LINKS

Really Useful and Totally Cool
Feldenlinks
Houston Spaces & Places
Singer Stuff
Body, Mind, Spirit
Music & Miscellaney

"Really Useful/Totally Cool"

Mastery of Learning®: Chris Welsh, Mentor for Learning and Creativity Development
Learning is a lifelong skill.  With the rate of change in technology, society, and business, the essential survival skill is the ability to learn, and learn quickly.  Chris Welsh can help you to rediscover the childlike joy of learning that you had before school, experts, and "formal education" messed everything up.  His core curriculum, Mastery of Learning®, will teach you what THEY should have, but didn't.  Learning, at its best, is play.  Explore his website for current offerings including the new Genius Project.

The UH Women's Forum 2008 Gathering: 
What's Next:  Exploring the Edge
March 27 & 28, 2008
Join women in the vanguard of business, the arts, science and technology, health care, sports and adventure to find what they are doing to move forward.  Speakers, presentations, marketplace, networking.  This year's inaugural event will be spectacular! (And yours truly, MaryBeth Smith, will be leading a breakout session entitled "Exploring the Inner Edge," which will be an experience of the Feldenkrais Method®!)

The event will be held at the HIlton Hotel and Conference Center at the University of Houston.  Register and find more info on the website.

The UP Experience II:  February 19, 2009
Ernie and Sheryl Rapp, visionary organizers and founders
How would you like to spend a day with the most innovative thinkers, creators, and innovators in the world?  That's the UP Experience:  20 renowned experts, making 20 powerful presentations, each with just 20 minutes to share their passion and vision.  As this website develops, you'll be able to see podcasts from the inaugural UP Experience from February 2008, and get inspired all over again.

Audio Acrobat:  If your website is your "calling card" to the world, then you should let your voice be heard!  I've used Audio Acrobat for two years, and have used it extensively for creating and storing all of my audio mp3 products, as well as being the home for all the recordings for DictionHelper.com.  Sign up for their demo, and see how adding audios to your website can provide new ways of adding value for your clients, as well as creating new income streams.

Greystone Guides:  Mattison Grey, personal and business coaching
Need help figuring out what you REALLY want?  Not what you THINK you want, but what you REALLY want?  Mattison Grey's individual coaching sessions and seminars will inspire you to take action in making your life happen. (I know, I've experienced it first hand.) 

That Was Zen, This Is Wow: 232 Ideas for Transforming Your Life from Ordinary To Extraordinary
by Rob Engleman and Russell Riendeau.  It's my current favorite inspirational book for the "business and getting things done" piece.  Available from Amazon.com--go to the "Buy Stuff" link and get you one!

SelfGrowth.com is the most complete guide to information about Self Improvement, Personal Growth and Self Help on the Internet. It is designed to be an organized directory, with articles and references to thousands of other Web Sites on the World Wide Web.

back to top

"Feldenlinks"

The Feldenkrais Guild® of North America (FGNA)
The main source for information about the Feldenkrais Method®. Check out the SenseAbility newsletter, which details applications of the work in a variety of situations. You can also order books and tapes about the method, find links to other practitioners and training programs.

Curious about the relationship between Rolfing® and the Feldenkrais Method®?  Click to read an article that will answer some questions, and provide further resources for your investigation.

Institute for the Study of Somatic Education (ISSE)
Paul Rubin and Julie Casson Rubin are the Educational Directors of Feldenkrais Teacher Trainings through ISSE. (They trained me!) They are open for enrollment in their current Chicago training in May and October of 2006.  The ISSE website contains information about the trainings they sponsor world-wide, along with some wonderfully informative articles about the Method.

Feldenkrais Ann Arbor
If you're traveling and find yourself in Ann Arbor, Michigan and looking for Feldenkrais, see my fabulous classmate Joanna Myers.  She's a wonderful musician who gives lovely Feldenkrais lessons filled with beauty and harmony.

Feldenkrais Center of Chicago
Craig Trompeter is a world-class musician who brings his experience, sensitivity, and highly-refined listening skills to his practice with a wide range of individuals.

Feldenkrais Movement Resources of Lafayette (IN)
Carla Rock teaches classes at the Morton Community Center in West Lafayette, IN, and also teaches workshops around the region.  She frequently collaborates with Craig Trompeter at the Feldenkrais Center of Chicago.  Articulate, intuitive, and highly skilled as a physical therapist, sessions with Carla are an extraordinary experience.

Feldenkrais Center for Movement Education (San Francisco)
Open since 1988, this is the longest established Feldenkrais center in the Bay Area. Its staff includes some of the most experienced practitioners in the world, including Deborah Bowes, Julie Casson-Rubin, and Cliff Smythe.

The Motion Potion: Nancy Wozny, GCFP
Nancy Wozny is a dancer, writer, Feldenkrais practitioner, bonne vivante, and internet blogger!  Also check out her blog DanceHunter for a dancer's eye view of everything that's moving in Houston.

The Asheville Movement Center:  Lavinia Plonka, GCFP
Nationally recognized author and movement educator Lavinia Plonka is a master at bringing the Feldenkrais Method to life via the spoken and written word.  When in North Carolina, she is a must-see!

WakeUp FELDENKRAIS:  Chris Elms, GCFP
This is a blog with fascinating reflections on the work, sample lessons, and a great list of "The Glories of Feldenkrais."  As you begin to develop some vocabulary to talk about this work and your experiences with it, you'll find Chris's blog is a great place to get the ball rolling.

Feldenkrais for You:  Holly Bonasera, GCFP
Holly Bonasera is a San Francisco-based Feldenkrais practitioner and Physical Therapist who has devised this wonderful source of audio mini-Awareness Through Movement® lessons.

Feldenkrais Buzz
This is another of Holly Bonasera's blogs, devoted to "musings and events from the blogosphere related to the Feldenkrais Method of Somatic Education."  What is really wonderful are all the testimonials from folks who have used the method to improve some aspect of their daily lives, from being in an acting class to "performing" the Four Winds Kata.  Great stuff!

utahfeldenkrais:  Ryan Nagy, GCFP
Ryan Nagy is a PhD student in Developmental Psychology at the University of Utah. As he states, "Developmental Psychology is a broadly defined field that includes research in changes across the lifespan from infancy to adolescence to adulthood."  He has established himself as a source and clearinghouse of sorts for research studies about and associated with the Feldenkrais Method, as well as great videos and links to other articles of interest.  Check out his BLOG as well!

Kinesophics.com:  Lynette Reid, PhD, GCFP
This is a glorious blog from Lynette Reid, featuring audio lessons, articles of interest, and online lessons.  Her site is a great resource for the general public as well as for practitioners seeking to deepen their experience and understanding of the method.

Somatic Options™: Ralph Strauch, PhD, GCFP
Ralph Strauch has written a number of thought provoking and inspiring articles about the Feldenkrais Method.  He's particularly interested in the way we create our experiences (check out "The Reality Illusion"). I first came to know him through his book, "Low Stress Computing," which provides a wealth of information about avoiding or recovering from repetitive stress injury. 

back to top

"Spaces and Places"

The Bridges Academy  of Fine Arts at St. Luke's United Methodist Church
3741 Westheimer @ Edloe (in River Oaks)
Houston, TX
The Bridges Academy is a community music school, and an outgrowth of the dynamic fine arts program at the church. They provide private lessons in a number of classical music disciplines, and student performances that are open to the community.

The Jung Center of Houston
5200 Montrose Blvd. (in the Museum District)
Houston, TX
Art gallery, studio space, workshops, courses, bookstore and library:  the Jung Center assembles an amazing faculty to present a broad spectrum of programming. Their mission is "to support the development of self-awareness, creative expression, and psychological insight -- individually, in relationship, and in community." It is truly a unique presence in Houston.

The Motherhood Center
3701 W. Alabama, Suite 230
Houston, TX
The Motherhood Center, founded by Gabriela Gerhart, is the premiere resource for the modern woman.  They offer an abundance of prenatal and postnatal resources, to help women have a successful, happy and healthy journey into motherhood and beyond.

PilatesHouston
Corporate Plaza II
3930 Kirby, Suite 102
Houston, TX 77098
(Near Kirby & 59)
Named by Health and Fitness magazine as one of Houston's top 3 Pilates studios, founder James Harren and his team of pros offer a top quality Pilates experience founded on personal training in private and semi-private sessions.  We are so pleased to be able to contribute to the well-being of their clients.

The Spectrum Center
4200 Westheimer @Mid Lane
Houston, TX
We're excited about our association with our new partner, The Spectrum Center.  Founded in 1988 by Rosa Glenn Reilly, they are "Dedicated to the education and well being of individuals and families through workshops, lectures and professional care. We are inclusive of traditional and non-traditional approaches to health, spirituality and lifestyle.”

Synchronized Kneads, Inc.
5757 Woodway, Suite 190
Houston, TX
Owner Laurie Neri and her staff offer Pilates, post-injury rehabilitation, therapeutic massage, Reiki, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Facials, and monthly Feldenkrais workshops. We are so pleased to be associated with them!

Unity Church of Christianity
2920 Unity Drive
Houston, TX
Unity offers a POSITIVE, PRACTICAL, and PROGRESSIVE approach to Christianity. Unity honors all spiritual paths, and looks for truth beyond tradition. They are a center of New Thought and spiritual evolution locally, nationally, and globally.  "Teaching, loving, and inspiring people to be all they were created to be."  Check out their bookstore, Dynamic Speakers Series, and the panoply of classes for Mind, Body, and Spirit.

back to top

"Singer Stuff"

DictionHelper.com™
DictionHelper.com™ exists to be in service to young singers and their teachers, providing downloadable recordings of foreign-language texts for use in preparing classical solo songs for auditions, competitions, or ongoing vocal study. In addition to the audio downloads ($1.99 each), pages include practice hints for singers and a really useful links page. An outstanding, innovative concept in classical music-related websites.

The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)
The site for and about singing and teachers of singing. Links to lots of cool singer sites and resources.

The Sound Singing Institute:  Dr. Sharon Radionoff
Sharon Radionoff, PhD., specializes in the rehabilitation, care, and training of injured voices.  Her approach to the "whole person" through research-based vocal pedagogy has gained her legions of enthusiastic students who have successfully resumed their careers (thanks to her) after vocal surgery, trauma, or injury.  She's the "go -to" if you're in vocal distress.

TheVocalist
International email mailing list and free resource for singers and singing teachers.

BlankSheetMusic.net
Print blank sheet music for free, supports guitar and bass tabs too, ready-to-print sheets in a few seconds, no software to download & install, no watermarks on prints.

back to top

"Body, Mind, Spirit"

Healthy Lifestyle with Marian Bell.
Marian Bell has started many on the path to wellness and vibrant well-being through nutrition.  She is a Houston-based, international consultant offering health and wellness coaching, nutritional counseling, a plethora of classes, and a glorious cooking service.  She tells you the "What" to do, and not do; then helps you to create the "How's" that work for you.  Her approach is fun, easy, painless, and delicious! 

Stuart Marmorstein, DC founded Head to Foot to help people eliminate chronic pain and health problems at their source. He is a Bio Cranial expert and uses a variety of rapidly effective and non-invasive Western and Oriental methods to support patients from around the globe in their quest for wellness. 713.831.6875.

West U. Wellness:  Drs. Caroline Long, Kalina Bauman, and Sherman Yeager
5186 Buffalo Speedway
Houston, TX
The chiropractors at West U. Wellness are dedicated to being family doctors and providing holistic, effective pro-active health care for the entire family. They are committed to educating both patients and  community about the benefits of alternative health care including chiropractic, acupuncture, and nutrition. 

Healing Choices: Your guide to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare Author of the book, Healing Choices, offers information on holistic & natural medicine as well as modalities, finding practitioners, stress management, cancer resources, and more! The book is also offered in hard copy
& e-book formats.

Healing Houston:  Networking for Health and Wellness
This great site aims to create and build a learning and professional resource for improving health, wellness, and personal and spiritual growth, promoting the philosophy of holistic living.  The site features interesting articles (including "Healing, Awareness and Learning" by MBS!) and contact info for an array of alternative practitioners in Houston.

Relax for Success: Kathryn Watson, RMT, CHt
Kathryn Watson works with individuals and groups to help them de-stress, relax, and renew.  She's a wonderfully engaging person, and even a few moments spent in her company are relaxing and revitalizing.  She's done her homework, so her presentations emphasize the physiological, neurological and emotional benefits of relaxation, meditation, and other techniques. In other words, relaxation can transcend and positively affect all aspects of your life. 

The Self-Expression Center
Sandra Zimmer's Self Expression Center in Houston seeks to help people be more comfortable, confident and compelling in front of an audience. Their many courses include training for presentation, public speaking, acting, fear of public speaking, stage fright, speaking voice and communication skills. Top-notch coaching in a nurturing environment.

back to top

"Music and Miscellany"

Misha Penton, multi-disciplinary artist
Misha has art and creativity in every cell.  She's a dancer, choreographer, composer, graphic artist, award-winning painter, singer, recording engineer, and computer whiz.  Whew!  Check out her site and be amazed. . .

Tabitha Monet, singer-songwriter
Truly an original voice, Tabitha's website showcases her lyrics, songs from her latest CD, and artwork.  She describes her work as "collage:"  ideas taken from anywhere and everywhere, new possibilities emerging from changes in position and viewpoint.  She shares her quest for authentic self-expression in her fearless, fascinating music and lyrics.

Amazing Grits Music, songwriters Anne Kent Rush and Kathryn Scheldt
Inspired by the sights, sounds, animals, and nature of the Gulf Coast, Alabama artists Kent and Kathryn are giving away their new CD when people make a donation to The Haven, a no-kill animal shelter in Fairhope, AL.  The Haven is rescuing animals in a 3-state area in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  (Kathryn is also a Feldenkrais practitioner!) If you've been looking for a way to help, here's a cool one.

Gregory Jerome
Classical guitarist and Web designer with a soul. What can I say? He's just the best.

back to top