October 30, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

The 2010 Annual Conference Program Committee invites you to submit a proposal to teach at the Feldenkrais Method Annual Conference next summer. We are happy to announce our Conference will take place on the north side of Chicago, at Loyola University’s beautiful Lake Shore campus. We will have access to Lake Michigan beaches, and short train rides into the heart of this great city.

The skyscrapers of Chicago inspire our theme, “Less is More.”  The twentieth century architect Mies van der Rohe built skyscrapers with modern materials seeking structural order, balanced against the implied freedom of flowing open space.  Like a Feldenkrais lesson, Chicago’s steel and glass structures are direct and simple, leaving a feeling of light, openness, and freedom of movement, as well as much room for interpretation. 

Our Conference will offer practitioners, trainees and the public an opportunity to experience some of the essential elements of our work, such as efficiency, ease, and elegance.

Please consider the following questions as you draft your proposal:

• How do you experience the idea of “less is more” in your life and your practice of the Feldenkrais Method?
• In what ways do you translate this idea into direct experience through your ATM teaching and Functional Integration lessons?
• How might we best represent this idea to your workshop participants (practitioners, trainees, and/or public)?
• How does doing “less” in a lesson result in “more” learning?

We envision the 2010 Conference as a time and space for participants to sharpen their skills and deepen collegial bonds. Most Conference workshops will address the needs of practitioners and trainees, while one or two offerings each day will be open to the public. We will reach out to the public in a special way this year during the weekend, with full day workshops to introduce newcomers and nurture seasoned public students.

A new idea is formulating around midweek mentoring sessions, with experienced volunteer practitioners guiding small groups of newer colleagues in their practice and in their business growth. Please let us know if you would be interested in serving as a mentor. You will be contacted when further information is available.

Thank you for taking the time to submit a proposal. We hope you feel inspired and excited by this year’s theme. We, as a committee, are thrilled to be preparing the ground for this next opportunity to gather as a community for learning and exploring the Feldenkrais Method.

Please submit the proposal form at your earliest convenience. If this is the first time you’re submitting a proposal and you have any questions, please ask for assistance.

If you are interested in submitting a proposal, but can’t make the deadline, please let us know by December 1.

Download Proposal Information

Problems downloading forms, or other questions? Email Andrea Wiener, Conference Coordinator: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 800.775.2118, ext 112.
We look forward to hearing from you!

The 2010 Conference Program Committee:

Mary Susan Chen (Chair)
Julie Francis
Chrish Kresge
Deborah Page
Dwight Pargee
Myra Ping