Carol Kress & Dennis Leri

Embracing the Unexpected: Prelude to the 5 Winds Kata

With Dennis Leri and Carol Kress

This selection of Awareness Through Movement lessons by Dennis and Carol centers on the 5 Winds Kata Series, or as it is named in Japanese, the itsutsu no kata. A kata (literally, form in Japanese) is a choreographed pattern of movements practiced either solo or in pairs which emphasizes the form and order of a process. A wind is an invisible force of tradition that furnishes momentum to any art that incorporates it. Just as a leaf is propelled along by an invisible wind, so does a tradition whose influence is palpable but unseen propel one along a path like judo or here the Feldenkrais Method.

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With Dennis Leri and Carol Kress

This selection of Awareness Through Movement lessons by Dennis and Carol centers on the 5 Winds Kata Series, or as it is named in Japanese, the itsutsu no kata. A kata (literally, form in Japanese) is a choreographed pattern of movements practiced either solo or in pairs which emphasizes the form and order of a process. A wind is an invisible force of tradition that furnishes momentum to any art that incorporates it. Just as a leaf is propelled along by an invisible wind, so does a tradition whose influence is palpable but unseen propel one along a path like judo or here the Feldenkrais Method.

Embodying all the principles of judo, the 5 Winds Kata was deconstructed by Moshe Feldenkrais to make this traditional form accessible to an audience wider than one interested in martial arts. The lessons presented in this workshop are foundational to both the Kata and the Feldenkrais Method. If you can enjoy and understand the process of learning begun with these lessons, then you will find a profound deepening of your understanding of Awareness Through Movementand the Feldenkrais Method.

    Day One
  • The Wave #1 (DL)
  • Subtle Breathing #1 (CK)
  • Hip Joints #1 (CK)
  • Lifting Elbows (CK)
  • Day Two
  • Sawing Arms #1 (DL)
  • The Wave #2 (DL)
  • Subtle Breathing (CK)
  • Sawing Arms #2 (DL)
  • Day Three
  • Sawing Arms #3 (DL)
  • Subtle Breathing #3 (CK)
  • Sitting, Eyes (CK)
  • Hip Joints #2 (CK)
  • Day Four
  • Sawing Arms #4 (DL)
  • Eyeball Sculpting (DL)
  • Hip Joints #3 (CK)
  • Interlacing Toes (DL)
  • Day Five
  • The Wave #3 - Arms Behind (DL)
  • Subtle Breathing #4 (CK)
  • Tongue (CK)
  • Kata - A Glimpse (DL)
Dennis Leri graduated from the first U.S. Feldenkrais training program and worked closely with Dr. Feldenkrais from 1973 to 1984 in the U.S. and at the Feldenkrais Institute in Tel-Aviv, Israel. He directed numerous training programs and was widely regarded as an innovative and inspiring teacher.
 
Dennis complemented his teaching with the Neuro-Epistemology of Francisco Varela, Humberto Maturana and Heinz von Forester. He also had a long-time interest in Western philosophy, Buddhism and had deep experience in the martial arts. During his life, Dennis practiced the Method in various forms for more than 30 years.

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