Training Dates: August 25-27, 2023, from 9AM to 5PM
Faculty: Fawn Christianson and Gail Stewart
Language of Instruction: English
Notes:
We begin by exploring Mentastics for ourselves as a felt awareness of movement, weight, space, and rhythm. Once we experience this feeling of awareness, it comes without thinking about it! As in playing, we start with interest and curiosity. “Hello? What is this feeling? How could it be?” We revisit some of Milton Trager’s profoundly simple movements: movements that have the potential to produce significant mental and physical benefits.
Second, we ask what might stop us from guiding others in Mentastics?
Not feeling sensations in my own body?
Being up in my head, trying to figure out my focus?
Being lost inside myself with no words? Words take me away from the awareness?
Having no idea where to begin?
How can we bring ease to an awkward beginning? We can experiment: with listening, watching our clients’ movements, including both of us in the process, contexting the purpose of this Mentastics session, and -why not?- trusting that our own feeling/moving experience is contagious.
Third, there’s an even greater opportunity for contagion when in a group. As we continue with relaxed guidance and natural sharing, the group (in this case, us) provides more experiences and expressions to draw from. By applying skills like holding the space and balancing participation, we can use options such as interaction in pairs - and support participants to accept, appreciate and empower their own discoveries.
In our 3 Days together, your capacities can emerge (perhaps from hiding), and you can experiment with new skills held by a supportive audience. You are invited to discover, allow and explore your innate ways of guiding.
As Instructors, we are grateful for the extent to which Mentastics has saved us every day, bringing us back to the present moment with its combination of mental and physical practice.
Contact Info: Fawn Christianson, fawnchristianson@gmail.com
Gail Stewart, deargail@sbcglobal.net