‘I really got a lot out of Art of Practice and it was the most valuable workshop series I have taken; I think because it so closely addressed my needs in the moment and what I wanted to learn, as well as your superb organization, all the thought you put into designing the class, and the respectful way you presented the material and feedback.’
Ruth Roberts
‘Art of Practice is like a mentoring program that is ever changing depending on the group process. Because it meets on continuing basis over a year, questions that come up in your practice can be addressed and explored. I was able to give Cliff an FI lesson and tell him what I was thinking. His feedback and ideas about strategy and timing in a session changed how I work with people and have made my FI sessions more effective. I now do less in my FI sessions with people and the results are much greater for them.’
Donna Bervinchak
‘More than specifics, the Art of Practice helped me in the grandest general way as to my thinking about Feldenkrais and my practice in my life at this point.’
Judith Dambowic
‘As a participant, you will enter a community which has been nurtured by the caring of two dedicated and fun teachers who started us off caring about each other and the work with an appreciate inquiry process. The tutoring was patient and empowering. We were helped with ATM teaching by generous visits. Most important was being able to work on the teachers and get feedback. The artful feedback session for our FI was fabulously precise and all the feedback pertained to me! I loved the teaching around ATM… the challenge in the ATMs we teach – and our thinking about our choice of ATMs. I love learning what the implications of each ATM variation means anatomically and functionally. The generosity of the teachers was awesome.’
Monica Olsen
‘These parts of the Art of Practice were useful to me:
— Observing you with your clients and follow-up discussions,
— Comments from you when observing our classes or lessons,
— Your hands-on assistance during our FI practice
— Clear presentation of FI
— Open discussions—clear answers to questions
—Acceptance of our different levels of experience.’
Karen Ingebrigtson
‘The Art of Practice really helped to broaden my skills in a very multifaceted way. It engaged my thinking about the Method to include in a fuller way the idea of relationships, such as, the primary image. Our learning included tools to help us clarify our thinking (mind mapping), communication with clients and other practitioners and how to engage in self-study. The individual FI and ATM supervision time for me was very useful. I was able to reflect on what I needed and ask for appropriate feedback.’
Susan Miller
‘The FI practice including direct contact with either Deborah or Cliff on the technical aspects of the contact and on self-use. The ATMs helped me physically and gave me great material to enhance self-use, as well as new ATMs to teach. Deborah and Cliff demonstrate a comfortable co-leadership. Their interest in helping the students’ confidence, skill and professional participation is very apparent. The environment is such that the participants are encouraged to develop themselves on many levels.’
Lori Thompson Sweet
‘Deborah and Cliff have put together an advanced program like no other. They share themselves and experience in a way that respects each and every one of us. In their training we all have something to give, we’re respected as intelligent adults with full, creative lives. They listen as much as they impart. Their teaching is clear, practical and down to earth. This straightforward and concise way of teaching is a welcome relief, parting the curtains of mystery to review the practical aspects of what we do, as well as the layers and richness of the Method. A million thanks for your patience, and generosity.’
Sharon Carew
‘Your Art of Practice program has helped me to have more confidence as a practitioner and be more relaxed in the development of my practice. The program came at a perfect time in my transition from working for people to working on my own. I see by your example the beauty by which working on your own ‘work’ can provide support for the whole community.’
Jennifer Lee
‘A safe and rich environment to hone and deepen my skills and understanding of the Feldenkrais Method (no matter what level I start from). I know my practice and myself have been enriched by this program. The value of the Art of Practice far exceeded the cost of admission! It was fun, engaging, educational and transforming – it was an FI at the level of group. Thank you. PS: I have started keeping some notes on the FI’s I do – something I knew would be of benefit but have been literally avoiding for years. It really makes a difference. And so does the Art of Practice.’
Celeste Binnings
‘Above all, The Art of Practice was being in a very supportive environment where I felt free to learn and question and be curious. I like that I was in a group of like-minded practitioners (I love the getting-to-know-you stories). We were all practicing FI, but also finding out how to communicate and give constructive feedback. I think there was a lot of listening going on in the group. I gave one FI to a client during Art of Practice and realized that the whole session had involved questions and curiosity (on my part) and didn’t have anything to do with a fixed plan. It was a wonderful (and new) feeling for me.’
Linda Ramey
‘I use what I learned in Art of Practice all of the time. Working with Deborah and Cliff in the small, supportive group environment gave me a strong foundation from which to work. Since participating in Art of Practice I feel much more confident and have the ability to be more precise in my thinking and touch. I better understand the structure of FI and ATM in a way that enables me to be more creative in my practice. Art of Practice is the most valuable advanced training that I have taken since graduation. It was time and money very well spent.’
Kathy Flock
‘It brings an order and structure to what we already know. It provides the ground for a core curriculum which ought to be part of every training.’
Meg Rinaldi
“Very helpful in ATM and FI, theory of ATM and FI, and the day-to-day stuff of being a practitioner. Its also been a great environment of study with colleagues and program is geared to the interests of the class.’
Greg Nakanishi
‘Last weekend’s emphasis on the primary image was very helpful for me. Finally, I have connected with something that makes FI more understandable and achievable! For the first time I am spontaneously thinking about FI lessons and doing them. Thanks again.’
Roz Nice
‘I want to let you know how much the Art of Practice has meant to me and to thank you so much for providing this fantastic learning opportunity. Your teaching is clear, honest and empathic. Your intention is stated at the onset. You clearly want practitioners to be good at what they do. And you want to support them on their path to competency by sharing what you’ve learned. Rather than seeing new practitioners as a threat you welcome them and encourage their growth so that we can truly be a community. In the end when we all grow together as people and practitioners we will feel confident in referring students to one another. And in that way the circle of people we can turn to for support , with questions or ideas is enlarged.’
Sharon Carew
‘We all know how difficult it is to talk about and teach the Feldenkrais Method. Deborah and Cliff are able to impart some very practical, grounded ways to practice that don’t lose the arts and feeling sense of the work. They also have a lot of good, practical information about making a living doing Feldenkrais work.’
Ginger Beringer