On February 13 the FGNA Board members hosted the Share the Love Zoom cafe for all the membership. We have listened to the membership and are working to include everyone in more communication about the Guild.

The board is preparing for the changing of the officers in the third quarter with Fariya Doctor, Secretary, Erik LaSuer, Treasurer and Nancy Haller, President having served their full nine year commitment to FGNA. We are in the process of creating the next group of officers to take over and make the transition simple and elegant. 

Stay tuned over the next couple of months to hear who will be your next President. For the past decade the board members select the officers and they are in discussion now. 

At this time, the finances of FGNA are in the best position since the origin of the Guild. This is due to the diligence and conservative spending the board oversees.

We all appreciate your ongoing support of the FGNA board of directors and we continue to work for your benefit. 

Nancy Haller

We are planning another Zoom Cafe in March. FEFNA: Transformation of Trainings Group presents - Interview with 13 Trainers, March 17th at 7:30pm ET. Watch for the sign up link. 

 "In Touch Live" on Tuesday April 9 at 6pm EST - discussion with the contributors and editors of the February issue of In Touch. 

Friday September 6, September 27, Oct 18

Every month, the FGNA publishes a new issue of SenseAbility, a newsletter to educate the general public about the Feldenkrais Method ® of somatic education. The newsletter currently has a subscriber list of almost 12,000 readers. 

When your article is published, you will also be featured with a headshot photo, your 100-word bio and website information. You can also offer a recorded ATM® lesson or other valuable resource to introduce readers to your teaching.

We are currently looking for contributions on the following themes:

Play
Breathing
Walking
Imagination
Body Image
Emotion
Music

If you'd like to contribute, please contact us at fgnacommunications1@gmail.com 

SenseAbility has a wealth of valuable resources for your clients every month, whether or not you are a contributing writer. You can share individual articles that will be relevant to themes you are working with or invite clients to subscribe to SenseAbility by sharing this link with them: https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1973237/1936572/

In February 2023, two bills were introduced that would have removed important exemptions and instead require licensure for “alternative healing therapies” including the practice of the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education and many other professions. These bills were identical to ones that were introduced in 2021, which were killed due to strong testimony in opposition. 

In 2023 our members and allies again turned out strongly to testify in opposition to the bills. This time there was no testimony in support of the bills, and no support from the Attorney General’s office. This February the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure again issued a study order that effectively killed the bills. 

Again, many thanks to members who testified in the 2023 hearing: Eve Boltax, Susan Goldfischer, FGNA Massachusetts Government Relations Liaison Misha Forrester, and Mara Yale, and to all who submitted written testimony, protecting the right to practice the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education in Massachusetts!

Questions? Contact Government Relations Administrator Andrea Wiener: andrea.wiener@feldenkraisguild.com.

Are your classes listed here: https://feldenkrais.com/events/? This is the Feldenkrais Awareness through Movement® class or workshop listing on our website for the public - feldenkrais.com This is where the public goes to find a class that works for them. . We get over 65,000 hits per month on our feldenkrais.com website and classes and events are the 2nd most accessed page. Be sure your classes are included.

To list your classes:

Go to https://feldenkrais.com/

Select “Members” and “Member Log in”

Log in

Or from https://www.feldenkraisguild.com/#/

Go to “My Profile”

Select “Quick Links”

Select “List your Event”

Then Select “Submit an Event” https://feldenkrais.com/events/community/add

Add your ATM® classes and your workshops!!

(there are detailed instructions here: https://feldenkrais.com/how-to-submit-your-events/)

Presenters: Dawne and Dan Roy

When : March 24, 2024

Where: Online

Time: 2-3:30pm PT

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/move-sip-tickets-785638093687

Contact Rob Black - fgnacanada@gmail.com

Organizer: Canadian Region

Imagine how much your sense of taste can be improved with the Feldenkrais Method®! You will have an opportunity to experience what happens when Feldenkrais® and wine tasting meet! Move & Sip will include an ATM® followed by an educational wine tasting.

Presenter: David Kaetz

When: Feb 16,17,18

Where: Online

Time: 11amET/ 8am T (2.5 hrs) 

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/listening-with-your-whole-body-tickets-805853067217

Contact: Rob Black - fgnacanada@gmail.com

Fees: FGNA Members $100USD, Canadian members $100 CDN

          Non-members: $125 USD.

Organizer: Canadian Region

Description: An Introduction to a Somatic Approach to better hearing, with special emphasis on the auditory aspects of ATM® lessons. Becoming aware of how we use our whole selves in both speaking and list and how it can lead not only to clearer communication and better hearing, but also to surprising and delightful improvements in our relationships with ourselves, with others, with nature, and with music.

 ***Technical Requirements:***  Please use external speakers connected to your computers.

Presenter: Olena Nitefor

When: Feb 24; March 2, 10, 23, 30; April 6, 13; June 1, 8, 15.

Where: online study group

Contact: Misha Forrester

Organizer: New England Region

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/olena-nitefor-online-advanced-fi-training-on-hips-and-knee-issues-tickets-794149682077

Description: 5+ pre-recorded FI® lessons with voice-over narration plus anatomy videos, and ten 3-hour online meetings to support these to include ATMs and discussions

Presenter: Advanced Training with Larry Goldfarb

When: April 5 - 8, 2024 

Where: Avalon Ballroom - North Hall 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, CO 80303 

Time: 1:00pm MT-6:30pm MT, April 8 - 10am-3;00 pm  

Contact Email: al.wadleigh@gmail.com, Phone Number: 303-709-0639

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unlocking-the-spinal-engine-registration-769928846907?aff=oddtdtcreator

Organizer: Southwest/Rocky Mountain Region

Fees:  FGNA Members $425 until March 5, 2024, $475 March 6 through April 5, 2024 

Non FGNA Members $525 until March 5, 2024, $575 March 6 through April 5, 2024

Presenter: Advanced Training with Olena Nitefor

Where: in person - Arlington, MA

When: June 28-July 1

Contact: Misha Forrester, feldynenewsletter@gmail.com

Description: Addresses the handling skills that are needed to be able to execute one's intentions with skill and accuracy in Functional Integration.

Live training follow-up to the prior online program

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/olena-nitefor-functional-integration-2024-live-event-in-arlington-ma-tickets-796356723397

Service Marks are strongly recognizable by the public, therefore they bring a heightened level of professionalism to your practice. 

Through the Service Mark Guidelines, the Service Mark team clarifies the use of Service Marks, making it easier to follow the requirements.  

The team is available to respond to inquiries and provide guidance upon request. 

In addition, the team oversees the use of Service Marks, providing direction and support when necessary. 

Write to the Service Mark team at servicemarks@feldenkraisguild.com if you have questions. 

The Ethics Committee held a well-attended Zoom Café on January 16, hosted by Ethics Chair Maria Whisenand and Ethics NATAB Liaison Erin Finkelstein. Maria and Erin guided members through the intricacies of our Ethics process, and members responded with thoughtful questions and insightful comments. Video is now available here: Introducing FGNA’s Ethics Program

Do you have questions about FGNA’s Ethics program, or the process set forth in the Grievance Protocol? Send them to the Ethics Committee Chair: ethics@feldenkraisguild.com

FEFNA Board Members will be working on clarification of the benefits of donating to a 501c3 foundation for tax purposes. We will be hosting a cafe in the near future to discuss how FGNA members can support the valuable work FEFNA is proposing with the projects we are dedicated to promoting in 2024.

Feldenkrais® Practitioners, Trainees and their clients can donate throughout the year to FEFNA and enjoy the personal benefits during tax season. We all have a reason to appreciate the Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education and the wonderful changes it has made in our lives. Please consider how to support the work FEFNA would like to do in the future in research, education and public awareness. How can you make a difference?

Nancy Haller

We invite you to our Inaugural CONNECTIONS ZOOM

Friday February 23, 2024 4 pm PT, 5 pm MT, 6 pm CT, and 7 pm ET

Join us in coming together to share interests, curiosities, and passions as Feldenkrais® practitioners and to share and learn in community.

It is our hope that this will be a first step in creating ongoing practitioner driven learning opportunities.

You will meet with colleagues and join breakout groups, each with a different topic of interest.

Initial themes include: 

The use of voice, language, directions, and invitations in ATM® and FI® lessons.

Starting an FI lesson: What happens at the beginning of an FI before the student lies on the table.

Integrating Feldenkrais Method of learning into other professional practices.

We will also explore topics for future CONNECTIONS ZOOM gatherings.

What would you like to learn, know more about or share for your practice?

Our goal is to create a space where people can meet to exchange ideas, form their own groups, and collaborate to promote mutual learning and skills.

New link 

To register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoceuqrT0jHNw7RDIbaFFYPiER5jdMdWMf