The 2019 Conference was a powerful community-building event with many of the volunteers, from CORR to Legacy, bringing material to share with Members. This deep level of communication and openness have yielded information and resources for all Members. Rolling on the floor together, dancing after days of ATMs (what a feeling!), discovering collegial connections, sharing meals and ideas reminded all …
Keep Playing!
Paralysis-Agitans – sounds like a great name for my new band. Paralysis agitans is the Latin name for Parkinson’s Disease and it vividly describes what happens to professional keyboard players like me: when you want to move, you can’t, and when you want to be still, you move involuntarily! I was diagnosed with this movement disorder six years ago, and …
Finding A Voice
As a classically-trained singing teacher and vocal coach, it has been my privilege to teach aspiring performers at all levels. I always think of developing the person first, believing that the voice inside will emerge. To me, voice is an almost sacred form of self-expression. To help someone unleash that expression — or to find a self that has something …
The Feldenkrais Method® and Parkinson’s Disease
by Ernie Adams, GCFP For a person with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the natural rhythm and flow of perception, feeling, and movement is disrupted. There is a disconnection between the intention to move and the ability to start or complete an action. Routine automatic behaviors, such as those involved in walking, speaking, breathing, swallowing, and facial expression, become difficult or unavailable. …
2 Masters and 1 Nerd
by Roger Russell This year’s conference features a unique and potent collaboration among three of the Method’s most experienced teachers. Jeff Haller, is an Aikido black belt. Moti Nativ, is an internationally acclaimed proponent of the Budo Taijutsu, an ancient Japanese martial art. Roger Russell calls himself a passionate “nerd”, but is deeply involved in research; always looking for ideas …
Making Friends With the Floor
by Beth Rubenstein Are you a Baby Boomer or Senior Citizen? Have you experienced balance issues, or perhaps even fallen? Are your children insisting that you get some help, because they are afraid you will fall again? Have you already tried other programs or workshops at your local gym or senior center? The Feldenkrais Method® offers a pleasurable way for …
The Radiant Actor with Connie Rotunda
Connie Rotunda is a professional actor and theatre professor, as well as a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitionercm. In her ongoing research and exploration she discovered the acting technique formulated by Michael Chekhov, and bells of recognition began to go off in her brain. Michael Chekhov (1891 – 1955) was considered to be one of the most original actors of his …
The Musician’s “Magic Zone” with Erin Finkelstein
If you’re a musician, chances are you are aware of your fingers, lips, and breathing as you play. However, Erin Finkelstein helps musicians to be aware of another element that can put a performer in the “Magic Zone” of spontaneous and responsive artistry. According to Erin, it’s awareness of your skeleton that will get you there. She will share her …
How I Made Running Possible, Easy, and Elegant
by Jae Gruenke, GCFP 2019 FGNA Conference Presenter I wasn’t always a runner. In fact, when I first started running as an adult, it felt astonishingly awful. At the time, I was a professional modern dancer. One particular gig I got involved performing in parks, basketball courts, and other large, outdoor spaces. It required a lot of running, and I …
Start the Day with Awareness Through Movement®
by Paulette Dolin 2019 FGNA Conference Committee, Presenter Ask anyone who has attended a Feldenkrais® conference: starting each day with an Awareness Through Movement lesson is a highlight of the week. Each morning of the conference, there are three lessons to choose from; truly something for everyone. These lessons are free and open to the public. When we improve our …
