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What if the Next Economy started with self-connection? During this episode, Feldenkrais practitioner Andrew Gibbons joins us for the first installment of our culture series. Sharing his experience of discovering, implementing, and learning to teach the Feldenkrais Methodology, Andrew offers a deep dive into the world of changing behavior and coordination through slow and intentional movement. 

While exercise is effort-focused, and meditation requires stillness, the Feldenkrais method offers an alternative invitation to tune into how the body feels as you explore different manipulations. Andrew offers an explanation for the habits we carry into adulthood and how they influence our experience and shares his insights on the philosophy and teaching methodology of Feldenkrais.

In keeping with the premise that an experimental context is necessary for true and impactful learning, Andrew walks listeners through a basic Feldenkrais lesson that you can complete in a seated position. Thereafter, he uses the exercise to illustrate why there is no demonstration in Feldenkrais education, and we consider an alternative understanding of the commonly preached ‘mind-body connection’. Join us today to hear more.

 

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Key Points From This Episode:

•   Andrew Gibbons’ early experiences with the Feldenkrais method following an injury and how he came to be a practitioner. [0:01:16]

•   Where habits originate from and how they influence us in later life. [0:08:30]

•   How Feldenkrais is taught to people by changing behavior and coordination through slow movement. [0:14:55]

•   Retreating from a performance-based mindset to adjust the coordination of everyday movement. [0:20:00]

•   A short Feldenkrais lesson on sitting with a focus on timing, orientation, and the manipulations you need to make. [0:28:04]

•   The underlying philosophy that is taught through the Feldenkrais method. [0:38:37]

•   Why there is no demonstration in the Feldenkrais method: you are learning to build your own image of movement. [0:42:24]

•   Understanding that the mind-body connection has always existed. [0:50:00]

 

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Quotes:

“Most people are simply living out of the habits they developed when they were children.” — @_AndrewGibbons [0:09:36]

“Feldenkrais is a movement methodology but it happens to combine a certain quality of attention with the movements.” — @_AndrewGibbons [0:15:11]

“You can’t actually perform better just because somebody tells you, ‘do it like this’. You actually need an experimental context where you can feel the difference for yourself.” — @_AndrewGibbons [0:36:07]

“You really want to understand the difference between just watching something and kind of being entertained or slightly being interested versus actually teaching yourself how it’s done. Those are two very different things.” — @_AndrewGibbons [0:42:53]

“‘Make the mind-body connection’ — how many times have you heard that in the popular media? There is no connection to make. Those two things have never been separate.” — @_AndrewGibbons [0:50:04]

 

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Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Andrew Gibbons on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-gibbons-fcipd-10707317/

Andrew Gibbons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__andrewgibbons/

Andrew Gibbons on X: https://twitter.com/__AndrewGibbons/

Body of Knowledge: https://bodyofknowledge.me/

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Communicate Authentically and Courageously: Culture Offerings Workshop Series

We’re excited to announce that Phoenix’s Culture Offerings spring workshops are now open! These workshops are designed to transform the way we communicate in our workplaces by focusing on skills like collaboration, conflict resolution, and empathy. We'll cover topics such as how to have difficult conversations with confidence and creativity, how to process challenging emotions, and how to embody our values when advocating for justice.

Registration for the spring Culture Offerings series is now open — the four workshops include:

Surfing Workplace Waves 🌊: learn how to surf the ups and downs of your workplace with more ease and confidence. 

Offering Feedback In The Workplace 💬: this two-part workshop utilizes NVC tools to offer feedback in a way that is authentic, honest and helpful.

Staying Grounded Under Fire 🔥: learn how to receive challenging interactions with more ease and playfulness utilizing NVC tools and technique.

How To Have Conversations About Racial Justice 📣: navigate complex racial justice conversations with skills that foster connection in high stakes situations in this two-part workshop.

We believe that these trainings are essential for anyone looking to transition to the Next Economy. And, as a special offer for our valued community, we're providing a 10% discount on individual workshops or the entire series with the code LIFTCULT10OFF. 

 

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Show Notes + Other Links 

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Music by Chris Zabriskie: https://chriszabriskie.com/