Our Keynote, Elizabeth Beringer (1982) has been involved with the practice and development of the Feldenkrais Method for more than thirty years. She studied directly with the founder of the Method, Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, in both the US and Israel between 1976 and 1983.

Elizabeth has maintained an ongoing and varied private practice working with a diverse population. She particularly enjoys working with athletes, martial artists and dancers and is known for her ability to apply the Method in dynamic situations.

Over the years Elizabeth has been actively involved with the development of the Feldenkrais Method into a respected profession. She founded and edited The Feldenkrais Journal for over 20 years, developed educational programs and materials, working with the practitioner organization, the Feldenkrais Guild^® of North America, in numerous capacities. She co-founded Feldenkrais® Resources with David Zemach Bersin.

Currently she is involved in the training of new practitioners and recently graduated training groups in Milano, Italy, Biel, Switzerland and Berkeley, California. Elizabeth relocated to San Diego in 2002 and started the Feldenkrais Institute of San Diego where she now runs an active training center. She also travels extensively teaching in post-graduate and practitioner training programs, especially in Europe and the U.S. In addition to her Feldenkrais practice Elizabeth has studied numerous other Somatic disciplines. More recently she has pursued the study of the cognitive sciences and her current teaching integrates current advances in the cognitive sciences into the Feldenkrais perspective.

Elizabeth has practiced the martial art of Aikido since 1977 and currently holds the rank of 6th degree black belt. Aikido is a non-violent martial art centered around neutralizing aggression by redirecting an opponents force. She is an assistant instructor at San Diego Aikikai, in San Diego, California. Her practice of the Feldenkrais Method has been informed and shaped by her experiences in Aikido.

Elizabeth lives in San Diego, California with her husband, Rafael Nunez, a professor of cognitive science at the University California San Diego and her eight-year old daughter.

For more information http://www.feldenkraisresources.com

Keynote: Our Evolving Method: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Pat Buchanan, PhD. (1996) is the chair of the Esther Thelen, PhD, GCFP Research and Education Fund Subcommittee of FEFNA, Feldenkrais® teacher, certified athletic trainer, physical therapist, and associate professor at Des Moines University in Iowa. From a dynamic systems perspective on development, she uses biomechanical, strength, and observational methods to evaluate motor behavior and the effects of interventions targeting improved movement and awareness.

T1: Expanding our Reach in Research: Working on Several Fronts

Steve Duke (1991) is widely known for his performances in classical and jazz music as well as the avant-garde. He wrote the first article on multi-style technique in 1987 and developed the first music curriculum in the Feldenkrais Method in 1989.  Steve Duke is a Distinguished Research Professor at Northern Illinois University.
http://www.steveduke.net

S1: Music Performance and the Feldenkrais Method®

Carl Ginsburg, PhD. (1977) intuited very early in his studies that Moshe Feldenkrais understood learning and the mind-body complex in more depth than any other teaching he had explored in his life. Carl has been writing about the Method since he began studying with Moshe, and today also directs professional training groups.
http://www.awareinginc.net/

M1: The Intelligence of Moving Bodies: How Somatic Learning Allows for Less is More

Moti Nativ (1994) is a Master teacher in the Bujinkan School for Budotaijutsu/Ninjutsu, and holds a black belt in Judo. His popular seminars on the Synergy of Martial Arts and the Feldenkrais Method® are based on his research into the early years of Moshe Feldenkrais. He also republished Moshe’s book Practical Unarmed Combat.
http://www.warriors-awareness.com/

Cancelled -- WH1: Effortless Action

Lavinia Plonka (1994) is the author of three books that combine the Feldenkrais Method® with life skills. She has produced 4 CD programs, is the content editor of SenseAbility and is director of the Asheville Movement Center in NC. Lavinia teaches workshops internationally: from Beijing to New Jersey.
http://www.laviniaplonka.com

H2: The (Im)Possible Dream

Bridget Quebodeaux (1998) has a private practice in Los Angeles, California. She was introduced to the Feldenkrais Method® while studying acting at DePaul University in Chicago. She specializes in working with individuals who suffer from chronic conditions and unexplained pain.
http://www.feldenkraiswestla.com

W1: Toward Healing Chronic Pain: Embodying Essential Knowledge

Lucia Schuette-Ginsburg (1990) graduated from Mia Segal’s second Feldenkrais^® Training in Holland. She is a trainer. Lucia has worked in special education and is fascinated with the amazing capabilities of children, and adults, to learn in their natural environment. She offers trainings worldwide and practices in Frankfurt, Germany.
http://www.awareinginc.net/

M1: The Intelligence of Moving Bodies: How Somatic Learning Allows for Less is More

Dr. Chava Shelhav (1971) was one of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais’ first assistants both in Israel and abroad, and worked with him at the Feldenkrais Institute in Israel. She is the founder of the Child’Space Method, and has led training programs in Israel, Amsterdam and Chicago.
http://www.feldenkrais-shelhav.com/

PreCon3: Child'Space, a method for working with infants and toddlers, based on the theory of Dr. Feldenkrais
PreCon4: Happier Meals with Children: A Workshop on Eating and Swallowing Disorders

Jim Stephens PT, PhD. (1987) is chair of the FEFNA Research Committee. He has taught movement sciences at Widener, Drexel, and Temple Universities and is currently working with elderly individuals in the LIFE program at the University of Pennsylvania. He also maintains a private practice in the Feldenkrais Method®.

T1: Expanding our Reach in Research: Working on Several Fronts

David Webber (2004) lost his eyesight in 1996, at age 43, due to severe inflammation in the eyes (uveitis), and was declared legally blind. He regained functional vision by working with the practical “less is more” principle of the Feldenkrais Method®. Based on his own experience, he has been teaching Seeing Clearly workshops for six years.
http://www.feldenkraiscentre.com

M2: Seeing Clearly - a Feldenkrais Method® Exploration of Vision

Frank Wildman PhD. (1977) is a former performing artist, author, and producer and educational director of Feldenkrais® training programs including signature programs in the Feldenkrais Method®, such as “The Evolution of Motion” and “Your Brain as the Core of Strength and Stability.” His most recent material includes “Change Your Age.”
http://www.feldenkraisinstitute.org

PreCon1: Change Your Age!