February 2024

In Touch is a quarterly e-newsletter about developing one's competence as a Feldenkrais® teacher. Issues will contain articles about teaching the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education, running your own business, and more.

Photo by Amy Humphries

Beginning with the biography of its founder, the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education has always been an approach to human development that skillfully crosses borders. While the benefits of practicing Awareness Through Movement® classes resonate with universal aspects of human experience, Moshe Feldenkrais also placed a strong emphasis on respecting - and further developing - the autonomy of each individual. Perhaps it is because of this special character that the Method has taken root in so many different parts of the globe - and continues to spread!

In this edition. In Touch editor Seth Dellinger interviews two experienced Feldenkrais® movement practitioners who have taught in several different countries.

Paul Rubin, a Feldenkrais movement trainer who was part of the first North American Feldenkrais movement training in San Francisco (1975-77), is currently co-leading a Feldenkrais movement training in China along with Julie Casson-Rubin. Paul and Julie have also led trainings in Taiwan, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and the United States. In addition, Paul has taught in France, Germany and the UK.

Chrish Kresge, a practitioner with 25 years of experience who currently has a practice in Washington DC, has taught in Ghana, Morroco, France, Nepal, Turkey and Switzerland - and speaks 5 languages (French, German, Italian, Arabic and English)! 

In their interviews, Paul and Chrish each share personal stories and lessons learned along the way, instances of how they adapted their teaching to meet the needs of different kinds of clients and how these many different experiences shaped them as practitioners. We think that by watching both interviews, practitioners will gain a deeper appreciation for the powerful adaptability of the Feldenkrais Method and fascinating new insights into the timeless question of what it means to be human.

With this edition of In Touch we are also very pleased to announce a new project, In Touch Live! You are invited to join Paul and Chrish when they join Seth again for a live Zoom call on Tuesday, April 9 6-7:30pm EST.

Save the date!

This will be your opportunity to ask them questions and share your own thoughts and reflections on "translating" the Feldenkrais Method for different kinds of clients and into different kinds of teaching environments. We hope that In Touch Live! will be a vehicle to promote broader and deeper discussion in the practitioner community of our collective professional experience in today's rapidly changing world.

Joe, Jane, Michelle & Seth

Trainer Paul Rubin talks to In Touch editor Seth Dellinger about how the Feldenkrais Method connects with deep universals of human experience that lie below the surface of differences in language and culture.

I was fortunate to graduate from the 1975 – 77 Training taught entirely by Dr. Feldenkrais, to receive a diploma from him, and to have had him as my PhD advisor. He nurtured curiosity. One of mine, developed early in life was a strong curiosity concerning what are commonalties and differences between people of diverse upbringing. Fortunately, serving as ED in 19 Trainings throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America has brought me the gift of long-term relationships with colleagues and students from so many cultures.

It's a joy to remain with continuing fascinations rather than with too many curiosity ending conclusions!

Website for the Institute for the Study of Somatic Education: https://feldnet.com

Longtime practitioner Chrish Kresge talks to In Touch editor Seth Dellinger about discovering Feldenkrais as a singer in Egypt, teaching ATM at the US embassy in Ghana, working with kids in Turkey, teaching ATM during heavy rainstorms in Nepal and many more tales from her cosmopolitan career.

About Chrish:

Chrish is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner® who works with people of all ages and backgrounds using movement with awareness as a primary tool for improving functional health and vitality. This includes coordination, balance, self-awareness, posture and voice. She is also an actor and director. Chrish is passionate about using her diverse skills and background to help people find their innate potency and poise.

Chrish also works with individuals with stroke and other disabilities, and is a graduate of the Anat Baniel Neuromovement® Method® for Children.

She co-edited a book about the Feldenkrais Method, Learning Through Movement, published by Handspring Publishing (UK) in 2020.

feldenkraismovementbook.com
krishkresge.com

Please join us for In Touch Live!
on Tuesday, April 9 at 6pm EST!