Information On Feldenkrais and Expressive Arts Therapy
“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant,
there is no such thing. Making your unknown
known is the important thing - and keeping
the unknown always beyond you.”
Georgia O'Keeffe
The following is a brief description of Feldenkrais and Expressive Arts therapy as they pertain to the CE workshop:
Feldenkrais is a system of ideas and physical exercises, referred to as Lessons, that aims to increase “awareness through movement”. It provides an educational approach that is based on the study of human movement. While the Lessons at first glance seem to be anatomical in nature, they seek to widen the possibilities of Self Image as it relates to Brain-Body-Cognition. The lessons engage the participants in the continuous process of Learning (learning how to learn) and address the awareness of Habit Formation and Change to achieve greater overall functionality physically, emotionally, and cognitively. The movements are small and slow and are not intended to “correct” or “fix” one’s Movement or Self Image, but rather explore the person’s wishes and goals and offer a variety of choices to enhance a person’s functionality and inner authority. The lessons can also be visualized, watched, or imagined during instruction and therefore physical ability is Not Necessary. The workshop will include 3-4 lessons, each lasting 30 to 40 minutes at most. During the course, the theory, practice, and evidence-based literature on the Feldenkrais method, will be presented as they relate to Mindfulness, Self Awareness, and overall well-being. The risk in this course as far as Feldenkrais is minimal if any.
Expressive Arts Therapy combines psychology and the creative process to promote emotional growth and healing. Expressive arts therapy draws from a variety of art forms, and artistic ability in any art form utilized in the class is absolutely Not Required. The risk in this course using expressive arts is minimal if any.
“Go into the arts. I am not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way to make life bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.” - Kurt Vonnegut