Creating Space for Lasting Change

In this Introduction to Focusing, you will learn a practical step-by-step process that moves you toward your well-being with any life issue, on your own & in partnership, now & in the future. Focusing includes a variety of relational mindfulness skills. We begin here with the ground upon which all the other skills more easily grow from. We learn here to exercise our Self-in-Presence muscle. This class provides you with a structure to practice this way of being.

Self-in-Presence is a space of radical acceptance you learn to create where change can safely emerge. If you have heard the phrase, ‘neurons that fire together, wire together’, this gives you another feel for what we are practicing here. This is ultimate self-care supported by the structure of this class. You will learn to let go of some of the ways of relating that Western Society has encouraged for a more authentic satisfying sense of being in this world. You will get better at creating a sense of safety within yourself despite the chaos of the world around us. And you will come to understand more deeply and clearly how your brain and body do what they do for you and why they sometimes don’t do something for you.

Our motto in this class is Empowered Focuser, Relaxed Companion. The Focuser is always in charge of their inner process. We unlearn western cultural habits of fixing and setting others straight and how to be what is most needed as a listener. Time spent Focusing with a partner actively rewires our neurons so that our brain/bodies can more effectively function at their highest potential for us. Because these Presencing skills are not prevalent in our society in general, most of us crave simple radical acceptance. We are good enough.

If you are ready to empower yourself in these relational ways (and so much more!), then I invite you to bring the magic of Focusing into your life! This workshop is offered in six 2 hr sessions over a period of 2 months. If you choose to continue, you can follow this directly into a Part 2 class that we will schedule as a group. We utilize Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin's Focusing Student Manuals throughout the series. The entire Parts 1-4 series generally ends up as a 1 or 1.5 year long journey. Focusing practice between sessions with others in the class is highly recommended. 

Class sizes are limited. Please register early if the dates/times work well for you. Contact me at [email protected] or 540-552-0203 to register. OR you can visit my website www.sandyjahmi.com and sign up there.

PART 1 WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

6  Wednesday evenings – Starting September 25

7-9 pm Eastern New York Time, 6-8 pm CT, 5-7 pm MT, 4-6 pm PT or your equivalent

September 25, October 9, October 23, November 6, November 20, December 4

Prerequisite: Guided Focusing Session

*Note Daylight savings time changes November 3 for me. Our time will shift backward 1 hour for our last three classes. 

Course Fee: $160

Support for payment options is available. 

Contact me at [email protected] or 540-552-0203 to register. You can visit my website for more information HERE.

Prerequisite: a Guided Session with a certified Focusing Professional, preferably within the previous year. I offer a 1.5 hr First-time Guided Session for $95. This includes some teaching prep around the skills below that prepares you to lead yourself in for the first class.

This class is essentially Inner Relationship Focusing with some neuroscience and embodiment additions. The skill set we work with in Part 1 includes:

Creating a space within that welcomes a fresh ‘felt sense’

The various ways our body might communicate with us beyond words

Forming relationships with what comes up

Staying with them

Sensing when they change

Sensing what fits and doesn’t

Being with one body sense even as you’re sensing something new arising

Enjoying positive feelings

There will be arrival practices, lectures, demonstrations, question periods, small & large group exercises. You will be paired to practice a Focusing exercise with another participant or a class assistant each class session. There will also be an additional paired homework exercise between sessions that will take approximately 45 min. This additional exercise is done over the phone or videoconference. Please plan to attend all sessions for the full time of the meeting. Missing one class is still easy to keep up with us. If you miss more than one class, we'll talk about ways to make it up or it may be best to repeat the level.