Donna Ray's Blog

Ideas Worth Spreading

2012-02-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

Contemporary psychology shows us how to create satisfaction and happiness in our lives.

Inner Island of Mindfulness

2012-01-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Create a moment of peace in your busy day.

The Great Bell Chant (The End of Suffering) from R Smittenaar on Vimeo.

Murmuration

2012-01-02T20:19:00.000-08:00

A chance encounter and shared moment with one of natures greatest and most fleeting phenomena. Mesmerizing murmuration (a collection of Starlings in an aerial ballet)

This astonishing sequence was filmed by wild life cameraman and travel journalist Dylan Winter who is currently sailing around the UK in an 18 foot boat. You can follow his journey and see more of his work at www.keepturningleft.co.uk.

Bicycles for Kids in Need. Do Something Now

2011-12-31T17:28:00.000-08:00

Bicycles change the lives of children in need in underdeveloped countries. Bravo to Harve and Lettie Meskin for making this a reality.

The Divided Brain

2011-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

In this new RSAnimate, renowned psychiatrist and writer Iain McGilchrist explains how our 'divided brain' has profoundly altered human behaviour, culture and society. Taken from a lecture given by Iain McGilchrist as part of the RSA's free public events program.

Wolf Women

2011-11-13T09:02:00.000-08:00

♛ Women Who Run With The Wolves ♛

A healthy woman is much like a wolf, strong life force, life-giving, territorially aware, intuitive and loyal. Yet separation from her wildish nature causes a woman to become meager, anxious, and fearful. The wild nature carries the medicine for all things. She carries stories, dreams, words and songs. She carries everything a woman needs to be and know. She is the essence of the female soul... With the wild nature as ally and teacher, we see not through two eyes only, but through the many eyes of intuition. With intuition we are like the starry night, we gaze at the world through a thousand eyes.

~~Clarissa Pinkola Estes Women who run with wolves thanks to Perceptive Artista... for this sharing

The Power of Words

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is a powerful video, please watch!

Words of Wisdom

2011-11-07T06:57:00.001-08:00

Extraordinary Toroidal Vortices

2011-10-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

The Whole-Brain Child

2011-10-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive

I listened to Dan and Tina review their new book last week. Their excitement is infectious. The book is easy to read. A must for all people who love and care for children.

The Whole-Brain Child

by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
(Delacorte Press 2011)

Your toddler throws a tantrum in the middle of a store. Your preschooler refuses to get dressed. Your fifth-grader sulks on the bench instead of playing on the field. Do children conspire to make their parents’ lives endlessly challenging? No—it’s just their developing brain calling the shots!

In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling book Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson demystify the meltdowns and aggravation, explaining the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids can seem—and feel—so out of control. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth. Raise calmer, happier children using twelve key strategies, including...

Praise:
“Siegel and Bryson clearly explain how the brain develops, pointing out specific examples of the brain at work in various situations.”

– Publishers Weekly
"This erudite, tender and funny book is filled with fresh ideas based on the latest neuroscience research. I urge all parents who want kind, happy, and emotionally healthy kids to read The Whole-Brain Child."

– Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other

“The Whole-Brain Child is chock-full of strategies for raising happy, resilient children. It offers powerful tools for helping children develop the emotional intelligence they will need to be successful in the world. Parents will learn ways to feel more connected to their children, and more satisfied in their role as a parent.”

– Christine Carter, Ph.D., author of Raising Happiness

“In their dynamic and readable new book, Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson sweep aside the old models of 'good' and 'bad' parenting to offer a scientific focus: the impact of parenting on brain development. Parents will certainly recognize themselves in the lively 'aha' anecdotes that fill these pages.”

– Michael Thompson, Ph.D.

Sitting Effortlessly

2011-10-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

View this lovely demonstration by Pianist/Feldenkrais Practitioner Andrew Gibbons. Apply these tips to any sitting activity.

Feldenkrais for Musical Performance from Irene Gutteridge on Vimeo.

On The Road Again

2011-09-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

I just arrived in NY, a short stay over visiting my son Nathan Reese. I am on my way to Rome tomorrow evening. Before flying, I am meeting with Feldenkrais practitioner Anastasi Siotas at his Union Square office. We will trade FI's, a little tune up on the way to Rome will be terrific. Receiving a lesson before a long flight makes the flight so much more comfortable. I will be teaching an advanced training in Rome. Subject: Using developmental movements, with infants, children and adults.
Following Rome, I will be teaching in Palermo, Sicily. This professional training to become Feldenkrais practitioners is still enrolling. A beautiful place to study. Let me know if your are interested.

Return from Japan teaching tour.

2011-07-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

Back to private practice after teaching in Japan for two weeks. Had wonderful time teaching advanced training to Feldenkrais Practitioners, using developmental movement with children and adults. In addition, taught Recovering from Trauma courses. Well received and much needed. My heart goes out to all Japanese people. Every person I met with individually and in group processes shared their stories of the earth quake and tsunami that occurred on March 11th. They are dealing with nuclear contamination as well. Their recovery process is ongoing, and I hope to remind the rest of us that they still need our help.

Ode to the Brain by Symphony of Science

2011-07-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

Understanding the brain gives hope to humanity. Change the brain, change the mind.