Take Feldenkrais off the mat and into life
The Art of Learning: An Introduction to the Feldenkrais Method®
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement® lessons are like structured playgrounds in which to experiment. The process mirrors how a baby learns to move, before we are socialized to override our own comfort.
We learn through exploration, play, making mistakes, experimenting, following what's pleasurable and easy.
"Environment, mind, and body are an indivisible one..."
The Art of Learning course will support you to discover the art of your own learning process and refine your ability to attend to your sensation in relation to your environment. You will learn to move, think, feel and sense yourself in action in the world. Feldenkrais trainer Ruthy Alon wrote: “It is not just a method of body movement, but rather an awakening of bodily resourcefulness and creativity.”
Moshe Feldenkrais
The Feldenkrais Method is a process of learning developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, engineer, judo master and student of human development. In the 1940-1970's he explored the interconnections between the body, mind, environment, and self development. There are 2 ways of experiencing the Feldenkrais Method: Functional Integration (hands-on lessons) & Awareness Through Movement classes.
Each week we will explore a different Feldenkrais principle.
Here are the chapters from my book Feldenkrais Illustrated: The Art of Learning, which will be inspiration for some of our weekly themes:
Image from Feldenkrais Illustrated: The Art of Learning by Tiffany Sankary. Original quote from Moshe Feldenkrais from The Potent Self, p 179.
12 Week Introduction to the Feldenkrais Method®
with Tiffany Sankary
Learn ways to:
Expand your ability to learn throughout life
Reduce tension, pain and stress
Increase flexibility, stability and comfort
Improve the quality of your movement and your self awareness
Develop resilience through curiosity and experimentation
Care for yourself and listen to creative impulses
Bring ease into your daily life
This is for:
People who are new to the Feldenkrais Method
Those with experience that want to deepen their practice
People in pain or who have lost mobility.
Musicians, dancers, artists, performers who want to expand their options
People who are looking for a gentle entry into being in their bodies
Begin your 12 week journey...
Course Includes:
8 Weekly Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes with Tiffany Sankary
A collection of audio downloads for you to keep (8 full class recordings and 8 related mini-lessons)
12 weeks of access to Movement & Creativity Library: a multimedia library of 150+ Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons and resources to help you reduce pain and awaken creativity. You can explore lessons in the library between classes and for 2 weeks afterwards.
3 online workshops with Movement & Creativity Library guest teachers (Jeff Haller, Matty Wilkinson & Seth Dellinger)
Cost:
$350 for the 12 week course
Register here:
Course Contributors:
Tiffany Sankary is an artist, Feldenkrais Practitioner, Authentic Movement teacher and the Continuity Assistant Trainer for the Boston Feldenkrais Training Program. She created the book Feldenkrais Illustrated: The Art of Learning.
Matty Wilkinson is a practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method and Anat Baniel Method for Children. He specializes in working with children and teaching and writing about developmental process.
Seth Dellinger is a Feldenkrais practitioner who specializes in working with movement as a vehicle for tapping into the natural creativity possessed by all human beings.
Jeff Haller is a Feldenkrais Trainer who has participated in over 35 trainings and is the Educational Director of the upcoming Feldenkrais Training Academy in Seattle, WA.
"I am going to be your last teacher. Not because I'll be the greatest teacher you may ever encounter, but because from me you will learn how to learn. When you learn how to learn, you will realize that there are no teachers, that there are only people learning and people learning how to facilitate learning." -Moshe Feldenkrais
"Learning is the most important quality of our brain." -Moshe Feldenkrais
We are not limited in the ways we think we are. There are more possibilities available than beyond our conscious awareness.
What people are saying:
Mothers
"During the lesson you taught yesterday I noticed that all of a sudden my mood changed... I felt so calm and embodied. ‘I was at home’."
-Tanja Seifarth
“Transformation is the word that best describes my experience during a Feldenkrais lesson with Tiffany. (The lessons have) helped me understand that certain beliefs and habits and perspectives are no longer working for me and that change is possible. I don't have to do things the same way I've always done them and I don't have to be the same person I've always been. This has made a huge difference in my approach to my body, my work and my relationships, with myself and with others.” -Jennifer Recklet Tassi, Community Organizer
Musicians
"I love your voice, pacing, selective choice of guidance, clarity... really of an engaging quality/ high in my experience." - Constance DeFotis, retired professor, conductor and singer
"My 'mask of tension' was gone and I looked like a different person. I was actually "present" in my face! I felt different mentally and emotionally, too..." -Christine B., Musician & computer engineer
“Sitar maestros can pluck the strings extremely fast and I couldn't do anything near that speed until I started involving my whole hand, arm, shoulder, etc. Thank you!” - Farhan Choudhary
“Experiencing Feldenkrais with Tiffany I was struck by how much of a mind / body process it really was. Tiffany has a special way of perpetuating that connection… a way that really urges you to adhere to that dynamic of imagining, feeling and thinking.”
-Éilís Crean, Musician
Psychologists
"Feldenkrais has been an eye-opener for me-- rather than stretching and strengthening, building awareness has turned out to be the most helpful approach I've tried yet in terms of dealing with injury. Recognizing how many choices we have and how much freedom we have in both moving and thinking, instead of focusing on perceived limitations, has certainly made me feel better! And I've also found myself responding differently in conversations with people--slowing down and listening more... Feldenkrais has opened up things for me I didn't know were closed..."
–Rachel Wiseman, Psy.D.
Yoga Teachers & Physical Therapists
"Your guidance and patience have helped myself and many others achieve more freedom of movement in functioning."
- Jennifer D. Jackson PT, MSPT
“I recommend Tiffany's teaching to anyone who wants more freedom to move, more self-compassion, and a healthier mind-body relationship.”
–Zan Barry, health coach/ yoga instructor
Artists
“Feldenkrais is so good. I feel very grounded, rejuvenated, happy, conscious and at ease; Mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. One of the main things I feel is high self esteem and lots of confidence.”
-Shami Orkibi, Art Teacher & Dancer
“At the end of my first class, I felt taller and calmer, and as I continued taking classes for the next few months I saw great improvements. My spine was straighter, I didn't wake up with so many aches in my back and hips, I was way less clumsy."
-Beth B., Artist
"Feldenkrais was the perfect pathway towards healing my chronic back pain." -Mary
Bodyworkers/ Healers
"After my first class, my partner noticed a shift in my appearance; he became curious about how something I described as subtle, could work so dramatically..." -Naomi U.
"How fortunate am I to have found Feldenkrais practitioner Tiffany Sankary. Her sensitive, intelligent hands, her body wisdom, and careful lucid teaching have helped me learn about, understand, change, and liberate my mind and body from more pain and unwanted limitations in the past year more than anything I’ve done in the past 54 altogether. " -Clair Wings
"I’m inspired by the work you do, on all fronts, and the not perfect, growing approach you take. A great model for all of us." -Judith Morse, retired massage therapist
Dancers
"I enjoyed the nature of the classes very much. They helped me to become a better observer of my own body and mind. I am more aware of how my body has moved unconsciously and how this can change -- It is a very introspective process and one of the best ways to develop body intelligence."
- Mr. Kim, Dancer
"I recommend Tiffany's class to anyone interested in movement, dance or overall health." - Mark Smith, Sr. Audio Engineer, STC Productions
More...
“I was completely in AWE of myself and this observation of a kind of effortlessness I've never known, but maybe have always longed for." -Kathy
“Tiffany provides a gentle rigor – her enthusiasm is matched with clarity.”
“I am so grateful for Tiffany’s skilled teaching. After only a few classes, I feel stronger, better coordinated, more graceful, more aware of my body’s capabilities. I love Feldenkrais!”
“I felt so much more comfortable in my body, so lightweight and floaty, particularly in my neck. Simply moving around space seemed easier, like I was exerting less effort than I normally do.” -Emily Murcko, Student, Lesley University, Counseling
PRACTICE IN COMMUNITY
If you have experienced the Feldenkrais Method you know the power of the process. It is life changing. (And if you are new to the method, welcome!)
One way to keep the practice alive and integrate it into all areas of your life is to do it regularly. Even though we may practice alone, there is power in doing the lessons within a group context. Practicing in community supports your deepening awareness, adding a richness and encouragement to show up more fully.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE ONLINE CLASSES:
some space on the floor to lie down or sit (depending on the lesson)
a mat or blanket
a computer or phone
We will use conferencing software called Zoom. It is super easy to use, even for those not comfortable with computers. You have the option to turn your video camera on or off during the class at any time. You can also access the classes via telephone. Everyone will receive a copy of the recorded live classes, so if you need to miss a class you will still be able to practice.