Core Story

December 31 – Core Story
What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world?
(Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)
(Author: Molly O’Neill)

I feel my purpose for writing these pages, for what I call a profession, and the steps I take in my daily life all relate to service.
To serve others.
To guide and support them to do what makes their heart tick, their passions and dreams fulfilled.

Every day I'm finding new ways of sharing myself with the world around me.
Whether it's public speaking at a networking breakfast, giving a demonstration to a management team, teaching a group of construction workers, or writing words on a blog.

The thread I see relates to work and life and how one informs the other.

A pattern is a pattern...

Happy New Year!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Gift

This is Day 30 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 30 – Gift
Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable.
What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?
Author: Holly Root

The best gifts I receive are those intangible "thank you's" that occasionally get tossed my way by clients.
To know that I've helped someone live a more fulfilling existence, if not for a moment, gives greater meaning to life.
I look forward to giving of much more of myself and talents in the coming year.
To keep the circulation flowing...

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Defining Moment

This is Day 29 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 29 – Defining Moment
Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.
Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice

This past spring/summer I started doing street fairs as a way of marketing my Feldenkrais business.
In all I participated in 5 different fairs from May through August.
The last one I worked at, the 2010 Peace Concert at Gas Works Park was by far the busiest.
We were popular during the whole day.
People weren't quite sure what it was we were doing, but they wanted it.

These moments of working out in the street with the public, educating them on what we had to offer, really sped up the process for me.
The process of stepping out and taking risks.

One street fair at a time.

Now I'm approaching new projects with much more confidence and planning expertise, having gone down the road a few times.

I'm looking forward to many more defining moments in 2011 and beyond.

What support do you need to step out?

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Achieve

This is day 28 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/



December 28 – Achieve


What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

Author: Tara Sophia Mohr

Today I wrote down a rough draft of my 2011 goals.
The most tangible goal that I most want to achieve is a lofty one (without revealing numbers) for seeing clients this coming year.
I'll feel freer, happier, more complete, and even blissful at achieving this goal.

I can feel these feelings at any time, any encounter with another is a chance to experience them now.

The importance of goal-setting I've learned is to look for the long-term and celebrate every day whatever steps I've taken on my journey.

This path has no room for self-loathing and obsessing on what went wrong.

Turn the page.

Take another step...

Let's see what I can do...

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Ordinary joy

December 27 – Ordinary Joy

Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?
Author: Brené Brown

Even though I live 2 blocks from the beach, I enjoy my daily walks up the steeps hills to our business center in West Seattle (The Junction).

It's the shortest route between Alki beach and the Alaska Junction.

About 2 miles, very steep the first 3/4's of a mile.

As I've been pushing myself to go up the hills with more ease and lightness, an exciting anticipation has been growing in me with regards to my walks.

The joy of running up hills.../**\...

The adrenalin rush that sweeps me to crest some of the steepest hills West Seattle has to offer.

Daily ordinary joy.

erik

improve your movement

improve your life

www.alkimoves.com

Soul Food

This is day 26 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 26 – Soul Food
What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?

Just trying to think of all the food I ate this year is mind-boggling.
Did one dish stand out?
...
I did have some great Gouda soup earlier this month...very tasty, and I remember telling others about it.
...
My wife is always cooking great meals, the kids mostly pass on them, but I love having someone prepare food for me and love all the meals...
...
hmmm....
...
I don't know what the dish was called, and it was more a dessert than a main dish.
It contained lots of pineapple, and I was the only one who ate it.

But this was probably the best feeling food I had all year...
So, whatever it was called...pineapple-laden dessert....
I love you!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Photo

This is Day 25 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself
Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

I didn't have a lot of pictures taken of me this year other than my wedding pics from this past February.

I chose the picture above because it shows me on my first day as a new father.
My 4 step-kids in the picture too, along with my two best friends and Mary's best friend.

The picture was shot by a friend of my wife's that did our wedding shoot for us.

This picture was taken on Valentine's Day, the day we were married, on the Alki Beach boardwalk outside the venue where we were married.

The picture also symbolizes my feelings of community, enlarging my sphere of influence, whether it's friends, family, etc.

erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Everything's OK

This is day 24 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 24 Prompt –

Everything’s OK
What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright?
And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

The everything alright feeling has to do with how my work and business is progressing.
Are people finding value?

I've had a few moments this year where I've felt that clients have found great value in my work, coming for multiple lessons, referring others to my work.

I could see one of those moments as just yesterday when I taught my newest ATM class at my new gig in Downtown Seattle. The class is relatively new, since November, and given that most people have never heard of what I do, let alone can pronounce it....
I'm very thankful for the one student that has come to every one of the classes.
I get to teach a unique lesson each week to someone that's been around the Feldenkrais Method since my own trainer was going through his training with Moshe Feldenkrais.

When a long-time student of this method comes to see me every week I must be doing something good?

Merry Christmas,

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

New Name

This is day 23 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

My friends call me erik, you can call me....

December 23 – New Name
Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

I think I'd go around telling people my name was Dennis.
When I was going through my Feldenkrais training back in 2002, a guest trainer that was teaching our group that year kept calling me Dennis.
At first it was a little annoying, but after awhile I found it kind of endearing....let's just go with it...my name is Dennis.
I figured she was calling me Dennis because I was kind of a trouble-maker in class aka Dennis the Menace.

I went with the name and actually named the skeleton, I built, Dennis.

So, I'll go around and tell people my name is Dennis.
It could be fun.
It could be confusing...for me.

What's your new name?

Mine will be Dennis, for a day.


erik, no really!

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Travel

This is day 22 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 22 – Travel

How did you travel in 2010?
How and/or where would you like to travel next year?
Author: Tara Hunt


Being the daredevils that we are, we chose to take an over 20 year old RV on a road trip down to Arizona.
Luckily the only mechanical problems we had were two blown front tires, on the first day!
We did get to see Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon.
I also visited Chicago for the first time ever this past summer for the Feldenkrais annual Conference.

Almost every day I travel by foot around West Seattle, usually up the steep hills from the beach to the business center of West Seattle (The Junction).

This next summer I'm planning on going to Massachusetts for the first time for the FGNA annual Conference.

I'd also like to take my bride to Maui....

erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/


Future Self

Day 21 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 21 – Future Self.

Imagine yourself five years from now.
What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead?
Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?
Author: Jenny Blake



Take chances.
Be bold.

These were the first things that came to mind for what my future self could tell me now.

I'm learning that a presence must be cultivated in order for good work to be spread.
Good work alone doesn't promise financial success.

I've spent this past year learning how to be visible, reaching out to the business community, and letting them know I'm open for business.

As I become more comfortable in the spotlight I'm learning more effective means of getting my message across.
A message that most people have never heard of.

As I turn 50 in the next year I see it's time to go much larger and take much larger risks.
Risks of being open to a larger audience, putting myself out as an expert.

As they say, "they can't eat you".

Going back 10 years to 2000....wow.

The advice would be to stay in my beliefs, enjoy Yvonne while I can for the next 4 years until she loses her battle, and embrace that weird new thing called Feldenkrais.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

5 simple rules for Happiness

Yesterday a friend of mine posted this in the local hyper-local news blog.

It was a poem about dealing with what life throws at you.

The moral being that it's not what is being thrown at you, but your reaction to it.

At the end she had these 5 simple rules for cultivating happiness in your life:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

Wishing you and yours a happy winter solstice!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

West Seattle community Feldenkrais clinic: De-stress your winter holiday

Cinnamon resting

West Seattle community Feldenkrais clinic: De-stress your winter holiday:  Are the holidays treating you well? Do you need a short break from it all?
This Tuesday December 20th, at the West Seattle Senior Center..."

Beyond Avoidance

Today is day 20 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance.



What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)



Probably the biggest thing I've come up against in running my own show are my own life-long issues of acceptance, feeling that I do good work, that I have something to offer the world around me.
Because these feelings present themselves I often find myself not asking for business.
I'm getting good at presenting demos, talks, etc...
and this is helping me get better at asking for work.

And the bonus is that I am doing it more often than earlier this year.
And 2011 looks like an even better opportunity to practice this.

I'm just simply amazed that I've written 20 of these posts in a row...that is transcending avoidance!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Healing

This is day19 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 19 – Healing.
What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution?
How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)


Animals always heal me.
I have my dog, who doesn't live with us anymore...he's got another job as healer for two other people..my sister-in-law and my father-in-law. Since April he's been helping them by living in their house up the hill.
I occasionally take him for the day to hang out with while I'm running errands and/or working at the studio/office.

I always feel better after spending tme with Larry.

For the past 3 months we've had a new addition in the family....a kitty.
She's been a joy to have around, playing, and cuddling.

In fact right now she's resting on my legs as I type out this story on my laptop.

In 2011 I'll take my healing however I can get it.
Everything that's healed me in the past can all come together this year to make it the best year yet.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Try

This is day 18 of the #reverb10 writing project.

December 18 – Try.
What do you want to try next year?
Is there something you wanted to try in 2010?
What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

It's been about 30 years since I ran in any type of running race. I used to regulary run in 5k's, 10k's, and other assorted distances.
Then I discovered the bicycle and stopped running.
In the past year I've been easing my way back into running...during walks....jogging....sprinting....walking....repeat.

My goal this coming year is to participate in a sanctioned race to see how I do.
It could be a 5k all the way up to a half marathon.

In the past my goal was always to see how fast I could run.
Now, the goals are more for quality, speed not too important,
How do I feel when I'm running?
Can I find joy in the midst of competition?

I'd still like to get some new skis and move into the new era of fat skis....I still have a week or so till this year is gone!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Lesson Learned

This is day 17 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/



Today's prompt is:

December 17 – Lesson Learned
What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year?
And how will you apply that lesson going forward?
(Author: Tara Weaver)


This past year, at the age of 48, I became a dad (step) for the first time, to 4 kids of my wife's.
It's been a couple years of transition from my single life to a busy family life.

Lots of room for learning.

By trial and success I'm fumbling my way through this parenting thing.
Learning to be humble...
and noticing that some of the things that come in valuable as a parent also pertain to running a business:

Perseverance
Tenacity
Humor
Planning
Flexibility
Patience
Love

Learning how, and teaching others to be kindler and gentler to themselves as they persue greater efficiency.
It's the application of my feldenkrais teachings into parenting.

It's more than just about movement.

or as Moshé put it:
"What I'm after isn't flexible bodies, but flexible brains. What I'm after is to restore each person to their human dignity".

As for going forward and applying this learning?
The capacity for the human brain to learn is phenomenal.
Keeping open to the possibilities of learning more,
and teaching more.
Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

improve your movement
improve your life

Friendship

This is day 16 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

Today's word is friendship



December 16 – Friendship
How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I'm having a tough time coming up with one friend as I think it was a whole group of friends that seemed to help me shift focus the past year.

I'm thinking of my BNI family, the group of business owners that I meet with every thursday morning for breakfast and a fun hour and a half of on-purpose networking.

There is a saying about entrepreneurs, they're usually the most positive people you'll find...perhaps out of misguided hope, or maybe just the thrill of running our own show.

Being around this group has really helped me change from an employee to an entrepreneural mindset.
The rules of engagement are different.

Who better to learn from than those who are already the leaders in their own industries.

One of the cool things about BNI is that each chapter can only have 1 person from a given profession...eg: 1 auto mechanic, 1 plumber, 1 massage therapist, etc.
This lessens the chance of head-to-head competition amongst the members of the support group.
Increases the chances of having my play, more fun within the group.

So I salute and thank the (at present) 38 members of the West Seattle Champions for all they do to help me be a better entrepreneur.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

5 minutes

This is day 15 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/



December 15 – 5 Minutes
Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)


Wow....
I got married for the second time.
Became a father of 4 kids (hers).
Did oodles of networking in person for my business.
Went camping a couple times....why do the adults get the tent?
Did white-water rafting for the first time.
Visited Chicago for the first time...I love riding the subway.
Became a landlord, we bought a short-sale home a year ago and did some renovation to turn it into a duplex. Have had solid renters since last March.
Met Mia Segal at a workshop in Seattle, she unbuttoned my jeans during a group lesson...heh!
Had a wonderful time at the Feldenkrais Conference in Chi-town.

A most interesting time while running the Feldenkrais booth at the Fremont street fair...the booth next to us were the nudists, and they were nude!

Wow, that went fast.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Appreciate

This is day 14 of the #reverb10 writing project:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

Today's prompt:

December 14 – Appreciate
What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

That's one of my hearing aids. This past year I've gotten used to wearing these newer technology hearing aids.
In short, they've changed my life substantially.
Now I can go to meetings and hear what people are saying.
Most people are used to being able to hear conversations...
me...it's been a lifetime of living in a hearing-challenged world.

As I get used to wearing these and interacting with the world, I've become much more aware of how deaf I really am...
when I don't have the aids in, or if one is not functioning at 100%.

So this year I've become much more appreciative of what hearing I have,
what vision I have,
what abilities I have to touch, and feel, and think.

This probably happens to most, if not all of us as we get older (I'll be 50 in 9 months). We start to take stock of what we have, where we've been, what we've accomplished.

Me...I appreciate that with technology I can hear birds singing in the trees, I previously didn't know they existed because I didn't hear them.

The simple things in life are the best.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Action

This is Day 13 of the #reverb10 writing project http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

Today's word is: Action

December 13 – Action
When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

My next step is to meet my next prospect with the attitude of service.
How can what I do, benefit them?

I go to many networking functions on a weekly basis, BNI, the WS chamber, parties, and other open houses...
always looking to meet new people, and nourish the existing relationships,
to grow the fields o' winter wheat.

How can I help make your life more enjoyable, cut the tinge of pain, and replace with a zing for pleasure.

so, the next step is like the last, and will be like the following.
Moving along to increase the flow...

This is what action looks like.
Looks the same
yet it's changed.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

improve your movement
improve your life

Body Integration

This is Day 12 of the #reverb10 writing project. Each day this December we write to a new prompt from:
http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

December 12 – Body Integration
This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)


Every day I live and breath learning how, teaching myself to be more integrated, with my body, mind, spirit and my environment.

As I roll someone's head or watch them stand up, I need to notice differences.
Where do they find support?
What can they do?

The most integrated I felt with my body this year could've been my wedding day...running through the rain, calming my nerves enough and long enough to walk down the aisle.

The river rafting trip 3 months ago had me feeling very alive,
And very present...
probably the most present when I needed to quickly save one of my raft-mates from a certain ice-cold bath in the rapids of the Tieton.

Paddle, paddle.

check out the cool scenery, paddle, paddle, paddle.

bounce off the boulders...

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

11 Things

This is day 11 of the #reverb10 writing project.

December 11 – 11 Things
What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

The first thing I thought of was 11 pounds.
Of course if this was on December 25th I could also say 25 pounds....but perhaps the 11 is for 2011?

1 pound at a time
Conciously.

There are other things my life could do without...
Procrastination
Judgement
Perfectionism
Disorder
etc.

How to get rid of these things?

I believe in incremental change as a very powerful method for lasting change.
Although the big bang, blasting through to the end is pretty sexy too.

What things do you need to get rid of for 2011?

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Wisdom

This is Day 10 of the #reverb10 writing project.

December 10 – Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)


In this past year I've made a lot of decisions, mostly business.
It's too early to tell how many will play out as it is a process.

Perhaps the wisest decision I made this year was to embrace my wife's (then girlfriend) kids and become a father to them. Mostly to help guide the youngest in his growth.

It's been a challenging year on that front.
I had no experience being a dad, other than to a dog.
He already spent most of his life without a father and had no guiding post.

I've learned a lot about being a parent in the past year that relates to running a business:
Patience - Need to allow things to roll, get out of the way often.
Perseverance - Knowing what I want, or the outcomes I perceive to be beneficial, I'll often have to reiterate the behavior that is acceptable. Similar to a verbal group lesson, I can't ask them to slow down enough times!
Plan - Having a plan, whether it's for marketing the business or how to deal with behavior that we want to change, is important.

My wife will say I'm a natural at being a dad, but I'll say it's been a serious learning curve for me.

Yes to making tough choices and to learning new things!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Party

This is Day 9 of the #reverb10 writing project.

Today's word is:
December 9 – Party

Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

Of course my own wedding earlier this year rocked my socks off.

It was a generally low key event. We had about 80 guests, relatives, neighbors, friends at our event.
Most of the food was made by us or by friends.
We hired a DJ so we could boogie to our own music...so hard to find a good dance place in West Seattle.

The venue was at the Alki Bathhouse on the beach. There was a great view for all to enjoy.
The weather was a moving target....sunshine, rain, wind, you name it.

We managed to find a time to go outside for pictures, the rain had let up enough for that to happen.

I should be able to remember this anniversary as it falls on Valentine's Day every year....whew!

As a member of the Chamber of commerce and a local BNI group in West Seattle, we do go to parties often, in fact went to one two nights ago.

I plan to party to the end.

Rock on!

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Curious? Free ATM mini lesson

If you're curious about what feldenkrais is, I just posted a very short (3:29) verbal seated lesson.
These are known as 'Awareness through Movement' lessons.
Typically the lessons are done while lying down and last about 45 minutes.

I've just started to play with this technology 2 days ago.
So, this is my first approximation of what I see as many.

The audio button is halfway down my home page:

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Erik

improve your movement
improve your life

Beautifully Different

This is day 8 of the #reverb10 reflect and manifest writing project.
Each day in December we have a different prompt to write about from http://www.reverb10.com/the-prompts/

Today's prompt:

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)


I still think back to junior high school in the 70's. We had a school paper that came out every month. They reported on the sports teams, activities, clubs, and also would have lists.

Once they had an alphaebaetic listing...

A - Athletic ....bobby jones
B - Beautiful....christy brinkley
.
.
.
U - Unique...erik ....hey wait a minute!

I tried hard to disown the moniker, for to be different in junior high was almost suicide.

But it's hard to not be me.

It's the embracing of our own inner beauty that sets us free.

I'm unique, we're all unique.
 
I guess in junior high I wasn't as afraid to show myself to the world.
 
Erik
 
http://www.alkimoves.com/

Community

This is day 7 of the #reverb10 writing challenge.

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

This past year I've been discovering the wellness community of West Seattle and environs. As I've been actively marketing myself and my services this past year with weekly BNI meetings, chamber of commerce gatherings, health and street fairs, etc. I've been meeting many allied health/wellness practitioners in the Seattle area.

This past year I also took on a position of leadership within my professional organization, the Feldenkrais Guild of North America, as the Treasurer of the Northwest Region. This has put me more in a more visible position not only among my colleauges but also the public.

As for future communities to become involved with?
I'd like to continue reaching out to the wellness professionals in the Seattle area, and see how we can collaborate on any projects.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/



My own stairmaster - what did you make?

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

I've always had a passion for getting my hands dirty, digging holes, playing with rocks, scratching through sand.
And for climbing stairs.
 
In this case I had to build the stairs so I could climb them.
Clearing off a hillside of blackberries.
Digging steps into the hillside.
Pouring gravel.
Hauling 60 pound cement steps into place.
So far there are 35 blocks doing duty as a staircase from the alley.
 
Who needs a gym?
 
Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
 
A rock garden at the Alki Feldenkrais studio.
 
In my work I see many people with balance issues.
My nervous system reacts favorably whenever I stand or walk on rocks of various shapes and sizes, in the sand, or any other uneven surface.
 
It would be a nice sanctuary with a bench, the existing bamboo wall, and other added foliage.
 
Erik
 
http://www.alkimoves.com/
 
improve your movement
improve your life

Let Go

This is day 5 of the #reverb10 reflection and manifestation writing project.

Today's prompt:

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)


In a year of adding many things to my life, something had to change.
I let go of trying to do the whole thing by myself. Learning to collaborate with others, whether in my field or not.
By allowing others to do some of the legwork, the things I'm not so great at or don't have the necessary enthusiam for, I can more easily focus on the things I'm good at, the things I'm passionate about.

I love to teach.
And am passionate about learning how to teach myself and others to be the best (I) they can.

As I've brought more people into my sphere of influence it has grown my work to a larger audience.

What did you let go of this past year?

Erik

improve your movement
improve your life

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Wonder

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
This is day 4 of the #reverb10 reflection and manifestation writing exercise.

Here's the first definition of wonder at dictionary.com:
1. to think or speculate curiously

In the work I do, this is something that often happens, in the midst of a lesson.
The continual quest of knowing what we do invites questions and speculations.
The curiosity is the fire that sparks the quest.

The simple act of lying on the floor and beginning to notice how my head rests upon it.

...

How does the floor push up against my shoulders?

Is it the same on both sides?

...

Cultivating a sense of wonder is what I do as a passion.

Teaching others how to cultivate it is what I do as a profession.

For more on the Feldenkrais profession:

http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

improve your movement

improve your life

Moment

Day three of #reverb10 a time of reflection and manifestation of what's next.

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards).

This past year has been quite eventful, with many moments where I felt very alive.

The winner would clearly have to be this past February 14th, when I got married again.

Standing up before a crowd and pledging your vows to someone is a bit nerve-wracking.
I spent earlier in the day helping set up for the festivities and pushed my time a bit for geting changed and ready myself.
...
After a quick 2 block jog, from my studio to the bathhouse on the beach, through a sudden downpour, I made it back to the venue 15 minutes before the ceremony.

Yikes! I was drenched and overheated.

Relatives wanted to greet me, while I was drying off with paper towels.
lol
The minister kindly walked back to me, to get me present.
And offered me the following words:
"No matter what happens, at the end of the day you'll be married."

Yes, I made it through the ceremony.
And to a third straight day of blogging.

Erik

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Writing - day two of #reverb10

This is the second prompt of the Reverb10 reflection on and manifesting the new exercise. I've decided to participate as a way to spur my own writing.
Interestingly, today's word is 'writing'.

December 2 Writing.


What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?


I do many things each day that get in the way of writing....take your pick.
Probably the biggest obstacle is that of my own perfectionism.
The chance that anyone could actually read what I write, putting it out into the public space known as the interwebs.

In this blog I often talk about my own feldenkrais practice and what I've learned.
Sometimes it gets personal.
And times it can be technical.

...then there are the times when we go back and edit...lol...

...while listening to the banjo in the background...



How do I eliminate this non-writing phobia?

I guess the same way I've been eliminating my public speaking phobia.

Just do it!

or as the chinese proverb goes:
"fall down seven times, get up eight"
 
Erik
 
http://www.alkimoves.com/
 
improve your movement
improve your life

One word

December 1 One Word.


Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

 

1

Seeds

 

Since beginning my journey as an entrepreneur 3 years ago I've learned many new ways of working. I was an employee for most of my work life. I've had forays in and out, mostly as a massage therapist.

But now there's no going back and different approaches are needed.

 

I joined a local BNI (Business Networking International) chapter a year and a half ago.

Every thursday morning at 7:45 I gather with 30 or more business people, from all different types of industries. And we network with a purpose.

Givers gain, referring business to others, learning to plant and nurture seeds.

This has spurred me onto many other visibility enhancing missions this year including the health fairs, street fairs, chamber of commerce events, and open houses.

All chances to plant my ideas, get my face out there.

 

A long term view is needed

A seed is a hope for what may mature and bear fruit,

the possibilities.

 

The more I've been at it, the easier and more pleasurable farming has become.

Just today I planted at least a dozen seeds. A year ago it may've taken a week to plant that many.

 

 

1 year from now I envision the One word as: Growth

 

Erik

 

Thanks giving

As another Thanksgiving came and went I reflected a lot on the things I'm thankful for.
My health, family, friends, and community are all wonderful things in my life.

What are you thankful for?

Daily moments of gratitude have been a part of my life the last few years. A time to reflect upon the things I'm thankful for.
These powerful times help build my resevoir of good that I can tap into when times aren't so smooth.

Take a moment and see what you can be thankful for today....and every day.

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Hallux Abducto Valgus aka the bunion blues

Today I worked with a new client that talked of falling a few times recently.
As I rolled her head, lifted shoulders, and touched her feet I noticed she had a serious bunion on one of her feet.
"This is inherited" she told me.

As I looked this up on the interwebs today I noticed the literature mentions bunions are most often the result of an inherited faulty mechanical structure of the foot.
Of course this is on a medical site that is pushing surgery, to fix said faulty structure.

As a Feldenkrais practitioner I, of course, have a different take on what causes bunions.
The premature collapsing of the arch when standing and walking puts undo stress on the medial part (the big toe side) of the foot.  Over time this causes the bunion to grow as all the forces of standing are pushed into this part of the foot.

At the end of the lesson I watched her stand up....both arches collapsed.
It was one of those times when I wish I could start the lesson over now that I had a whole new set of information to go off of.

Till next time...

For more on the Feldenkrais Method:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Erik LaSeur GCFP
http://www.alkimoves.com/


Next time

Takin it to the streets part V

Takin it to the streets part V

For the fifth time this summer I participated in a street fair.

This time it was the 30th Annual Peace Concert at Gas Works Park on Lake Union in Seattle.

This fair was very laid back as Blues music flowed from the stage and the 95 degree temperatures kept most people seeking a way to cool down.

Even with that we were busy from start to finish as there was always someone waiting for a lesson.

Many good lessons learned this summer about marketing that I can carry forward in my business ventures.

For more on the Feldenkrais Method:

http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Erik LaSeur

Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner

206-406-8154

http://www.alkimoves.com/

West Seattle community Feldenkrais clinic

Is coming this fall.

A new blog has been set up specifically for the West Seattle community Feldenkrais clinic:

http://westseattlefeldenkraisclinic.blogspot.com/

moshé feldenkrais - 1980 Amherst

The clinic is in the spirit of presenting a low-cost alternative in the quest for health and well-being.

It's also a place for Feldenkrais practitioners to gather, to mentor, and to learn from one another.

For more on the Feldenkrais Method: http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Erik LaSeur

http://www.alkimoves.com/

West Seattle street Fair gets Feldenkrais!

This past Saturday I spent 5 hours running half of a booth at the West Seattle street fair. Feldenkrais in West Seattle was going to be represented somehow.


I didn't get in the front door (the paid route), but I did manage to sneak in the back door (the free route) by teaming up with a few others.

Saturday was my 4th street fair this season.

Yeah, it's been an interesting spring/early summer.

The past two street fairs have offered some tough competition with regards to visibility.

The stall neighbor to my left (right in the picture) was a right-to-life group giving out fetus dolls to kids.

Three weeks earlier at the Fremont Street Fair the competition was different but just as stiff (pun intended).

We ended up with the Fraternity Snoqualmie group (aka nudists) next to us. Two older men standing there in their sandals and smiles.

Many people asked "We didn't see your booth, we saw the nudists though!"
I did ask my booth partner Mary if she would take off her top. We needed to compete!

But when others change the paramaters in the game I'm always bouncing around ready to flow with it.

We have one more street festival we're gonna represent Feldenkrais at this summer in Seattle (that I know of).

The 30th Annual Peace Concert @ Gas Works Park on Sunday August 15th 2010.

Come listen to music, have a bite to eat, and exerience a Feldenkrais lesson.

Improve your movement,
improve your life

Alki Feldenkrais
Erik LaSeur
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher GCFT


http://www.alkimoves.com/

Takin it to the streets

Dennis (skeleton) working the booth

The past two Saturday's I've been out in the street with table and skeleton, talking it up about the Feldenkrais Method and my business Alki Feldenkrais.

A month ago the question sometimes was "will this work in such a public venue?"

After the University district street fair last weekend, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

All the people we talked to and touched, perhaps in a way they've never been touched before.

The next street fair that feldenkrais will be represented in will be the Fremont Soltice Festival on June 19th and 20th.

And yes we'll be wearing our clothes, although Dennis may not be.

For more on the Feldenkrais Method:

http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Alki Feldenkrais

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Erik LaSeur GCFT

Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher

ask about your complementary lesson today!

roots

I love walking through Schmitz Park, here above alki beach. It's a land of old growth trees, ferns,

a wonderful hilly and scenic trail network, and a creek down the middle.

This picture reminds me of my own roots to this park as a young child.

Our kindergarten class at Schmitz Park elementary took a field trip to and through it.

How do I sense the ground under me?

As long as we sense enough connection to our environment, we'll move through with a greater degree of comfort.

For every step we take with uncertaintanty tenses up our entire system, nervous, muscular, digestive, etc.

When the person is able to sense the ground under them,

how each part of the foot,

and the individual toes,

contacts its opposing surface.

The nervous system then gets a chance to settle down a bit.

The feeling of safety has increased.

The more you can sense as being there will broaden your options as you navigate the daily dance of life.

Most of us have settled on 1 or 2 ways of doing anything, our habits are set,

which works well enough when we're strong and healthy.

"having only one choice, and acting on it repeatedly, is compulsion. Two choices are an ultimatum. In the presence of three or more options is when we can be fully human."

- Moshé Feldenkrais

Come find your roots at Alki Feldenkrais.

1st timers complimentary lesson

erik@alkimoves.com

Erik LaSeur

206-406-8154

http://www.alkimoves.com/

For more on The Feldenkrais Method:

http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Running a business and teaching a Feldenkrais lesson

I had an interesting conversation tonight with a fellow West Seattle businessman at a West Seattle Chamber event.

We met at a previous function a few months ago and talked about our similar ways of looking at life. He studied martial arts, and I worked in a profession that was partially based on the martial arts, Judo in fact.

After talking with him a bit tonight I was curious how long he'd worked for himself, and how long it took him to feel successful in his current venture.
He told me he started working for himself at the age of 13 when he lived in Argentina and was in his current business for 10 years.

The conversation got really interesting when he started talking about the way he viewed his business and how he took time often to step away from it, to get a different view of it.
Some key things I remember him saying as a way of running his business were:

Stay creative
Be flexible
Step outside your business sphere on occasion to get a different look or perspective
Have fun and play with the process
Don't be afraid to make mistakes, sometimes these are really gifts
Have a strong foundation to build upon

Now, if you've ever had a Feldenkrais lesson, either in a class format or a private lesson you may recognize the above points as things we also use to enhance the learning process.

So running a business can be like giving a Feldenkrais lesson....who knew?

For more on the Feldenkrais Method:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Erik LaSeur GCFT
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher
Alki Feldenkrais

http://www.alkimoves.com/

Learning to move, moving to learn

Often when marketing my work I only have 45 seconds to tell a clear, compelling story to my audience.

So usually it revolves around learning to move easier.

This is something that most people can relate to, and doesn't send them running for the doors too quickly.

...

But it's a funny thing...this feldenkrais stuff.

...

Yes, you can learn to move with less effort and greater ease. But the point of the Feldenkrais Method is to use movement as a means of learning.

...

We use movement mainly because it's easier to measure than our feelings, thoughts, or senses.

.

Learning to learn so we can escape the 'fix' mentality that is prevalent in our society.

We're addicted to someone fixing us when we're broken.

"Doctor can you put me back together?"

.

Taking back our own inner knowledge of how to help ourselves.

This is the learning that is available to each one of us, at all times, wherever we are.

.

This learning isn't new to any of us.

We all did it when we were infants.

"How do I pick up my head so I can see Mommy?"

"If I can only figure out how to reach farther up, then I can grab that funny thing they hung over my crib."

.

No one taught us how to sit up, roll over, stand up, walk, etc.

These are things we all figured out. That we learned by exploring how we could find support from the environment we were in.

.

This same ability to learn is available now.

To learn how we can work and play without hurting ourselves, and do so with pleasure.

.

To learn more about the Feldenkrais Method:

http://www.feldenkrais.com/

.

Erik LaSeur GCFT

Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher

.

http://www.alkimoves.com/

.

Felden Christ

"Felden-Christ!"
.
That's often a response when I tell people what I do for a living.
.
"Uh, it rhymes with 'paradise'" I usually retort with a smile.
Feldenkrais is paradise as it allows us to move with more freedom and less pain.
.
For the first 4 months of BNI networking meetings I never mentioned that I was a Feldenkrais Teacher. Didn't want to spin people's brains from the utterance of the 'F-word'.

For a little paradise in your world check out the Feldenkrais Method.

Erik LaSeur GCFT
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher
http://www.alkimoves.com/
Improve your movement
improve your life
.
For more on the Feldenkrais Method:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/

Learning from mistakes

In the world of learning mistakes are a welcome part of the process. We have room to explore, try something one way, try it another way, and still another.
The goal in this type of learning isn't necessarily to do it right, but rather to test out other ways of doing something.
To see if there is another way of doing the same thing.
Knowing more than 2 ways of doing something gives us a choice in how to live our lives.
.
Moshe Feldenkrais said doing something one way consistently is nothing more than compulsion.
Knowing only two ways is an ultimatum.
But when we can know 3 or more ways how to do something then we can truly learn to be human.
.
So we play while in lessons, to see what other possibilities can become available for us.
So we can become more fully human.
.
Let go of the myth of perfection and allow yourself the room to make mistakes, it's the best way to learn how to do something new.
.
For more information on the Feldenkrais Method:
http://www.feldenkrais.com/
.
Erik LaSeur GCFT
Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher
http://www.alkimoves.com/
.
Improve your movement
Improve your life