ADVANCED STUDIES FOR FELDENKRAIS TEACHERS
Dear teachers, please join us for discussion and investigation sessions in organic teaching and studying.
In these sessions we engage in anatomical-physiological investigation and explore the various learning possibilities through movement.
In the teachers' sessions, we create a learning space in which we examine and discover our abilities to improve and teach our students to be their own teachers and therapists.
We watch videos documenting Dr. Feldenkrais' work: We try to understand and analyze Functional Integration lessons given to different students.
We follow each student's evolvement in each lesson, try to understand the principles that lie behind each lesson, practice elements from the Functional Integration class, and try to produce an Awareness Through Movement class out of Dr. Feldenkrais' video.
We discuss actual "cases" from students' practices and examine different ways for learning.
As a basis for all sessions, we focus on understanding the processes that occur in the brain (as far as we can understand them) and how this understanding can be used in our learning process.
In the sessions, Michal presents ideas, dilemmas and thoughts she faces during her work. Everyone is invited to share their own thoughts and dilemmas. This form of sharing and discussion is the best possible way to learn and evolve.
If we allow ourselves to ask questions, the answers become less important.
The following are examples of topics discussed in recent years:
- Different positions/ environments: Mainly, pupils are lying during Feldenkrais lessons. Sometimes it is suitable to do lessons sitting on a chair, standing or even in water. During the course advantages and disadvantages of the different positions are discussed.
- Anatomy, the structure and the function of the different body parts and how the principles of the Feldenkrais Method can be applied
- Common injuries and diseases are discussed and investigated e.g. : Scoliosis, Frozen Shoulder, back pain, hip joint replacement, fractures, herniated disc...
- Movements in different stages of growing up are explored, like coming from lying to sitting, turning over, crawling and walking
- How can the attention be directed to successfully change/ improve / become aware of habitual movement patterns
- Special attention is paid to the crucial connection of the head, the shoulder girdle, the spine and the pelvis.
- How to use tools and accessories like balls in a Feldenkrais lesson
- Learn the use of different muscle groups: extensors and flexors.
FELDENKRAIS TEACHERS' TESTIMONIALS
I am a graduate of the Jerusalem 1 course, under the direction of Eilat Almagor and Anat Beniel. I have been teaching groups and individuals since 1994. Over the years since completing the basic course for teachers, I have participated in numerous workshops and courses with senior Feldenkrais teachers, and have become familiar with various forms of teaching. In the past three years, I have been participating in Michal's workshops, and in light of my vast experience with other teachers, I am particularly impressed by Michal's uniqueness as a teacher. Michal creates, in each session and around any topic, diverse and illustrative processes of movement, stemming from a deep, thorough and original understanding of the Feldenkrais method, and from a no lesser understanding of the anatomical-physiological basis of the movement. What distinguishes Michal's classes, among other things, is the accuracy, depth and original use of images, which provide more and more possibilities and nuances of movement, and encourage open, nonjudgmental and non-habitual thinking and organic learning. In her way of teaching, she is committed to creating a responsible, supportive, serious and respectful learning experience. I have no doubt that if Mr. Feldenkrais were alive, he would like his system to be taught this way and have teachers like Michal to continue his path and spread his teachings. At the conclusion of these three years with Michal, I feel that my teaching method has improved a lot, and with it my ability to discern subtleties and provide an accurate, creative and effective response to my students. Best Regards Yael Bendel Moran
Yael Bendel
Feldenkrais Teacher - Timrat
My name is Shlomit Schreiber - I am a Feldenkrais teacher since 2006. I've attended Michal's classes for three consecutive years continuing now to my fourth year. Michal wonderfully expresses Feldenkrais' philosophy in all its aspects. With Michal, I understood and internalized the principles of the Feldenkrais method. I learned to analyze Mr. Feldenkrais' lessons and to understand, in a much deeper way, the anatomical context of these lessons. In Michal's sessions, we held fascinating conversations on all aspects of the system, with Michal guiding us, asking us questions and challenging us. We also spoke about Mr. Feldenkrais' clever conveyance of information. During the sessions we also observed and analyzed F.I. Individual and even whole therapeutic processes. I obtained many new and interesting insights into the method and became (in my opinion) a much better teacher. Michal is a special person and a special teacher, very intelligent and knowledgeable. She shared with us her deep need to explore and understand the system, so that we will be able to better understand it, clearly and simply.
Shlomit Schreiber
Feldenkrais Teacher - Haifa
I would like to recommend Michal Ritter as a teacher for Feldenkrais, and as someone who, in my humble opinion, is worthy of continuing her career as a Feldenkrais Trainer. I am a certified Feldenkrais instructor and assistant, graduate of the "Tel Aviv 4" course under the management of Hava Shalhav (1998). I also served as a co-assistant in various courses by Hava and Ruti Bar in Tel Aviv. Last year I was invited by Michal to attend and participate in her teachers' course, for the purpose of mutual assistance and inspiration. Michal wanted to hear my opinion regarding the manner in which she is conducting the course, from an open and inquisitive stance that seeks to improve her work. She also asked me to give FI lessons to her students. I participated in ATM lessons as a student, and I attended the FI lessons as an assistant. At the end of each day we met to exchange views. What stood out in these conversations was Michal's desire to hear, learn and develop. This year I became acquainted with Michal's many virtues and I gained much myself from our conversations. Michal has created an open, attractive learning environment in which students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing issues. She formulated an orderly, interesting and clear teaching program, which rests firmly on the original materials and conveys the essentials, but not without a personal touch and vision. I found great interest in the way she teaches. The lessons are formulated simply, and reflect the idea clearly in both FI and ATM, so that the content learned in class may be used as a basis for improvisation and personal expression. Being in Michal's presence and being exposed to the way she teaches and manages has been a source of inspiration for me and helped me enhance personal processes. I also enjoyed her generosity to share and provide advice for me as much as she could. I have no doubt about Michal's ability to serve as an adequate Feldenkrais Trainer.
Haya Gibory
Feldenkrais Teacher - Hod Hasharon