Breathing room

In 2019, I asked the participants in my ongoing postgraduate program for Functional Integrators, MASTERING THE METHOD, what subject they would like to address in our next cycle of three modules. Over our years working together, we had already explored topics ranging from “Length and Support” to “Walking Well.” 

This time around, we decided on the theme of BREATHING BETTER. That was long before wildfires, police brutality, and the worldwide coronavirus pandemic made breathing such a relevant topic. A notable reason for choosing the theme was that, even though many Awareness Through Movement® classes address respiration, this wasn’t the case with FI® lessons. 

After the Boston group met in person for the first module, I received my cancer diagnosis and put the course on hold. When the restrictions of the pandemic hit, we decided to move the program to Zoom. 

The imposition of socially distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders made it impossible to offer hands-on lessons. Suddenly, colleagues found themselves asking, “How do I give individual sessions without touching my students?” and wondering if such a thing was even possible. I’d already been doing this, so I knew it worked and, since I’d been teaching online for many years, I was well prepared. Interestingly, it turned out that breathing makes for a fascinating framework for giving individual lessons online. 

The BREATHING BETTER program worked so well (even though I’d taught remotely), the participants were so excited by how much they benefited, and the subject is just so darn timely that I am offering it again. 

While there certainly are things that can’t happen in the distance learning situation, in many ways, the revised curriculum is a marked improvement on what was on offer before. For instance, after each five-day module, we meet once a month (for three months) to review the lesson and work on refining the requisite skills. This design relieves the pressure of trying to get it right the first time; it also means you’re not left to rely on your memory, whatever notes you took, and the recordings, which you receive as part of your tuition. Having these “review and refine” gives you ample time to learn the lesson. Finally, to support the incredibly personal process of making the lessons yours, I’ve added something new to the curriculum: individual FI tutorials. 

And all this happens without having to leave home, travel, miss work, etc.

To find out more about BREATHING BETTER and sign up for the course, please click here. 

(Please note that early registration ends on 10 March 2021 at midnight Pacific Time).