Dedicated to Human Transformation and Integrative Learning

With great enthusiasm, I am announcing the creation of “The Embodied Life School”. This school offers a structure through which my associate teachers, future “Embodied Life Guides” and I will present this work in the world. Through cultivating awareness at all levels: physical, emotional, mental, relational and spiritual, our intention is to participate in the evolution of consciousness.

Our understanding is based in the experience of the fundamental unity/interconnection of the inner life and outer world. Learning to ‘wake-up’, with both rigor and kindness, to all phenomena that arise within our perceptual field is the modus operandi. Fear dominates the human heart; this is part of our evolutionary inheritance. Our opportunity- as awakening beings- is to transform the habit of fear into love.

At a conservative university in an experimentally based psychology program, I was guided by the one humanistic psychology professor to explore the burgeoning human potential movement at the Esalen Institute. This led seamlessly to training at the Gestalt Institute of Canada, Yoga Teacher Training with Swami Vishnudevananda and my study with Moshe Feldenkrais all by the age of 23. While in Canada, my Gestalt teachers thought that given my deep interest in somatic psychology and meditation, I should contact Dr. Robert Hall, and a psychiatrist who trained with Fritz Perls in Gestalt and Ida Rolf, co-founded the Lomi School and was a long time meditator. Three years later, Dr. Hall was sitting next to me on a plane- he subsequently became a mentor. All the methods that attracted me were approaching the same issue from different angles, “how does the human being become free of the faulty conditioning from the past and learn to meet life in the freshness of the present moment”?

I tell this little autobiographical tale to convey my sense that this school has been forming for more than 35 years. The original insight- that cultivating the capacity for Presence is the key to freedom and fulfillment- continues to guide my understanding; this insight has deepened and widened over the years, it has not changed. For this, I feel extremely lucky.

Having experienced more than 30 years of marriage, raising a daughter, leading Feldenkrais® Professional Trainings and Embodied Life seminars around the globe, the time feels right to create this integrative program. The Embodied Life™ School and the Mentorship Program are my next steps in giving back the gifts that have been bestowed upon me.

MAIN STUDIES AND PRACTICES

-Embodied Meditation is based in the Zen practice of ‘just sitting’. A strong emphasis is placed on a quality of openness to ‘what is’. Grounded in physical sensations, this openness allows one to relate effectively to all mind states.

-Embodied Movement is based primarily in the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais. The vast array of movement experiments creates: a template for aware action, a reliable infrastructure for developing presence and helps to de-anchor mental and emotional patterns. Other movement approaches complement this study.

-Embodied Touch is a unique approach for using ‘hands on’ methods for inviting a readiness in the nervous system for learning and healing. Though strongly influenced by the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, this is an original method which connects autonomic learning and conscious imagery.

-Embodied Inquiry is a way of exploring the somatic reality within each thought, belief, emotion and feeling. This investigation has its roots in: Focusing (Eugene Gendlin), Gestalt Psychology (Fritz Perls) and Russell’s original methodologies;

-Embodied Communication grows from the practice of Deep Listening and Non-Violent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg) and provides a framework for engaging authentically and open-heartedly with others.

THE EMBODIED LIFE™ MENTORSHIP PROGRAM                     

Imagine a group of people committed to a path of integral awareness, consciousness evolution and self-transformation working individually and collectively for three years;

Further, imagine that all participants will grow their capacity for: resting deeply in the present moment with self-observation, a rich bodily sense, intimacy with their feelings, deep listening, and skills to communicate respectfully and authentically.

My great interest comes from the following intuition: at this moment in history, consciousness is ‘asking’ human beings to ripen individually as ‘whole beings’ (bodily, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and in relationship), while moving toward both individual and collective transformation. Said another way, we are being asked to move from fear to love as the dominant operating principle. After years of observing individuals and communities develop strongly in one or two of these realms yet ignore the others, I am fascinated by the experiment of simultaneously developing these capacities as a community of learners.

This program is for people who want to commit to a path of awakening and living using these methodologies. This commitment is essential, as the program requires dedication to certain practices and studies. In addition to cultivating these practices for personal fulfillment, some people will join the program with the intention of using these skills professionally. Those who already work with people- Feldenkrais teachers, therapists, ministers, life coaches, etc.-will use the training to enhance their effectiveness. Further, some people are interested in learning a new way of working with people and will become “Embodied Life Guides”.

FORMAT

The core of the program consists of two intensive, residential, weeklong segments per year, for three years. Each day will include a variety of practices including: Embodied Meditation, movement experiments based in the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais, dialogues, and interactive practices; the curriculum is organized developmentally- emphasizing different capacities in each segment. Each week includes 50 hours of class/practice time or 300 hours for the program.

In addition to the core program, each student will have an individualized study program. Depending on the intention of the student, these inter-segment study programs might require attendance at other seminars/classes, practice sessions with friends, reading, and/or communication with the group. We will create a group email list to ease our collective communications.

The mentor relationship with Russell will vary depending on the intentions, needs and learning style of the student. All students will have one private consultation with Russell each year and will be expected to communicate between segments, usually through email. Those with the intention of becoming “Embodied Life Guides” can expect some writing as part of the program.

STUDY GROUPS (LEARNING COMMUNITIES)

As is already happening in some cities, our intention is for study groups to form throughout the world where people interested in exploring this integrated approach will meet together in mutual support. The majority of these people will not be part of the ELMP but will be individuals who have attended seminars with Russell or simply have an interest in deepening their capacity for awareness and presence through these methodologies. People in the ELMP will become the guides for these local groups.

LOCATIONS, TIMING, COSTS

Each group is expected to be 24-30 people.

California

The cost for one year of training is $1,875.00. As no one will be admitted after the first year of training, it is assumed that all students intend to stay for the three years (total cost $5,625.00).

Two programs are currently running, and a third is beginning in the Fall of 2010.

We are now taking applications for our third California Embodied Life Mentorship Program.  This group will meet at the beautiful Santa Sabina Retreat Center in San Rafael, California.

We are still confirming final dates with the venue, and below are what we have so far:

Week 1:    October 4 - 10, 2010

Week 2:    March 23 - 29, 2011

Week 3:    September 24 - 30, 2011

Week 4:    March 21 - 27, 2012

Week 5:    September 29 - October 5, 2012

Week 6:    March 23 - 29, 2013

Europe

Two programs are currently in process in Europe; one in Switzerland and one in Germany.

The cost for one year of training Euro 1,825.00. As no one will be admitted after the first year of training, it is assumed that all students intend to stay for the three years (total cost Euro 5,475.00).

We are now taking applications for two more Programs; Johanneshof and another one at ZIST.  Dates for both are below.  

The dates for the Johanneshof Program are:

Week 1:  October 23 - 29, 2010

Week 2:  April 9 - 15, 2011

Week 3:  October 22 - 28, 2011

Week 4:  April 14 - 20, 2012

Week 5:  October 27 - November 2, 2012

Week 6:  April 20 - 26, 2013

The setting of this beautiful retreat center (see http://www.dharma-sangha.de/de/home) is exquisite with views of snowcapped mountains. Costs for staying at the retreat center are from Euro 39-76 per day, with three meals, depending on level of accommodation.

The dates for the ZIST 2 Program are:

Week 1:  July 4 -10, 2011

Week 2:  February 10 - 16, 2012

Week 3:  July 25 - 31, 2012

Week 4:  February 11 - 17, 2013

Week 5:  July 5 - 11, 2013

Week 6:  February 16 - 22, 2014

ZIST Retreat Center is also beautiful and serene.  Here is a link to their website:  http://zist.de/  The cost will be approximately from Euro 39-76 per day, with three meals, depending on level of accommodation.

Note: While tuition for the program is guaranteed, the accommodation costs are subject to change.

REQUIREMENTS

You must send in an application, as group size is limited, we suggest applying soon.  There is a $50.00 or Euro 50.00 non-refundable application fee; upon acceptance a $500.00 or Euro 500.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place. These amounts will be deducted from the first years tuition. This remainder of the payment can be made in either one or two installments each year unless you organize a special financial plan with the school.

Students and teachers are expected to maintain study and practices throughout the year, do assignments and communicate in a timely manner.

Participants are asked to familiarize themselves with Russell’s “The Embodied Life” and “The Embodied Life II” audio programs.

Upon acceptance a recommended reading list will be sent.