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FOAT® TOOLS TELECONFERENCES Via Zoom
Mondays PDT at 3:00 PM. See time zone links under each teleconference below.
Teleconference Format:
It would be helpful to have a few sheets of paper to draw on or a sketch pad...and some simple drawing materials that you like...such as oil pastels, markers (thick/thin), crayons or colored pencils. If you like paint, feel free to use it too. Simplicity is best as the time for creating is brief.
NOTE: There have already been 3 previous teleconferences: FOAT® Community, Mindful breathing and Pebble Meditation; and Focusing Attitude. You are welcome to join in during the following upcoming teleconferences.
To Register: Click here to register for the teleconferences that you would like to attend. If you are unable to attend but are still interested, you will be able to view the teleconferences for a limited time period (information to follow in a later email).You need to register in advance-whether you attend the Live Teleconference or wish to view it at a later time.
Materials to have with you: paper, simple art materials (e.g. markers, oil pastels, crayons, colored pencils, simple water colors).
Peaceful Place
3:00-4:30 PDT (Click here for your time zone)
Facilitators: Laury Rappaport, Founder/Director with Marise Lariviere, Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®
Taking the time to focus on a peaceful place (a place you know or make up in your imagination) helps the body to relax and restore— which is helpful during times of stress. Focusing and the arts are integrated into the experience.
Monday, April 27th
Clearing a Space with the Arts
3:00-4:30 PDT (Click here for your time zone)
Facilitators: Laury Rappaport, Founder/Director with Lynn Pollock, Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®
Clearing a Space with the Arts is an exercise that teaches how to identify stressors and to imagine setting them at a distance, outside of your body. It is based on Eugene Gendlin’s Clearing a Space exercise which has been researched showing its benefits for stress reduction. The exercise also helps us to access an inherent place of wellbeing that is always there. The arts are used to concretize and carry forward the benefits from the experience.
Monday, May 4th
FOAT® Check-in
3:00-4:30 PDT (Click here for your time zone)
Facilitator: Laury Rappaport, Founder/Director
Note: A FOAT® Check-in provides an opportunity to see what is there— what we are carrying in our body-spirit-mind in the present moment. It is different from the structured Theme-based topics (e.g. peaceful place; source of strength; etc.) as a FOAT® Check-in invites us to whatever is there— which may be challenging feelings, as well as grounded, resilient felt senses. If you are new to FOAT® or Focusing, we advise taking one of the other Theme-Directed weeks first.
If you know you feel too vulnerable to allow the more challenging felt senses to have a place to arise, it is advisable to take one of the more structured Theme-Based weeks (such as Source of Strength; Peaceful Place; Self-care, etc.).
During the FOAT® Check-in, we will take time to center and ground ourselves, followed by checking in with our felt sense to see how we are now. After, we will get a symbol (a word, phrase, image, gesture or sound) and express It through the arts and/or journal. We will then do another Focusing step, and ask it if it needs anything. We will form small breakout groups for sharing and listening to our partners.
Monday, May 11th
Source of Strength
3:00-4:30 PDT (Click here for your time zone)
Facilitators: Laury Rappaport, Founder/Director with Grace Brillantes-Evangelista, Certified Focusing Trainer: Specialization in FOAT®
This FOAT® exercise helps to become aware of something in your life that is, or has been, a source of strength or support. We will take time to Focus on the source of strength, get a felt sense and symbol (a word, phrase, image, gesture or sound) and express it through writing, art, movement or sound.
Monday, May 18th
Self-Care
3:00-4:30 PDT (Click here for your time zone)
Facilitator: Laury Rappaport, Founder/Director with TBA
We will share a guided FOAT ® exercise to explore what we are needing for self-care; what’s in the way; and what’s a small step to take. Focusing and the arts are integrated into the experience.
May 25th: Memorial Day Holiday
Sending warm greetings to all!
Laury