Movement Practices

Insight Meditation South Bay offers a variety of programs that integrate movement, creative activities, energy arts, and healing processes with mindfulness-based meditations to enhance embodied awareness.

"The way of nurturing life requires that one keep oneself as fluid and flexible as possible. One should learn how to exercise naturally, observing the fact that flowing water never stagnates and a busy door with active hinges never rusts or rots. Why? Because they exercise themselves perpetually and are almost always moving."

-- Sun Ssu-mo

Movement disciplines are introduced during IMSB Day-Long and Half Day Programs in which guest teachers join Shaila to combine the teachings of Insight Meditation with one of the movement disciplines featured below. You can find biographies of guest teachers with the movement descriptions.

All programs are suitable for experienced and beginning practitioners. Students participate to the extent they enjoy, and may replace the movement session with an individual walking meditation if they wish.

Dynamic Awareness -- Expressive Movement

Actors study to become present in the body, detached from judgement and aware of the subtle movement of thoughts and emotions as they shift with subtle changes in the body. By directing the mind inside, allowing, and practicing detached observation, one can become present with what is and develop a sense of community around a shared humanity. These workshops at IMSB bring together a deep exploration of movement with silent meditation and have generated enthusiasm for developing this unique approach and applying it to subtleties of the inner life. Developing an awareness of presence in movement opens a pathway for bringing meditation into daily life.

Lisa Tromovitch has over 20 years experience as a professional theater director and is a professor of theatre arts. She currently serves as Founding Producing Artistic Director of Livermore Shakespeare Festival and is on the faculty of the University of the Pacific where she is the movement coach. Lisa has trained in Laban/Bartenieff work with Integrated Movement Studies in Berkeley and has an interest in yoga. Lisa has directed over 30 stage productions in six states and has trained hundreds of university and conservatory students in expressive arts. Learn more about Livermore Shakespeare Festival at Theatre Arts with Lisa Tromovitch

Feldenkrais Method -- Awareness Through Movement

The Feldenkrais Method® is a learning process that uses simple movements to encourage new ways of moving with comfort and ease. The group form of the work, called Awareness Through Movement®, uses movement sequences that deepen our capacity for awareness and guide us toward freedom from self-limiting habits. While students lie on the floor, respectful of themselves and their comfort, the teacher verbally guides them through simple movement sequences. Through this "giving space to your self" students gain freedom of movement, relief from discomfort and a sense of well being.

Deborah Dutton is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and has been teaching the Feldenkrais Method for ten years. Deborah was introduced to the Method® as a result of a shoulder injury. She found the technique so effective and engaging that she continued to take classes for seven years. She then entered a four-year professional training program in New York, from which she graduated after 800 hours of training. Deborah's teaching is influenced by her 20 years of meditation practice. Learn more about Deborah's practice at www.umovebetter.com

Pilates

Pilates focuses on postural symmetry, abdominal and spine stabilization, mind/body control, and strengthening through the complete range of motion of all joints. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the ”whole body” is trained, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk. The result is strong, long and lean muscles with equal strength ratios.

Midge Firenzi has been teaching Pilates for 15 years in both fitness and rehabilitation environments. Her background in dancing, gymnastics and swimming adds a different dimension and focus when cuing for correct movement. Instruction is individualized, with proper movement for tri-athletes, pre and post natal clients, people recovering from injuries, and anyone who wants to move more easily or gain strength. Her full time practice includes ages from 15 to 92. Midge is certified in Mat, all Studio Apparatus, Pilates for Golfers, Pre and Post Natal and Osteoporosis. Midge’s private studio is located in Campbell.

Qigong

Qigong, which literally translates to "energy skill" or "energy manipulation", is the ancient art and science of working with one's subtle energy. Medical Qigong incorporates simple yet profound postures and movements, along with the breath and the focus of one's mind to achieve greater health, awareness, concentration, balance, and stillness of mind.

Tom Leichardt graduated with a Doctorate of Medical Qigong (DMQ) from the International Institute of Medical Qigong, the overseas college of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He practices Taoist meditation and the healing arts. Tom also serves at the feet of his guru, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), working to develop compassion and a heart of service to humanity. Learn more aboutTom's practice at www.qigongalchemy.com

Marcy Reynolds, B.A. is a longtime student of holistic health having taught yoga, nutrition and western herbalism. Chronic fatigue led her to the self-healing practice of Qigong which has been instrumental in her recovery and continues to bring depth, peace and healing to her life and the lives of her students. Marcy has been teaching meditation and Qigong in California since 1997 and is a member of the Teachers’ Council at Vipassana Santa Cruz. To find out more about workshops and classes with Marcy, please visit www.wildcoastqigong.com.

Yoga

James (Jahmes) Scibetta has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1999 while taking steps on the Buddhist path. Freshly promoted to "mindful movement guru" for local yoga studios and spiritual centers, Jahmes is a perpetual student. A graduate of Avalon Yoga studios teacher training program and a member of the BE Yoga teaching staff, Jahmes enjoys sharing yoga with children and adults of all ages.

Claire Kalia became certified as a yoga instructor at the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco in 2000. Following her certification she studied advanced Iyengar Yoga with Rodney Yee in Oakland, and practiced as a full-time yoga instructor in Berkeley. Claire has taught yoga to many different populations, including prisoners, children in Bali, and scientists at Berkeley Lab. Her varied background leads her to teach and practice a flexible and dynamic style of yoga, emphasizing acceptance of the body in its present state and appreciation of each physical sensation. Claire is now a full-time attorney and mom of three, but she still continues to practice and teach yoga in order to stay grounded and present throughout her days.

Iyengar and Yin Yoga

Mastery of the body and the breath is a gateway to mastery of the mind. Iyengar yoga includes focus on correct body alignment and the theraputic aspects of the asanas. In addition one learns to breathe smoothly, deeply and evenly so the energy can flow unobstructed,making the mind quiet. As one progresses, there is a powerful cumulative effect which allows for deeper penetration within the individual bringing the mind and senses under control making one ready for meditation. Yin yoga is characterized by passive poses held for several minutes each. It targets the tendons and ligaments in the joints and spine lengthening these tissues over time. It is an ideal method of physical conditioning for prolonged meditation.

Bobbie Bruno has been practicing yoga on a regular basis for over 25 years. She has completed yoga training at Mount Madonna Center, as well as Spirit Rock's Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation training program. Having studied with such teachers at Tias Little, Judith Lassater, and Sarah Powers, she teaches a blend of Iyengar and Yin yoga. She is currently studying with Kofi Busia. She teaches privately in Santa Cruz and in Mexico.

Cator Shachoy helps people heal their bodies, minds, & hearts through compassionate awareness, yoga, and craniosacral bodywork. She began the practices of yoga, Buddhist meditation, and energy healing in 1990, completed teacher training through the Iyengar Yoga Instititute of San Francisco, and Kripalu Yoga Center, and has taught yoga in San Francisco since 1998. She founded Youth Yoga Dharma, a non-profit that offers youth the skills of yoga & meditation www.youthyogadharma.org. Cator is a certified practitioner of Visionary Craniosacral Bodywork with a specialty in pediatrics and a private practice in San Francisco www.subtlebodyhealing.net. Her approach to yoga weaves together the precision of Iyengar yoga and mindfulness, with gentle energy healing as she delights in sharing the practices that inspire her life.

Raja Yoga

Tamara Perkins is a certified Raja Yoga teacher, filmmaker, and activist. Inspired by the opportunity to ease suffering and open paths to healing and empowerment, she teaches in diverse environments including men's and women's prisons, grief support programs, schools, and youth development conferences. Childhood exposure to Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism through her father has helped form the foundation of Tamara's practice. Tamara is founder and director of Apple of Discord Productions, a film production company born of a combination of creativity, service and activism (www.trustcommunity.org). Find out more at www.tamaraperkins.com.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is the relaxed practice of floor poses for three to five minutes at a time. The practice emphasizes release of connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis and lower spine. Because floor poses allow each of us to find a stretch that allows opening, yin yoga works well for novices and experienced yogis. Because the poses are held, yin yoga allows us to explore sensation with kindness and patience and prepares the body and the mind for longer meditation practices.

Renate Kempf has practiced yoga for over twenty years and is a certified yoga instructor at the 200 hour level. Her training includes yin yoga certification with Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. Renate has also been a Structural Integration bodyworker for over ten years. She sees clients in her office in Palo Alto. See www.azureheart.com for more information about Renate's work.


	Movement Practices
	Insight Meditation South Bay offers a variety of programs that integrate movement, creative activities, energy arts, and healing processes with mindfulness-based meditations to enhance embodied awareness. "The way of nurturing life requires that one keep oneself as fluid and flexible as possible. One should learn how to exercise naturally, observing the fact that flowing water never stagnates and a busy door with active hinges never rusts or rots. Why? Because they exercise themselves perpetually and are almost always moving." -- Sun Ssu-mo Movement disciplines are introduced during IMSB Day-Long and Half Day Programs in which guest teachers join Shaila to combine the teachings of Insight Meditation with one of the movement disciplines featured below. You can find biographies of guest teachers with the movement descriptions. All programs are suitable for experienced and beginning practitioners. Students participate to the extent they enjoy, and may replace the movement session with an individual walking meditation if they wish. Please see the calendar of events for upcoming programs. Dynamic Awareness -- Expressive Movement Actors study to become present in the body, detached from judgement and aware of the subtle movement of thoughts and emotions as they shift with subtle changes in the body. By directing the mind inside, allowing, and practicing detached observation, one can become present with what is and develop a sense of community around a shared humanity. These workshops at IMSB bring together a deep exploration of movement with silent meditation and have generated enthusiasm for developing this unique approach and applying it to subtleties of the inner life. Developing an awareness of presence in movement opens a pathway for bringing meditation into daily life. Lisa Tromovitch has over 20 years experience as a professional theater director and is a professor of theatre arts. She currently serves as Founding Producing Artistic Director of Livermore Shakespeare Festival and is on the faculty of the University of the Pacific where she is the movement coach. Lisa has trained in Laban/Bartenieff work with Integrated Movement Studies in Berkeley and has an interest in yoga. Lisa has directed over 30 stage productions in six states and has trained hundreds of university and conservatory students in expressive arts. Learn more about Livermore Shakespeare Festival at Theatre Arts with Lisa Tromovitch Feldenkrais Method -- Awareness Through Movement The Feldenkrais Method® is a learning process that uses simple movements to encourage new ways of moving with comfort and ease. The group form of the work, called Awareness Through Movement®, uses movement sequences that deepen our capacity for awareness and guide us toward freedom from self-limiting habits. While students lie on the floor, respectful of themselves and their comfort, the teacher verbally guides them through simple movement sequences. Through this "giving space to your self" students gain freedom of movement, relief from discomfort and a sense of well being. Deborah Dutton is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and has been teaching the Feldenkrais Method for ten years. Deborah was introduced to the Method® as a result of a shoulder injury. She found the technique so effective and engaging that she continued to take classes for seven years. She then entered a four-year professional training program in New York, from which she graduated after 800 hours of training. Deborah's teaching is influenced by her 20 years of meditation practice. Learn more about Deborah's practice at www.umovebetter.com Pilates Pilates focuses on postural symmetry, abdominal and spine stabilization, mind/body control, and strengthening through the complete range of motion of all joints. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the ”whole body” is trained, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk. The result is strong, long and lean muscles with equal strength ratios. Midge Firenzi has been teaching Pilates for 15 years in both fitness and rehabilitation environments. Her background in dancing, gymnastics and swimming adds a different dimension and focus when cuing for correct movement. Instruction is individualized, with proper movement for tri-athletes, pre and post natal clients, people recovering from injuries, and anyone who wants to move more easily or gain strength. Her full time practice includes ages from 15 to 92. Midge is certified in Mat, all Studio Apparatus, Pilates for Golfers, Pre and Post Natal and Osteoporosis. Midge’s private studio is located in Campbell. Qigong Qigong, which literally translates to "energy skill" or "energy manipulation", is the ancient art and science of working with one's subtle energy. Medical Qigong incorporates simple yet profound postures and movements, along with the breath and the focus of one's mind to achieve greater health, awareness, concentration, balance, and stillness of mind. Tom Leichardt graduated with a Doctorate of Medical Qigong (DMQ) from the International Institute of Medical Qigong, the overseas college of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He practices Taoist meditation and the healing arts. Tom also serves at the feet of his guru, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma), working to develop compassion and a heart of service to humanity. Learn more aboutTom's practice at www.qigongalchemy.com Marcy Reynolds, B.A. is a longtime student of holistic health having taught yoga, nutrition and western herbalism. Chronic fatigue led her to the self-healing practice of Qigong which has been instrumental in her recovery and continues to bring depth, peace and healing to her life and the lives of her students. Marcy has been teaching meditation and Qigong in California since 1997 and is a member of the Teachers’ Council at Vipassana Santa Cruz. To find out more about workshops and classes with Marcy, please visit www.wildcoastqigong.com. Yoga James (Jahmes) Scibetta has been practicing yoga and meditation since 1999 while taking steps on the Buddhist path. Freshly promoted to "mindful movement guru" for local yoga studios and spiritual centers, Jahmes is a perpetual student. A graduate of Avalon Yoga studios teacher training program and a member of the BE Yoga teaching staff, Jahmes enjoys sharing yoga with children and adults of all ages. Claire Kalia became certified as a yoga instructor at the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco in 2000. Following her certification she studied advanced Iyengar Yoga with Rodney Yee in Oakland, and practiced as a full-time yoga instructor in Berkeley. Claire has taught yoga to many different populations, including prisoners, children in Bali, and scientists at Berkeley Lab. Her varied background leads her to teach and practice a flexible and dynamic style of yoga, emphasizing acceptance of the body in its present state and appreciation of each physical sensation. Claire is now a full-time attorney and mom of three, but she still continues to practice and teach yoga in order to stay grounded and present throughout her days. Iyengar and Yin Yoga Mastery of the body and the breath is a gateway to mastery of the mind. Iyengar yoga includes focus on correct body alignment and the theraputic aspects of the asanas. In addition one learns to breathe smoothly, deeply and evenly so the energy can flow unobstructed,making the mind quiet. As one progresses, there is a powerful cumulative effect which allows for deeper penetration within the individual bringing the mind and senses under control making one ready for meditation. Yin yoga is characterized by passive poses held for several minutes each. It targets the tendons and ligaments in the joints and spine lengthening these tissues over time. It is an ideal method of physical conditioning for prolonged meditation. Bobbie Bruno has been practicing yoga on a regular basis for over 25 years. She has completed yoga training at Mount Madonna Center, as well as Spirit Rock's Mindfulness Yoga and Meditation training program. Having studied with such teachers at Tias Little, Judith Lassater, and Sarah Powers, she teaches a blend of Iyengar and Yin yoga. She is currently studying with Kofi Busia. She teaches privately in Santa Cruz and in Mexico. Cator Shachoy helps people heal their bodies, minds, & hearts through compassionate awareness, yoga, and craniosacral bodywork. She began the practices of yoga, Buddhist meditation, and energy healing in 1990, completed teacher training through the Iyengar Yoga Instititute of San Francisco, and Kripalu Yoga Center, and has taught yoga in San Francisco since 1998. She founded Youth Yoga Dharma, a non-profit that offers youth the skills of yoga & meditation www.youthyogadharma.org. Cator is a certified practitioner of Visionary Craniosacral Bodywork with a specialty in pediatrics and a private practice in San Francisco www.subtlebodyhealing.net. Her approach to yoga weaves together the precision of Iyengar yoga and mindfulness, with gentle energy healing as she delights in sharing the practices that inspire her life. Raja Yoga Tamara Perkins is a certified Raja Yoga teacher, filmmaker, and activist. Inspired by the opportunity to ease suffering and open paths to healing and empowerment, she teaches in diverse environments including men's and women's prisons, grief support programs, schools, and youth development conferences. Childhood exposure to Yoga and Tibetan Buddhism through her father has helped form the foundation of Tamara's practice. Tamara is founder and director of Apple of Discord Productions, a film production company born of a combination of creativity, service and activism (www.trustcommunity.org). Find out more at www.tamaraperkins.com. Yin Yoga Yin Yoga is the relaxed practice of floor poses for three to five minutes at a time. The practice emphasizes release of connective tissues of the hips, thighs, pelvis and lower spine. Because floor poses allow each of us to find a stretch that allows opening, yin yoga works well for novices and experienced yogis. Because the poses are held, yin yoga allows us to explore sensation with kindness and patience and prepares the body and the mind for longer meditation practices. Renate Kempf has practiced yoga for over twenty years and is a certified yoga instructor at the 200 hour level. Her training includes yin yoga certification with Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. Renate has also been a Structural Integration bodyworker for over ten years. She sees clients in her office in Palo Alto. See www.azureheart.com for more information about Renate's work.
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