Cross Motivations

“When we have relieved all the unnecessary tensions (that have been built up in the course of develpment as the only means of reacting to the environment available at that time, that have become useless at present), we can obtain a better and easier comportment.  Thus, if we eliminate from standing all that is extraneous to it such as standing manly, femininely, authoritatively, nicely, efficiently, arrogantly, proudly, or meekly and all the other cross motivations that we cultivate in childhood and adolescence with such wholehearted conviction of doing right, there remains standing as dictated by the structure of the body and its nervous mechanisms.  A stance that is rare, but which we are all capable.”  ~ Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais

I chose to share this quote from The Potent Self,  because I thought the timing was appropriate since we all put away our masks and costumes from Halloween.  I think it is easier to feel how our stance and posture changes when we put on a costume and assume a character than it is to feel the stances we live with everyday.  As Moshe Feldenkrais states above, once we can recognise how we stand and the cross motivations that fuel it we can than give it up.  Coming to this place of self awareness can lead to letting go of alot of physical and emotional pain which will allow for greater ease of functioning. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Thank you for choosing me to share this wonderful method with you.

Donna

Introduction

Hi Students,

I am happy to say that my website is back up on the internet.  I have been having technical difficulties with the site for over 6 months.  Please let all of your friends know that I am back.  Please be patient with me as I learn my way around the new site.  Read below, about the next workshop that I will be teaching.  I hope to see you there.

Sincerely, Donna

Feldenkrais Workshop

Improve the flexibility of your hips and legs through exploring Feldenkrais®, Awareness Through Movement® lessons. By learning how to move your body gently around your legs, you can safely increase your range of motion in the straddle and split positions. In addition, this workshop will help you to find stability in standing by learning better self organization of your legs and frame.

During the workshop you will be pleasantly surprised at how much more limber you will become without forcing yourself. Also, these tools for gaining flexibility and stability will help you in all aspects of your life.

For more information contact Donna at 415-931-6124. This workshop will take place at the S.F. Dance Center, at 26 Seventh St. / Market. To sign up for this workshop call the S.F. Dance Center at 415-863-3040 x221.

Low Fee Feldenkrais® Clinic

Dear Feldenkrais® Students & Colleagues:

The Low Fee Feldenkrais® Clinic that I have been running with colleagues Pat Hendricks and Leigh Sealy is in need of a new home.

The Fillmore Center generously donated a wonderful space to us for the last 2 ½ years. We are very grateful to them and we are sorry that they cannot continue to house us.

We have built a wonderful community in the last couple of years and have helped people who would not have been able to afford regular prices.

Leigh, Pat and I want to continue teaching Feldenkrais® to this community and we would appreciate any help that you could give us.

We need a low rent or donated space that can accommodate three Feldenkrais® Practitioners working at the same time; is wheel chair accessible; and can store our tables.

Please contact Pat Hendricks at 415.648.9332 if you can help us in anyway.

Thanks, Donna

Feldenkrais® Workshop

Relating Walking & Crawling
Sunday, August 26, 2007
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Members: $60.00; Non-members: $70.00

Walking is something we do every day without thinking about how we do it. Because of this, our awareness during walking becomes elusive over time. If we know what we truly do when we walk and not what we think we do, then we can choose to walk the way we want.

What is the Feldenkrais Method®?

An intricate thing I do, almost every day in my life, is to describe The Feldenkrais Method® to people who have no idea what Feldenkrais® is. This is a challenge, because the method has so much to offer a person. When someone asks me to explain this work, I always pause and ask myself, “where shall I begin?” In that short moment, the choices I have are many. It has been an undertaking to choose a captivating way to describe this work to each unique individual.

Therefore I am glad to tell you that the Feldenkrais® Guild of North America has created a 10 minute DVD entitled, What is the Feldenkrais Method®?, in honor of their 30th anniversary. This DVD features Feldenkrais® students sharing their experiences about the method.

If you have experienced a difficult time expressing to your family and friends what the Feldenkrias Method® is about, I recommend showing this short video to them. You can find it on my website or you can visit: YouTube.com (search for: Feldenkrais). I am happy to have this new tool to better help me share this extraordinary method with others.
~Donna