“Over the past sixteen years, my health has improved considerably, feeling younger and physically pain-free. I have found a gentler way to observe myself and others, less judgmental.”
This practice has altered my view of life, causing me to slow down a bit. Over the past sixteen years, my health has improved considerably, feeling younger and physically pain-free. I have found a gentler way to observe myself and others, less judgmental. I have gained immeasurable support from the teacher and the practice when facing difficult life changes. My emotions and mindstream have calmed down. And at 65 I am making efforts to see situations from a higher, non-personal perspective.
Chris Fernie is the most clever teacher I have ever met. He teaches basics constantly, but in a million different ways. No class is a repeat of one before, each is unique, and tailored to the present group. He always spends time on Q&A which helps everyone learn from a friend’s question. Classes and workshops teach more than you can absorb, it is a challenge to embody all the ideas presented…never boring. Chris often leads the retreats at facilities that are close to nature. It is such a gift to attend a five-day retreat and be surrounded by kind practitioners and the blessings of nature.
“I have far more physical ease than in my youth. I spend less time in painful personal emotional cycles.”
Studying with Chris over the years has improved my life in so many ways. First and foremost, I have much less physical pain and hindrance. Now in my 50’s, I have far more physical ease than in my youth. I spend less time in painful personal emotional cycles. I have more of a sense of support in life, from life itself, and less anxiety. I have more spiritual faith and more love and gratitude. I study dance and other movement arts and find of my many internationally renowned teachers, Chris is my very favorite. His teaching style, his command of language and the subtle nuances of energetic practice, body mechanics, martial factors, as well as his generosity of spirit and pursuit of words to impart his knowledge leave me amazed every single class, every weekend and every retreat. I look forward to my continued studies with Chris and look forward to welcoming more like-minded souls! – Valeria H
“Chris has the remarkable ability to explain anatomical and energetic details while also holding a larger more cosmic perspective…”
Throughout my five years studying Qigong with Chris, I’ve discovered a greater sense of clarity and ease within my body, with others and with my surroundings in general. Chris has the remarkable ability to explain minute anatomical and energetic details while also holding a larger more cosmic perspective. With a great deal of precision (and humor) he can sense where you’re at, teach you how to resolve your own issues and how to generate your own Qi field.
I’ve particularly benefited learning how to tease out the fascial tissue and then how to use it in a more integrated manner. This has sorted out all sorts of low back, hip, neck, jaw, & shoulder stiffness and pain. I also appreciate his approach to mental and emotional issues.
Overall, I would describe Chris’s teachings as combining the fundamental building blocks of Feldenkrais with the internal alchemy of Taoism in order to find the clarity of Buddhism throughout the entire body. It is a learning modality that highly values differentiation, spontaneity and fun. I am extremely grateful for his work and to be able to learn with a community of other practitioners.
– Matthew J
“Chris teaches many lifetimes of information in just an hour.”
I came to IIT because of injuries. I had an accident and couldn’t do yoga anymore. My brother-in-law was a student of Chris’s and asked if I was curious to try. So I came to a two-day workshop. On day one, nothing interesting happened. One day two, during the last hour, I was just standing there, but my heart raced and I started sweating. I thought, this is weird and impossible. AND THIS STUFF IS REAL. If that hadn’t happened, I’m not sure I would have come back. But I am SO thankful it did. The accident I had led me to a practice that has been essential to me spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
The IIT practice has opened up my ability to sense a loving universe. During practice, stale platitudes like “accept what is,” “you don’t need to find the answer,” or “kindness,” come to feel viscerally true and very meaningful. My heart opens, my mind clears, my vision sharpens, and I am happy. The practice is about learning how to put your attention on something (a body part, an idea, etc.) and let the innate intelligence of that thing bring you healing and clarity. We are so lucky to have what we need built into our bodies.
This practice is a lifelong pursuit. It isn’t a quick fix. If I stop practicing, the old habits and ways of thinking come back. But because of IIT, I know my way back to my better self.
Chris teaches the principles behind practice so that you are free from the guru/teacher. Early on, I used to be worried about something happening to Chris. What would I do without him? But after some time, I had a personal practice that was growing and developing, so that I didn’t need Chris. This is because Chris explains the reasons behind the forms. To me, that is the best kind of teacher.
Chris teaches many lifetimes of information in just an hour. He also teaches to different levels of practitioners, since there are many experience levels in the group. And, people have unique experiences while practicing the same teaching. Some people even laugh or sing during practice! I have been overwhelmed, distracted, self-doubting, and jealous in classes. But learning HOW to practice in this environment is a huge part of my practice. Learning to value my own experience. To not be so uptight that a laugh or a song disturbs me. Instead, being ok with whatever is happening in the moment, truly. This is just the beginning of practice. Having the right mind to practice. But it is a huge achievement. It changes who I am. It fills me with joy.
I also happen to love the community of people I’ve met through IIT. -Miriam A
“I am learning how to redraw a personal map to transmit goodness through self exploration.”
Through Chris’s guidance and direction, I am learning how to redraw a personal map to transmit goodness through self exploration. – Robert K
“I refer to this practice as ‘the mechanics of love.’ ”
I grew up looking for whatever it was that was missing in church. As a preacher’s kid, I watched people in church who professed to want to be good humans, but never really changed. It perplexed me, so I started seeking my own path as a young adult, and after other practices came up empty for me, I met Chris Fernie. In Chris’ IIT system, I have found methods that have truly helped me become a better, livelier, healthier, more loving human being. This practice is something I live, it isn’t just a class I attend. I find myself ever more coherent, more mobile, and feel younger now in many ways than when I started 25 years ago. I often refer to this practice as “the mechanics of love.” Without any dogma, or belief system, it has taught me how to be me. – Mary E