Welcome to our website.
We are Ute Strub and Elsa Chahin.
What if we practiced being consciously aware and experienced life as children do, and allow ourselves to understand them more deeply?
- ABOUT -
Elfriede Hengstenberg
She was born on December 22, 1892, and died in 1992.
She was a German gymnastic teacher having been influenced by her teachers: Elsa Gindler and Heinrich Jacoby.
With imagination and empathy, Hengstenberg offered the children tasks - and objects – with which they could experiment by themselves. The objects were reliable. The word "reliable" in this sense refers to the fact that things obey laws of nature, such as gravity, in a direct way. READ MORE...
- ABOUT -
Hengstenberg
What is the Hengstenberg ladder and other climbing and belancing equipment? Simple tools offering children (4+) an opportunity to come to balance. Because Hengstenberg believed and taught, that it was through outer balance that we all could come to inner balance.
- CONNECTIONS -
Emmi Pikler and Elfriede Hengstenberg
“There was also a kind of spirituality brewing in the culture at that time, with many new currents and directions being developed and practiced. It was then that Pikler learned about healthy diets, nutrition, and nature, looking to her sister-in-law, who had healed quickly after undergoing lung surgery while adhering to the philosophy of Elsa Gindler. READ MORE...
- READ MORE ABOUT -
Elsa Chahin
Born in Mexico and raised there and in the United States, Elsa Chahin is a true citizen of the world, one who believes in human potential. She proved this when she began ballet lessons at the late age of 21 and, a mere five years later, was dancing solos with the prestigious Taller Coreográfico UNAM, Mexico’s premiere neoclassical ballet company.
“Nobody ever told me that I couldn’t believe in my dream,” said Chahin, a statuesque 53-year old, whose toned body is still ballerina-ready. “It was [Taller founder and artistic director], Gloria Contreras, who said to me, ‘Elsa, if you want to dance with our company, you just have to learn the ballets.’ The fact that somebody of that caliber believed in me made me trust that if I worked hard I can reach any goal I want.” READ MORE...
- READ MORE ABOUT -
Ute Strub
At 88, Pikler Master Teacher Ute Strub, never ceases to amaze. The German-born physiotherapist continues to lecture and lead Pikler® trainings internationally, as well as to conduct what she calls “experiments.” This practice of being conscious, or aware, is intended to bring a respectful way of being with children, which, in turn, leads to more harmonious relationships with others. Last June at a Berlin Pikler® playroom, Ute Strub was filmed leading experiments as part of her project with Elsa Chahin, “Ways Of Being With Oneself And With Children”. Offering various experiments that included, balancing sticks, making stones stand and rocks roll, Ute was animated and eager to share her discoveries and life’s work. READ MORE...
Ute was a student of Elfriede Hengstenberg and Elsa Chahin has been a student of Ute Strub since 2003
- Upcoming -
The recently translated book "Entfaltungen" will soon be published in English under the title "Unfoldings", by Elfride Hengstenberg and Ute Strub!