This week, one of my Feldenkrais teachers passed away. I wanted to share a little, to celebrate her long life with you all. Chava Shelhav was one of Moshe Feldenkrais’ first students- he chose 13 to work with. She was the youngest at the time, and like many of the Israeli students, taught on Feldenkrais’ first trainings in America.
A few years ago, I was the vice-chair of the UK Feldenkrais Guild. I organised a project to ask all the remaining “original disciples” – (as I like to call them) to come and teach our members. We were fortunate to have Ruthy Alon,followed by Chava. Sadly, by that point they were the only two left at the time able to travel.
Chava was generous with her teaching, sharing stories of Moshe, and her experience. I was in charge of making sure she had everything she needed whilst teaching. She was both kind and warm in her appreciation, and patient as we organised tech. She gave wonderful advice to us as teachers. Both encouraging us, and suggesting we share how Feldenkrais works with our students. Rather than leave them in mystery. And that’s very clear in her own teaching of both Feldenkrais and ChildSpace. Feldenkrais encouraged his students not to amke it their own. So ChildSpace is her adaptation of Feldenkrais for work with babies and parents).
ChildSpace came out of her PhD research into child development. Together with Feldenkrais she adapted his work for her own purpose. To work with babies, and parents: the whole family constellation. Helping them teach communication to their babies, and encourage their development. At this point she has trained thousands of practitioners around the globe. Her ChildSpace trainings are happening in Japan, South America, as well as across Europe. A wonderful legacy to leave the world.
Whilst Chava didn’t share much of her work with babies with us that weekend, it led to me going to Amsterdam: to see if I wanted to study her ChildSpace Method.
Whilst I wanted to, at the time I couldn’t justify the expense. But as you know, more recently took the plunge and started the training last year.
Chava wasn’t able to travel as much as she wanted in the last few years. But she taught us online for 2 segments of our training. Whilst I didn’t know her well, her clarity of teaching, and generosity as a teacher have stayed with me. It’s one of the reasons I chose her training. That she was still teaching and sharing her wisdom, still curious about us all, and excited about learning at 85 was inspiring. So when you’re next raising a glass, raise one for her too.
Transform how you move, feel and live 