FGNA is attending the Annual IFF Conference. The FGNA and NATAB are important contributors in policies and guidelines internationally. New policies are being considered to create more flexibility for running professional trainings, such as the inclusion of virtual components. A report will be available in next month's Guild News. 

Ongoing improvements to the public website - feldenkrais.com and the members website feldenkraisguild.com. There have been ongoing improvements to feldenkrais.com using the statistics from feldenkrais.com and google ad words.

An upcoming FGNA ZOOM Cafe titled: How to use social media for your business is scheduled for  Wednesday, June 26th at  4:00pmPT/7:00 ET by our Social Media Guru Michelle Poston.

The Board is looking for people interested in helping out with various committees including the Membership, Website, Service Mark and Governmental Relations Committees as well as candidates to run for the Board of Directors. Several regions have openings for Regional Representative, co-representative, newsletter editors, etc. 

Please reach out to fgnasecretary1@gmail.com with your questions.

In early 2016 NATAB opened a call for proposals for training programs that could explore alternative training formats and requirements, as pilot projects. While NATAB was prepared to accredit up to three pilot projects, only one pilot project proposal was received. Jeff Haller stepped forward with a proposal, which was approved and accredited: The Feldenkrais® Training Academy 1 (FTA1) training program.   

NATAB has now finalized its report about "what we learned" through this pilot project, and the report has been received by the FGNA Board of Directors.   Here is a link to the report: NATAB Report on Feldenkrais Training Academy Pilot Project Training Program. What we learned has been very valuable, and has already been used by NATAB to help inform other discussions and decisions.   

This training program is one of three pilot project training programs that have taken place in recent years. (The other two were for ATM® teacher training programs, and they were highlighted in the May 2024 issue of Guild News).  NATAB sincerely thanks those involved in all three of these pilot projects for agreeing to develop and offer a pilot project.  We know how much thought, effort and time went into these programs, and we appreciate the commitment of these people to continued innovation to strengthen Feldenkrais professional training programs. 

Do you know someone who would like to learn about becoming a Feldenkrais® Practitioner?  

Our website has helpful information about Feldenkrais® professional training programs, including:

▪️ links to training programs that are currently open for enrollment or in process. 

▪️ what participants will learn in a Feldenkrais® training program

▪️ what Feldenkrais® Practitioners know and are able to do...

▪️ and more!

What is your favorite Feldenkrais® method of somatic education resource? Go check out the FGNA inter-region library system and see if we have it. Let us know if it isn't there and would be worth adding to the collection.

Click here to access the library system  https://www.feldenkraisguild.com/page/interregion-library

Find the library link anytime through the FGNA Membership Portal’s Resources tab, then click the library link. 

If you have any questions about your region’s library ‘branch’ please contact your region’s librarian.

For questions about the library system contact Katherine at  feldenkraisnwlibrary@gmail.com.

Would you like an addition way to get FGNA news, IFF news, news from your region and news from your colleagues? If so join our new Facebook group for FGNA members only.

Join our FGNA Members Facebook Group.

Click on this link to join. https://www.facebook.com/share/CZUzLXVrXF9mqCqN/ 

Interested in “attending” Dr. Feldenkrais’ training programs? The Amherst, San Francisco, and Esalen training transcripts are available at feldenkrais-method.org/materials along with many other fabulous resources. 

The mission of the IFF Distribution Center is to produce and distribute Moshe Feldenkrais’ teachings. The IFF has licensing agreements with the heirs of Moshe Feldenkrais, which permit them to publish the materials. We offer unique materials you won’t find anywhere else. Here is a link to a 4.5 minute video tour of the current IFF website. 

The DC has a long history of working to make the materials accessible. Much of the work is done by volunteers. We're now focusing on translating the existing materials into other languages, again with an eye towards bringing Moshe's original works to those studying, teaching and learning from his Method. Questions? Reach out to Allegra at dc@iffmaterials.com. To access your FGNA member discount code go here:

We are so excited for this year’s Conference Series which will be 3 days of internationally renowned practitioners and trainers who will help us discover and rediscover the essentials of “Breath” from the Feldenkrais® perspective.  Thanks to co-sponsorship from the Feldenkrais Educational Foundation of North America (FEFNA) and the Council of Regional Representatives (CORR), there will be twelve different presenters and all of the conference recordings are included so you won’t hold your breath waiting for workshops that will help you understand and apply breath and movement to everyday life including finding calm, balance, stability, power, and resilience.   

Come get inspired!

Sincerely, 

The 2024 Conference Committee

Elinor Silverstein

Jane Johnston

March Dolphin

Darcia Dexter

Presented by Michelle Poston

Wednesday, June 26th

4:00pmPT/7:00 ET

On Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsd-2opzkiGtLLKvJ24HUI-hJC2tTgpzGz

Presenter: Michelle Poston, our Social Media guru

Host: Fariya Doctor

Description:

Using social media for your business can be overwhelming but just like in ATM® lessons once you know the guidelines of the system you’ll find it simple. 

In this class we will cover the main social platforms, how each works, and discover which one is best for you and your clients.

Our Presenter is Michelle Poston, FGNA's social media expert.

In Touch Live!

Tuesday July 9, 7:30-9pm EST

A live and interactive event with the editor of In Touch magazine and the contributors to the May edition, Feldenkrais® trainer candidate Anastasi Siotas, Assistant Trainer Tiffany Sankary and long time practitioner Tim Sobie. Join the panelists to explore what it means to "find your own handwriting" as a Feldenkrais practitioner.

Check out the May edition of In Touch before the event!

https://t.e2ma.net/message/61rxph/22tcmznb 

Registration link: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-Chrz0iGtdSr50wgDEPMWkxYuFxIRfk

The FGNA Board is announcing their appointment of Jane Johnston to the open FGNA Director 6 position. This appointment will take place 30 days after this announcement.  

As many of you know, Erik LaSeur, Fariya Doc, and Nancy Haller will be leaving the FGNA Board shortly, after nine years of truly dedicated service.  

Our FGNA Board needs to fill not only their seats on the Board, but two other open seats. We also have some additional much needed volunteer positions. Without a constellation of volunteers, individuals on the Board and committees are spread very thin. Your help and expertise is needed.  The FGNA Board needs your support!

The FGNA Board and the Nominating Committee needs your support for the following positions! We are seeking volunteers for: 

The FGNA Board of Directors:

FGNA Board of Director #4, Q3 2024 – Q 2027

FGNA Board of Director #2, Q3 2025 – Q 2028

FGNA Board of Director #3, Q3 2025 – Q 2028

FGNA Board of Director #5, Q3 2025 – Q 2028

FGNA Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee generally meets for an hour twice a month February-October.)

Nominating Committee seat #3, immediately – 12/31/2025

Nominating Committee seat #2 January 1, 2025 – 12/31/2026 which begins January 2025. The Nominating Committee generally meets for an hour twice a month February-October.

PLEASE don’t let these seats dwindle! This makes it harder for those continuing to serve, as well as for new initiations and projects to begin, which affects us all. 

You are welcome to immediately apply by going online to the application. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRGHZi1XjvEqR0rVHmD8VSENKFV-5l3pL5L9AB3w5Rc4ZsIQ/viewform

Please notify the Nominating Committee as well (see below)

As a Director you will work with other Directors to ensure the stewardship for the continued legacy of The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education. Directors at-large will meet regularly once a month for two hours, typically the last Monday of each month, with other Board members and chair a portfolio of one or more volunteer member committees. 

If you wish to attend part of a Monday FGNA Board meeting, please contact Fariya Doc, by emailing her fgnasecretary1@gmail.com.

The FGNA Board works to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives and seeks to foster a dynamic culture of learning, competence and professionalism amongst its member community, advancing public awareness and access to The Feldenkrais Method® of somatic education. 

Show your commitment to the values of FGNA and help to shape its future. Become part of our leadership team that steers our presence with membership and the public, our affiliation with other Guilds, and our legislative voice in government relations. FGNA Members who are Guild Certified Feldenkrais PractitionersCM or Certified Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement TeachersCM are eligible to serve as Directors. 

The FGNA Nominating Committee

Misha Forrester fgnanominating1@gmail.com

Cathy Wright fgnanominating2@gmail.com

Jane Johnson fgnanominating3@gmail.com

Katarina Halm fgnanominating4@gmail.com

Note to all event promoters based in North America, who provide in-person or on-line events to those who reside in North America. 

The FGNA Service Mark guidelines are applied to all materials of the North American promoter and therefore the materials of the practitioner/trainer/presenter, regardless of where the presenter resides and practices. 

Both the promotional materials of the North American promoter and the materials of the presenter, that are contained within the promoter's publications, must comply with the FGNA Service Mark Guidelines. 

For example, the professional bio (and other promotional materials) of the practitioner or trainer or presenter that appear within the promoter's publications must comply with the Service Mark guidelines of FGNA.  

When promotional materials do not comply, the North American promoter is responsible to make the changes before publication, in order to remain in compliance with the guidelines.

Please contact the Service Mark Team for further information. 

If you have questions about FGNA’s Ethics program, or the process set forth in the Grievance Protocol, please contact the Ethics Committee Chair: ethics@feldenkraisguild.com 

All is quiet on the legislative front.

If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer in this area, please contact Government Relations Administrator Andrea Wiener: andrea.wiener@feldenkraisguild.com.