the art of Focusing
this is a course for anyone who wants to go deeply into Focusing and the philosophy behind it, whether they are experienced Focusing practitioners or fairly new to the work
Dana ganihar | baruch brenner
About Focusing:
Focusing is a practice developed by the philosopher and psychologist Eugene Gendlin a professor at Chicago University. At its core, it acknowledges that every experience, situation, or problem is broader and much more intricate than what a person perceives. Directing attention to our “felt sense” of what is happening in a situation allows for the ‘more’ within it to open up. This is a ‘more’ that cannot be understood through regular thinking, but only through the “felt meaning” which is something that we sense in the body. The Focusing practice teaches precise steps through which a body sensation is transformed into a new understanding. These movements are what allow us to transition from closed, stuck, or ‘confused’ life situations towards new life movement.
However, this is only the first phase. The opening of the ‘more’ also changes our “self” to be more – more intricate and varied; with sensitivity to finer resolutions and an ability to handle complex situations with a broader perspective.
In Focusing as developed at the Shakio Institute, we focus not only on changing life situations but also on learning how focusing can transform the self and our ways of perceiving life.
Focusing is not just aimed at alleviating and providing a “better solution” for life problems, or just at uncovering the complexity inherent in every situation; all these do, in fact, take place as part of the focusing process, but focusing also teaches the person to recognize themselves as a ‘being in creation(ing)’. A being who is continually being created and is a partner to the process of their creation.
As well as being relevant to all of life and many specific areas such as health and education, Focusing is also particularly helpful for our contemplative spiritual journey and very relevant to spiritual companioning – for both companions and those they journey with.
About the facilitators:
Dana and Baruch, the course instructors, are both certified coordinators by the International Focusing Institute. They have conducted many focusing courses (from basic to certification courses) individually and together for the general public, therapists, doctors, students, and lecturers in academia, and more.
course details
12 sessions on Wednesdays:
9 consecutive weeks, a one week break and then 3 consecutive weeks
course starts on February 26th
24 hours
Dates: 26.2, 5.3, 12.3, 19.3, 26.3, 2.4, 9.4, 23.4, 30.4, 7.5, 14.5, 21.5
time: 10:00-12:00 (Israel), 9:00-11:00 (CET), 19:00-21:00 (Melbourne)
Price: 460 USD / approx. 675 AUD/approx. 410 EUR
Join the course
You are invited to join an open introductory session “Taste and See” on Wednesday, January 22nd, from 10:00-11:00 (Israel), 9:00-10:00 (CET), and 19:00-20:00 (Melbourne). register for the introductory session here >>.
Please write us if in need of financial assistance to info@shakio.org.
We have chosen this time to accommodate the Australian time zone . We have a relationship with WellSpring Centre in Melbourne Australia and some of their community have participated in a number of our trainings. WellSpring offers a range of courses in contemplative practice and Spiritual Companioning. Please see their website for details https://www.wellspringcentre.org.au
For more information:
ABOUT US
Shakio is a space for collaborative exploration founded by Dana Ganihar, an experienced Focusing instructor and a teacher of the philosophy of Eugene Gendlin, and Baruch Brenner a multidisciplinary artist, rabbi and certified Focusing instructor who investigates and teaches performance art and Jewish mysticism.
Baruch Brenner is an Israeli Focusing facilitator, theater director, actor, singer, teacher and an ordained Orthodox Rabbi. Over the last 25 years, he has been a leading innovator in integrating Jewish and spiritual practices with experiential work in theatre, movement and vocal arts. He was the artistic director of the Vertigo lab in the eco-art village, and a research fellow and member of Jerzy Grotowski theater ensemble.
Dana Ganihar, M.Sc. is a teacher and researcher certified as a Focusing Coordinator by the international focusing institute in New York. Over the last couple decades she has led numerous workshops and seminars exploring the work of psychologist and philosopher Eugene Gendlin: IBF – Instancing Based Focusing, PoI – Philosophy of the Implicit, and TAE – Thinking At the Edge.
Dana has initiated cooperative research exploring the potential impact of Focusing practices on diverse fields such as biology, architecture, creative writing and religion.
testimonials
“I have been studying with Dana and Baruch for a couple of years and have done several courses with them exploring prayer and prayerful living in relation to the philosophy of Eugene Gendlin and wisdom from the Jewish mystical tradition. I have found this work invaluable in my own contemplative life journey, as well as in my role as a spiritual companion and as a teacher in formation programmes in contemplative practice and spiritual companioning. It has also enriched my work as a Feldenkrais practitioner and teacher of embodied living. I have done some study in Focusing previously, but am very excited to do a Focusing training with Dana and Baruch, as I know the approach they offer is unique and goes well beyond a therapeutic technique.”
Jennifer Guild, Melbourne Australia
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