Conference Presentations
Mentastics Mixer: Inside/Outside Circle
For large or small gatherings, this simple structure creates multiple opportunities for participants to meet, connect, relax in each others’ presence, and begin to open their hearts and minds to the personal and collective intentions of the event. It requires only enough open space for the group to make a circle, and can fit into short transition time frames that open or close the conference, as well as longer, in-depth explorations to build trust and communication somatically.
Meaningful Movement: Introduction and Practical Experience in Trager Mentastics
This workshop moves us from simple sensory awakening, to arriving all together, to deeper self-regulated, body-centered, health-enhancing, mind-body practices. We’ll flow in and out of internal self-exploration, partner games, and small group sharing. We’ll become more aware of transition states as we shift our attention, focusing inward, focusing outward. We’ll dive into dedicated practice where moving is its own reward – both the teacher and the lesson. And we’ll re-ignite an integrated practice where newly felt experiences can be woven into all our activities throughout the rest of the conference -- and forward into life.
Meaningful Movement: Mentastics as a Field of Practices
How can we define in simple terms the vast array of movement explorations inherent in Milton Trager’s approach -- the qualities, attitudes, intentions, uses, applications, and benefits all in the name of Mentastics? The overlaps with other somatic and spiritual practices plant Milton’s work firmly in the middle of contemporary dialog around mindfulness, neuroplasticity, tissue regeneration, self-realization, and even peace and justice work. To connect with other disciplines, where do we find simple language that doesn’t become simplistic, language that includes the work’s intentional and potent playfulness, along with its profound, brain-changing wisdom. Join me and get blissfully lost in this field of practices, all growing in the fertile soil of sensory presence.
Music for Mentastics Classes
Mentastics is a particular kind of group experience, different than dance classes, yoga classes, meditation classes, but with elements of all of them. Open movement exploration time in groups can support powerful inner experience, as well as connection with self, others, and a force that surrounds us. If we can help students explore possible movement in the moment based on body sensation, rather than dictating a pre-set movement vocabulary, classes can invite spaciousness, delight, and self-awareness, and steer clear of the tyranny of socially acceptable movement habits. In this presentation, we explore the kinds of music most supportive of inner inquiry, movement exploration, body awareness, and hook-up. Participants leave with well organized notes on specific musical choices, as well as a grasp of how to find and assess recorded music for Trager or Mentastics classes they are preparing to teach.
Assessment and Treatment in Holistic Mind/Body Medicine
As seasoned somatic practitioners, we learn to “assess” with our eyes and hands, and then “treat” our clients with movement and touch based on those observations. We touch softly in order to feel precisely the tissue quality through the various depths of the tissue. We move gently and with great sensitivity in order to sense the quality of movement at the beginning and at each succeeding increment of freedom or ease that unfolds as we work. In this hands-on workshop, we will develop our own assessment scales:
for tissue quality and its changes from dense/uneven to soft/smooth,
for movement quality and its changes from frozen/tight to free/fluid.
for weight from heavy to light, from uneven to evenly distributed
for bodymind affect representing emotional states from lazy to lively
Recognizing that our unconscious already picks up millions of bits of information and forms an ever evolving picture of our progress as we work, we will tease apart elements of what we are picking up unconsciously, work consciously with them, and then weave our clarified curiosity and awareness back into our global view. Using sample movements, we’ll rate what we feel both pre- and post-treatment, and chart the changes to verify our effectiveness.
Movement as a Way to Agelessness
“An ageless body is one that gracefully moves through space. It remains true to its wave nature with movements that are flowing and confident, not rigid and cautious. “ - Milton Trager, MD
In this short overview of Dr. Trager’s theories, we will highlight the principles that form the groundwork of his approach to movement re-education, including sensing the release of weight, the suspension of structure, the curiosity around lightness, and a balanced use of effort. And we will explore the sweet feeling of ease as we bring them all together in the simple act of walking.
Washing out the Fascial Sweater
What happens when bodywork sessions speak eloquently and listen deeply to the multi-dimensional, multi-planar fascial sweater that weaves around and through the torso? Through discussion, demonstration and practice, we explore the role of skillful touch and mindful movement on body shape, posture, sensory connection and graceful movement. Perspectives and stories are drawn from study with the pioneers in the bodywork and movement education fields, personal explorations, and clinical applications.
Springy Vitality
This Trager conference workshop explores ways to bring qualities of liveliness, curiosity, enthusiasm, and buoyancy into our personal Mentastics and into our sessions with clients. What could it feel like with more spring in attitude, more tone in tissue, more integration in structure, and more youthful aliveness in movement? How do we cultivate these qualities in our self-preparation time, in our interview process, in our table time (rocking, swinging, shimmering and pausing), and in the way we integrate the session into life patterns? What happens when, after establishing sufficient safety, trust and relaxation, we let lulling rhythms fade into the background and focus on enlivening the tissue?
Podcast Interviews
I was interviewed about the Trager Approach and how sessions impact our overall health on the UnBreak Your Health website. Get the podcast here.
I was interviewed about Trager for the GolfDashBlog, a podcast focused on golfing. But even if you don’t golf, you will enjoy hearing me explain why free, easy, playful, fluid movement is so important for our bodies and our health. It is one of the best interviews I have done… clear, simple, easy, and lively. Get the podcast here.
I was interviewed about Mentastics by Trager Instructor Gabriela Scholl-Leubli while teaching in Switzerland in 2019. Listen to this interview here.
Zoominars
Unable to go to the Netherlands as scheduled in 2020 and even as rescheduled in 2021, the Rebalancing School eventually asked me to lead a short online workshop via Zoom on the original theme of Opening the Heart.