#26 The Feldenkrais® Festival (Special guest: Frederick Schjang)

#30 The “Good Posture”

A set of instruction as to how we should hold ourselves upright has become a cultural imperative. And it’s not doing us much good. In this episode we’re taking a critical look at what a “good posture” means, what it doesn’t mean, and what we can do to get closer to it. Michael’s YouTube channel has quite a few videos with an alternative approach to improve our posture, and more importantly, the way we use our bodies to move around and get things done.  Go to Michael’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@persistent-growth

#29 Neuroplasticity (With co-host Christine Germain)

Science is catching up with what Moshe Feldenkrais claimed 75 years ago. Neuroplasticity has become an established fact: Our brain can change and grow at any age. What changes it can be summed up with one word: Learning. In this episode Christine and I discuss different ways in which we can make this happen: How we can keep our brain young and active by turning on the learning mode. These are the books we mention in the episode (the links go to Amazon.com, but you can easily find them elsewhere if you prefer): - Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain [ https://a.co/d/gmlc1Zc], by Betty Edwards - The Brain that Changes Itself [https://a.co/d/9O7GGWW], by Norman Doidge - The Brain’s Way of Healing, [https://a.co/d/7PGiSAV] by Norman Doidge (this book has two chapters on Moshe Feldenkrais and the Feldenkrais Method®) - Atomic Habits [https://a.co/d/4TKaQdI], by James Clear Check out Michael’s daily three-minute Mindful Movement practice: https://www.persistent-growth.com/ Follow Christine: https://motionexploration.com/

#28 MINDFUL SENSUALITY (Special Guest: Candia Raquel)

Today’s guest, Candia Raquel, is a Mexican sensualist, scientist, artist and woman. She is the host of The Sensual Sessions Podcast; she enjoys contemplating trees and drinking tea. Candia is dedicated to helping workaholics overcome inhibition and embody sensuality through somatic movement. Candia invites us to reconnect with the sensual experience of pleasure through the three P’s: Posture, Presence and Pleasure. We could all use this reminder to rediscover the joy in everyday experience. Candia Raquel’s web page: https://www.candiaraquel.com/ [https://www.candiaraquel.com/] Candia Raquel’s Instagram: @candiaraquel These days the doors are open to her wonderful course, Pelvic Floor Awakening. To learn more and sign up, click https://www.candiaraquel.com/a/2148017211/dpXKXdE6 [https://www.candiaraquel.com/a/2148017211/dpXKXdE6]

#27 How We Deal with Pain (With co-host Christine Germain)

Pain is a message. It signals that we must change something. Our work with mindful movement and the Feldenkrais Method ® offers us some unique and effective ways to respond to this message. My conversation with my co-host, Christine Germain (who had more than her fair share of pain) sheds some light on the ways we can move out of pain by creating a learning space, changing habitual patterns and finding more efficient and potent ways to be in the world. Check out Michael’s daily three-minute Mindful Movement practice: https://www.persistent-growth.com/ [https://www.persistent-growth.com/] Follow Christine:  https://motionexploration.com/ [https://motionexploration.com/]

#26 The Feldenkrais® Festival (Special guest: Frederick Schjang)

In this episode we talk about Feldenkrais®, and especially how the method helps to create an inclusive environment in Frederick’s upcoming grand event: The Feldenkrais® Festival. The festival is the epitome of Frederick’s broader social and cultural world view. It makes a point of including and welcoming all sexual preferences, genders, races and other distinctions that too often create separation and distance. A native of Harlem with roots in the Caribbean, Frederick Schjang is a nationally recognized fitness educator and innovator who specializes in the Feldenkrais® Method, Pilates, and Flexibility Training. His semi-annual LGBTQA Feldenkrais Festival has become a must-attend event for fitness and wellness enthusiasts and, since moving to Zoom in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, attracts thousands globally.   His current projects include his own online Feldenkrais Method membership program that features classes and workshops taught by top Feldenkrais Method® teachers around the world. The next Feldenkrais® Festival is around the corner (November 11-17, 2024). You’re just in time to sign in and join us: https://www.feldenkraisfestivals.com/ [https://www.feldenkraisfestivals.com/] And you can follow Frederick’s activities on his home page: http://www.frederickschjang.com/ [http://www.frederickschjang.com/]