Jonathan Nugent on His Experience with Somatics and Spirituality

Closed Published by Cynthia February 7th, 2010 in Feldenkrais Method, Bones for Life, Learning, Spirituality.

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I am finding the learning method of somatic education very fascinating. I now find myself to be an experiential learner, although I am not sure that was true when I took my first Feldenkrais® course.

Recently, I seem to be connecting a lot more of my “fragmented education” from various classes and seminars and integrating it into a movement-centered framework, as opposed to applying it to specific diagnoses and conditions. It is very different from traditional lecture-type education and makes me wonder if education, in general, could be significantly improved with a more action-oriented approach.

Upon returning from the Bones for Life®workshop, I was working with a patient in the pool giving him postural cues, and explaining some of the weekend work to my PT student. The student seemed somewhat skeptical, but one of the aquatic staff practically jogged over to ask what I was working on and asked me to show her more. She also told me she immediately noticed I was moving differently and standing much taller (making me wonder what my baseline looked like).

My student wasn’t that interested in the weekend content until I had a full discussion of the kinematics involved, but the wellness staff was immediately interested. I think people from a wellness background already know what they do from experiential learning and are open to anything that furthers their personal understanding, but people who are academically trained usually have to run it through the “is this consistent with what I have been told” filter.

I am rather philosophical after a Feldenkrais weekend, which is a bit unusual for me. I have wondered why there seems to be a spiritual aspect to somatic work and why spirituality is a portion of the Integrative Learning Center of Mid America. As I reflect on my Christian journey; I started out being told what to believe, later resented being told what to believe, decided for myself what to believe, accepted Christ, and now I have an authentic belief framework which has changed my world view tremendously.

Somatic education seems to have some of that same quality of allowing a person decide for themselves how they can improve, rather than being told what to do, and therefore it can facilitate a much more “authentic” healing process. In my work with patients, I am learning to become more patient. Prior when an exercise or movement didn’t seem do-a-ble, I might immediately move on to something else. I have begun to see the value in helping them struggle with the struggle and the importance of experimenting. I recognize that this is the process of learning and also the more “authentic” healing process.

Back to the clinical setting, I am finding exciting results in applying my new learning to patients with a variety of conditions, although I am finding it especially useful working with those recovering from a stroke.

____

Jonathan Nugent is physical therapist with 20 years experience and works for the Drake Center, a rehabilitation hospital.

Jan: Workshops-Bones for Life and Gait/Walking for Wild Human Potential

0 Comments Published by January 16th, 2010 in Feldenkrais Method.

Go straight to the Newsletter. In this issue:

Bones for Life in Columbus, Indiana and Gainsville, Florida
Gait (Walking) for Wild Human Potential
Continuing Education for all including the health seeking individual and Physical, Occupational and Massage Therapists and Athletic Trainers

Thanksgiving Sales Flyer

0 Comments Published by Cynthia November 27th, 2009 in Sales Flyer.

Go straight to the Sales Flyer. Free Tote when order totals $100 in addition to free shipping until 12/19/09. Continue reading ‘Thanksgiving Sales Flyer’

A Review: Thank God for Evolution

Closed Published by Cynthia November 13th, 2009 in Consciousness, Learning.

A Book Reveiw by Larry R. Wells

THANK GOD FOR EVOLUTION by Michael Dowd
How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World

“I (Michael Dowd) wrote Thank God for Evolution mostly to help religious believers from different traditions move toward an evidential worldview without having to abandon their tradition to do so.”

Dowd is passionate for this work because he believes that nothing less than the “salvation” of the universe is at stake. He believes that the current divide between religions and science is unnecessary and hinders development, the transformation of humanity and the universe (though the universe will continue with or without humanity).

He believes that humanity is (and needs to be) on the verge of another transformation; and the only way that transformation can take place is this “marriage between religion and science.”

Dowd supposes that all people are on some spiritual path whether or not it’s intentional: the religious leaning folk and those who are not, theist, deist, agnostic, and atheist alike.

He begins with the notion that truth is revealed not only in sacred scriptures and stories, but also in creation. That the earth revolves around the sun as do the other planets of our solar system is just as true as any truth revealed in sacred scripture, even though the sacred scriptures hold another worldview (namely that the earth is flat and is the center of the universe with stars revolving around it).

He posits that this discrepancy does not diminish the truth of either scriptures or science. Science (and in particular, the science of evolution) enhances religion and opens the universe to transformation.

Two conceptual couplets form the basis of his cosmology, theology, and philosophy. The first couplet is private revelation verses public revelation.

Private revelation is the truth rvealed in the sacred stories and scriptures and functions to explain the meaning of what is and how things are, especially as it is revealed to the community of faith. Public revelation is the truth revealed through inquiry and discovery (science) and relates to the “what” and “how” of things as they are, have been and may become. Neither “truth” is any more or less true than the other. The specific public revelation with which Dowd is interested is evolution.

The second couplet he calls night language and day language. This couplet describes the different languages used when discussing either public or private revelations. Day language - “She slammed the door” is a behavior description while Night language - “She was very angry as she left,” is an inference of the behavior meaning.

For those who have struggled with conflict between religion and science, this book is very useful and even inspiring. It provides a single piece of ground on which to stand. He may go a bit far in his discussion of specifically Christian topics such as original sin and personal salvation, but demonstrates how science can inform even those issues. He does not attempt to discuss such topics from other traditions, since that would be outside his expertise, but hopes that those from other traditions would write on those topics.

Whether those who have not struggled (those religious people who stand firmly in the “the universe was created full and mature in six earth days” camp) will be persuaded by this book or not is yet to be determined. Reports are that both religious fundamentalists and liberals respond favorably to his in-person presentations. Whether the same will be said about the book, I believe, remains an open question.

FREE Shipping on New Unique, Life Supporting Gifts

Closed Published by Cynthia November 3rd, 2009 in Newsletters.

Go straight to the Sales Flyer. Free Tote when order totals $100 in addition to free shipping until 11/30/00

In this issue:

Rest Assured: Self Healing for Insomnia and the Stress of Life (3-CD set)
Power of The Pelvis (CD)
Playing In The Kitchen: Recipes, Stories and Explorations to Feed the Whole Self (book) by Lavinia Plonka
Have A Comfortable Flight (CD)

November: Faith and Evolution

0 Comments Published by Cynthia November 1st, 2009 in Newsletters.

Go straight to the Newsletter. In this issue:

Sharing on Faith and Evolution by Cynthia Allen
Book Review by Larry Wells on Thank God for Evolution by Michael Dowd
Last of the 2009 workshops in Bones for Life
A look at World and US religon statistics
A quick link to Evolution Evangelist Michael Down in action

October: Learning in Difficult Times

Closed Published by Cynthia October 15th, 2009 in Newsletters.

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In this issue:

Sharing by Phyllis Eveleigh on the changes in her life
Bill Shannon’s You Tube clips on Crutch Dancing
Great Quote from Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais
Latest Bones for Life Workshop schedule

August: The Power of Language

Closed Published by Cynthia August 10th, 2009 in Newsletters.

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In this issue:

Sharing by Cynthia Allen on the power of language
The Great Integral Awakening and Craig Hamilton’s podcast–The Future of God
Al Franken You Tube interview explaining the birth of Stuart Smalley
Born with a GPS system? Fascinating research on how language changes the human brain
Michael Krugman’s article: The Expiratory Pause and The Mystery of Breath
Latest Bones for Life Workshop schedule

July: Gaining Independence

Closed Published by Cynthia July 5th, 2009 in Newsletters.

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In this issue:

Sharing by Cynthia Allen on Gaining Independence
Quick Link to Ellie who has Cerebral Palsy and learns to roll with the Feldenkrais Method in one lesson
Sounder Sleep featured on New York Times blog
Latest Bones for Life Workshop schedule

March - Midwest Regional Feldenkrais Announcement

0 Comments Published by Cynthia March 24th, 2009 in Newsletters.

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Midwest Regional Feldenkrais Conference plus pre and post workshops on the Pelvis and Gait/Walking

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Winter Sales Flyer

0 Comments Published by January 19th, 2009 in Sales Flyer.

Go straight to the Sales Flyer. Free Tote when order totals $100 in addition to free shipping until 12/20/09.

In this issue:

Rest Assured: Self Healing for Insomnia and the Stress of Life (3-CD set) by Michael Krugman
Feldenkrais At Home series
Power of The Pelvis (Feldenkrais CD) by Lavinia Plonka
Playing In The Kitchen: Recipes, Stories and Explorations to Feed the Whole Self (book) by Lavinia Plonka
Have A Comfortable Flight (Feldenkrais CD) by Lavinia Plonka
Getting Hip (Feldenkrais CD) by Alan Questel
The Challenge of Pleasure…(Feldenkrais CD) by Alan Questel
Falling (Feldenkrais CD) by Alan Questel

The Miracle of Respecting What Is

0 Comments Published by January 19th, 2009 in Newsletters.

View this newsletter now.

In this newsletter:

Sharing by Cynthia Allen on the Miracle of Respecting What Is
2010 Workshop Schedule Bones for Life and Gait for Wild Human Potential
Feldenkrais at the Apollo (A funny You Tube clip)
Donations
Products for the holiday gifts

Night of the Wild Carrot: a benefit

0 Comments Published by Cynthia January 15th, 2009 in Newsletters.

Could there be anything more intriguing than the carrot? Well maybe, but who knows what one will find on this night. Pictures of raffle items will be posted as available.

Saturday, May 30th-7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m.-4124 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati OH 45223
Tickets: $20-$70 (sliding scale based on your calling and capacity–anything over base amount can be used as a tax deductible charitable donation)

On-line ticket sales

learn more about Integrative Learning Center

This benefit hosted by the Cincy Fun Group volunteers!

Jan: Opening in 2009; Serving Veterans; program updates

0 Comments Published by Cynthia January 10th, 2009 in Newsletters.

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In this newsletter:

Sharing with Cynthia Allen on ILCMA board development, her 50th birthday and historic week
Inspiring video link on Lorenzo the Flying Frenchman and his relationship with his horses
New Locations for Bones for Life
2009 Midwest Regional Feldenkrais Conference
Next workshops on Somatic Discovery of the Pelvis and Consequences of Integral Human

April - Springing Forward

0 Comments Published by Cynthia January 8th, 2009 in Newsletters.

Go straight to the newsletter. In this issue:

Introducing Carol Hauser new Board Chair
Save the date for Night of the Wild Carrot
Comprehensive Bones for Life schedule in Chicago, Gainesville/High Springs, Cincinnati, Seattle, and Tucson

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Jonathan Nugent on His Experience with Somatics and Spirituality

Jan: Workshops-Bones for Life and Gait/Walking for Wild Human Potential

Thanksgiving Sales Flyer

A Review: Thank God for Evolution

FREE Shipping on New Unique, Life Supporting Gifts

November: Faith and Evolution

October: Learning in Difficult Times

August: The Power of Language

July: Gaining Independence

March - Midwest Regional Feldenkrais Announcement

Winter Sales Flyer

The Miracle of Respecting What Is

Night of the Wild Carrot: a benefit

Jan: Opening in 2009; Serving Veterans; program updates

April - Springing Forward

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