further, the Board is investigating the possibility of having an over-arching philosophy of Continuing Competence as the basis for what has been known as “Continuing Education.” The Board is inquiring into the question, “How does having a philosophy of Continuing Competence affect the way the existing CE policy could be re-written and implemented?”
In keeping with the Board’s commitment to decreasing bureaucracy and enhancing growth and maturity, the Board is engaged in a process of creating a policy that will inspire its members to create skillful paths towards its highest possible level of professional competency.
As soon as the Board has well-articulated a draft of the new policy, we will be bringing it back to the members. Member feedback and comments have been extremely helpful throughout this process, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue and the collaboration in shaping our future. Until a new policy is put in place, the current CE policy will remain. But, stay tuned…things are moving. Of course, feel free to leave a comment below.
<Back
She's Staying! Susan Marshall, Permanent Executive Director
Chrish Kresge
The FGNA Board of Directors formally voted Susan Marshall in as the new Executive Director (ED) on July 30, 2010. Susan was hired twice as the Acting Executive Director: November 2007 - September 2009 and April 1, 2010 - July 30. We’re delighted that Susan agreed to stay on as our permanent ED. She brings experience from many fields to this demanding job.
I conducted a short interview with Susan and was surprised by the rich tapestry she has woven of her life. I spoke with her by telephone from Eugene, OR, where she recently joined a Feldenkrais® Professional Training Program with Frank Wildman as Educational Director.
C: Susan, what did you do before you joined FGNA?
S: Immediately before joining FGNA, I owned a consulting practice in negotiation and mediation. I assessed non-profits to determine where they could streamline their operations. I also taught negotiation at Lewis and Clark Law School.
C: You are an attorney. Why did you study law?
S: What I really liked about law was the possibility to improve lives. Upon graduation from college, I took and did poorly on the law school admissions test. I was not a very good test taker, perhaps because of head injuries that I sustained as a child. My brain worked in a non-linear way. I ended up working as a VISTA Volunteer paralegal and reapplied to law school. Around this time, I also began exploring meditation. When I was accepted into law school, I was more interested in natural medicine, yoga and meditation. I deferred my acceptance, sold everything I owned and backpacked through Europe for 4-5 months.
Then, in the late 70’s, I was working as a secretary at the public defenders office. I realized that I kept returning to law and that being a paralegal would not fulfill my aims. So, I finally went to law school. By this time, knowing the nuts and bolts of the law, I was quite succesfull. I realized that when learning something new, I needed to have hands-on experience. Today, whether I’m teaching yoga, law or negotiation, I want my students to learn by doing.
C: Hmmm…sounds familiar!
S: Yes! So, finding the Feldenkrais Method has been like coming home for me.
C: What attracted you to join FGNA? A second time even?
S: I need to differentiate between being hired and being a member, as I am now a dues paying student member!
When I was hired the first time, it was after the Nonprofit Association of Oregon called me and said they had a job they thought was perfect for me. I applied and spoke with the FGNA Board.
The chairperson, Gwendolyn Schwinke’s, first question was “Have you heard of the Feldenkrais Method?” I blurted out “Of course! Everyone has heard of the FM.” I was teaching 4-5 yoga classes per week. One of my students said to me, “Susan, you are the most Feldenkraisian person teaching here.” I wondered what that meant then.
I had my first FI with you, Chrish, in Boulder right before the annual meeting at the 2008 conference. I felt from that time on that I had a lot of support from the Board and the Finance Committee as well as the membership. I realized after my six month contract was up that it would take more than just six months to streamline and sort out the office, so I stayed on until a permanent ED was hired.
Finally this year, instead of dating, I decided to move in!
C: What are the two most important qualities you possess which might bring about positive change in our organization?
S: Stability and courage.
C: Quick answer!
S: That’s because I am in my skeleton!
C: Where do you see the Guild going in three to five years?
S: The community of Feldenkrais practitioners will be strengthened, and it will not be not through bureaucratic structures. It will be more like a fabric or network where everybody feels a part of that net.
The relationship with the Trainers is a very important one—these individuals are the wisdom keepers of the Feldenkrais Method! We need to strengthen our relationships with them and accord them deep respect.
The office fields public inquiries: we really want to generate more public inquiries so we can get more people who want to take trainings and become practitioners, assistants and trainers. As we support our trainers, we will have more trainings and more practitioners who have a basis for earning a living – it snowballs!
C: What made you decide to join a professional Feldenkrais training?
S: Well, I actually considered it and dismissed it because I thought it was crazy. I was starting a permanent position—I already had my hands full! A few weeks before the training started, my meditation teacher gave a talk about why so many people, when presented with a new and different course of action, think of all the reasons why they can’t do something, instead of thinking how many reasons there are to do it. The next morning, I decided that I wanted to enroll in the training. I discussed it with several Board members, and with their support, put in my application.
I wonder now how I could’ve ever thought that I should not do the training. The BOD President, Chair and ED are the three most visible members of the organization; that is why I need to fully immerse myself in the Method.
C: Have you engaged in such a transformative process before?
S: I went to the only women’s MBA program in the world at Simmons College in Boston. It was an intensive program. That year was an incredible, fascinating and indeed transformative time.
After moving from Boston to Portland, I opened up my own law practice and used it as a jumping off place for the things I wanted to do. I became an ERYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) and ran a political campaign, among other things. I really think that coming into this Method is an extension and a culmination of me and who I am.
C: Do you expect to be practicing the Method professionally once you graduate?
S: I think in terms of using what I learn in my job as ED. My focus is more on understanding. I’m also having insights into what would work for this community. What is the principle of differentiation; what is first approximation?
C: How do you think taking the Feldenkrais training will affect you?
S: I think that I’m going to benefit more than I could ever imagine. It’s so vast…an unimaginable possibility, as my meditation teacher would say.
C: Susan, thank you. I guess I had better let you get back to the training.
<Back
Congratulations! Volunteer of the Year Awards
2010 FGNA Volunteer of the Year: Jane Johnston
2010 FEFNA Volunteer of the Year: Pat Buchanan
<Back
Save the Date!
2011 Feldenkrais Method® Conference
Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
July 8-13, 2011
<Back
Remembrances: Gerta Goldberg
Gertrud K. “Gerta” Goldberg, 91, an Austrian native who lived in the Washington, DC area, died Aug. 15, 2010. She had interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.
Donna Blank recalled the following about Gerta:
Gerta graduated from the Amherst training and was also close to Gaby Yaron and others from the original Israeli group. There is a moment caught on the Amherst tapes where Moshe points out that at her age (in her 60’s) she was learning faster than most around her…
She was dedicated to the Feldenkrais® work and had a full practice in Arlington for many years.
<Back
Board Chair Report
Robert Black
8 July, 2010
Dear Colleagues,
These are times of cautious optimism for our Guild on a number of fronts. Not only have we have tamed our financial bug-bear, but I think there is also a sense of more possibilities and a better feeling of community within the Guild.
The Board identifies priorities for the year annually. The 2009 priorities were noted in In Touch (see “2009 Priorities”) and the 2010 priorities were noted in “FGNA News,” (see: “2010 Priorities”). Many of the priorities from 2009 continued in 2010:
Develop an attractive and technically capable web site
Improve Member Service
Improve the culture and contact of FGNA
Support an effective process for changing training policy
Continue and improve financial stability of FGNA
I would like to highlight four areas that have been particular focuses in the past year: 1) staffing changes, 2) financial health and resiliency, 3) website, and 4) growing the Guild and connecting with members.
Staffing Changes. Though some staff has changed, we’ve maintained a strong core of very dedicated staff. Significant changes included the start of Jan LaRue as our new Executive Director in September, 2009, and later, her departure, March 31, 2010. The basis for this was described in the Spring In Touch (See: “The FGNA Board’s Process for Continuing Review of the Executive Director”). Susan Marshall was rehired as our Acting Executive Director; as you know, Susan came to work for the Guild office about three years ago in November 2007- September 2009 and helped the Guild come back on to steady financial footing. After this Conference, the Board will begin the process for a search for a full-time Executive Director.
Financial Resiliency. Financial resiliency has continued to be a top priority for the Board. As reported to the members on February 26th, “as of December 31, 2009, the Guild is operating solidly in the black and we have paid off all our old debts!“ This reminds me of a time when I was learning to ride horses. It was spring, the snow had melted, the horses were frisky. I was shown how to put on the saddle and how to tighten it for stability. I was told, “This Pinto is about your size, but he has some tricks. Make sure you stop and tighten the cinch.” I jumped on, the horse’s backside was slapped, and away we went! In no time the saddle was slipping from side to side. For a moment the horse stopped on a hill; I tried to get off, but as soon as he felt the shift in my weight, he took off at a gallop! Flying downhill, with each step of the horse rocking me more and more, the only thing I could think of doing was to jump/fall off and embrace mother earth. Ignoring my bruises, the ranch crew gave me serious grief for risking the health of the horse! Returning to the FGNA in this analogy, we have come through the winter of our discontent, we have weathered the storms of financial crises and, like the pinto, we feel ready for some great fun! Frisky as we are, however, we need continued vigilance, guidance and restraint.
Website. The FGNA Website is dear to our hearts. CORR members and staff have worked diligently, developing ideas for upgrading and redesigning the website to the highest standards of current conventions bringing the website into the modern times. Implementing the changes needed and wanted has been more challenging than expected. Recently, a project manager was engaged to review our needs and examine the software we are currently using for the site. We anticipate the report will give us a basis for moving ahead and delivering a powerful website to public and members alike.
Growing the Guild and Connecting with Members. Last but certainly not least the final area I want to highlight is growing the Guild and connecting with members. Between 2006 and 2009, membership numbers decreased slightly which I believe was due to the controversy about finances and then the world-wide financial turbulence that we all have felt. As the Guild has steered itself clear of the financial difficulties, we thank the members who supported the Board and the Guild through these times. We are also reaching out and reconnecting with those who did not renew their membership or chose to switch to being “Certified non-members.” Attracting graduating practitioners into the Guild is an ongoing consideration. Toward the goal of growing the Guild and welcoming new graduates this year the Board approved an extension to an already existing policy granting free certification for a period of time after non-members graduate from a training. Consequently, new graduate members were to get free upgrades to practitioner membership approved in 2010, and this was made retroactive to 2009 members.
This year (again from last Conference until 2010 Conference), the Guild has been increasing connections between practitioners. One connecting theme was developing community. At the Forest Grove Conference we had common ATM’s in the morning and a special day-long event called The Tipping Point led by Donna Blank, Alice Friedman and Keith Johnson. (See the article from last year’s In Touch: “Tipping Point”). Another theme at the conference was the evening presentation entitled “Moshe’s Legacy—the Feldenkrais Method® and Beyond” a panel discussion with Mia Segal, Russell Delman and Linda Tellington-Jones, facilitated by Donna Blank. It was an inspiring meeting of three people who have brought their own unique expression of the teachings of Dr. Feldenkrais to the world.
Engaging the perspectives and the inherent diversity of practitioners has been a continuing activity. For example, the Continuing Education forum has had lively debate on what constitutes continuing education in the within our Guild. On another topic, discussions have occurred regarding enabling practitioners from other Guilds to teach in North America in order to continue our education and to expand our experience. We now have an official process to enable this to occur, called “Portability.” Further, the Board and the Guild is engaged in supporting conversations between members of the training community (assistant trainers, trainers, and training organizers) to develop a shared vision of training standards and policy. Completing the communication loop back from the Board and the office, the office has made major strides in communicating by sending “FGNA News” updates to members via email almost weekly. Last, but not least, the Board has experimented with non-traditional ways and new media to connect with members, including producing short videos from the February In-Person Board meeting.
Change is happening within your Guild.
Warmly,
Rob Black
Outgoing Chair, Current President, Board of Directors
<Back
Summary of Feldenkrais Guild® of North America Board of Directors Meetings
Dale Jensen, FGNA Board Secretary
Friday, July 30, 2010 to Sunday, August 1, 2010. In-Person: Chicago, IL
▪Agreed to appoint Dale Jensen be as Secretary of the FGNA Board of Directors.
▪The Board thanked Jaclyn Boone for her service as Secretary.
▪Discussed responsibilities of Board members regarding conflicts of interest and dual roles within FGNA and related organizations.
▪Agreed to revise “C03 Certification” policy by Replacing the paragraph on page 1 of policy:
“FELDENKRAIS GUILD® of North America (FGNA), in certifying a person as a “Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitionercm” or as a “Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher®” is certifying to the public that the person has met the requirements for training, experience, and professional development, and that the person is committed to continuing development and to abiding by the Standards of Practice and the Code of Professional Conduct. (Either term being applicable to the work, the person certified may use either “practitioner” or “teacher.”)
The requirements for Certification by FGNA are completion of a professional training program that has been accredited by FGNA as providing the necessary preparation for the practice of the Feldenkrais Method; active practice of the Method; continuing educational experiences for the first twenty years of active practice; an agreement to maintain accepted standards of practice and code of professional conduct and to refrain from any use of the service marks not expressly authorized.”
with the following two paragraphs:
“FELDENKRAIS GUILD® of North America (FGNA), in certifying a person as a “Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitionercm” or as a “Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher®” is certifying to the public that the person has met the requirements for training, experience, and professional development, and that the person is committed to continuing development and to abiding by the Standards of Practice and the Code of Professional Conduct. (Either term being applicable to the work, the person certified may use either “practitioner” or “teacher.”)
The requirements for Certification by FGNA are completion of a professional training program that has been accredited by FGNA, or by the European or Australian Training and Accreditation Boards, under the “International Accreditation Guidelines For Feldenkrais® Training Programs”, as providing the necessary preparation for the practice of the Feldenkrais Method; active practice of the Method; continuing educational experiences for the first twenty years of active practice; an agreement to maintain accepted standards of practice and code of professional conduct and to refrain from any use of the service marks not expressly authorized.””
▪Agreed to revise Article 18 of the “I04 International Accreditation Guidelines for Feldenkrais Training Programs policy by deleting:
“Guild student membership shall be mandatory. The fee is set at $60.00/calender year for each trainee. The first year’s payment may be prorated for programs beginning later in the year. The fees should be paid and the names and addresses of the trainees given to the Guild office by the 25th day of the training program; thereafter, one bill will be issued yearly by the Guild office to training organizers to collect the total amount.”
and replacing it with:
“ all trainee contact information requested by FGNA, and trainees’ dates of birth, shall be given to the Guild office by the 25th day of the training program.”
▪Agreed to revise Article 29(o) of the “I04 International Accreditation Guidelines for Feldenkrais Training Programs” policy by deleting the words “and place.”
▪Agreed to delete Ends Policies” (date approved 6/13/99).
▪Agreed to hire to hire Susan Marshall as Executive Director of FGNA.
▪Reviewed membership of the Executive Committee as required by the By-Laws
▪Reviewed the Board - Executive Director relationship according to the Carver model and FGNA By-Laws.
▪Agreed to nominate Keith Johnson as the FGNA representative to the North American Training Accreditation Board (NATAB).”
▪Discussed Board Member Portfolios.
▪Discussed proposal for a Law & Legislation Committee.
▪Discussed ideas for next years conference to build community.
Saturday, July 31, 2010 In-Person: Chicago, IL (Board of Directors / CORR Meeting)
▪Engaged in appreciative inquiry process. Discussed interest in volunteering for FGNA, regional Bright Spots, and questions for the Board / CORR.
▪Reviewed results of FGNA Member Survey.
Thursday, September 2, 2010, Teleconference
▪Agreed to grant Ron Nissim eligibility for FGNA certification based on his eligibility for certification with the EuroTAB Council Certification Policy.
▪Agreed that the Executive Director maintain the organization of the FGNA Policies and supply Board members with the Policies in a usable format.
▪Received an Executive Director report from Susan Marshall.
▪Discussed option for working with Appreciative Inquiry process.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010, Teleconference (SPECIAL MEETING)
▪Board members engaged in an Appreciative Inquiry process to develop Ends or purposes for having “Continuing Education.”
•The concept of “Continuing Competence” was introduced.
<Back
Summer 2010
There are two options for reading In Touch.
You can read it online: http://www.feldenkrais.com/intouch/archive/2010/06/
You can also download a “Printable PDF” (Adobe Acrobat is required), and print it out. We know there are many members who like to have a paper version and the PDF file is the most cost-effective way for us to do this.
http://www.feldenkrais.com/content/intouch/pdf_archive/
<Back
Your Guild Staff
What do you know about the Guild Staff?
Did you know that the Guild’s six Portland, OR employees have accumulated over 33 years of service to FGNA?
We are:
Susan Marshall, Acting Executive Director
Samantha Berg, FEFNA Bookstore Manager/Executive Assistant
Andrea Wiener, NATAB Administrator
Carla Feinstein, Publications & Communications Coordinator Service Marks Administrator
Lynn Ford, Assistant Membership & Conference Coordinator
Deana Meyer, Information Technology/Web Manager
Deborah Page, Conference Coordinator
<Back
Thank You 2009-2010 Volunteers
FGNA Board of Directors
Michael Purcell
Jaclyn Boone
Chrish Kresge
Dwight Pargee
Elinor B. Silverstein
Dale Jensen
Rob Black
Gwendolyn Schwinke
Rich Goldsand
Mary McCutcheon
Staffan Elgelid
Peter Jenkins
FGNA Treasurer
Tom Bode
CORR
Canada
Rosa Murnaghan
Judith Dack
Vita Kolodny
May Nassar
Eastern
Jane Johnston
Tammy Spitzer
Pam Duvall
Chrish Kresge
Sandy Beber
MW
Mary Susan Chen
Joanna Myers
Denise Kordie
Carla Rock
Carol Ducak
Phyllis Eveleigh
NE
Lindy Ost
Deborah Page
Pat Lovejoy
Josh Schreiber Shalem
Lauri Weinstein
Gabrielle Wellman
NY
Richard Newton
Marilyn Bakun
Scott Fraser
Pierina dell ‘Avo Ruttimann
Vena Flint
N.Cal/N. NV
Paulette Dolin
Celeste Binnings
Valerie Nordby
Bridget Palmer
Margo Schaal
NW
Vicki Robinson
Johanna Rayman
Kim Cottrell
Donna Maebori
SE
Bob Boyd
Phyllis Johnson
Therese Stogner
S. Cal
Bridget Quebodeaux
Darcia Dexter
Nancy Linsley
SW
Jeanne Hills
Elizabeth Keith
Sarah Witham
TAB
Keith Johnson
Alice Friedman
Ellen Soloway
Naffie Fischbacher
Nancy Forst Williamson
Mary Spire
Donna Ray
Ann Harmon
Arlyn Zones
Grievance Board
Sister Mario Pavoni
John Quinn
Diane Arneson
Kathy Yeats
Member Advocates
Ruth Hurst
Sister Mario Pavoni
Robin Phillips
M. Candace Conino
Nominating Committee
Nancy Rosenthal
Karen Dold
Phyllis Eveleigh
Heidi McGovern
Rosa Murnaghan
Cathy Paine
Pamela May
IFF Representatives
Keith Johnson
Rob Black
Candy Conino
Michael Purcell
Chrish Kresge
Executive Committee
Michael Purcell
Jaclyn Boone
Rob Black
Dwight Pargee
Personnel Committee
Michael Purcell
Jaclyn Boone
Rob Black
Dwight Pargee
Finance Committee
Gwendolyn Schwinke
Rich Goldsand
Tom Bode
Rob Black
Sam Nelson
Regulation Committee
Michael Purcell
2009 Conference Program Committee
Kim Cottrell
Mary Susan Chen
Marsha Goold
Deborah Page
Dwight Pargee
2010 Conference Program Committee
Mary Susan Chen
Deborah Page
Dwight Pargee
Myra Ping
Julie Francis
Chrish Kresge
Website Committee
Jane Johnston
Vicky Robinson
Bob Boyd
Chrish Kresge
Dale Jensen
Rob Black
Josh Schreiber Shalem
Publications
Jaclyn Boone
Communications Design Committee
Chrish Kresge
Jaclyn Boone
Michael Purcell
Continuing Education Committee
Michael Purcell
Ralph Strauch
Donna Blank
Olivia Cheever
Annie Thoe
Irene Gutteridge
Portability Committee
Staffan Elgelid
Chrish Kresge
Kira Charles
Rob Black
NATAB Policy Review Committee
Dwight Pargee
Elinor Silverstein
Keith Johnson
Alice Friedman
Donna Ray
Ellen Soloway
Paul Rubin
David Zemach-Bersin
Jerry Karzen
2009 Executive Search Committee
Dwight Pargee
Chrish Kresge
Tom Bode
Jeanne Hills
Donna Ray
Ethics Committee
Maria Whisenand
Olivia Cheever
Peter Jenkins
Chris Roberts
Marta Ramirez Welch
Marie Kirk
Ethics Policy & Procedure Review
Maria Whisanand
Olivia Cheever
Peter Cover
Chris Roberts
Elaine Dove
Gwendolyn Schwinke
Service Marks Committee
Michael Purcell
Jaclyn Boone
Volunteer Committee
Chrish Kresge
Elinor Silverstein
Richard Newton
Paulette Dolin
Vicki Robinson
The Feldenkrais Journal
Gay Sweet Scott
Elaine Yoder
FEFNA Board of Directors
Dwight Pargee
Rich Goldsand
Peter Jenkins
Tom Bode
FEFNA Research Committee
Pat Buchanan
Jim Stephens
Roger Russell
FEFNA Esther Thelen PhD, CGFP Research & Education Fund Subcommittee
Pat Buchanan
Jim Stephens
Roger Russell
SenseAbility
Lavinia Plonka
<Back
Feldenkrais Guild® of North America 2010 Budget
The Board approved the following budget on July 6, 2010.
Income highlights:
• Our Guild membership is growing. The number of 2010 member practitioners and students has grown from 915 on December 1, 2009 (when 2010 membership dues and certification fees were due) to 1389 on July 19, 2010. The number of certified only practitioners grew from 69 to 204. This year we applied a new membership policy that allows graduating student members to upgrade to professional membership at no charge.
• Guild Membership dues and fees have increased from $281,350 to $460,928 (as of July 19th) for a total increase of $179,578! This increase is a direct result of the telephone call, email and mail renewal campaign coordinated by FGNA staff after the December 1, 2009 renewal due date and the application of payment plan fees where appropriate.
Expense highlights:
• No expenses have been allocated for payment of interest because the Guild is DEBT FREE!
• $28,000 for website and database improvements. This is reflected in information technology, salary and contracted services line items.
• $12,000 for computer and server upgrades and purchases.
• $20,000 to fund travel reimbursement, most of which is earmarked for elected volunteers to attend necessary Board, TAB and IFF governance meetings.
• $31,626 annual IFF dues. This reduced cost is due not only to application of the new IFF policy but also due to a more favorable Euro/US dollar exchange rate this year.
• $16,718 has been budgeted to support the 2010 Conference.
• No budget contingency has been provided, as we are confident we will be able to stay within this budget.
The substantial overall improvement in increasing income and controlling expenses has resulted in our getting closer to the goal of using current year dues and fees income to fund current year expenses. The 2007 dues and fees income lasted only until August of that year, with a heavy reliance on a $90,000 bank credit line and credit cards. By contrast, this year, in addition to being debt free, it is very possible that our 2010 membership dues and fees will carry us into November before we start accessing the 2011 dues and fees. This puts the Guild in a much stronger financial position to pursue activities that will further benefit members.
A BIG THANK YOU TO FGNA BOARD, CORR, MEMBERS AND STAFF FOR HELPING US STAY WITHIN OUR BUDGET!
APPROVED Date: 7/6/10
Revenue
By Account Name
Professional Dues and Fees
450118
Student Dues and Fees
9600
TAB Fees
41143
Donations
155
Sales (NLAd/Labels/Dir)
12000
Conference and PreConference
60000
Interest
300
FEFNA administrative fee
0
Misc-Copying & Printing/Royalties
2000
Regions
15000
Total Revenue 590316
Expenses
Wages & Salaries
219560
Employer Taxes
21956
Employee Benefits (Health Ins)
21087
Contracted Services
26249
Legal Services
3000
Professional Services
10446
Information Technology/Web
19000
Occupancy = rent and utilities
25087
Telephone & Email
9600
Copying and Printing
4500
Postage & Shipping
12000
Supplies
10509
Equipment, Leases, R&M
14694
Insurance
6000
Advertising (PR)/Marketing to Members
0
Training
40
Travel & Lodging/Meals
20000
Dues Subscriptions/Pubs
31806
Taxes, Licenses, Fees
50
Bank & Merchant Services Fees
11000
Region Allotments (10% of Dues)
40071
2010 Conference
76718
Feldenkrais Journal #23
6942
Interest
0
Total Expense
590316
Net 0
<Back
Read the 2009 Annual Report!
<Back
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Jaclyn Boone, FGNA Board Secretary
Tuesday, 9th March 2010, Teleconference
•Agreed to have budget reviewed by Finance Committee.
•Discussed the value of having a report on membership metrics over time.
•Discussed considerations of topics for the next “FGNA News” video.
•Discussed the 2010 Priorities Document to be published to the membership in the next “FGNA News.”
•Discussed process for the ED Review, including the Oversight Checklist.
•Discussed relationship between the IFF and the FGNA.
•Jan LaRue reported that the Conference web site for live registration is nearly ready.
Saturday, 27th March, 2010, Teleconference
•Reviewed the ED Review Process; evaluated and validated information for the ED Oversight Checklist, and discussed recommendations.
Sunday, 28th March, 2010, Teleconference
•Agreed to terminate the employment of Jan LaRue effective March 31, 2010.
Friday, 2nd April 2010, Teleconference (SPECIAL MEETING)
•Discussed direction of the Guild, the function of the office, and the Carver model.
Friday, 2nd-5th April, 2010, Online Conference
•Agreed to appoint Susan Marshall Acting Executive Director of Feldenkrais Guild® of North America and Feldenkrais® Educational Foundation of North America effective April 1, 2010 for an indefinite term.
Tuesday, 6th April, 2010, Teleconference
•Discussed review of Grievance Board and Member Advocate Positions.
•Agreed to send letter to membership about the change in Executive Director.
•Received report from NATAB that Donna Ray is re-appointed to trainer seat #1, pending fall election and Arlyn Zones to trainer seat #2, pending fall election, and recommends nomination of Ann Harmon to one of the open jointly-appointed seats, to begin serving as soon as the appointment is approved by the Board.
•Agreed that Ann Harmon be appointed to the NATAB (a seat is open in the joint NATAB-Board appointed positions) for a two year term effective April 6th, 2010 and ending April 6th, 2012.
•Referred functioning of FGNA in relation to the Ends and Means statements to the Executive Committee.
•Discussed topics FGNA would like to bring to the IFF Assembly: portability and reciprocity, separating certification from graduation and financial follow up on where dues are spent. Current IFF Representatives from FGNA: Rob Black and Keith Johnson. The Board designated Keith Johnson, Rob Black, Candy Conino, Michael Purcell and Chrish Kresge as representatives to the IFF Assembly.
•Discussed topics FGNA would like to bring to the annual meeting of the Federation of Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations April 16-17th in Greensborough, North Carolina: Federation website and costs; classification system for CAM; discussion of branding/marketing professions; volunteerism.
Tuesday, 4th May, 2010 By Teleconference
•Elinor Silverstein reported on the Grievance Board and Member Advocate Positions with respect to their involvement in the ethics and grievances process.
•Susan Marshall reported on financial status (submitted a draft 2009 Balance Sheet, a draft 2009 Profit & Loss Statement, a draft 2010 first quarter report Balance Sheet and a draft 2010 first quarter report Profit & Loss Statement, with a renewed recommendation that the 2010 budget the Board has reviewed in March 2010 be revised); provided a website update; a conference update (including a request from NATAB regarding a discount to their members); and requested that a Board Personnel Committee be appointed.
•Agreed to have the Executive Committee function as the Personnel Committee.
Tuesday, 11th May, 2010 By Teleconference
•Reviewed Board roles and liaisons with Committee: NATAB; Grievance Board; Ethics; Member Advocates.
•Susan Marshall and Rob Black will begin a process for review of By-Laws and Policies.
•Rob Black will work on developing a policy/financial protocol for the Board of Directors.
•Discussed revising 2010 Board priorities to include hiring the next Executive Director.
•Discussed an informal board/staff committee to work on the member survey.
•Discussed the IFF Assemby Topics and recommends that on the issue of protection of training materials, that we advocate ways that are reasonably practical and otherwise not involve spending member fees on restricting access.
•Agreed to form an advisory ad hoc committee of Chrish Kresge (Chair), Michael Purcell, Jaclyn Boone and others, as the committee invites, to investigate the issues and information available on liability insurance for FGNA members, and report back to the Executive Director and the Board with recommendations about what should be updated on our web site and what other steps should be taken. The committee also will provide new text for the web site for review.
•Discussed Guild Forum, Annual Meeting and Board Retreat.
•Discussed 2011 Conference Program Committee and organizing successful future conferences.
•Discussed need to debrief with CORR Feldenkrais Week.
•Chrish Kresge reported on the efforts of the Communication Design Committee.
•Dwight Pargee reported on the NATAB Policy Review Committee: Dwight and Alice Friedman are conducting a literature review on separating certification from graduation.
Tuesday, 1st June, 2010, By Teleconference
•Elinor Silverstein reported working on a report with the Ethics Committee.
•Discussed and tabled motion to form Law and Legislation Committee.
•Susan Marshall reported metrics on membership, service mark, website, conference and publications.
•Susan Marshall reported Finance Committee approval of 2009 financial statements and clarified FEFNA debt to FGNA.
•Agreed to accept FGNA financial statements as presented to the Board by the Acting Executive Director: 2009 Balance Sheet and 2009 Profit and Loss and directed her to forward the Balance Sheet and Standard Profit and Loss Statements to the accountants to serve as the basis for determining final adjusting entries (including depreciation) and other minor changes as are needed to insure accuracy in order to file federal and state tax returns.
•Reviewed and discussed the draft 2010 1st quarter Profit & Loss statement update.
•Susan Marshall recommends changes to the budget to increase travel expenses, decrease conference income at the July Board meeting.
•Susan Marshall reported that Michelle Lawson will begin as a temporary part time employee as of June 14, 2010.
•Susan Marshall reported that she will present to the Personnel Committee a proposal to change employee benefits after consulting with staff.
•Susan Marshall reported that a member survey meeting will be scheduled next week.
•Discussed planning for the Guild Forum, Annual Meeting and Board Retreat.
•Discussed review of polices with respect to Committee formation.
Tuesday, 15th June, 2010, By Teleconference
•Discussed planning for the Guild Forum, Annual Meeting and Board Retreat
•Discussed and tabled motion to form Law and Legislation Committee
•Established a joint board/staff ad hoc 2011 Conference Committee (chaired by Dwight with Chrish, Andrea and Deborah Page as members) to report recommendations to Board and Executive Director at the July 6th, 2010 Board meeting on any Board policy changes and implementation suggestions to make 2011 conference a financially sustainable event.
•Tabled update of liability insurance committee until after the Board retreat.
•Reported Communications Design Committee would be meeting this week.
•Reported NATAB Policy Review Committee will be meeting next week.
•Board reviewed and discussed the process by which the Canadian Director may be appointed. The nomination period is now open and will close on July 14th at which time the Board of Director may appoint someone from the list of nominees to fill the remainder of the term of the Canadian Director which ends in July 2010.
Tuesday, 6th July, 2010, By Teleconference
•Agreed to authorize Super Early Bird Membership Drive
•Agreed to authorize FGNA staff to provisionally certify people for 2011 who do not meet the policy requirements for Provisional Certification under certain conditions.
•Susan Marshall reported that the Personnel Committee met and reviewed and supported adjustments to salary and benefits; staff updates: Patty Slote is no longer working for FGNA as the Membership Director and that Michelle Lawson has begun working as a temporary part time web development project manager.
•Susan Marshall gave an update on 2010 Conference including adjustments to the budget for an anticipated loss.
•Susan Marshall reported that she met with the Finance Committee and that they recommend motions below be approved:
• Agreed that the 2009 US Tax Return Form 990 with Schedules as prepared by FGNA accountants, Napier and Company, LLC, be approved for filing.
• Agreed that the Proposed Amended 2010 Budget, entitled “Proposed 2010 Budget 7-6-10,” be approved.
•Susan Marshall reported that the Website Committee will be meeting July 11th and that the project manager report is in progress.
•The ad hoc 2011 Conference Report submitted by the committee through Dwight Pargee and Chrish Kresge.
•NATAB Report submitted by Dwight Pargee.
•Rob Black and the other members of the Board thanked Michael Purcell for the amount of time, energy, and perseverance he has contributed as President of the Guild, for setting a standard of quality that continues, and for the strong ideas and changes that he introduced.
Thursday, 15th July 2010, Online Meeting
•Agreed to appoint Gisele St. Hilaire to the vacant Canadian Director seat effective at the Board meeting, Monday July 26th (just before the Annual General meeting).
<Back
Remembrance: A Tribute to Yochanan Rywerant
Material Collected by Rob Black
Yochanan Rywerant, master practitioner and trainer and honorary member of FGNA, died May 21st, 2010 at the age of 87 years old – he would have been 88 this November. He continued working almost until the end and had already set his schedule for the autumn. A number of practitioners wrote about Yochanan on FeldyForum and have agreed to having their reminisces reprinted here.
Robbie Ofir called Yochanan a friend and recalled some of Yochanan’s background:
I was privileged to become his friend after gaining his trust back in 1992 when we both worked for two weeks together in taking care of the late “rebbe”—The spiritual leader of the World Lubavitch Hassidic community. He became my teacher and mentor par excellence, not only as regards the Feldenkrais Method® but also in his unswerving sense of ethics and integrity. In all my encounters with him never did I hear a disparaging comment about anyone. When from time to time I would ask him about events, policies, or people, as related to the Guild he’d say, “I don’t have time for gossip.”
He conducted his training programs with a level of personal accountability, supervision and integrity unmatched by anyone. He would not accept any more than 26 people in his programs. His rationale: “This is the maximum number of people I can personally provide all my attention to,” and boy oh boy did he provide attention!
He was a lion among men: some time after losing his beloved wife Yardena back in the fall of 1994 while leaving LaGuardia airport after a flight from San Fransisco he was at a complete loss. Yochanan asked a friend of his to call me. Yair Leers and I rushed to his side, supported him and took him to his hotel. The following day we escorted him to Newark airport from where he flew back home to Israel. Some time later he suffered a stroke. He carried on with his work with tenacity without a word of complaint while slowly rehabilitating himself.
Nothing stopped him, not diabetes, not the stroke, not bypasses. His work was his life as was Music. Not many people know but back in Romania where he was born he was an accomplished violin player. The holocaust changed that. Arriving in Israel after being interred for more than a year by the British in a camp in Cyprus where he was appointed a leader by the Hagganah training people in basics of combat, he started a new life as a high school teacher in Physics.
His late wife Yardena an accomplished musician introduced him to Moshe around 1951, Moshe was very close to many of the pillars of performing arts of Israel of the time. Yochanan took to the work and never looked back. In his later years he remarried. Bertha his wife, a violinist in the Israeli Philharmonic orchestra gave him much Joy, and through her love, some of the reserve he always exhibited softened, and Yochanan was able to smile and laugh again.
Yochanan, I admired and cared for you and our loss is great. You have left us a deep and abiding legacy as a professional of the highest order and a man of dignity and integrity we can look to as an inspiration. Keep on smiling and working up there wherever there happens to be.
Gunnel Iverus of Sweden, wrote a little history of Yohanan’s trainings:
It was in Sweden in 1984 that he first started his own basic training. Yochanan wanted a small study group with participants with different backgrounds. Yohanan wanted to have participants with academic degrees which he consequently got.
Eleven persons fulfilled the training. Four persons were medical doctors, six were physical therapists, two had a BA degree in humanistics, one was a social worker and one physical therapist had also a BA in social sciences.
He started to train people in the way he really wanted it to be done. Theory and practice was taught all through the training. We had ATM-classes, FI-classes and theory lessons and discussions every day during the whole training.
Yochanan was a very engaged teacher and he was all the time with us. When for instance working with FI we would call him when we wanted help, and he would come running to show us exactly where to put our hands when we wanted to give support. Suddenly you could feel deeply in your whole being and in the person you were working with what you were doing. The total clearness of that person’s skeleton appeared. Marvellous it was!
Having completed our training we felt comfortable to start working all at once. We founded The Swedish Feldenkrais® Association according to Yochanan´s wish. Yochanan gave two more trainings in Stockholm.
He also conducted a trainers training in Stockholm which was completed in 1993. Later on Yochanan put up a series of basic trainings in Israel. He had many advanced classes and workshops in Europe and Israel all these years.
A master of FI with exquisite hands and creativity hard to match he was also a born lecturer that could hold your attention. His generosity as a teacher was outstanding. He prepared his teaching meticulously.
Yochanan wrote two excellent books about the Feldenkrais Method which are now available in several languages.
Much much more can be said about Yochanan. I will just say: Thank you for all you gave.
Bob Schulenburg reflected:
In addition to the accomplished, skillful and varied palette of techniques Yochanan shared with his students he possessed and imparted qualities of impeccable character, dedication and clarity. Patient, kind, precise, compassionate, practical, confident - sometimes so methodical and seemingly formal it would be a surprise when you realized he also had a keen sense of humor.
Truly a teacher’s teacher as well as a consummate practitioner, he exemplified what could be done and showed how to do it right. His understanding on a technical level was unsurpassed; his commitment to communicating it was the driving force in his life. He took what he got from Moshe and kept going with it, refining and demonstrating his masterful competence all the way to the end of his days. A single lesson from Yochanan could change your life and understanding on the spot. He bravely survived the sudden tragic loss of his beloved wife, partner and constant companion Yardena and kept on working, traveling and teaching on his own.
Felicia N. Trujillo treasured a pivotal quality of Yochanan’s—his incredibly skilled approach.
I watched him at the San Rafael Training as he worked with a client’s arm. I was able to recall what he did for some years, sadly, I have lost it now.
But it was like watching the most brilliant billiards player, who can call out “Now for number 4” or whatever. He did four moves and the shoulder had reorganized entirely.
Once, I was present when Yochanan taught “Each touch is a message, like a sentence. Do not add one extra word; do not blur the message. Stop to create a period, and lift your hands off the client. Wait. Then, after they have integrated that (as shown by a breath or what one sees), add another sentence.” I have never forgotten that, especially when I was training folks in FI.
Bob Chapra recalled:
“I am sad that this wonderful, kind man and consummate teacher and thinker is no longer alive on this earth. His imprint lives on in my work and life. His work was precise, considerate, thoughtful and intelligent.”
Bob related this story, standing at the end of an FI he brought my left iliac forward and bent my left arm to rest my forearm on it. It was the position I held my slinged left arm for 13 weeks after I severely broke my left wrist at age eight. He then guided me from that position to neutral standing. I had never told him about that injury.
I had very different feelings after FI’s with our different teachers. After Yochanan’s lessons I always felt handsome. Once after a lesson, I took the elevator downstairs to the large room where Feldenkrais taught. As the elevator door opened, there was Feldenkrais. He beamed at me and said, “Chepra…you get more hendsome every day.” At that moment, I had to agree with him.
Roger Russell, like many practitioners noted:
“Yochanan was part of my Feldenkrais world since 1975. He had a wonderful presence and I will miss him.”
From us all, the appreciation of the loss of a master teacher:
“the void after a respected teacher is still hard to express in words.”
<Back
Advanced Training: Lessons for the Autonomic Nervous System
Feldenkrais® Lessons for the Autonomic Nervous System:
balancing excitation with relaxation, stress with quietness, dis-ease with well-being
Advanced Training with Yvan Joly, M.A. (Psy.) Registered Psychologist & GCFP-Trainer
June 21-25, 2010
(June 20, optional FI lessons and discussion with Yvan)
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Information and Registration:
NICOLE AUBRY, CFP
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Details: http://en.yvanjoly.com/images/4/4a/Atelierjuin2010_en.pdf
Photo copyright 2007, Rosalie O’Connor
<Back
Advanced Training: Composing Experience
Composing Experience:
Advanced training with Ralph Strauch
Vancouver, BC
May 22-25, 2010
Information & Registration:
http://www.somatic.com/ce.html
or contact Ralph Strauch:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 310.454.8322
Katarina Halm:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 604.263.9123
We each compose our own experience, through the (largely unconscious) choices with which we organize ourselves and our interactions with the world around us. The Feldenkrais Method® gives us tools to improve those choices. This training will help you utilize those tools more effectively:
• to enrich your own life by becoming more aware of how you compose your experience, and
• to make your Feldenkrais® teaching more effective by thinking in terms of shaping the way your clients compose their experience.
The training will be organized around two main themes, and the unconscious choices you and your clients make around each.
• Exploring perception and self-imposed limitation—- how you filter and assemble your experience from myriad possibilities the world continually offers. You will experience what it means to say that ordinary reality is an agreement, and discover new possibilities that flow from that understanding.
• Deepening your sensitivity and sense of connection with your clients and yourself—- including the sensitivity of your touch in Functional Integration®, in particular, but beyond that, your sensitivity to your clients and what they need, and your sensitivity to yourself and what you need for your own growth and development.
Photo copyright 2007, Rosalie O’Connor
<Back
In Honor of Shlomo Efrat
Shlomo Efrat, one of the 13 Pillars, passed away on 20 December, 2009
A teacher who was close to Shlomo recalled a memory of Efrat saying:
“Who ever received lesson from the hands of Shlomo, his bones remember and his nervous system will never forget.”
Elinor Silverstein, FGNA BOD, remembers:
I remember when I moved to Israel to live and study with Moshe in 1982, the first person Moshe introduced me to was Shlomo. Shlomo came to visit Moshe regularly. He was always so sweet and kind, so elegant and beautiful. Slightly wild. Eventually, Shlomo shared his ATM classes with me and offered for me to take over teaching his Weizman Inst. Classes that had been on going for over 20 years. It was agreed between Moshe, Baruch, and Shlomo that I would start teaching the classes, but that I should really brush up on my Hebrew, because everyone only spoke Hebrew and that was the way the classes were taught.
I sweated for two weeks preparing to teach classes totally in Hebrew. I only knew conversational Hebrew, and was not quite as fluent as I should be. Shlomo lovingly gave me hints of the language of ATM, how to guide people to move with “awareness,” “pay attention,” “roll over,” “notice,” etc.
I prepared and prepared with more loving coaching from Shlomo and Moshe. Then came the day I walked into the class that had forever been taught by their teacher, Shlomo. I cleared my throat and started to teach my lesson plan to the full class. There must have been 40-50 people, many of who were in their 70’s and doing headstands. The youngest were in their 40’s. I was only 23! Imagine!
After 20 minutes of teaching, I heard some giggling thru the room, and one older woman gently asked me in Hebrew if I spoke English. I answered, yes. “Then why don’t you teach in English, instead?!” and the whole class started laughing. Most everyone understood English fluently!! They were ALL in on the joke with Shlomo, Baruch, and Moshe!!!
I will never forget the time I spent with Shlomo, he was wonderful, giving, and always sharing. He was truly an authentic person. I will remember him with his smile and wild silver hair, and long lanky happy body.
<Back
In Honor of Rahina Sherry Friedman
The community has lost Rahina Sherry Friedman, who graduated from the first training with Dr. Feldenkrais in San Francisco. She died on April 15, 2009 in Albuquerque, NM.
She was my cousin and friend and greatly impacted my life because of our relationship and her dedication. She was instrumental in my entering the training.
But, my introduction to the Feldenkrais Method® was the day she called me from New Mexico at my home in New Jersey and said “Turn on the speakerphone and “lie on your back.” She then directed me in my first ATM. When I couldn’t figure out what to do, we hung up. She rewrote and called back to continue the lesson. And, thus, she developed 34 Feldenkrais-based lessons suitable for riders. These became the book she longed to write. Thereafter, we continued to do lessons together—-long distance.
Horses were central to her life and she combined this great love with her training as a therapist to give Hippotherapy to troubled youths.
Although her demeanor was sometimes crusty, she was a tender and generous person. She believed that integrating the work with the love of your life is what made it your own. She accomplished that in writing Fluid, Painfree Riding: 34 Movement Lessons for Supple, Harmonious Horsemanship.
Her own words best express her sentiments:
“Rumi, a thirteenth century poet said: When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. It has been the biggest joy in my life to bring together the Feldenkrais Method and the world of fluid riding.”
-Linda Adler
<Back
Thank you
The Guild Staff would like to thank Ruth Hurst and Johanna Rayman for gifting us during the 2009 Holidays with free ATM classes and FIs, as well as Allegra Heidelinde, for finding the volunteers. Thank you all for being so thoughtful!
<Back
Welcome, Patty
Please welcome, Patty Slote, Membership Director, our newest staff member.
It’s fantastic to be part of a community of people dedicated to improving the quality of life for others. I am a yoga teacher myself and find the connections with Feldenkrais Method® fascinating. My last job was with a yoga and meditation center in Portland, where I spent several years as accounting manager, yoga teacher, and DVD producer before becoming Membership Director. In less than one year, we increased our membership by 50 percent, largely working with volunteers. While I don’t expect such a dramatic change in such a short time at FGNA, we’re already planning ways to improve your experience of membership in the Guild. Look for a new survey this spring and for spiffy changes in our publications, website, and benefits. On a personal note, I am really excited to make new friends through the Guild. I had a chance to speak with some of you on the phone last fall during our renewal campaign, and I was inspired. I welcome all of you to phone or email me at any time and can’t wait to meet everyone at the conference in Chicago.
Patty Slote
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
503.221.6612 ext. 130
Photo of Patty Slote (right) and Vicki Robinson, NW Rep, speaking at recent graduation in Seattle, WA.
<Back
News from the Acting ED: 2010 Staff Changes
Susan Marshall, Acting Executive Director
Lots of recent changes in the FGNA office to better meet your membership needs.
As you may know from a recent “FGNA News” received by email, I am back as of April 1st as Acting Executive Director. I am pleased to have another opportunity to serve you!
Over the last several months, we have reorganized some areas of service. Here is an update of office staff:
Susan Marshall, Acting Executive Director
Samantha Berg, FEFNA Bookstore Manager/ Executive Assistant
Andrea Wiener (1991), NATAB Administrator (Many thanks to Andrea for agreeing to remain on staff as the NATAB Administrator.)
Carla Feinstein, Publications & Communications Coordinator Service Marks Administrator
Patty Slote, NEW Membership Director
Lynn Ford, Assistant Membership & Conference Coordinator
Deana Meyer, Information Technology/Web Manager
I am also pleased to announce Deborah Page (2001) as our NEW 2010 Annual Conference Coordinator. She assumes many of my previous duties as Conference Coordinator prior to April 1, 2010. Although not physically located in our Portland, Oregon offices, she is reachable by email at:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
and voice mail at extension #113.
<Back