Click HERE to download the February 6, 2010 Day for Men Flyer/Registration Form

REVIEWS OF JULY 2009 ManUp PRACTICUM

I have been under the watchful eye of Dr. Stephen for almost a year.  When the topic of retreats came up, or any kind of "breathing and meditation" techniques, I politely shunned them.  That was for "others" to do.  I was never a believer or practitioner of such "new age" stuff.  In fact... I have lampooned therapy groups for most of my tv-sitcom career, so how could I possibly participate, or even be open to such experiences.  Besides... for the most part, I was "handling" my anxiety /stress well enough. Or so I thought.
The truth was, that I was really yearning for a new "way".  The old thought/behavior patterns and life disappointments had taken their toll on my 50 years. With a (2nd) divorce imminent with a woman I deeply love but deeply hurt, I needed a change. The time came when I needed something to help calm me in times of momentary self-imposed stress and anxiety.   Dr. J suggested, again, the practicum which would cover breathing exercises and meditation techniques.  I begrudgingly accepted Dr. J's invite to the Saturday workshop July 18th.
On the way over Saturday morning, I thought... If I just go to the beach and have a coffee and read the paper: that will be good therapy.  I really didn't want to go, but on I went.  Trying to be open to a much-needed change.  Something had to change.
I arrived to a big hug from Rich Manners.... ok... that was nice.  And after a cup of hot liquid doing an impersonation of coffee, we sat down.  Dr. J sat next to me.  Hard to hide in a circle.  No back row.  As the "talking stick" made its way around the circle, I was chuckling to myself.... "How many scenes in how many sitcoms had I worked on where we had this circle?  Old jokes popped into my head.  I started to focus on what was being said.... Then I started choking up a bit.  Hearing these men share, even briefly, their intimate pains and concerns.
The stick got to me, I got my name out... and that was about it.  I let a year and a half of pent up sadness, anger, pain and suffering out.  In front of a group of men I didn't know... but in some way I felt safe.  Wow... did that feel good.  From that moment on... I embraced the rest of the day and was sad when it was over.  To be in the intimate, comfort and truth of men, sharing, feeling without ego, without competition, was amazing.  It truly opened me up to feeling better about my healing myself and gave me hope and power to feel good about my emotional recovery and helping others as well.
My demeanor has really changed since that day.  I am able to step back from my anxiety/stress moments and deal with them in a whole new light.
Granted, it took the right timing for me to participate in this, but Dr. J gently kept at me to come.  He knew what I had to discover... the power of mindfulness.  Thank you Dr. J.... October retreat can't come soon enough for me.

Rob Schiller

 

Dear Steve,
Here are a few of my thoughts.

The experience of last Saturday may be called "re-birthing", but it is also a re-awakening. A re-awakening of who we really are. Most men are caught up in careers, relationships, children, and all the pressures life throws at us.
Here is a place - an opportunity- to re-discover who we really are, what is truly going on with us, and, a safe environment for men to help other men.
This is not someone doing another guy a favor, or washing his car - it is an honest heart-to-heart sharing that touches each of us in meaningful and powerful ways.
For some, if not most men, attending this event, they enter the space unsure of why they came, uncomfortable sharing feelings, and for sure, not wanting to cry in front of other men.
The transformation that occurs happens the first time one of the men shares his feelings, opens his gut, and lets it all out. Previous strangers reach out to each other. It's all right. It actually feels good to be there for someone you did not previously know. The experience is actually empowering. It is safe to be with these guys - they are just like me, just wrapped differently.
Strangers on entering this space, most, if not all, left hugging one another.
Having found out things about ourselves that each of us owns separately, we have all just shared something between each other that has enriched us.
Thank you Stephen, Mitch and Rich. You guys make it all flow so much easier.

Larry Gershman

I had a wonderful experience at the men's practicum. The sharing and openness was really resonant for me. Rarely have I felt safe and comfortable with a large group of men.

For me the most profound experience that day was the 're-birthing'. My first time doing this kind of breath work. The encouragement and support of the facilitators helped me towards a major outburst  - crying. A shell was cracked. I feel like I'd been waiting for this outburst to take place for years. My feeling was not of sadness, just relief and afterwards, refreshed. For years I had been scared to let go like that, concerned I would never stop crying once I started. And really never felt I was in such a safe environment for it to take place. And I didn't feel in any way diminished or embarrassed by it - despite the five or more minutes of loud weeping and crying - I felt very much a man and honestly supported by those around me.

Something shifted. I am not sure what it is yet, but I do feel different after that experience and the day. I feel affirmed in who I am as a whole and not just the parts of me I usually expose to the world.

Thank you for this, Dr. J. and all the men who attended.

Richard Ford

REVIEWS OF JANUARY 2008 ManUp MINDFULNESS PRACTICUM

As men in our culture, we are so thirsty for a deep bond with our mothers, our fathers, our spouses and lovers, our children. Yet, we goose step through our existence thinking our worth can, and somehow should, be tallied on a balance sheet with an accountant’s pencil. Our culture supports us in going unconscious to our connection to the divine, our intuition, our broken hearts, and remaining so. The baby boom generation has forged its relationship with Iron John, in all its dimension and complexity, to the extent that it has done so, through the crucible of ostensible freedom of the late 60’s and 70’s. The post baby boom generations, it seems, are focused on simply making themselves a life. Yet, they too need to wake up to the metaphysical talents that lie within and should be touched and developed so as to fully realize one’s genetic potential.

So, what do I mean? What am I talking about? It is simply this. It is not enough for men to talk about self realization, love, relationships, life. . . . we must learn to employ ways of learning and knowing that do not depend upon the use and refinement of the frontal cortex of our brains. That is what the new practicum sessions led by Dr. Johnson are really about. Learning the practices that awaken our deeper wisdom, the non-linear centers of our being, and making them our own. Introducing the techniques that allow us to think with our gut and know with our heart. If all that seems airy-fairy, it’s because you’re in your head. Come and try a practicum. You will feel what our words cannot really express.

Our first practicum has come and gone, but like the tail of the wind, still remains. We welcome those men that want to take their practice of ways of knowing below the head level to new depths as we go through the remaining events this year. I believe everyone who was there this past week will agree that the experience is so worthwhile, and one that in many ways is beyond words. It is an example of the very special resources available to us through the Men’s Center.

-Mitch Roth

I have attended the great majority of colloquiums last year, and I must say in all honesty that the Practicum held on January 26th was a mammoth step above those, both in the content of the day’s teachings and activities and the willingness of the participants to let it all hang out and go with Dr. Johnson’s flow.

Rather than talking about problems, we entered into a world of practical solutions in the form of practices that would bring us into altered states of consciousness and help to clear the cobwebs from our thinking. We moved from a state of thinking to a state of being – and the men were willing to risk it all in their depth of participation. I have never seen so many men get so much out of the breath work in which we participated, and the meditation/Yoga worked wonders for centering ourselves.

The most exciting thing about the series of Practicums is that each one builds on the previous sessions, so that by the time the series ends, the men will have a great variety of tools on which to draw.
I look forward to seeing you all there!

- Rich Manners

REVIEWS OF MAY 2008 ManUp MINDFULNESS PRACTICUM

Thanks so much for the enlightenment and the crash course you provided. In my present situation, I really needed it. I guess I was at the right session to learn about aloneness and the importance of stillness in everyday life. Sometimes we forget about the basics of living, and the Practicum was a wonderful way to bring everything back into balance.

Looking forward to the July session!

Be well,
- Jamshid Daneshgar

Although it happens infrequently and then all too briefly, I can occasionally put myself fully into the present and become completely engaged in what I am doing. That is, I can be mindful. I have practiced meditation for several years, albeit with limited success, but the constant demands of my four kids make finding a quiet moment and restful place nearly impossible. So it became clear that I needed a more practical way to connect with my inner self. Stephen's mindfulness Practicums have helped me learn how to develop this vital ability: a practice that has literally given me back my life, a life aside from my past, and aside from my "story." These Practicums have helped me connect with a much more powerful source of peace than I believed possible. Just as importantly, they have given me a chance to learn these skills in the company of truly inspiring men. I have attended every Practicum and always leave with much more than I bring.

- Eric, single father of four

REVIEW OF NOVEMBER 2008 WOMEN'S MINDFULNESS PRACTICUM

The practicum on mindfulness has inspired me to appreciate the beauty in the details of everyday moments, instead of mindlessly fast-forwarding from one task to another, one day to another.

The breathing exercises have instilled in me a calmness which serves me in coping skills during stressful situations.

Learning the skills to cope with life’s dilemmas, by refraining & not reacting, have brought a sense of peace to my life. I feel I am better able to avoid “drama” that I can cause by overreacting.

I feel by being more mindful, I can avoid accidents or injuries due to mindlessness.

Being more mindful makes me consciously aware of my life. I appreciate more, enjoy more, simplify & not over-complicate situations.

Life is for living; by being more mindful, I am living a beneficial life.

With great appreciation,
Leeann Karidis

 

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