Conscious Dancer 14 - Physical Intelligence

Transcription

MOVE Mix at omega • shimshai • decentralized dancing
conscious
DANCER
spring 2011 issue #14
movement for a better world
Planting Peace
Halprin in the Holy Land
Summer Circuit
23 flavors of festival fun
CD14 Cover.indd 1
TEACHER
trainings
Learn it.
Love it.
Live it!
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Move Mix Conference
celebrating the roots and shoots of Conscious Dance
June 5th - 10th, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, New York
5Rhythms • Dance of Liberation • Nia • JourneyDance • TaKeTiNa
LivingDance • KiVo • The WOW Process • Planetary Dance
Gabrielle
Roth
Originator of the 5Rhythms
movement practice of selfdiscovery and awakening.
Rev. Louisa
Dyer
Co-creator of the WOW
Process, metaphysical author
and interfaith minister.
Jonathan
Horan
Lis
Addison
DJ ROOT
Parashakti
Central member of the
5Rhythms family and son of
Gabrielle Roth.
Creator of KiVo®—The
Kinetic Voice method, and
certified Nia facilitator.
Globe-trotting ecstatic dance
facilitator and musical
director for JourneyDance.
Leader of the Dance of
Liberation—an internal
blindfolded trance dance.
Editor of Conscious Dancer
magazine and curator of the
Move Mix Conference.
Elaine
Fong
Elisabeth
osgood-Campbell
Darrell
Duane
Danielle
Fraenkel
Certified TaKeTiNa body
rhythm process facilitator and
taiko drummer.
Tamalpa-trained facilitator
of Anna Halprin’s Planetary
Dance for peace.
Organizer of Camp Contact
in Black Rock City and East
Coast Burning Man events.
Ph.D., BC-DMT, LMHC.
Director of Kinections and
creator of LivingDance™.
toni
bergins
Creator and driving force of
JourneyDance—a voyage into
the realms of spirit.
Mark
Metz
CURIOUS ABOUT THE STATE OF THE ART IN MOVEMENT? CONNECT THIS SUMMER AT OMEGA.
Dive into five diverse days of music, dance, panel discussions, workshops, and more. Integrate your experience with WOW
Process somatic meditations led by Rev. Louisa Dyer. Opening night address with Gabrielle Roth. Ecstatic dance with
JourneyDance’s DJ Root and Toni Bergins, and Anna Halprin’s Planetary Dance open to entire campus.
register now at www.eomega.com
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conscious dancer | SPRING 2011
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TRANCE DANCE
Way More Soul!
Professional training since 1979
Trance Dance is a unique blend of body movement, healing sounds, dynamic percussive rhythms,
transformational breathing techniques and the innovative use of a blindfold or bandana - together stimulating
a trance state that promotes spiritual awakenings, mental clarity, physical stamina and emotional well-being.
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The Trance Dance Facilitator Training Program is a 10 day (72 hours) training retreat designed to explore the
multi-dimensional aspects of trance states; to study the mystical, scientific and psychological significance of
trance as a healing tool, and to learn the mechanics of conducting a Trance Dance Ritual Program.
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O N I B IL
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Trance Dance Facilitator Training Retreats
Soul Hunting Healers Training Retreats
Big Island, Hawaii
April 29–May 8
Toronto, Ontario
October 7–16
Lisbon, Portugal
November 7–16
Bali, Indonesia
September 16–25
Lisbon, Portugal
November 21–30
Pure Bali Retreat
Information:
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The Energizer Training Institute is an experiential learning and teacher training program directed
towards the cultivation of wisdom, creativity and passionate energy as core skills humans will need
to resolve humanities 21st century challenges. Since 1979 we have offered a broad curriculum of
educational and training programs in the areas of progressive psychology and neo-shamanism.
Big Island, Hawaii
December 27–January 5
Bali, Indonesia
August 31–September 14
Website: www.TranceDance.com
Email: [email protected]
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conscious dancer | spring 2011
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Photos: clockwise from top: kim sallaway / Michael Julian Berz / kim sallaway
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FEATURES
18
As the saying goes, "When the student is ready, a teacher appears."
We look at why dancers become movement teachers, and what you
might expect if you choose this path. Mark Metz talks to some of the
leading lights in movement to get a deeper understanding of where
the motivation to teach comes from and where it can lead.
26 Festival Forecast
Photos: clockwise from top: kim sallaway / Michael Julian Berz / kim sallaway
Where are you going to let loose this summer? What flavor of fun is
calling you? Photographer Kim Sallaway shoots a visual array of the
country's best fests in our guide to your season in the sun.
Departments
18 Learn it. Love it. Live it!
11 Inspiration: Beyond Butoh
Guerrilla dancers unattached to stage or sound
emote at will using only their shadows.
15 spotlight: Hands of Peace
Anna Halprin holds hands for peace with Israeli
and Palestinian women in the Holy Land.
12 WARMUPS
• Move Mix at Omega
• Nine Degrees North to Nosara
• Taking it to the Streets
• Debbie Rosas: The Body’s Business
30 VITALITY: Upshift into Spring
Margit Galanter uses the five elements of Chinese
medicine to ease seasonal transitions.
32 SOUNDS: Mystic by Nature
Laurie Patton shares her passion for Shimshai,
the natural mystic known as the "Warrior
of Love".
35 MOVEMENT MENU
• Spring Highlights
•B
ook Reviews: Dancing for Health, Mother
Night, Composing While Dancing
• CD: A New Day: The Laya Project Remixed
• MixMaster: DJ Wendy Dando
46 RESULTS: The Anat Baniel Method
Incredible progress is made through guided
movement with young and old alike.
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ConsciousDancer.com
T
ake it to the next level” is a phrase
we hear over and over, which means
something different for all of us.
Its definition probably depends more on
what practice or profession you are in than
on any literal next step (unless, of course,
you are a computer gamer). Taking it to
the next level also implies some degree of
risk—putting yourself out there and trying
something new. Feeling compelled to do
something different and to challenge yourself. Believing that you have something
more to give than you’re currently giving.
The risk could be emotional, intellectual, even financial, but it feels worth the
potential payoff. A group of dancers may
decide to take the leap and branch out to
start their own ecstatic dance. A dancer
may decide it's time to make others move
and learn to DJ. A studio owner might buy
property and build a retreat center, or a
facilitator could start taking groups on tours.
In many ways the essence of Conscious
Dancer magazine is about taking things
to the next level; the mission here is to
connect the dots and weave together the connections that make a stronger foundation
for holistic movement culture to build on.
For me personally, the next level has
meant getting closer to my older daughter
Isabelle from New Zealand by designing
this issue together here in California, and
sharing the shock and grief as we witness
the earthquake disaster in her home town
here on the screen.
STA FF
C O N T R IBUTO R S
Mark Metz & Aspen Madrone
Moving Arts International
Editor-in-Chief Mark Metz
Creative Direction Mark & Isabelle Metz
Design and production Isabelle Metz
managing Editor Rachel Trachten
executive assistant Karina Louise
contributing editors Kiva Bottero, Elana Silverman,
Mariana Rose Thorn
Staff writers Rachel Trachten, Kiva Bottero, Rara
Avis, Gayle Renye, Elana Silverman
Sales and community Aspen Madrone & Liz Mac
Webmaster Steve Shaw
I.T. angel Luis Echeverria
Licensing Efrain Correal
founded in 2007 by
published by
special thanks to Laura Cirolia, Deborah Meyer, Casie
Casados, Emily Anderson, and Veronica Ramirez.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Subscribe www.consciousdancer.com
Editorial
Ad Sales
other Inquiries & submissions
[email protected]
PO Box 2330, Berkeley, CA 94702 (510) 778-9131
Checking In
This issue is focused on teacher trainings, and the motivations and processes
involved as dancers take it to the next level
and decide to become leaders. Renowned
movement innovators have contributed
compelling ideas about training and teaching. And, we’ve gathered up specifics on a
range of training opportunities and taken
this chance to reflect on the role of trainings in the expanding worlds of dance and
yoga. We're also offering a forecast of this
year’s festival options, trusting that there
is something for everyone out there to
nourish the soul and connect the spirit.
So whatever your next step or level may
be, thank you for reading and sharing. As
always, it’s an honor for me to serve this
community.
In service to the dance,
mark metz, Editor - in - Chief
Anna Halprin's diverse career has spanned the field of dance since the late
1930s. James Roose-Evans, author of Experimental Theatre, called her one of the
most important theatre artists of the 20th century. Halprin has created 150 fulllength dance works and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. She is
the author of three books and the subject of several films, including the recently
released Breath Made Visible. She currently teaches classes and workshops
at her residence, the historic Mountain Home Studios on the slopes of Mount
Tamalpais in Marin County, California. Featured in Issue #2 of Conscious Dancer,
she wrote about her experience inIsrael for this one. www.annahalprin.org
Kim Sallaway lives in the mountains of Humboldt County, California, where he
works as a stock photographer. He has been photographing festivals and gatherings across California for over two decades, chronicling live performances,
art, dances, music, and cultural diversity. The vibrant colors and energy at these
gatherings is a constant source of inspiration for his imagery. Sallaway's work has
appeared in individual and collaborative gallery exhibitions, and has been featured in magazines, on CD and DVD covers, books, and newspapers. A longtime
contributor to Conscious Dancer magazine, he shot all the photos in this issue's
"Festival Forecast" pictorial feature. www.kimbacan.com
Jenny Block, dancer, globe-trotting world traveler, and author of 2008 Lambda Literary Award winner Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage is the weekly
sex and relationship columnist for FoxNews.com. She wrote the "New to Nia and
Loving It!" segment of thet eacher's trainings feature based on her firsthand
experience training for her White Belt with founders Debbie Rosas and Carlos
Ayarosas at the Nia headquarters in Portland, Oregon. She contributes to media
outlets including the Dallas Observer, huffingtonpost.com, and American Way.
Her essay “And Then We Were Poly” is included in Rebecca Walker’s compendium entitled One Big Happy Family. www.jennyonthepage.com.
Conscious Dancer is a quarterly active lifestyle magazine
that celebrates transformative dance, mind-body fitness, and
energy movement arts. Conscious Dancer does not endorse
any specific modality, practitioner, or product. Please consult
a health professional before attempting any new movement
activities or health regimens. Conscious Dancer disclaims
any liability for loss or injury in connection with activities
portrayed or advice given herein. Please send all editorial mail,
manuscripts, letters to the editor, and address changes via
email or to our Conscious Dancer address listed above.
Margit Galanter, MA GCFP is a movement investigator, performance artist,
and dance poet living in Oakland, California. Her unique practice, Physical Intelligence, helps people experience the innate clarity and vitality one can uncover
through the potency of movement. Physical Intelligence incorporates Margit’s
expertise as a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, acupressurist, qigong
practitioner, and movement artist. Her Vitality article "Upshift to Spring" is an
exploration of the fascinating realm of Chinese energetics and their relationship
to health and the natural world. You can learn more about Margit’s work and
practice at: www.physicalintelligence.org
© 2011 Moving Arts International. Printed in the USA with post
consumer-waste content using soy-based inks. Please reuse
and recycle. All rights reserved.
COVER > 5Rhythms veteran Adam Barley in motion with a group in Vancouver, Canada.
PHOTO > Taken by Michael Julian Berz. www.adancingeye.com or www.michaeljulianberz.com
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Photo: kim sallaway
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inspiration
Apparitions of the
great outdoors need
neither stage nor sound
to explore the shadow.
Photo: kim sallaway
Beyond Butoh
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Photos: clockwise from top: dreamstime / kim sallaway / amir magal / harry feinberg / amir magal
MOVE AND MIX AT OMEGA
Summer camp with a twist! This year plan on making the
Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, your destination
from June 5th through 10th. Conscious Dancer editor-atlarge Mark Metz curates a comprehensive program of
movement leaders for a week of connection, learning, and
integration. Beyond sampling different modalities, participants will have the opportunity to incorporate WOW
Processing techniques (guided somatic meditations) led
by the Rev. Louisa Dyer in order to more fully integrate
learning and release blockages.
Opening night keynote address from 5Rhythms founder Gabrielle Roth sets the stage for five days of complimentary classes in TaKeTiNa, JourneyDance, Dance of Liberation, LivingDance, Contact Improv, 5Rhythms, Kivo, and
more. Special afternoon presentation of Anna Halprin’s
Planetary Dance and Wednesday night ecstatic dance
hosted by Journeydance’s DJ Root are open to the entire
campus. This invitation is for you!
Photos: clockwise from top: dreamstime / kim sallaway / amir magal / harry feinberg / amir magal
DESTINATION NINE DEGREES NORTH: La Pura Vida Awaits in Nosara
If your travels lead you to the paradise nine degrees north of
the equator in the Nosara region of Costa Rica, you’ll find a certain character there who embodies the essence of that spot. Her
name is Gonca, (pronounced gone-CHA), and while the “cha” in
her name brings to mind a certain Latin dance, she is actually of
Turkish descent, by way of Germany and New York. Her husband,
Gunter Intelmann, is a world-class photographer, and of all the
places they have traveled, Nosara is the place they choose to base
their operations. “I tell people my showroom is in the jungle, and
let them come to me,” says Gonca. A seasoned stylist now designing Ula Sport’s collection of movement-friendly gear, her bold outlook sums up the aesthetic and attitude of Nosara, which attracts
down-to-earth folks from interesting corners of the globe.
Another character whose vision has led him to Nosara is
Omega Institute co-founder Stephan Rechtschaffen. He and his
wife Annette created the spectacular Blue Spirit Retreat, one
of the most luxurious, yet ecologically sensitive destinations
anywhere. Designed to host retreats from a dozen to upwards of
a hundred, Blue Spirit partners with facilitators who bring in their
own groups to enjoy the ideal facilities, amenities, and healthy
cuisine. The central lodge is crowned by the Sky-Mind Hall, an
enormous yoga/dance studio with floor-to-ceiling windows on
all sides, offering 360 degree views of the Pacific and tropical
hills; another enclosed, air-conditioned movement pavilion and
a smaller open-air floor round out the choices. Three groups of
different sizes can practice simultaneously, all within a short stroll
to spa facilities and a pristine shell-laden beach.
Tico’s, as Costa Rican natives refer to themselves, are among
the happiest people on earth, and no wonder. The country is
one-quarter parks and nature preserves, and has no standing
military, very low crime, and excellent health care and education.
The Nosara region has been a magnet to yogis and holistic types
for decades, and is home to at least a dozen yoga venues starting with the Nosara Yoga Institute, founded in 1994, renowned
for its teacher trainings. Visitors may find the roads rugged, but
the hospitality is smooth; besides yoga and surfing, there’s dancing at La Banana and the Discoteque nearly every night. A variety
of other retreats and holistic options abound, from the spiritual
community of Pachamama to the upscale full-service L’Acqua
Viva resort. Find yourself in Nosara, and you’ll discover what the
Costa Rican catchphrase “pura vida” is all about.
FRIENDLY FACES
Charismatic stylist
and designer Gonca
Gul reflects the sunny
spirit of Nosara.
PLAYA POSE
Shiva Rea in a
picture perfect
Natarajasana
wearing gear by
Ula Sport.
CROWN JEWEL
The main lodge
at Blue Spirit
Retreat is the
pinnacle of the
peninsula.
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Photo: suzanne sapir
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spotlight
Hands of peace
The Planetary Dance
models gentleness
between cultures in
a troubled land.
by Anna halprin
D
uring a recent trip to Israel, I experienced the power of
human connection as a path toward peace. My journey
was in honor of my husband, the landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, who designed such sites as the Goldman Promenade in Jerusalem, where I walked for peace with Palestinian and
Israeli women.
Moving beyond rhetoric, beyond talking peace, to BEING peace:
this was the power of 100 Palestinian and Israeli women—Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Jews. Some of them were bused in to
Jerusalem from the West Bank and from the north
of Haifa to gather for the first Women’s Peace Walk,
held on the green line between East and West Jerusalem. The site itself was symbolic of peace as the
walk was held on the seam between East and West
Jerusalem. On the East was a magnificent view of the
Old City reaching out to the Dead Sea beyond, and
to the West, ancient and modern Arab villages on the
hillside. The site was a mile long, breathtaking promenade designed by my late husband. When ten of the
women that were to join us from Bethlehem were unable to come, as
the checkpoint was closed due to disruption in Bethlehem, this was a
great disappointment to all of us.
We dedicated our silent walking to creating and receiving peace
from this land shared by Israelis and Palestinians and creating and
receiving peace from the earth beneath our feet, and from each other.
Although it was over 100 degrees we walked for over an hour. We
saw Arabs and Jews enjoying picnics and children playing together,
beautiful olive groves, and stone sculpture along the way. But what
moved me the most was the silent hand dance going on between a
Druze woman, Ibtisam Mahameed, and myself. As leaders of the silent walk, we began with locked arms. Then slowly her hand reached
mine. She held my hand with a strong grip (we were one and strong).
After a while she laced her fingers into my fingers ("we are all one and
together", she said), then moments later, she held my hand in the palm
of her hand (we are gentle together). When we came
to the end of our walk, she kissed the back of my hand
(love). We shared refreshments at the intimate amphitheater and began to talk. I told her why I was in
Israel and about my husband. I told her that when he
was just 17 years old he had started a kibbutz with 50
young Americans north of Haifa and what a struggle
they had had tilling the land to start a garden and
orchard. Their neighbors were from a Druze village
whose members had helped them get started. When
I said that the kibbutz was Ein Hashofet in the Galilee, Ibtisam told
me that it was her village that had helped the kibbutz to survive. We
cried and hugged—it was a precious moment. Then the spontaneous
dancing began—Israeli women led Hebrew songs, and Arab women
started dancing, singing, and drumming. I was once again inspired
by the power of dance to create peace between people.
Photo: suzanne sapir
“I experienced
the power of
human connection as a path
toward peace.”
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Taking it to the Streets!
From the streets of Vancouver to the farmers markets of San
Luis Obispo, free outdoor dancing is calling you. By kiva bottero
“It’s such a good vibration. It’s such a swee-eet sensation,” erupts from 100-plus boom
boxes, engulfing me in a 360-degree field of crackly lo-fi sound. I’m one of 300 or so party
people parading down the streets of Vancouver. Destination: who cares!
It’s day two of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the city is going completely berserk. People
line the streets everywhere you look; sound stages dot intersections here, there, and everywhere; the air sizzles with an electric buzz. A calm yet consistent rain spews at us in an impossible attempt to dampen our charge.
This scene is the Decentralized Dance Party (DDP), a portable party safari that roams the
streets, boldly daring to dance where no party has danced before. A party where the music
blasts from boom boxes tuned to a legal low-power radio signal broadcast from a DJ’s backpack FM transmitter. In peaceful protest of the traditional club paradigm, this interdisciplinary
art form repurposes the dance party into a joyfully chaotic adventure-comedy of dance.
“Are you guys ready to take on Granville Street!?” asks the DJ in faux-fur hockey shoulder pads. The easy-to-please crowd answers with a roar. A charge of Olympic-inspired nationalistic fervor hits us as we march to the hip-hop remix of Canada’s national anthem. A luger in
skintight red spandex rolls past me on his makeshift luge on wheels while the wheelchair whirling dervish spins in circles to a chorus of “woooos.” We pass cop after cop smiling away, happy
to let us have our fun. Unlike the guerrilla sound systems of the renegade rave days that had to
happen illegally with a map point, DDP is part of a new movement that’s totally innocent and
sanction-able by authorities. Respectful of public property and generally sober, we’re just out
for some good, clean, Martha & the Vandella’s Dancing in the Street kind of fun.
We arrive on Granville in the heart of Vancouver’s club district—closed to road traffic, open
to partying. Perfect! Our arrival throws the already electric atmosphere into an ecstatic blissful
frenzy that just doesn’t want to fade. Curious onlookers watch from the sidewalk as we park the
party to let our inner children out to play. The soulful contagion spreads as dozens ditch long
nightclub lineups, kicking off their high heels to dance right here, right now, while big, bright
eyeballs stare down from the windows above, wondering if they should jump the ship of corporate clubland to enter the world of participatory dance.
The trend to move freely in public space is growing. San Luis Obispo’s YUM Sessions lay
out a portable dance floor, also known as a temple for conscious movement, at public events
such as farmers markets. As more people find modalities that resonate with them, says YUM
facilitator Philip "PJ" Novotny, “the organic, demographic pie” is expanding. To keep pace, he
has established a community-oriented service provider to create Temporary Dance Temples—
4000-square-foot portable padded dance floors complete with LED lighting, trailer stage,
and sound system—tailored to specific festivals and events. Imagine a migrating dance floor
designed to feel safe, welcoming, and cozy.
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Photo: courtesy reppo II
leader Lisa Evans, who facilitates ecstatic dance events in sand and surf using synchronized
iPods. “The complete awesomeness,” as DDP hosts Tom and Gary put it, comes from the spirited communion of body and soul where participants from all walks of life gather in public. The
movement has traction coast to coast, as groups like Galen and the Sunset Crew in San Francisco and Manhattan-based Fabian Alsultany with his Globesonic on the Hudson events bring
the celebration to parks and piers. A new cultural norm is taking shape as dancers connect to
friends and strangers in the great outdoors. Public space is ours for the loving!
Photo: Emily Oja
“People are hungry for connection to others and with themselves,” says BeachDance
the body’s business
By Debbie Rosas
Sacred Dance
Throughout the world, a spiritual evolution is
taking place, a maturation of our true nature as human
beings. We are reawakening to a sacred relationship with our
bodies and with life—and nothing brings us closer to this
awakening than the experience of sacred dance.
Sacred dance is the incredible sensation of a
moment fully lived. It is an intense feeling of personal joy,
which arises through movement and connects us to a sense of
extraordinary oneness and grace. Athletes refer to it as “being
in the zone,” an exalted state of body, mind, and spirit, in which
we feel connected to both the internal and the external. In this
state, “connection” becomes something greater than self—a
divine, universal flow.
When I’m in the flow of sacred dance, my body
is present. All boundaries dissolve and I feel both earthly
and infinite, as if in slow-motion ecstasy. I feel beautiful in
the physical realm and beyond, falling in love with my dance, a
mysterious performance that seems to effortlessly emerge and
birth itself through my body. In this sensation of birthing, I am
one with the feminine and masculine sides of my spirit.
Learn about Nia co-founder Debbie Rosas at www.NiaNow.com.
Sacred Dance
as Life
• Live sacredly.
Bring flow to your life
by acknowledging
every movement as a
sacred dance.
• Think sacredly.
Transform intellectual
activity into a sacred
mental dance.
• Feel sacredly.
Fuel your body with
sacred emotion,
and let feelings
flow through you as
part of your dance
through life.
• Connect sacredly.
Listen with your spirit
to the voice that
says, “Come home
to childlike bliss, and
connect your soul
to the soul of this
sacred dance.”
Photo: courtesy reppo II
Photo: Emily Oja
boo m - B oo m to go
Outdoor dancing requires outdoor sounds, so carry the party wherever
you go with the Reppo II backpack boom box. Featuring an integrated
digital amplifier and two 25W speakers, the Reppo II is
action-packed and highly powerful for its
size. The innovative high-tech hardshell
design looks like a storm trooper
accessory, but is ergonomic and
light enough to wear while you
do the moonwalk. And it has
room—according to the designer it can easily carry a
six-pack of your favorite
bevy, a beach towel,
sunscreen, and a pair
of Borat-style Speedos. And for the truly
dedicated outdoor
music aficionado,
both the speakers
and the pack itself
were designed to
be water-resistant,
so don’t let a
little inclement
weather rain on
your parade!
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Learn it. Live it. Love it!
CD14 Teacher Trainings.indd 18
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PhotoS: left: amir magal / right: b. docktor
Prana Flow yoga
guru Shiva Rea
instructs her
energetic brand
of vinyasa in the
Sky-Mind Hall at
Blue Spirit Retreat
in Costa Rica.
W
hat makes someone decide that they have developed a
strong enough practice, and that it’s time to refine what they
have learned, and become a conduit for a specific movement
philosophy? In some ways akin to martial arts or athletic sports, transformative movement practices require tremendous physical practice
and discipline before a person can be considered ready to teach others.
And most modalities have an inherent vibe or mojo that is reflected
from the founder that must be absorbed, understood, played with,
grokked, and developed before an acolyte is able to hold space true to
the form. One has to be fully embodied, so to speak. It all comes down
to practice. 5Rhythms founder Gabrielle Roth puts it this way: “We feel
you have to do the practice in order to teach it. In teaching you have to
be clear about what’s going on with you inside, what’s happening with
the people in the room, and what’s up in the general field. Expression
in any form takes a lot of discipline, much like a jazz musician needs
to practice a lot in order to be able to improvise. We have to be alive
to make the changes necessary in the moment, and not be part of a
plan.” She views the process of becoming a leader as an evolution from
focusing on the self to caring for others. “The first part of embodying
a practice is all about you,” she says. “It’s very luxurious and exciting,
you’re growing and changing, it’s all about your dance and how the
dance relates to your life. Only after we explore ourselves can we teach
others. The shift to teaching means that it’s no longer actively about
you, and it’s more service oriented. The shift in awareness has to be
inclusive of others. It’s like the difference between talking about being
a parent, and actually having kids!”
Teacher training can test one’s limits and boundaries, and teach people a lot about themselves to boot. And by no means does everyone
who completes a training actually become an active instructor. Just as
most of us know someone who went through massage school only to
find out that they don’t like to touch people, there are those who undergo a training to find that it’s really not their cup of tea.
If you do opt to teach, though, in almost any profession, teaching
offers a magnificent way to “sharpen one’s own saw.” Artists, blue- and
white-collar professionals, and athletes all benefit from sharing skills
and mentoring the up-and-coming. Teaching helps you get better at
what you do. Plus, it’s a transformative experience to go from being
mentored to becoming the mentor.
While students grapple with whether or not to teach, visionaries face
the question from a different side. Having developed a modality and a
following, some innovators finally give in to the pleas and start to offer trainings. All our contemporary leaders have had this moment of
reckoning—invent and/or conceptualize it, teach it, then teach how to
teach it, and finally teach people how to teach other people to teach it.
Yoga Paves the Way
PhotoS: left: amir magal / right: b. docktor
t!
Aha! Inspiration may come in a flash, or dawn slowly over time. Every teacher
can point back to that pivotal moment where practice became passion. Are
you ready to hear your calling and take the leap? BY MARK METZ
The methods and formulas of the yoga world exert a powerful influence on how movement modalities spread. The demand for yoga teachers of all varieties is so strong that some successful yoga institutions are
opening facilities specifically for training. Yoga Tree, which has opened
five studios in San Francisco since 1999, has recently added an additional branch specifically for training programs. “More and more people have been asking us for advanced training,” says founder Tim Dale.
Co-founder Tara Dale believes that teachers should have a minimum
of 100 hours of training a year to remain on top of their game. “To be
a professional teacher, you must be a professional student,” she says.
Her belief is not limited to the world of yoga. “Good teachers of any
discipline,” says Roth, “need to remain devoted and perpetual students
of the practice. Always approaching it as something new, so there is an
aliveness and a freshness. We are working with movement, and movement is change.”
Apart from teaching, some people take trainings for personal growth
and development, according to Yoga Tree’s Darren Main. “They want
to devote six months to learning about the body and getting fit not
just physically, but emotionally and mentally,” says Main, who directs
teacher training for the organization. “Two hundred hours of personal
exploration changes a person and most people emerge from the training with an entirely different perspective on life.” Main emphasizes
compassion as an important factor in any trainee’s makeup: “What a
yoga teacher training does, first and foremost,” he says “is help people
Toni Bergins makes every
Journeydance teachers training an electrifying experience.
realize that their limitations are really their strengths. When a person
looks at his or her own limitations with compassion and openness,
they are much better equipped to do the same for others—be that in
the yoga class or in life with family, friends, and even casual acquaintances. Knowing anatomy and alignment is important, but the quality
that makes a yoga teacher most effective is compassion, and like all
virtues, it needs to be cultivated within before it can be shared.”
Professional Support
An important consideration for students and programs is the value of
having your trainings accredited by an organization such as the International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association (ISMETA). This organization promotes high standards and professionalism
in the field of somatic movement education and therapy, and graduates
of ISMETA-approved training programs are eligible to become Registered Somatic Movement Educators or Therapists (RSME or RSMT).
Members enjoy advantages including access to insurance coverage, professional networking opportunities, publicity, and web presence. Member organizations under ISMETA also receive the benefit of advocacy
19
28/02/11 11:59 AM
Camaraderie is a
key component of
a Dancing Freedom
training module.
T OP TIPS TO G E T YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM IN TUNE
20
Invite support. You may be fortunate enough
to be doing the training with someone you can
buddy up with. If not, take a little time to get
to know the facilitators or staff outside of class
to break the ice. Invite support from the group
at large—circle time and shareback are your
chances to be listened to and understood.
Keep a close friend on speed dial during the
breaks. Where can you make this an opportunity to cultivate receptivity?
Trust your instincts. It’s not common,
but there can be cases where your trainer or training is somehow just not the
right fit. If you encounter a philosophical
or vibrational mis-match, trust your gut
and be aware of your boundaries. It’s ok
to shift gears, accept that this was the
lesson you needed to learn, and move
on. What’s the kindest and most loving
thing you can do for yourself?
Take precautions. Start with the basics.
Make sure you are drinking enough
water to stay properly hydrated. Bring
along a few of your favorite munchies in
case the food served is lacking in your
style of fat or protein. Pack enough fresh
clothing to see you through. Make sure
you plan for enough sleep, or check out
for a catnap during the break. What is
your personal rejuvenation secret?
Start with a clean slate. Life tends to go
on with or without you, so make sure you
tackle the most pressing issues in the default
world so they won’t be haunting you during
the training. Prioritize beforehand, and allow
some time afterwards to ease back into your
normal routine. A little advance planning and
pre-emptive house cleaning will go a long way
in this situation. What kind of mental clearing
is your path to beginner’s mind?
Find your balance. Think about the
way you respond to intensity and challenge and plan accordingly. Rather than
a fast-food binge or a night at the bars,
feed yourself in gentler ways. It might
seem counter-intuitive, but something as
simple as an escapist novel, a chocolate
stash, or a break for meditation might
provide the reset that you need. How
can you be your own best friend?
28/02/11 11:59 AM
Photo: www.faernworks.com
Set your intention. Well before you
embark on a training, sit with yourself
and let your intuition guide you towards
a personal mission statement of your
intent. Refer back to this intent on a
regular basis, and be ready to revise or
adjust as you see fit. Serve yourself in
order to be in service to others. Is your
practice strong and dedicated enough
to take it to the next level?
Photo: Magalie Bonneau-Marcil
Trainings naturally have waves of intensity, so be ready to go with the flow and don’t fall off your
surfboard! Whatever you can do to support yourself in a kind and loving way will have a huge longterm payoff. Here are some ideas to help ensure smooth sailing so you can enjoy the ride.
on the federal level, which is creating recognition that movement is essential in educational, professional, and therapeutic settings nationally.
“ISMETA has been an incredible resource for me,” says Mark Taylor, director of the Center for BodyMind Movement. “I’m thrilled that
through ISMETA my program is allied with the work of many amazing innovators within this delicious and blossoming field, as well as my
second-and-third-generation colleagues carrying forward the work of
movement consciousness.”
Photo: www.faernworks.com
Photo: Magalie Bonneau-Marcil
Spiritually Driven Models
show up in the world. I also teach people how to create curriculums
around a ministry, how to create a new topic every week and have
your students come into a framework where they are growing with you
spiritually and personally within the community.” The idea of ministry
is central to the 5Rhythms as well. “We’re training people to be more
than just teachers,” says Roth, “but to be a teaching, a living example
of something.”
“We’re training
people to be
more than just
teachers, but to
be a teaching, a
living example of
something”
A variety of models and formulas are used in today’s movement modalities, some based on a number of hours analogous to the common standards in yoga. Others use the patterns common to
martial arts, with belts of different colors signifying advancement through various levels. Choices
include residential intensives, weekend trainings,
drop-in programs, and tele-courses and webinarbased learning for continued education. One pair
of modality founders with quite distinct practices,
Samantha Sweetwater (Dancing Freedom) and Parashakti (Dance of
Liberation), is experimenting with a collaborative model. “We stepped
into it from a place of deep soul resonance with one another; it’s like
we are fractals of one another coming from very different places,”
says Sweetwater. “We’re empowering people with two whole practices,
as well as a set of tools that can be applied in all different contexts.
The two forms together are ridiculously complementary; it’s amazing
what happens when people get to do them back-to-back.” Each practice on its own is the foundation
for a career teaching classes, holding events, and leading workshops,
Master trainer
and each provides a different set
Elise Lorimer
assists with
of tools for integrating movement
Bhujangasana
that can be used for public speak(cobra pose)
at Yoga Tree
ing and social work, as well as in
in SF.
schools, conferences, churches, and
traditional health care facilities.
“I teach people tools around
what is the somatic framework
for movement, perception and
self-awareness,” says Sweetwater.
In contrast, Parashakti’s approach
begins with an individual journey.
“We invite the dancer to first go
on their own personal vision quest
through a four-hour blindfolded
dance,” she says. “We want them to
go really deep internally, and take
their own personal medicine in order to rewrite their soul’s contract.”
The two leaders share an important concept about their lives and
practices—that of ministry. “Almost everyone who dances in these
realms holds at the heart of it that
it is a spiritual journey,” says Sweetwater. “This is something that we
hold in common with Soul Motion’s Vinn Martí and others, that
this is a ministry. It’s about how we
The Art of Holding Space
Beyond knowing moves, routines, maps, and techniques lies that less definable territory of holding
space. More than something that can easily be
taught, talent in this area is about cultivating charisma, and developing sensitivity and presence. It’s
one of those areas that comes naturally to some,
but remains elusive and effortful for others. Trainings that emphasize this aspect are valuable for
personal growth both on and off the dance floor.
Gabrielle Roth expresses it this way: “Space is called
people. People are filling the space, and people are
complex. Standing in front of a room and being responsible for the
experience of others requires a lot of discipline and a lot of awareness.
There’s more to it than showing up and playing music. It’s an art.”
Love and Service
Love is a good barometer to help you decide if you want to take your
practice to the next level. And the willingness to step up and serve
is a powerful indicator of your support for the movement at large.
Affecting change on a cultural level starts with personal commitment
from a single individual. Sometimes people choose to teach for
reasons they don’t understand, and
then find the experience is not at all
what they expected. Beyond the exhilaration and excitement it can be
a lonely and exhausting experience.
There’s a lot of work and preparation behind the scenes, and a new
level of responsibility in dealing
with people. The question to ask
yourself is—do you really love
people? If you truly feel the calling to become a teacher, then your
ability to place others’ needs before
your own and offer yourself in
service will become a sustaining
force. “The neurosis of being a
teacher is released in three simple
ways,” says Shiva Rea. “One is to
feel yourself as a servant to the life
force. Two is to be a mitra, a friend
on the path to your students. And
the third is to be an usher, to be the
practice, helping people who need
it.” Gabrielle Roth also associates
teaching with connecting to people.
“You have to transmit your passion,” she says. “I absolutely love
people and I love what I’m doing,
and that has taken me through the
hard times.”
21
28/02/11 11:59 AM
Moving in sync
with the class,
Jenny Block
learns the ropes
to earn her
White Belt.
M
y Nia practice was barely six months
old when it suddenly felt like time
to become a White Belt. My instructor, Jule Aguirre at MoveStudio in Dallas,
Texas, who is required to retake each of her
belts, said she would join me. Two months
later, we took off for Nia headquarters in Portland, Oregon, me giddy and terrified and she
the perfect guide for our journey.
With its smooth wooden floors, mirrored
walls, and massive windows, the studio felt
like home. A circle of red cushions, each with
a starched white bag standing sentinel in front
of it awaited us when we arrived. It looked
like a sacred circle of Chinese lanterns set out
for a ceremony. Those bags, it turned out,
contained our Learn books.
Everyone there was seeking the same thing,
what Nia calls a sacred livelihood or what Buddhism calls Right Livelihood. Making a living
doing something that feeds your soul instead
of starving it. It sounded divine and terrifying.
I’m not entirely sure what I expected, but I
22
know what I feared. I was afraid that everyone
would have dance abilities that far surpass my
own. I was afraid that the concepts would be
too out there to apply to me.
But after a week of Nia White Belt training, I am ever grateful for surprise. Debbie
Rosas and Carlos Ayarosas, co-founders of
Nia, danced around, told funny stories, led us
in the creation and clearing of space, and embodied what it is to be in the body, and what it
is to share that with others when we teach.
It’s called an intensive for a reason. Days
were long and focus was paramount. But even
as Debbie and Carlos demanded respect for
the space and one another and Nia itself, the
highest attention was always placed on listening to the body.
“You don’t need to learn this,” Carlos said
to us as he walked us through the material.
“You just need to comprehend what I’m saying
in this moment. It’s all in the book.” Feel it
now. Learn it later.
I faced some of my own demons that week,
standing right in front of the mirror, inches
from Debbie, the class around and behind me.
I danced hard and smiled and sweated and
made mistakes—lots of them—and nothing
but the sensation mattered. “Everybody,
sense your body,” Carlos said over and over.
Being with my own Nia instructor brought
another lens to the experience. Jule was there
each night as I dissected all that I was learning. I was present as a dancer, a student, a
thinker, a writer, and because I embody all of
those things, the multiplicity was not confusing. Instead, it was revelatory and comforting.
Nia doesn’t require that I turn anything off. It
invites me to tune in to it all.
It’s an interesting dichotomy, to be fully
present and connected, and at the same time
constantly dialoguing with your body. As Carlos says, “Nothing happens in Nia that doesn’t
require us to be aware.” Through Nia, people
have the opportunity to become themselves.
And that, for me, is the core of my dance.
Photo: jeff stewart
Jenny Block: New to Nia and loving it.
28/02/11 12:00 PM
THE TEACHING BIZ
Learning to teach is more
than just moves and mojo;
there comes a time when
your practice has to pay
the bills. Pay attention to
the bottom line with these
common sense tips:
Define your goals. For almost everyone who learns a modality with the intention of sharing that practice through
teaching, there comes a time when the
rubber hits the road and you need to
earn a living and create a career. As you
consider the nuts and bolts of creating
your own business, choose a training
program that can help. Define your goals
and intentions before you start any program, and inquire about specific training
modules that focus on marketing and
career development.
Set your strategy. Is this a sideline or
hobby, or do you see yourself opening
a studio and becoming a movement
entrepreneur? Does the program offer
placement assistance and/or ongoing
support? Is there an online community
or networking method that can help you
build clientele and land teaching gigs
as soon as you are trained? What about
mentorship opportunities? Are there
successful teachers in your area that you
can substitute for to gain confidence and
interact with students? If opportunity is
scarce in your town or city, are you willing and able to relocate?
Do your research. It can be well worth
Photo: jeff stewart
your time to do an informal survey of
working graduates in your chosen field
to see how they are actually doing; most
teachers are more than happy to share
and will offer valuable insights as to the
financial realities of a given practice. Possibilities for income range from teachers
who earn a few extra dollars a week to
studio owners and top modality leaders
bringing in solid six or even seven figure
incomes every year.
Dream your life. The field is vast and
the growth is dynamic—the only limits
are the ones imposed by your own belief
systems. Use your intuition and your
movement practice to step outside the
box of your limitations and create a life
where you live your dreams.
23
28/02/11 12:00 PM
Moving in all directions: top training programs
Training opportunities come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities. Whether you know exactly what you are
looking for, or need to consider the options, here’s a sampling of 40 favorites to serve as a guide.
24
Global School for Living Yoga
Founded by Yoga Trance Dance star
Shiva Rea, this program focuses on
training Prana Flow Energetic Vinyasa at locations around the world.
Interplay Trainings offered for
Next Generation Leaders ages
18-30 at InterPlayce in Oakland,
CA. Two-week immersion teaches
improvisation and body wisdom
tools for both transformation and
performing using movement, storytelling, stillness, and contact.
Jazzercise Training programs in this
wildly popular dance-fitness modality
are given worldwide in weekend
workshops. Get certified to become
an owner-instructor or teacher.
JourneyDance Trainings include
two modules for certification, and
two for deepening the practice at
five-to-seven days per module.
Kundalini Dance Led by Australianbased Leyolah Antara, trainings
provide a background in the chakra
system and tribal wisdom.
Let Your Yoga Dance Develop
knowledge and skills grounded in
your own creativity to give you a
springboard for guiding others in
user-friendly dance and yoga.
Leven Institute for Expressive
Movement (L.I.F.E. Movement)
Professional certification training
programs at this Lenox, MA, center
include Shake Your Soul YogaDance and SomaSoul Somatic
Expressive Therapy.
Eastwest Somatics
students Nathalie
Guillaume and Joan
Englander practice
deep listening
through touch and
movement.
LivingDance Methods taught by
Danielle Fraenkel at the Kinections Center in Rochester, NY,
are applicable to a wide variety of
movement scenarios.
Moving Center School With training centers in both Manhattan and
Marin County, the institution devoted to teaching Gabrielle Roth’s
5Rhythms has facilitated all levels
of instruction since 1987.
Natural Rhythms Institute Sacred
Dance Facilitator Trainings led by
Lisa Michaels focus on personal
growth and spiritual development.
Nia With international headquarters in Portland, OR, and trainings
around the globe, Debbie Rosas
and Carlos Rosas’s blend of dance,
martial arts, and healing arts offers
progressive levels of education from
White Belt through Black Belt.
Nosara Yoga Institute These interdisciplinary yoga teacher trainings
on the lush Pacific Coast of Costa
Rica, and throughout the world, have
birthed more than 1500 new teachers.
Planetary Dance Leadership courses
with internationally celebrated choreographer and dancer Anna Halprin
teach people to bring this ritual dance
for peace to local communities.
Rosen Method Programs in Marion Rosen’s use of gentle touch to
ease muscle tension are offered at
the center in Berkeley, CA.
San Francisco School of Biodanza
Directed by Belisa Amaro, the
school offers teachers trainings in the
Rolando Toro System. Trainings
are held in Oakland, CA, and consist
of 30 weekend intensives during a
three-year period.
Singing Tree Institute Week-long
practitioner Initiations led by Lis
Addison provide the necessary tools
for leading KiVo’s movement, voice,
and healing components, and render
participants eligible to become
licensed KiVo practitioners.
Soul Motion The “Movement Ministry” trains teachers in the U.S. and
Germany. Three intensive residential
trainings are required, with an additional practicum phase supervised
by founder Vinn Martí or one of
his authorized teachers.
SoulSweat: Developed by Chantal
Pierrat, this high-energy practice
requires teachers to create unique
choreography that reflects individuality and spirit.
TaKeTiNa Intensive trainings bring
this dynamic group rhythm meditation training to music, dance, therapy,
medical, and social work professionals, enabling them to apply the
principles of TaKeTiNa in their
individual practices.
Tamalpa Institute Learn dynamic
applications for education, psychology, art, healthcare, and communication using movement-based
expressive arts techniques developed
by Anna and Daria Halprin.
Uzazu Unique mind-body trainings
and workshops aimed at exploring
the fundamental energy dynamics
that support our relationships and
everyday actions.
Yamuna Body Rolling Trainings
in the U.S. and in cities worldwide
offer a wide array of classes in this
ball-based modality for every level of
YBR practitioner.
Yoga Fit This program developed
by Beth Shaw demystifies yoga and
addresses the needs of the fitness
community, bringing user-friendly
yoga and fitness courses to health
clubs worldwide.
Yoga for the People All bodies rise:
this is yoga for everyone. Learn to
teach judgment-free, script-free, feefree (all classes are donation-based)
classes for yogis of all ages, levels,
and incomes.
Yoga Tree This mainstay of the San
Francisco yoga community founded
by Tim Dale emphasizes continuing education and recently opened
a branch dedicated specifically to
teacher trainings including the 500
hour Yoga Alliance certification.
Zumba Weekend instructor trainings
in this Latin dance fitness party happen in nearly every big city around
the world.
28/02/11 12:00 PM
Photos: Michael Julian Berz/facing page sondra fraleigh
Alexander Technique Trainings in
F.M. Alexander’s renowned method
for achieving ease, freedom of
movement, and balance require successful completion of a three-year
full-time program.
Anat Baniel Method Gentle and
effective movement modality developed by the protégé of Dr. Moshe
Feldenkrais.
Body-Mind Centering Northern
California’s school offers trainings in
the techniques developed by Bonnie
Bainbridge Cohen, an innovator in
embodied approaches to movement.
Breema Center The Practitioner
Certification Program at Breema’s
Oakland hub offers a 165-hour
course in Breema bodywork,
anatomy and physiology, and a practitioner colloquium.
Chopra Center Integrating the healing arts of the East with the best in
modern Western medicine, Deepak
Chopra’s Carlsbad, CA, center
offers training programs in everything from ayurvedic consulting to
primordial sound meditation.
Continuum Develop the ability to
“read” tissue structure and breath
from a Continuum point of view in
the Wellsprings of Health Practitioners Program led by Emilie
Conrad and Robert Litman.
Core Connexion Somatic psychologist Eva Vigram directs this
interdisciplinary transformational
arts approach. Over a period of
two-and-a-half years, trainees take
part in six modules with additional
peer meetings.
Dance of Liberation Trainees in this
modality founded by Parashakti establish the ability to lead blindfolded
trance dances that bring participants
into shamanically altered transformative states.
Dance Meditation Sufi master
teacher Dunya McPherson specializes in techniques that open the wonderment of self-perception. Completion of an 80-day intensive qualifies
trainees for teaching certification.
Dancing Freedom Facilitator trainings led by Samantha Sweetwater
lead to completion three modules
(Embodiment, Mastery, and Vision)
plus a four-class teaching practicum
within one year.
Eastwest Somatics Institute Offers certification training in Shin
Somatics, an approach to healing and
personal transformation developed
by Sondra Fraleigh.
Energizer Training Institute Leader
Wilbert Alix has been teaching
people how to lead Trance Dance
Ritual Programs since 1979.
Feldenkrais Trainees learn Dr.
Moshe Feldenkrais’s method of
somatic education through gentle
movement and directed attention.
Leading
in Vanco
Canada
Barley u
his hand
commun
feeling.
Leading a group
in Vancouver,
Canada, Adam
Barley uses
his hands to
communicate a
feeling.
Adam Barley: How the rhythms found me
Photos: Michael Julian Berz/facing page sondra fraleigh
W
hen I first discovered the rhythms
it was through the recorded music
of Gabrielle Roth, even though I
knew nothing about her. Someone played a
tape of her music during an encounter group
I was a part of in the late ‘80s, and we all
moved to this music with masks on, and I
just went into an altered state—I was deeply
touched by the music. I copied the tape,
and every now and again, I would close the
curtains and dance around and just let myself
go. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I
always enjoyed it.
Then about three years later a friend was
visiting and he had a copy of Gabrielle Roth’s
book Maps to Ecstasy. I opened it and started
reading and felt, “Oh right! Now I get it...”
Later that night, I confided to my friend that I
didn’t want to go back to work after my holiday, and he said, “Well don’t then. Just sell
the house, buy a van, and go traveling for a
while; something will work out, your kid is still
young, you can do it.” This was very radical
for me—I was not prone to taking unknown
leaps in the dark in my life at that point...
But I decided to that night, and I did just sell
everything and go and search for my soul—
that was the way it felt to me. I bought copies
of all of Gabrielle’s music and her books, and
then I went and took a workshop, and then
the next one and the next one.
Within a few months of selling my house
I knew that this was exactly what I wanted
to do with my life. I knew I was going to
teach 5Rhythms. I spent the next two years
spending all the money from selling my house
studying, doing every workshop I could with
lots of different teachers, and then I did the
training. It was by invite only at that stage.
There weren’t any prerequisites; Gabrielle
knew everybody. Now I look back at that
moment, when I first opened her book, and
two hours later decided to drop everything. I
just opened that book, and something inside
me said, “Ok, found it, lets go!” I was so lost
before that, totally lost, no idea what to do
with my life, no idea who I was. The realization was very fiery and very sudden for me.
It was a calling that was even deeper than
my conscious awareness. I first danced to her
music in ‘88, and then found out what I was
doing in ‘91, and I took the training in ’94. I
feel grateful that I found it so early.
Teaching has been an amazing ride, definitely the most challenging thing I’ve ever
done. And it remains challenging. I come up
against my own ego and blindness over and
over again in ways that are really challenging. And then there are other periods of time
when it is just heavenly.
25
28/02/11 12:00 PM
Y our
community is waiting !
Find your glitter and pack your tent; festival season is upon us. Step onto a magic carpet of your own
design and let your imagination guide you. Where does your family of affinity gather?
We put together a sample of the best destinations for community celebration this summer. Some events
are good for all ages and generations, so find a Family Friendly event and create some memories for
your entire clan. Be sure to bring the sunscreen and a picnic blanket.
Or if you are more likely to party with your family of affinity, then find a festival where you can
Let Your Freak Flag Fly. These are the places where you will find far-out flavors of fun and where artists
and avatars frolic till the dawn and beyond. Did you pack an extra costume?
Perhaps you are a true dyed-in-the-wool fan, and you are known to wait in line for tickets all night long?
Then The Big Stage is for you, and the thousands of screaming fans who will accompany you. Don’t
forget to bring a marker for that once in a lifetime chance at a backstage autograph!
Honoring Mother Earth is always a good idea, and there are some great opportunities to
Return to Gaia and celebrate the dawning of a greener age. Bring an empty backpack because you’ll
want to stock up on the latest goodies to make your life all the more holistic and eco friendly.
No matter where you choose to get festive this summer, rest assured your community will be there too, so
dive right in with an open mind and heart and make the most of this season’s festival fun!
FESTIVAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIM SALLAWAY
Festival
THE PARTY IS ON!
Uplifted faces in
Golden Gate Park
at Power to the
Peaceful.
CD14 Festival Feature.indd 1
28/02/11 12:00 PM
F amily F riendly
Oregon Country Fair
This festival held each July on 280 acres of private land near Eugene, Oregon, sets the standard for family fun with
daytime programming for all ages and after-dark shows reserved for grownups, VIPs and the festival staff only.
www.oregoncountryfair.org
Harmony
Every June for the last 32 years, Harmony Festival has been raising awareness about the environmental, social, and
spiritual issues that define our times, as well as bringing a selection of world-class musicians to Northern California.
www.harmonyfestival.com
Faerieworlds
Release the magical faerie spirit inside you at Faerieworlds mythic music festival in Eugene, Oregon, each June. Discover the enchantments of art, music, and dance; surrender to the glamour of the faerie world; and let your spirit soar!
www.faerieworlds.com
Beloved
Dance, play, and pray on the Oregon coast at Beloved Sacred Art and Music Festival every August. Come together with
people of diverse faiths to appreciate the shared intention behind all devotion—appreciation for the Beloved.
www.belovedfestival.com
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
When the summer fog clears and autumn sunlight warms the City by the Bay, San Franciscans flock to Golden Gate
Park to see world-class musicians (bluegrass, Americana, and more) at this totally awesome, completely free festival.
www.strictlybluegrass.com
Forecast
WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOR?
28/02/11 12:00 PM
1) Dancers in silhouette
at the Harmony Festival
Techno Tribal dance; 2)
Baaba Maal at the Sierra
Nevada World Music Festival; 3) Michael Franti at
Power to the Peaceful; 4)
Wavy Gravy with Michael
Franti; 5) Skinny dipping
at Earthdance.
1.
2.
6.
3.
8.
4.
5.
T he B ig S tage
Bonnaroo
Held every June on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Tennessee, Bonnaroo brings
together some of the best performers in rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, Americana, hiphop, and electronica on the circuit today. Peaceful vibe, seamless logistics,
and unrivaled entertainment options make this a world-class destination.
www.bonnaroo.com
Coachella
Day One: Kings of Leon. The Black Keys. Interpol. The Chemical Brothers.
Ms. Lauren Hill. Day Two: Arcade Fire. Animal Collective. Mumford and
Sons. Bright Eyes. Day Three: Kanye West. The Strokes. PJ Harvey. Duran
Duran. Middle of April in the high desert of Indio, California. ‘Nuff said!
www.coachella.com
All Good
Over the years this cheerful, laid-back jam fest has expanded to include
bluegrass, hip-hop, reggae, and funk. Catch everyone from Bassnectar to
Umphries McGee, Old Crow Medicine Show to Rebelution, Phil Lesh to Railroad Earth. Mid-July on Marvin’s Mountaintop in Masontown, West Virginia.
www.allgoodfestival.com
Outside Lands
With headliners from every major music movement, and a staunch ecosustainable ethic, San Francisco’s annual late summer bash has it all.
www.sfoutsidelands.com
Bumbershoot
Since 1971, Bumbershoot has drawn local Seattle favorites and international
superstars alike to offer the best in the arts every Labor Day Weekend.
www.bumbershoot.org
L et Y our F reak F lag F ly
Burning Man
This Labor Day Weekend event in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada sets the
standard for radical self-expression. The festival is participatory, artistic, and
outlandish beyond belief. It fosters interactive creativity, a gift economy, and
fierce self-reliance, then magically disappears without leaving a trace.
www.burningman.com
The Rainbow Gathering
The Rainbow Tribe is an egalitarian affiliation of individuals working towards
peace and love on earth who come together every July (this year, in Washington State) in a free-form celebration of spirit and community.
Wakarusa
www.welcomehere.org
This four-day foot-stomping party on Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas,
draws huge crowds each June with its eclectic lineup (My Morning Jacket,
STS9, Rebelution), plus a silent disco, carnival rides, disc golf, and seriously
beautiful hiking. An essential stop on any East Coast summer tour.
Shambhala
www.wakarusa.com
www.shambhalamusicfestival.com
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Deep in the mountains of British Columbia, a community arises each August
to celebrate art, music, and humanity. Shambhala is a journey, an adventure,
a life-altering experience, and most of all, a place to let loose and DANCE.
28/02/11 12:01 PM
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lightning in a Bottle
This annual Southern California underground dance party co-created by the
Los Angeles-based Do Lab artists collective in May is like an enormous nightclub in the woods, but with more heart. And soul. And teeth. And art installations. And a fierce leave-no-trace ethic. Leave it better, leave it beautiful.
www.lightninginabottle.org
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
This celebration of the universal spirit of music transcends divisions of race
and culture through art that promotes peace and unity in a conscious and environmentally aware community. Catch your favorite world music, reggae, and
dancehall performers this June in California’s beautiful Mendocino County.
www.snwmf.com
Emerg+N+See
This ain’t no disco! Delight your eyes and ears as pioneers of sound and light
showcase cutting-edge electronic and live music in a lush enchanted forest.
Acres of camping, organic food vendors, and a wide variety of luminaries of
the psychedelic world make this a must-do event on the festival circuit. Held
in Oregon’s spectacular and verdant Willamette Valley every July.
www.emrgnsee.com
R eturn
to
G aia
Whole Earth Festival
Dating back to the very first Earth Day in 1970, this festival features tie-dye
clad families, epic drum circles, and even a reusable dishware program. This
music, dance, arts, crafts, and education festival on Mother’s Day weekend
at UC Davis is free, solar-powered, organically oriented, and truly zero waste.
www.wef.ucdavis.edu
6) Mark Margolis
as Mr. Bubbles at
the OCF; 7) Exuberance at the Oregon
Country Fair; 8)
Earthdance founder
Chris Deckker with
Grandma Agnes
Baker Pilgrim; 9)
Fire dancing at
Harmony
Bhakti Fest
Gather on 450 acres of beautiful desert land in Joshua Tree, California, every
September for a four-day music festival celebrating devotion through Kirtan
concerts, chanting, yoga, a wellness sanctuary, meditation, and community.
www.bhaktifest.com
Earthdance
Unite through dance in support of global peace and humanitarian aims at the
world’s largest simultaneous music and dance event. The Northern California
hub moves to a new location at the Vallejo County Fairgrounds this September.
www.earthdancelive.com
Power to the Peaceful
San Francisco’s music, art, and yoga festival truly lives up to its name coined
by founder Michael Franti. In addition to big-name performers, enjoy a Kid
Zone with aerial entertainment and conscious carnival booths, healing tents
offering massage by donation, and a loving, laid-back vibe, all for free.
www.powertothepeaceful.org
Gaia Fest
This music and sustainable living fair offers a forum for exploring environmental stewardship, human rights, healing arts, and spirituality on the historic Hog
Farm founded by Wavy Gravy in Laytonville, CA. Celebrating the late summer
season, this festival features local, organic, and sustainable products.
www.thegaiafestival.com
High Sierra Music Festival
Get up close and personal with your favorite bluegrass, folk, blues, and rock
artists every Fourth of July weekend in the hamlet of Quincy, California.
www.highsierramusic.com
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28/02/11 12:01 PM
vitality
Upshift to Spring!
The Five Elements are an
effective map to well-being
as the season change.
H
ow can you best prepare for the vibrant energy of spring? What if a few
basic actions in your daily life could
nurture your creativity during this seasonal
change? As winter melts into spring, we’re
reminded that we’re all part of a bigger picture
of transitions and cycles. The Chinese science
of healing links the Five Elements—water,
wood, fire, earth, and metal—to the seasons
and to personal well-being. With the rich
perspective of Five Elements theory, you can
nourish yourself through seasonal transitions
by connecting with your inner resources and
finding your energetic power.
As a guild-certified Feldenkrais practitioner
with a practice in qigong, I integrate acupressure and Chinese energetics to deepen the
relationship between person and environment. For example, the water-wood aspect
30
of elemental theory can offer clues as to why
a client is experiencing lethargy, stiffness, or
frustration during these early spring months.
J. R. Worseley, the British professor who
brought Five Elements Acupuncture to the
West, elucidated the many ways in which
health is deeply connected to our natural environment. In March, 2010, at an Acupressure
Institute seminar called “Stirring Water, Growing Wood,” Keith Stetson, who apprenticed
with Worseley, gave great insight into the powerful time between winter and spring. Stetson’s
talk, along with my practice of qigong, provides
a basis for the ideas that follow.
According to Chinese Medicine, the season
is a key factor in evaluating our vitality at a
given moment. The theory of Five Elements
extends beyond simply treating disease to
include healing as an alchemical art. The Five
Elements are touchstones to dynamic states of
change that correspond not only to seasons,
but also to emotions, behaviors, movements,
organs, and senses. When the elements are in
harmony, we experience health, well-being,
and the joy of being alive.
In Chinese energetics, winter is associated
with the water element, with deep dark blue,
and is connected to the zang/fu of the kidneys
and bladder (zang/fu is best translated as both
the organs and the meridians through which qi
flows). The kidney is the storehouse of innate
qi (jing), and water is considered the element
of potential and the unknown (and if not balanced, fear and tension). Spring is associated
with the wood element, with the fresh green
of growth, and the liver and gall bladder zang/
fu. The cultivation of the soil enables plants
to start sprouting; so, too the nourishment of
Photo: giana cirolia
BY margit galanter
CD14 Departments.indd 30
28/02/11 12:00 PM
our inner stillness can allow for the expansion of creative action.
From this perspective, the transition
from winter into spring is a critical moment for the vitality of any individual and
is considered the beginning of the annual
cycle. Winter is a time for slowing down,
for building up resources, and for a kind of
hibernation. Even in warm, sunny climates,
people may want more sleep than usual, or
its converse, experience interrupted sleep if
out of harmony. As the weather shifts, you
can be ready for the exuberance of growth in
the spring, uncorking the reserves developed
through a period of hibernation. Spring is
expansion—of plant life, physical energy, and
creative action.
The shift in seasons is a big leap for our
systems. At the end of winter, you may
experience water imbalances, such as shifts in
sleeping patterns, exhaustion, wired or anxious energy, an overly driven attitude, or even
a flight from responsibilities. Clear out by
stirring the water, lovingly encouraging any
stagnation to dissipate. You’re likely to find
that the depth of incubation and hibernation
is just what you need to sprout and flower.
As winter draws to a close, wood disharmonies may come in the form of allergies,
frustration, anger, headaches, stiff groin,
sprains or strains, and digestive issues (to
name a few!). Branches of a tree that are
moistened can bend and grow, but if brittle,
they will crack; so too our limbs require their
own form of moisture. Nurture your water
element during late winter. Take time to be
still, make fewer plans, stay out of the cold,
and spend time nourishing your internal life
to rebuild kidney and bladder qi.
This transitional time is also an ideal
moment to purify through dietary changes.
Cleanse with care, giving a break to your liver
and kidneys that filter so much for you! I like
to take three–five days at the winter-spring
transition to eat solely grains and greens (and
rare eggs for protein as needed), while drinking generous amounts of water throughout
the day. Taking a break from oils and salts at
this key moment is a true gift. Liver cleansers include lemon juice, apple cider vinegar,
dandelion greens, and milk thistle.
The seasons have a way of supporting one
another in sequence, and we can appreciate
this more deeply when we tune in to our
connection with the natural environment
and the time of year. Let the five elements
help you map a path to vigor and balance in
springtime and beyond.
Seasonal Well-being: It’s elementary!
Try these simple somatic practices to get your body and spirit
in tune with the universal cycles and seasons of change. The five
essential elements of Chinese medicine are a map that
will help you flow through the year with ease and grace.
WATER Nurture your water element as you ease out of winter. While meditating, imagine a cool dark blue filling your kidneys. Exhale with the quiet
sound “Whhhooooooo” as if you’re blowing out a candle. Imagine you are
filling your lower back with the wet blue.
WOOD For your attachment to opinions and your frustrations, the wood
element harmonizes through winding movement at the tendons and joints.
The best prescription for this is to Do the Twist! Try this in early spring to
ease into the season.
Photo: giana cirolia
FIRE The element of fire rules your passion, your unique voice, and your
anger. It mixes with the cool wet of the kidneys to produce qi, as if internal
steam is rising. During the summer, sing with friends to enrich relationships,
and open your voice.
METAL Your sense of justice and boundaries is guided by the element of
metal. In our ambitious culture, it is amazing to hear that perfection in
Chinese medicine is considered an imbalance of metal! Deep breathing to
soften boundaries is especially helpful during early morning in the fall.
EARTH Your earth element holds sway over change and clear thinking. Try
this out during any seasonal transition: lie on your belly for a while, open
your mouth, and breathe into and out from the earth.
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28/02/11 12:00 PM
sounds
Mystic by Nature
Shimshai channels
the highest vibrations
with a magnetic spirit
and golden voice.
S
himshai sings the hearts-inspired
gospel as he extols us to dance, his
Les Paul guitar, voice, and stellar band
leading us in a celebration fueled by love.
Celebration is the heartbeat of a Shimshai
concert. From the intimacy of his opening
acoustic set, the audience becomes united. As
the full band takes the stage, the up-tempo
beat brings us to our feet, the dance floor
fills, and our enthusiasm begins to rock the
house. Rather than being lost in the mania of
trance, the dancers are present and listening,
for here the message matters. There are no
strangers on this dance floor. Connecting
with smiles and singing in harmony, we are
galvanized by the joyous reality of this truth
of love being so fully expressed. At nearly
32
2:00 a.m., after dancing for hours, I feel refreshed. The fatigue I felt when I’d arrived is
gone, and at my age, that’s saying something.
It has been my good fortune to have
chosen a spiritual path that introduced me to
Shimshai nearly ten years ago. This blessing
has given me the opportunity to work with
him in traditional ceremonies, to closely
follow his music, and to come to know and
admire him as a human being.
“To experience the music of Shimshai is
to be taken on a musical journey that celebrates the purest light of Universal Love,”
according to Robyn Shanti of KBOO Radio
in Portland. At festivals and concerts worldwide, Shimshai brings his unique blend of
World Fusion and Sacred Sound, performing
with luminaries such as Jai Uttal, Ram Dass,
Tina Malia, Deepak Chopra, and Michael
Franti. He also performs solo and with
friends at yoga studios and spiritual retreats.
Lieb Ostrow, CEO and founder of Earthbeat Records calls Shimshai’s music “an
enchanted mixture of spirit and soul.”
A true Aquarian, Shimshai was born into
a Judeo-Christian community of back-tothe-land hippies in Northwest Washington
who called themselves the Love Israel Family
and who based their lives on the original
teachings of the Old Testament. Every child
was given a Hebrew name, or a symbolic
virtuous name like Faith, Love, or Gratitude.
Shimshai (Shemesh’ilai) means “My Sun.”
It’s a good fit.
Photos: Jamie Soja
By Laurie Patton
28/02/11 12:00 PM
Photos: Jamie Soja
Piano lessons from his father provided Shimshai’s early musical education—he’s gradually
added guitar, sitar, flute, and woodwinds
to the mix. Inspired by the music of many
cultures, Shimshai has a special affinity for
the syncopated beats and powerful message of reggae. Jamaica’s rebel music was
a revolutionary call, encouraging people to
“Stand Up For Our Rights” to overcome
poverty and government corruption. Today
Shimshai calls us to “lift up your awareness
to a higher level,” out of the poverty of a
soul-less culture.
I Sense Your Presence, Shimshai’s first
CD, released in 2001, was inspired by his
interest in the Essene Church of Christ and
its doctrines.
In Toward The One and Live in Maui
(2003/2006), he continues to ignite the
passion of God into our hearts. In 2004,
he released Jaya Bhagavan, where he sings
Hindu Bhajans with Tina Malia; Jai Uttal also
performs on this CD. Deliverance (2006) is
performed solo, and on Alianza (2008), he
sings prayers from around the world in Sanskrit, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Shimshai carries his message of peace and
unity not only through his music, but also
through the work that he and his family do
and the way they live their lives. He has been
drawn to Central and South America, to the
indigenous cultures and their way of life honoring Pacha Mama (Mother Earth), and to
their traditional ceremonies and practices. He
and his Colombian wife Susana are passionate about preserving indigenous teachings
and work closely with the Kogi people of
Colombia. You can hear the flavor of the
Andes in much of his music.
Shimshai and Susana also often hold spiritual retreats and inspirational workshops at
their home in the Santa Cruz Mountains, inviting people to work with them and to share
their hearts and lives. In Shimshai’s words,
“It’s about being real with ourselves and all
our relations, about trying to achieve that
world peace that starts within and spreads
out to humanity and beyond.” They invite
their guests to partake in traditional ceremonial practices to “reconnect to the Source of
the Great Mystery.”
An active philanthropist, Shimshai holds
benefit concerts for a variety of communitybased projects in Central and South America.
He is currently raising funds to rebuild the
Winaypaq School, located in a small town
in the Sacred Valley of Peru devastated by
floodwaters. (All donations go directly to
rebuilding this school.)
Shimshai is currently performing with
the Seraphim Sound System: (heads up: this
name may be temporary) featuring a tight ensemble of extraordinary talent. Julian Fritz,
from Eugene, Oregon, via West Germany,
plays inspired, rock-steady drums. Timi, who
hails from Guyana, South America, plays
bright and colorful bass lines. (He was the
original bass player for Lost At Last.) The
melodically gifted, uplifting style of Asher
Fulero on keyboard completes the band.
With Shimshai’s beautiful voice and wisdom at the helm, fans like me find ourselves
in the presence of a true and courageous
warrior of love. His music is pure encouragement, pointing “toward the One” and
uniting us all in a long overdue celebration.
A Shimshai concert is precious medicine
essential for the spiritually open and for curious seekers. These gatherings bring the spirit
center stage, and offer up danceable inspiration. So shake the dust from your wings, kick
off or put on your dancing shoes, and come
celebrate this Love. Amen!
33
28/02/11 12:00 PM
10th Annual
Connecting Community Through Mind, Body & Spirit
New Living Expo
April 29th - May 1, 2011
The Concourse Exhibition Center, 8th Street at Brannan Street, San Francisco
Building a World of Infinite Possibilities
Dannion Brinkley
3
Special
Events
Stanislav Grof, M.D.
Daryl Hannah w/
Tricia McCannon
Julia "Butterfly" Hill
Sean David Morton
Gregg Braden
Dick Gregory
Starhawk
Chi-Sung Hung
Caroline Casey
BOOTHS
Terry Cole-Whittaker
AVAILABLE
& many more...
Admission/Hours
Friday 3pm-10pm
Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
$15 for 1 day
$20 for 2 days
$25 for 3 days
Exhibit/Attend or Volunteer
415-382-8300
Students 20 yrs and under are FREE
www.newlivingexpo.com
CD14 BOB Spreads.indd 30
28/02/11 12:08 PM
photos: From top: courtesy of Journeydance / mettler studios / let your yoga dance / ruth zaporah / lis addison
Featured Speakers
300+ Exhibits
100+ Lectures
3 Hour Special Events (Extra)
Free Workshops
Panel Discussions
Natural Food - Bodywork
Green Business
Bookstore-Booksignings
Business Opportunities
rit
35 Education
36 Festivals
37 Retreats and Workshops
40 Events and Performances
42 Book Reviews
44 CD Review
44 MixMasters Top 10
46 Results
Movement Menu
Visit www.ConsciousDancer.com for the global directory, and sign up for the monthly eZine!
spring highlights
co
education
JourneyDance™ Teacher Training Module 1
bits
res
ra)
ops
ons
ork
ess
ngs
ies
pm
pm
pm
day
ays
ays
eer
00
REE
Improvise at the Mettler Workshop - p.36
MAR 18 – 20 • Prescott, AZ
Leaders do not lead dances; they lead people. When
a dance leader steps into the centre, he or she is
for that moment a spiritual teacher. What are our
responsibilities to the circle once we step onto this
path? How do we put our personal self aside? How do
we maintain love, harmony, and beauty in our circles
when interpersonal difficulties arise? When we are in
the role of a dance leader we are for that time both
a spiritual and a community leader. How do we grow
into these roles? Darvesha Victoria MacDonald will
guide this weekend of investigation and growth.
www.prescottcircle.org
Get active and Let Your Yoga Dance! - p.35
Have a splendid moment with Ruth Zaporah - p.38
Yoga Teacher Training with Shiva Rea
MAY 6 – 8 • Yogani Studios, Tampa, FL
Calling all adventurers! Dive into the flow and integrate a liberating, philosophically and physiologically
grounded approach to fluid movement and flow into
your practice and teaching. Morning practices are
fertile, creative explorations that catalyze afternoon
and evening practicums and discussions. Come learn
Shiva’s fluid, dynamic approaches to yoga, movement,
and healing, and participate in the creative quantum
intelligence that guides our evolution from within as
a natural path to freedom. Shiva Rea is a yogini firekeeper, sacred activist, global adventurer, and leading
innovator in the evolution of prana flow yoga.
www.shivarea.com
Yoga Teacher Training: Therapeutic Yoga for
the Cancer Journey
KiVo Practitioner Initiation
APR 3 – 8 • San Rafael, CA
OCT 15 – 22 • Maui, HI
Blending sound-healing and chant with tribal dance,
KiVo exercises body, mind, spirit, and voice. Work
MAY 1 – 6 (Part 1) and JUN 26 – JUL 1 (Part 2)
Kripalu, Stockbridge, MA
Let Your Yoga Dance® Teacher Training offers lovers
of dance, movement, and yoga a power-packed,
comprehensive 100-hour course in the art and science
of merging yoga and dance through the chakras. You
do not have to be a teacher already in order to take
this program, but you can be. The training takes you
on an unforgettable journey while teaching you to
become the most authentic, grounded teacher you
can be. Based in the time-honored traditions of yoga
and dance, this compassionate, creative, fun-filled
training provides you with an exceptional springboard
for teaching and guiding others.
www.letyouryogadance.com
Fluid Power: Sequencing and Practices for
Liberating the Flow
Frog Lotus Yoga Teacher Trainings
APR 4 – MAY 30 • North Adams, MA
APR 24 – MAY 15 • Bali, Indonesia
JUN 21 – JUL 13 • Acebo, Spain
Live and breathe yoga with like-minded travellers at
this intensive retreat and yoga teacher training course.
Undertake this transformational process in a beautiful and luxurious setting, enjoy gourmet vegetarian
food, be totally taken care of and nurtured on every
level. Founder and Director Vidya Jacqueline Heisel
is a seasoned master teacher with over 30 years of
experience; co-teachers Jennifer Yarro and Jennilee
Toner also bring an outstanding level of professional
expertise and teaching ability. When the training is
over, join more than 1000 successful graduates of this
highly effective program, and begin your career as a
yoga teacher.
www.froglotusyoga.com
out your inner self by accessing the subtle vibrations
of your voice, and your outer self by dancing. In the
process, clear your physical and energetic bodies
in order to more fully receive and radiate Spiritual Light. Rooted in the Shamanic tradition, KiVo
engenders the awareness of all living beings as our
relations. This practitioner initiation offers tools such
as healing chants, drum rhythms, and choreography,
as well as routines for presenting at classes and
gatherings. Participants will be eligible to become
licensed KiVo practitioners.
www.kivodance.com
Let Your Yoga Dance®! Teacher Training
The Immeasurable of Dance Leading
photos: From top: courtesy of Journeydance / mettler studios / let your yoga dance / ruth zaporah / lis addison
urs
MAR 17 – 21 • Newton, MA
Toni Bergins’ holistic movement practice JourneyDance™ cultivates transformation, self-love, living
your highest potential, and finding fullest expression. Learn to guide others on this spiritual journey
using evocative music, movement suggestions,
guided imagery, and ritual. Create a sacred space
for dancers to feel, process, and worship. Facilitate
the expanding and elevating of a group’s energetic
vibrations. Lead shamanic-style rituals to cleanse the
body and mind with sweat and breath. Hold space
for your own authentic dancing spiritual practice,
and inspire others to delve and explore with you.
Come begin this exhilarating and sensuous journey
to get funky and divine.
www.journeydance.com
Explore KiVo with Lis Addison - p.35
MAY 15 – 19 • Harmony Hill Retreat Center,
Union, WA
Join Joanna Cashman RN, E-RYT, MFA, for an introductory training for yoga teachers on the science of teaching yoga to cancer survivors. This program is designed
for experienced yoga teachers (200 hours yoga alliance
or equivalent) to learn about pathology and treatment
35
28/02/11 12:08 PM
MoveMix Conference: The Roots and Shoots
of Conscious Dance
JUN 5 – 10 • Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
Integration is the theme of the first-ever Conscious
Dancer magazine movement symposium. Why is
movement so vitally important? How can we integrate what we learn in the dance into our lives and
the community? What are the deeper lessons of the
body? Explore these questions for five diverse days
of music and dance, panel discussions and movement workshops, integration and celebration. Explore
the 5Rhythms™ with Gabrielle Roth and Jonathan
Horan, entrain your brain with Elaine Fong and the
body rhythm meditation of TaKeTiNa™, let Parashakti
guide you inward in the blindfolded Dance of Liberation™, and learn to embody universal somatic principles with Danielle Fraenkel’s LivingDance™.
www.eomega.org
Institute of Noetic Sciences
Annual Conference
JUL 20 – 24 • San Francisco, CA
Discover the best practices for transforming the
world. Attend insightful presentations, musical events,
and celebrations in a community of like-minded folk.
The IONS team has gathered a collection of inspiring, thoughtful, and visionary people to address this
unique moment in our collective unfolding, including
Deepak Chopra, Joanna Macy, Rachel Naomi Remen,
Edgar Mitchell, Marilyn Schlitz, Brian Swimme, Jean
Watson, and Rupert Sheldrake. The conference will
also include self-organized breakfast tabletop talks,
a scientific poster session geared toward students
conducting studies on consciousness or in the noetic
sciences, and a Meet-and-Greet for community group
coordinators and regional representatives.
www.noetic.org
Mettler Studios Dance Workshop: Dance
Improvisation and Teacher Training
JUL 11 – 22 • Tucson, AZ (one or two-week options)
Immerse yourself in dance as a creative art experience, based on principles pioneered by Barbara
Mettler. Explore individual and group improvisational
dance with instructors Mary Ann Brehm and Griff
Goehring. Delve into improvisation by exploring
these themes: the kinesthetic sense as a guide for
Zuza Engler (seen here
with Michael Skelton) leads
Soul Motion at Esalen with
Vinn Martí. p.40
36
festivals
Himalayan Love RajaBhakti Yoga Immersion
and Festival
APR 1 – 18 • Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, India
Himalayan Love is simultaneously an intensive
yoga immersion, cultural exchange, volunteering
opportunity, and festival celebrating yoga, Kirtan,
Seva, and Awakened Living in the Holy Himalayas.
Practice diverse yoga styles accompanied by live
devotional music, offer your unique gifts and service
to the Tibetan population of Dharamsala, and build
lifelong relationships with soul-family from around the
world, right in the hometown of the Tibetan Buddhist
government. One hundred percent of profits benefit
Dharamsala’s Tibetan refugees.
www.himalayanlove.com
Bhakti Fest Spring OMmersion
APR 15 – 17 • Joshua Tree Retreat Center, Joshua
Tree, CA
Immerse yourself in yoga, chanting, ritual, and meditation at the first annual Spring Bhakti Fest OMmersion. Join Kirtan stars Jai Uttal, Dave Stringer, Sean
Johnson, and the Wild Lotus Band as well as yoga
teachers Shiva Rea, Saul David Raye, Micheline Berry,
and Sara Ivanhoe. Explore and develop your devotional practice at three-day workshops with themes
like Awakening Bhakti (Jai Uttal), A Beginner’s Guide
to Kirtan and Indian Music (Daniel Paul), The Fierce
Goddess: The Divine Model for Our Times (Laura
Amazzone), and The Bhakti Mandala (David Newman).
www.bhaktifest.com
Alchemeyez Visionary Art Congress
MAY 13 – 16 • Waikoloa Village Resort,
Big Island, HI
Join a collective of artists, musicians, educators,
spiritualists, and visionaries dedicated to the idea
that conscious art and music can reinvigorate the
Spiritual into our societies. Share methods, ideas,
and visions for allowing this change with others who
engage in this mission. Bring new energy, insight,
and inspiration into your life. The festival will feature
work by leading spiritual and sacred art visionaries,
as well as performances by leading electronica artists
and acoustic musicians.
www.alchemeyez.com
28/02/11 12:08 PM
Photo: COURTESY OF journeydance
of cancer, varieties of therapeutic yoga, energy medicine, and somatic practices that support the wellness
of your students. The training includes restorative and
cardio practices, posture modifications, YogaDance
lymphedema practice, psycho-neuroimmunology,
cancer pathophysiology, acupressure-yoga, yoga
nidra, psycho-social issues, and communication consideration. Yoga Alliance CEUs available.
www.radianthealthyoga.com
discovering movement forms; force, time, and space
and their relationship to drama, music, and visual arts;
organic form; the unity of sound and movement; and
dance with the environment. Learn about materials
and methods for teaching improvisation and creative
dance to people at all levels, including those with
special needs.
www.mettlerstudiosworkshop.blogspot.com
Photo: david conkiln
education continued
Master the
inspired practice
of JourneyDance
with Toni Bergins.
p.35
Inshala IV: Dreams Awake, Living our
Highest Vision
JUN 10 – 12 • Near Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
Live your dreams now, be the change that you wish to
see, and embody your highest visions of yourself at
Inshala, a family-oriented conference and celebration in the great outdoors of southern Alberta. Share
your insights, talents, and passions with people from
many communities. Enjoy guest speakers, movement
workshops, and art explorations as well as a kids zone,
artisan market, art installations, fire spinners, and a
walking labyrinth. Fill your evenings with soothing
sounds, groovy beats, and inspiring performers for all
ages. Camp in the beautiful Coulees, under the trees
and near the Old Man River in the Fort Macleod area.
www.inshala.ca
Harmony Festival
JUN 10 – 12 • Sonoma County, CA
For 32 years, Harmony Festival has been a leader
in bringing awareness to important environmental
issues, holding space for educational experiences,
and fostering leading-edge insights into ecological, social, and spiritual issues that define our times.
The festival includes a Health and Harmony Village,
Techno-Tribal dance, Kids Zone Well-Being Pavilion,
Goddess Grove, Steampunk Garage, Wisdom Stage,
Liquid Lounge and parade in addition to world-class
musical performances. Past performers include Lauren
Hill, Slightly Stoopid, Michael Franti and Spearhead,
Matisyahu, India.Arie, The Roots, Rebelution, Dead
Kennedys, Beats Antique, and more.
www.harmonyfestival.com
retreats and workshops
Photo: COURTESY OF journeydance
Photo: david conkiln
Yoga Ecstasy Spring Detox and
Rejuvenation Retreat
MAR 18 – 20 • Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
Join Micheline Berry, DJ Drez and friends for a healing
weekend of celebration and silence, rejuvenation
and empowerment, purification and fun, stillness and
ecstasy. Detox and re-energize while cultivating your
authentic creativity through invigorating “hot” Vinyasa
yoga sequences, ecstatic dance, and empowering
pranayama. Explore the healing aspect of the “flow
state” and how to cultivate its evolutionary dance in
diverse ways. Micheline’s retreats are known for their
ability to catalyze healing and transformation through
the integration of yoga, meditation, music and dance,
indigenous ritual, bodywork, ridiculous laughter, and
deep communion with pristine wild environments.
www.esalen.org
Waves: A 5Rhythms® Moving Meditation
MAR 18 – 20 • Kripalu, Lenox, MA
Join Jonathan Horan in an exploration of the instinctive, intuitive world within: a wild kingdom hidden in
hands and hips, roots and limbs, bones and breath,
spirit and flesh. Explore the 5Rhythms (flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical, and stillness) in a cathartic, moving
meditation that teaches us to ground ourselves in
chaos, flow when we feel frozen, and surrender to our
natural state of being: a fluid body in motion. This
is movement as spiritual practice, a dancing, kinetic
prayer of connection to the unpredictable mystery of
it all.
www.kripalu.org
Goddess Groove workshop with
Carrie Konyha
MAR 20 & JUN 12 • Tempe, AZ
Experience the powerfully transformative qualities
of the world’s most ancient and magical dance. This
workshop guides participants through experiencing
bellydance movements blended with yogic philosophies and conscious breathwork as a form of moving
meditation, embodied prayer, medium for spiritual
growth, holistic healing, and personal empowerment.
Learn dances of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, the
sacred geometry of bellydance; clear and energize
the Chakra system; and develop a Goddess Groove
practice of your own.
www.sedonabellydance.com
The Sound of Yum with Alyssa DeCaro and
Philip Novotny
MAR 25 – 27 • Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
Combining Body of Sound and Yum movement sessions, this workshop offers the best of both worlds. In
Body of Sound, discover your body as an instrument.
Delve into its innate rhythms, exploring structure and
improvisation to create a musical tapestry that draws
from body percussion, Contact Improvisation, vocal
and rhythmic exercises, circle song, and Balinese
Kecak. Yum sessions, inspired by the teachings of Vinn
Martí, Gabrielle Roth, and Contact Improvisation, use
live improvised music as a bridge to spontaneous
connection with others. Dance and connect through
breath, movement, and music.
www.esalen.org
The Healing Power of the Moving
Energy Practice
MAR 27 • Montclair, NJ
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Dance
Therapy Association (ADTA) presents a movement
class designed to open and balance the chakras.
According to ancient yogic philosophy, at the core of
37
28/02/11 12:08 PM
Fly high
with a Project
Bandaloop Aerial
Workshop. p.39
IN.TO.ME.SEE
APR 1 – 3 • Chicago, IL
Join Kate Shela for a practice in the art of relationship to self, other, and the collective. Using the
5Rhythms, allow yourself to be moved by the timeless stories of the tender heart, the potent mind, and
the all-knowing body. Seek to strip away your “coping masks,” discern between choice and routine, and
find the courage to embody what is really going on
in the moment. Through dance, encounter yourself
and the world beyond by listening to the whispers
of the body, the thrum of the mind, and the yearning
for simplicity.
www.gabrielleroth.com
Rosen Method Movement: Move Easily, Age
Gracefully, and Remain Vital
APR 3 – 8 • Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
Built on a deep knowledge of anatomy, Rosen Method helps people bring more freedom into their lives
through movement. Exercises are done individually,
with participants holding hands in a circle or working
with partners to increase range of motion, improve
alignment, and maintain flexibility. Music supports
the relaxation process and encourages moving in
new ways. Body parts that have not been moved for
a long time can be reawakened to help participants
live life more fully. Founder Marion Rosen developed
these exercises to prevent physical difficulties and
age more gracefully. At age 96, she is a true testimonial to her work.
www.esalen.org
Metta Vipassana with Mindful Movement
APR 6 – 27 • Hollyhock, Cortes Island, B.C., Canada
Develop compassionate awareness with a unique
combination of Metta and Vipassana practice and
mindful movement. Instructors Joy Kerfoot, Michele
McDonald, and Steven Smith lead 11 days of lovingkindness cultivation, followed by 10 days of insight
practice. Revel in the happiness and freedom of all
38
Body Tales Weekend Retreat
APR 8 – 10 • Salamander Camp, Santa Cruz
Mountains, CA
Body Tales® is a creative and healing practice that
integrates movement, voice, and personal storytelling. This unique form combines elements of dance,
theater, and expressive arts, and encourages and
supports an embodied value system that emphasizes
the well-being of the Earth. Join Olivia Corson and
Lysa Castro for three days of intuitive movement,
sounding, story-gathering, depth witnessing, creativity, healing, artistry, beauty and sanctuary in nature,
rest, camaraderie, hot tubbing, cold plunging, stargazing, redwoods, meadow-dancing, stillness, support, grieving, celebrating, dreaming, re-humanizing,
and renewal.
www.bodytales.com
The Awakening Kundalini Dance Retreat
APR 9 – 17 • Gabriola Island, BC, Canada
At this retreat, focus on your personal transformational journey as you prepare to work as a Kundalini
Dance facilitator and/or tantric shamanic body worker.
Join Kundalini Dance founder Leyolah Antara to
activate one chakra per day, awaken your unique
vocational gifts, and transform what keeps you from
stepping into your power. These practices are based
in ancient tantric/shamanic alchemical traditions of
many ancient esoteric cultures, particularly those
of ancient Egypt. The Awakening retreat qualifies
participants for the Kundalini Dance facilitator training
(Module 1 April 17–24).
www.kundalini-dance.com
A Splendid Moment: A Five-Day
Improvisation reTREAT
APR 13 – 17 • Madrona Mindbody Institute, Port
Townsend, WA
Fully immerse yourself in being here using Ruth Zaporah’s improvisational physical theater practice, Action
Theater. Unveil yourself to yourself, one moment at a
time, each instant leading to the next. Ruth’s physical,
vocal, and verbal movement exercises will invite you
into unknown yet uncannily familiar territories, territories of the embodied imagination. Experience a
fresh view of yourself, who you are, how you perceive
and respond to the ordinary, and the vastness of your
potential. Open to all those who relish living in a
28/02/11 12:08 PM
Photo: tyler blank
each of us spin seven wheel-like energy centers called
chakras. At this workshop, learn to move from each of
these seven energetics. Inspired by a dynamic mix of
global and contemporary music, explore yourself in
order to discover your own authentic dance. The class
is fun, therapeutic, and spiritual. Instructor MeriLynn
Blum has a background in dance, yoga, and psychology, and has been teaching for over 15 years.
[email protected]
beings. Develop a sensitive awareness to breath.
Transform your consciousness and liberate your
mind, opening up to the present moment. Enjoy
formal instruction and practice, dharma talks, mindful
movement practice, and individual meetings with the
teachers. Attend all 21 days, or choose 11 days of
Metta or 10 days of Vipassana.
www.hollyhock.ca
Photo: courtesy of project bandaloop
continued
human body and like to move, novices and experienced practitioners alike.
www.madronamindbody.com
Project Bandaloop Aerial Workshop
APR 16 – 17 • Oakland, CA
Learn Project Bandaloop’s breathtaking signature vertical/aerial technique that blends dance, sport, ritual,
and environmental awareness. Try dancing in the air,
on the walls, and on the ground. Train in safety, and
learn the proper use of equipment. Practice vertical
and aerial dance techniques on hard walls, trampoline
walls, and in the air, as well as climbing choreography and floor work. Guided technique and time
for improvisation are part of the unique, supportive
curriculum offered by core company members and
Project Bandaloop director Amelia Rudolph.
www.projectbandaloop.org
Seattle Dancemeditation Weekend
APR 16 – 17 • Health Within Yoga Studio,
Redmond, WA
Dancemeditation™ opens the doors of consciousness through slow movement, breath-based
stretching, healing rocking, intuitive movement flow,
spiritual belly dance, and expansive dancing. Activate
and honor the body’s feeling sense, enhance your
ability to listen and receive embodied messages, and
open the subtle. Health Within is a comprehensive
healing arts center snuggled into the foothills of Redmond, Washington, that honors positive connections
with nature and community as important components
of health. In keeping with this mission, Health Within
includes a new classroom/ dance/ yoga/ meditation
building, an organic blueberry farm, and a rescuedllama sanctuary.
www.dancemeditation.org
Boot Camp for Goddesses Level 1
Photo: tyler blank
Photo: courtesy of project bandaloop
APR 16 – 21 • Casa Grande Mountain Retreat,
Utuado, Puerto Rico
Release the goddess within! This intensive program
features yoga, workouts, hiking, detoxification, meditation, breathwork, aromatherapy, labyrinth walk, energetic healing, a sweat-lodge purification ceremony,
live African drumming and dancing, and discussions
on women’s health, nutrition, and healing. Assess your
strengths and challenges; trust, listen, and follow your
body’s intelligence; honor the balance that exists between effort and nurturing; explore what it means to
meet your needs and strive for your goals; and learn a
new discipline of strength: the strength to let go.
www.sierrabender.com
The Magic of Movement: Nia-Yoga Spring
Renewal Retreat
APR 16 – 22 • Present Moment Retreat, Ixtapa,
Mexico
Release the heaviness of winter as you celebrate the
light of springtime! Practice Nia, yoga, ritual, journaling, deep relaxation, soulful play, and an exploration
of the natural rhythms of your body and the collective
rhythms of life. Relish plenty of free time to bask
in the sun, stroll down the beach, horseback ride,
kayak, and make new friends. With the amenities of
a five-star hotel and the privacy of a deserted island,
Present Moment Retreat combines the luxuries of a
health spa and beach resort with the tranquility of an
intimate spiritual center.
www.presentmomentretreat.com
Recharge and Renew Retreat
APR 16 – 23 • Rancho Pedro Paila, Sian Ka’an
Reserve, Mexico
Calling all Spiritual Adventurers! Get ready to unplug
from the distractions of daily life and find clarity and
peace. This is your opportunity to reinvent yourself
in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.
Explore ancient sacred Mayan sites; participate in
a life-changing ceremony; receive cleansing and
healings; practice breathwork, meditation, ceremony,
shamanic practices, and relaxation. Rancho Pedro
Paila is nestled between the sea and a large lake
where you’ll find mangrove channels, Mayan ruins,
and lush tropical flora and fauna. The ranch lies within
the Sian Ka’an Reserve which, at 1.3 million acres, is
the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.
Emerge feeling refreshed, refocused, and ready to
jumpstart your life!
www.sylviabrallier.com
Sufi Silent Retreat with Murshid Wali
Ali Meyer
APR 17 – 22 • Chapel Rock Conference and Retreat
Center, Prescott, AZ
Immerse yourself in wazifah meditation practice under
the direct guidance of Murshid Wali Ali. Meet with
Wali Ali to determine which “stream” of practice is
most appropriate for your development and receive
personalized assignments. Gather each morning for
shared practice; an optional afternoon meeting allows
for questions and group practices. Chapel Rock offers
the perfect setting to balance your time between practice and relaxation. The center’s mild, sunny days and
crisp, cool evenings can be enjoyed amongst 20 acres
of Ponderosa pines, elms, and beautiful rock outcroppings. There will be ample opportunities for individual
meetings with Wali Ali throughout the retreat.
www.prescottcircle.org
Fly like acro-yogi
Jenny Sauer-Klein
at the Acrotastic
Extravaganza. p.40
39
28/02/11 12:08 PM
APR 23 – 27 • Oakland, CA
Come join the three-ring circus in Oakland with some
of the most active and passionate acrobatics teachers
in AcroYoga. This Advanced Acrobatics Immersion
will be led by AcroYoga co-founders Jason and Jenny,
Seattle Acro’s Lux, Graeme and Dawn, and Jason and
Chelsey from The YogaSlackers in Tucson. Drawing
upon the unique strengths and signature style of each
team, practice a wide variety of complementary skills
and flows, designed for the seasoned acrobat. Roles
will be specialized (flyer/base) for optimal learning
curve, and established acrobatic partnerships will be
honored as much as possible. This event requires
approval to attend.
www.acroyoga.org
BLOOM: An Urban Retreat/Spa/Temple for
Self-Employed Toronto Goddesses
APR 30 – MAY 1 • Toronto, ON, Canada
Imagine being welcomed into a beautiful space, surrounded by inspiring women. Imagine the space to
slow down, breathe, and delve into ideas you need to
work through. Imagine a sacred space: part sanctuary,
part temple, part mastermind group, sprinkled with
a pinch of spa. Imagine a weekend for women entrepreneurs based on themes of inspiration, ceremony,
sisterhood, and open-heartedness. Join Erica Roass
and 25 other conscious businesswomen for a weekend of delicious meals; healing massage; and time to
unwind, play, and laugh. Through storytelling, art, and
dance, create a self-care plan to foster more balance
in your life.
www.bloom-spa-retreat.yolasite.com
Soul Motion™ Workshops
MAY 8 – 13 or JUN 19 – 24 • Esalen Institute, Big
Sur, CA
Study with Vinn Martí, visionary designer, and Zuza
Engler, senior faculty and trainer, at the worldrenowned Esalen Institute on California’s Pacific
Coast. This is your opportunity to learn from both the
originator and one of his most respected protégés.
Soul Motion is a movement ministry, dance practice,
and philosophy of living devoted to the passage
from the known to the unknown. It presents methods
and strategies to relax and improvise in a dance
of self-awareness and self-acceptance. Through
an open-minded and warmhearted approach, the
practice fosters the creative voice of the unfamiliar.
Both workshops are prerequisites for the Soul Motion
Leadership Program.
www.esalen.org
Dance to heal the waters
of the world in the
Global Water Dances
celebration. p.41
40
MAY 16 – 29 • Bali, Indonesia
Explore Bali’s artistic and religious traditions with the
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Travel
Program. Begin your journey with visits to lush landscapes of rice terraces, volcanic mountains, coffee
and spice plantations, botanical gardens, and breezy
seasides for snorkeling and dolphin watching. Stop
along the way at sacred sites, including the bathing
pools of Tirta Gangga and a visit with a Balinese
priest. In Ubud, reach deeper into Bali’s inspiring
culture by learning Balinese dance, gamelan music,
mask-making, batik, and shadow puppetry at the
homes of local artists. Trip leader Susan Bauer is an
international dancer, somatics educator, and CIIS
faculty member.
www.ciis.edu
Shin Somatics® Certiﬁcation Workshop
JUN 6 – 10 • Santa Barbara, CA
Learn how your body of nature and primordial dance,
or soma, expresses itself through the marvel of bone,
breath, and movement. In this program, EastWest
Somatics founder Sondra Fraleigh brings together
Western somatic practices (Feldenkrais, Alexander,
Breathwork, and CranioSacral therapy), Somatic
Yoga, Experiential Anatomy, and Intuitive Dance for
therapeutic and educational purposes, along with
Japanese Butoh techniques and dance meditation
practices. Through skillful touch and kinesthetic
awareness, train to move with ease and pleasure according to the unique gifts of your own body.
www.eastwestsomatics.com
events and performances
FlowFest Southwest
APR 23 • Dallas, TX
Move, play, integrate, breathe, vibe up, and learn
through pleasure at the FlowFest Southwest springtime gathering. Sample experiential movement
modalities from circus arts to Tai Chi to AcroYoga,
and access joyful, embodied living with folks of all
ages and walks of life. The urban lakeside setting
at beautiful White Rock Lake in Dallas is abuzz with
indoor and outdoor activities, and the atmosphere
of creativity and playful awareness weaves a tapestry
of art, music, movement, dance, drumming, and
conscious living.
www.flowetryinmotion.com
Move! Dance for Life
MAY 17 • Birmingham, England
Move! is a simple and invigorating introduction to
Movement Medicine, a simultaneously grounding
and uplifting modern meditation practice rooted in
28/02/11 12:08 PM
Photo: istock
Acrotastic Extravaganza
Inner Adventures of Bali
Photo: courtesy of www.globalwaterdances.org
continued
Move, meditate,
and integrate
at the MoveMix Conference
at the Omega
Institute. p.36
the tradition of ecstatic dance. Learn the basics of the
practice, access the intuitive wisdom of the dancer
inside you, wake up from the “trance” of daily affairs,
discover the healing and transformative power of the
life-force inside you, and recognize the power you
have to embody your dreams. Susannah and Ya’Acov
provide careful guidance so that you can discover the
aliveness and creativity of the dancer within.
www.schoolofmovementmedicine.com
Photo: istock
Photo: courtesy of www.globalwaterdances.org
New York Dance Parade
MAY 21 • New York, NY
Featuring over 65 forms of dance and thousands of
performers, the fifth annual New York City Dance
Parade is a free party in the street.The parade was
developed to promote dance as an expressive and
unifying art form by showcasing all forms of dance,
educating the general public about opportunities
to experience dance, and celebrating the diversity
of dance in New York City by sponsoring a yearly
city-wide dance parade and festival. The event culminates with DanceFest, a free festival offering performances on two stages, dance lessons, workshops,
and social dancing.
www.danceparade.org
Matrix Energetics Levels I & II
MAY 20 – 23 • Seattle, WA
During this life-changing weekend, we will learn
the art of rewriting any rule about your reality—
your health, career, relationships, and even your
understanding of what is physically possible. Join Dr.
Richard Bartlett in a freewheeling and possibilityexpanding journey that will shatter your preconceptions about the universe we live in—and how
unlimited your potential to change it truly is. Embrace
a reality where anything goes, miracles happen, and
nothing is beyond your reach! Event is at the DoubleTree Seattle Airport hotel.
www.matrixenergetics.com
Global Water Dances
JUNE 25 • Worldwide
Global Water Dances will celebrate the importance
of water in life with 24 hours of performances moving
across the world's time zones. "We will be using
dance and music to blend local water issues with the
global struggle to ensure safe water for every human
being,” says Artistic Director Marylee Hardenbergh.
Dancers and choreographers in 33 countries are
taking part in this event, which will culminate with all
groups dancing to the same theme and music.
www.globalwaterdances.org
41
28/02/11 12:08 PM
reviews
REVIEWS
books
Dancing for Health: Conquering and Preventing Stress
by Judith Lynne Hanna, PhD
Dr. Hanna is no stranger to the benefits of body movement. As a dancer,
she has firsthand experience feeling stress melt away through dancing. As
a researcher and writer, she eloquently describes her dancing experience
and its positive effects on body, mind, and spirit. An anthropologist with a
particular interest in the complex relationship between dance and society,
Hanna has written extensively about dance in the U.S. and in Africa.
In Dancing for Health, Hanna provides a historical, anthropological, and
psychological review of the connection between dance and stress. She
opens the book with a reflection on 9/11 followed by a description of
how the arts were used in the healing process thereafter. She outlines the
relationship between body, mind, and soul through compelling scientific
research on dance as a healing modality. Complete with diagrams to help
the reader understand the findings, this book is accessible for all, but offers
an academic feel sufficient for the needs of scholars and clinicians.
Hanna provides a plethora of cross-cultural examples about ways in
which dance has been used to resolve conflicts, come to terms with life
crises, explore past traumas, and hold tensions between two seemingly polar opposites. She gives detailed
accounts of relevant worldwide tribal dances as examples of ways to emotionally heal within oneself, between
individuals, and within groups. Hanna describes dance as a medium to explore heated topics such as racism
and oppression as well as a way to induce energy releases that may not otherwise have a healthy outlet. She
devotes an entire chapter to the many facets of being a professional dancer and one to various forms of
amateur dance. Her discussion focuses on dance as a stress reliever, but also looks at the flip side—dance
as a cause of stress for a performer or observer. The book concludes with detailed information on dance
and movement therapy followed by a very brief chapter answering the question “Why dance?” This wellresearched book will deepen your understanding of how stress is reduced through body movement and of the
role dance plays as a healing art in a diversity of cultures. For dancers, anthropologists, health researchers,
and therapists, this book offers valuable wisdom and a broad cultural perspective on using dance to cope with
stress and to improve quality of life. Denise Renye www.judithhanna.com
42
Mother Night: Myths, Stories, and
Teachings for How to See in the Dark
by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Composing While Dancing:
An Improviser’s Companion
by Melinda Buckwalter
Clarissa Pinkola Estés,
poet, psychoanalyst, and
author of the bestseller
Women Who Run with
the Wolves, takes us
on a new journey to
the wilderness of our
creative nature. Mother
Night is Dr. Estés’ most
recent offering, an audio book series that describes
through myth and experience how to stand between
two worlds: the world of our culture, and the world
of dreams, intuition, and inspiration. Estés calls this
bridge between worlds the “medial nature,” and she
shows through myth, archetype, and explanation the
many ways in which our medial nature can be either
nurtured or discouraged.
Through eight richly spoken chapters, the listener
journeys from myths set in Greece and ancient
Europe to South and North American traditional indigenous insight carried to the present day in stories.
In the classic legend of Erl Konig, we recognize how
much there is to lose when we allow our youthful,
imaginative selves to be silenced in adulthood.
In the sweet and touching tale of The Bell Underground, we immerse ourselves in a portrait of simple
kindness from the old cobbler whose golden heart
awakens angels.
Estés weaves myth, metaphor, and legend with
a vibrant illuminating Jungian analysis of how each
person’s creative spark interplays with the culture
around us. With the intuition of an owl in the dark,
Estés coaxes us to hunt for our truth and call ourselves home. Mari Thorn www.soundstrue.com
Part handbook, part history
book, part encyclopedia, Melinda Buckwalter’s thoughtful
manual provides inspiration
and guidance to all who seek
methods and motives for dance
improvisation. Buckwalter has
carefully researched 26 dancemakers who use improvisation
to heal, inspire, explore, and generate choreography. In addition to reading about, interviewing,
and watching performances by the protagonists of
her book, the author studied extensively with each
artist (or in some cases, their artistic descendants)
to learn their practices as they were originally
intended: through the body. This hands-on experience has enabled Buckwalter to infuse her writing
with personal narrative explaining and pitching these
practices to her readers. In each chapter, the author
highlights one angle/feature of her vast subject matter, breaking down this seemingly inexhaustible topic
into manageable morsels such as “Time Machines,”
“Spatial Relationships,” and “Partnering Science.”
She follows each chapter with an anecdotal interlude, personalizing abstract ideas and suggesting to
readers how they might do the same.
Composing While Dancing embraces the many
aims of improvisation and offers no dogma, just
ideas and inspiration. As Buckwalter encourages,
“Take it on/ Take it in”—copy these practices, then
make them your own, create something exhilarating
and different. This is practical advice to take into the
studio, for improvisation novices and old hands alike.
Elana Silverman www.uwpress.wisc.edu
28/02/11 12:08 PM
5Rhythms Movement Practice
®
with Margaret H. Wagner
weekly Saturday mornings in New York City
monthly in Connecticut
[email protected]
203.209.0047
Integrating Awareness and Movement
Introducing Dance Layla
Sensual Core Fitness for Women
Workshops and Classes
in Portland, Oregon
Mention this ad for a free class
503.234.6436
www.iambody.us
28/02/11 12:09 PM
reviews
REVIEWS
cds
A New Day: The Laya Project Remixed
The Laya Project is a multimedia DVD and CD series that draws its
inspirational material from recordings of regional music traditions in
villages affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami. The project is the brainchild of EarthSync, a record label based in Chennai, South India. After
the tsunami, Earthsync sent a professional crew to film and record the
songs of people trying to rebuild their lives in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, Myanmar, and India. On A New Day, The Laya Project Remixed,
EarthSync brings us two CDs worth of remixed songs from the original
Laya Project CD. It represents the final installment in a fantastic,
iconic, and heroic effort by EarthSync to document, record, broadcast,
and support local musicians from the affected areas.
The first disc is gathered under the heading “Embrace”—to
accept, support, and include willingly, and also to hold closely in
one’s arms. The feeling here is lush comfort and richness. The second disc is labeled “Union”—joining together
for creation with song, dance, and music. The dance music here pulses with the heartfelt vocals and rhythms of
vibrant people from all over the world.
The traditional Asian, Indian, and Indonesian elements have been expertly reworked by an all-star cast of 22
different remix producers, each one a master of modern electronic music. They weave a sonic tapestry of Western techno culture and traditional ethnic culture, and in many cases, make the tunes more danceable by adding in
urban-powered beats, bass lines, atmospheres, and effects. There is a delicate balance in maintaining the integrity of the music, and each track delivers that and more on this release. The cast of remixers is really an “A” list of
underground producers. This release is a who’s-who of top talent globally from Pitch Black in New Zealand to MC
Yogi from Northern California, New York’s Nickodemus, and the globetrotting Shaman’s Dream. Check out all of
the other music these individual producers are creating as there is truly some amazing material to be discovered.
The person responsible for bringing the roster together is New York-based producer/promoter Joshua Jacobs,
who drew upon deep running connections in the electronic underground to make this remix album happen. His
online store ambientgroove.org reflects his extensive taste in global music culture and is definitely worth perusing.
The love all around that went into this project is astounding. Beautifully designed from cover to cover, these CDs
offer up a heartfelt representation of the rich cultures and lands in that area of the world. In the wake of tragedy
comes this blessed offering to help heal wounds and bridge borders. Rara Avis www.yogitunes.com
MIXER
MIX MASTERS SPOTLIGHT
Wendy Dando
Shamanic Disco
44
A mystery unfolds every Wednesday
evening in the middle of Silicon
Valley, an awakening of sorts in
the community of Los Gatos.
Wendy Dando is the driving force
behind the Shamanic Disco,
where dancers come together to
experience “more soulfulness, more
sacredness, and more playfulness in
our togetherness.” More than just
inspiring movement, Dando seeks to
create a space for “awakening our
authentic lives through our bodies in
a safe container.”
Dando believes that we are all
extraordinary, and that letting go
and experiencing freedom allows us
the space to return to the here and
now. “Although the extremes of Spirit
and real world are quite distinct,”
she says, “we aren't always aware
as we travel the vast realms in every
moment of our daily lives.” Dando
describes herself as an advocate for
higher consciousness and has earned
the title “Playful Dolphin with Wings.”
The shamanic part of the event’s
title refers to a tribal way of life that
is integrated into daily living through
the dance, and the word "disco"
pays homage to sheer freedom and
celebration. As one dancer said,
“Over the top wonderful! Thank you
DJ Wendy!”
Top Ten
artist
/
track title
1. Kan 'nal
- Open Channel
2. Kaya project
- Tribal Shift
3. Angelique Kidjo
- Voodoo Child
4. Eat static
- UFO Over Trenchtown
5. eccodek
- When The Bird Calls
6. gaudi
- And The Earth Said:
Oh My God!
7. blue stone
- Breathe
8. Liquid Mind
– Adagio for Sleep
9. nickodemus
- Peace Pipe
10. Desert Dwellers
- Lotus Heart
Photo: courtesy of wendy dando
SM
28/02/11 12:09 PM
F
Dance
Your
Northeast Ohio
Photo: courtesy of wendy dando
Soul.net
28/02/11 12:09 PM
results
The Anat Baniel
Method is effective for all ages
and a variety
of needs.
Anat Baniel
helps this boy
discover the
ability to move
and connect
with his body.
He became
social, made
friends,
learned to
read and
write, and
even ride a
bike.
Michelle Bensky
Anat Baniel Method
Practitioner
Santa Cruz, CA
Activities: Family time,
movement, learning,
and play.
At age two, my son Isaac was diagnosed with Asperger’s
Syndrome (ie: High Functioning Autism). As a toddler, he
gagged or vomited many times a day; he couldn’t draw with
a crayon or eat with utensils. He was reckless and clumsy,
easily overwhelmed, and became car sick even during short
drives. Isaac was diagnosed with a visual disability, and a
sensory integration disorder. His brain did not easily process
information from the outside world.
We were always searching for help: occupational
therapy, tutoring, a reading
specialist, a psychiatrist, a visual
therapist, and homeopathy,
but Isaac was not improving.
When he was eight, a friend
recommended that we take Isaac
to see Anat Baniel.
Anat Baniel, a longtime
colleague of Dr. Moshe
Feldenkrais, gradually evolved
her own method based on his
teachings. The Anat Baniel
Method (ABM) uses movement
that awakens the capacity of the
brain to create new connections
and possibilities. The method is effective for people of all
ages with a wide range of challenges. Lessons are designed to
improve function and mental acuity. For each client, Anat asks,
“How can I help this person be more effective in his or her
life?” Her work with adults is known for outstanding results in
relieving pain and increasing vitality; her success with children
who have cerebral palsy, fragile X syndrome and many special
needs is extraordinary.
Before seeing Anat, Isaac moved stiffly and was hunched
over, like a miniature old man. As he lay on her table, Anat
gently moved his torso, neck, arms, and legs, in a way that
brought Isaac’s attention and awareness to these areas. She
helped his lower back wake up and connect with other body
parts. Anat’s work provides information to the brain rather
than imposing “the right way” to move. Her approach provided
Isaac with the presence and physical awareness that most
children are born with.
Isaac worked intensively with Anat for two-and-a-half
years. After the first lessons, his gag reflex was no longer set off
by a simple sneeze. He straightened up and as his brain learned
to process what he saw, he became able to orient himself in
space. This meant I no longer had to walk him places; he could
go on his own! He became social, made friends, learned to
read and write, and even ride a bike. Today, at age 13, Isaac has
lessons with Anat every few months, AND I’ve completed the
training to become an ABM practitioner.
When I first heard Isaac’s prognosis, I began planning for a
lifetime of care for him, not just my lifetime, but his. Now, he
takes care of himself! He is spiraling up instead of down.
Learn more about the Anat Baniel Method at www.anatbanielmethod.com
46
Photos: courtesy of anat baniel
RESULTS
28/02/11 12:09 PM
Photos: courtesy of anat baniel
47
28/02/11 12:09 PM
closing circle
Shiva Rea
lights up
the beach
at night
in Nosara,
Costa Rica.
Photo: AMIR MAGAL / www.amirimage.com
Lose yourself
Escape from the black cloud
that surrounds you
Then you will see your own light
As radiant as the full moon.
~ Rumi
28/02/11 12:09 PM
IBC.indd 49
28/02/11 12:06 PM
BC.indd 49
28/02/11 12:06 PM

Conscious Dancer 14 - Physical Intelligence

Transcription

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