Living in the Body Upcoming Classes with Barry Kapke
Zen Shiatsu is a traditional healing art that seeks to promote and maintain balance and wellness by encouraging the unimpeded flow of vital life energy (qi) throughout the body. The Zen Shiatsu form makes use of relaxed body weight (hands, thumbs, elbows, feet) and simple natural movements, practiced on a clothed "recipient." The work is done on mats on the floor. Zen Shiatsu is the most non-diagnostic (nonjudgmental) and non-invasive (gentle yet firm) style of Shiatsu and focuses on the internal cultivation of the practitioner. This 103-hour course confers certification as a Shiatsu Therapist. The Zen Shiatsu course at SFSM is instructed by Barry Kapke and meets twice a week for 13 weeks. Day or evening study is available. The day course is from May 31 through August 30, 1:30-5pm. The evening course is from May 20 through August 19, 6-9:30pm. Cost: $875.
SomaNet Study Group. Summer Focus: Breema for Bodyworkers. The SomaNet Study Group will be focusing on Breema and Bodhiwork as a practice-based context for examining principles and issues pertinent to the bodywork professional. Some themes we will explore include: body mechanics for maximum efficiency and effortlessness; mutual support; gravity and weight; being vulnerable; following the thread; mindful touch; etc. The Study Group is offered on a donation basis ($5-15/session) in an attempt to balance sustainability for the teacher/group and accessibility/affordability for the students. A commitment to attend most, if not all, of the 10 sessions is required. Meetings are hosted by the San Francisco School of Massage, on the following Sunday evenings: May 19, Jun 2, 8, 23, Jul 14, 28, Aug 11, 25, Sep 8, 22, from 7-9pm.
Fundamentals of Zen Shiatsu. This is a hands-on workshop to present & explore basic skills & principles of Zen Shiatsu, & to learn a simplified full-body "treatment." The class will be useful to Swedish Massage practitioners, as well as those who may be considering the Shiatsu Certification program at SFSM. Saturday, June 1, from 9am-6pm. COST: $80.
Breema Bodywork & Movement. Breema is a traditional Kurdish form of energy-balancing bodywork, unique in its focus on the practitioner rather than the client. This hands-on workshop presents a substantial introduction to Breema principles & bodywork techniques. You will learn powerful methods for nurturing & vitalizing the whole body, including application of whole-body "leaning", holds, "brushing", multiple points of contact, & a playful flavor that is uniquely Breema. Saturday and Sunday, August 31-September 1, 9am-5pm. COST: $160.
Introduction to Bodhiwork. Bodhiwork is an exploration of the nexus between non-invasive bodyworks, movement, meditation, and Buddhist teachings and principles. "Bodhi" means "awakened." Bodhiwork is a practice of mindful touch. It is a way of "working/being" here and now in a relationship of mutual support, beneficial to both practitioner & "recipient." Attendance at the 8/31-9/1 Breema Intensive is recommended. We will be doing hands-on work individually, in pairs, and in small groups. Saturday, September 28, from 9am-6pm. COST: $80.
All of the above classes will be held at San Francisco School of Massage, 2209 Van Ness Avenue (near Broadway). Space is limited and pre-registration is required! To register, contact: San Francisco School of Massage, (415) 474-4600. For more information, contact: Barry Kapke, (510) 620-0936, or e-mail: Barry.Kapke@dharmanet.org
Also, please contact Barry if you are interested in participating in the Bodywork in Nature outings -- explorations of the effects of environment on bodywork -- at various outdoor locations, or The Body Image Project, an ongoing photo-essay exploring how we embody our thoughts and images of ourselves and the effects of thoughts and images on our body-being.