MOVEMENT MENU: Directory Highlights from Somatic to Ecstatic
conscious DANCER #7 Summer 2009 FREE
movement for a better world
Space Clearing
The makings of a safe container
“ Dance is more than just steps; it’s a feeling!” – Yuichi at Rancho La Puerta
Workshopping Around An Invitation for Inner Growth Outside the Box Founders’ Wisdom • Aha Moments
Primordial Hoop Hooping’s wild comeback
• PLAYING ATTENTION • Dance–Camera–Action • BREEZY CLEANSING
Let Your Yoga Dance
ÂŽ
Grace in Motion
teacher trainings | workshops | retreats | classes
Š David Scull, courtesy Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
Let Your Yoga Dance a chakra-yoga-dance fusion of power, grace, and energy. An Express Route to Joy! TRAIN to Become a Certified Yoga Dance Teacher 2009/2010: with Megha in 2009 Aug 4-13, 09 Toronto, Canada Let Your Yoga Dance Teacher Training Oct 4-9, 09 (Level 1) Dec 6-11, 09 (Level 2) Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA Kripalu Yoga Dance Teacher Training
Feb 7-20, 2010 Nosara Yoga Institute, Costa Rica Let Your Yoga Dance Teacher Training (for certified yoga teachers only)
Ongoing weekly classes Richmond, MA Let Your Yoga Dance for Parkinsons
www.LetYourYogaDance.com
™
vinn martí’s mystical movement ministry Become intimate with the motion of the soul in all directions and ground yourself in the present moment.
soulmotion.com
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conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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monday
(F) facilitated class
Women’s TransDance® Circle (F) 10am-12:30pm • North Oakland (10 class series starts 9/28)
HoopGirl Hoopdance Multi-Level 6:30-7:30pm • Dance Ground Keriac
Fairfax Contact Improv Class (F) 7-8pm • The Common Well
tuesday Soul Motion® (F)
6-8pm • Wildcat Studio
Interplay® (F)
6-7:30pm • InterPlayce
Dances of Bali (F) 6-7pm • MUCID
AcroYoga with Tyler (F)
1st CLASS FREE Miriam’s Beginning Persian & Asian (F)
HeroHooping Beginning or Inter-
Miriam’s Middle Eastern (F)
7:30-9:15pm • 7th Heaven
mediate 7:45-8:45pm • 7th Heaven
Fairfax Contact Improv Jam
7-8pm • MUCID 8-9pm • MUCID
Miriam’s Persian & Asian (F) 6:30-8pm • 8th St Studio
Women’s TransDance® Circle(F) 6:45-9:15pm • North Oakland(10 class series starts 9/30)
Core Connexion® Class (F) 7-9pm • Unitarian Church
Interplay® (F)
7-8:30pm • InterPlayce
Ecstatic Dance East Bay
7:45-10:30pm • Sweet’s Ballroom
Miriam’s Sacred Dances (F) 8-9:30pm • Western Sky
friday
saturday
Nia® with Danielle (F)
Beginning Hawaiian Hula (F)
9-10am • East Bay Dance Center
10:30-11:30am • MUCID
Beginning Tahitian Dance (F)
® (F)
10:30am-12pm • InterPlayce
Family Jam
Nia® with Danielle (F)
9-10am • East Bay Dance Center
Body of Sound (F)
6:00-7:30pm • Twinspace
5Rhythms® Endless Waves (F) 6:30-8:30pm • Studio Gracia
Contact Improv Movement Jam 8:30-11pm • 7th Heaven
Interplay® for Men (F) 7-8:30pm • InterPlayce
HoopGirl Hoopdance Multi-Level
8:30pm-12:30am • Sawtooth Bldg
5Rhythms® Sweat Your Prayers (F) 8:30-10:30am / 11am-1pm MLK Gym
Core Connexion Dance Medicine (F)
(see website for dates & times)
Ecstatic Dance East Bay
Contact Improv Class with Vitali (F)
Dance Jam
sunday
11:30-12:30am • MUCID
TransDance® Journey (F)
2nd and 4th Fridays 6-7:45pm • Sawtooth Bldg
®
10-12pm • Studio 12
10:30-1pm • Sweet’s Ballroom 4-6:30pm
Class (F) 1:30-3:00pm • 8th St. Studio Jam 3:30-6pm
Soul Sanctuary Dance
9pm-1am Fairfax Community Church 1st Saturday of the Month
11:15-12:15pm • 7th Heaven
Groove Garden
11am–1pm • Ashkenaz
Nia® with Danielle (F)
Biodanza® with Marina (F) 6:45-8:45pm • 7th Heaven
CONSCIOUS
thursday
8:30-10pm • Dance Ground Keriac
8-11pm • The Common Well
Interplay
wednesday
Barefoot Boogie
DANCER ™
movement for a better world
Promote your practice in Conscious Dancer and be known around the world. Build connections with the international moving arts and dance communities. • Online Directory • Organic Distribution • Affordable Advertising • Easy Subscriptions
Locations
7:30-11pm • Sawtooth Bldg
7TH HEAVEN YOGA 2820 7th St., Berkeley ASHKENAZ 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley DANCE GROUND KERIAC 1805 Divisadero St., S.F. EAST BAY DANCE CENTER 1318 Glenfield Ave., Oakland FAIRFAX COMMUNITY CHURCH 2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. INTERPLAYCE 2273 Telegraph Ave., Oakland MAHEA UCHIYAMA CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DANCE MUCID 729 Heinz Ave. #4., Berkeley
events
Tahiti Nui-Direct from Tahiti
Sunday, July 5th at 2:00pm A concert of Tahitian dance and music with Hirohiti Tematahotoa and KaUaTuahine Polynesian Dance Company. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Berkeley. Tickets: $35, 510-845-2605 www.mahea.com
NCDC Summer Dance Camp
June 19-28 - Dunlap, CA Come dance, play, celebrate and grow with us as we co-create a dance village for nine days in the southern Sierras. www.ncdcdances.org
Souldancers Core Connexion Retreat
August 9-14 - Castle Glarisegg, Switzerland We activate our life energy, creativity, joy, awareness and self-healing forces. Allowing our bodies to lead the way, we can find our authentic dance and expression - the dance of the soul. www.coreconnexion.net
MLK GYM 100 Coloma St., Sausalito WILDCAT, 8TH ST, WESTERN SKY & STUDIO 12 IN SAWTOOTH BLDG 2525 8th St., Berkeley Studio Gracia 19 Heron St., S.F. SWEET’S BALLROOM 1933 Broadway, Oakland THE COMMON WELL 85 Bolinas Rd.#8, Fairfax TWINSPACE 2111 Mission St, S.F. UNITARIAN CHURCH 1924 Cedar St., Berkeley
WEBSITES
www.coreconnexion.net www.dancejam.org www.ecstaticdanceeastbay.com www.interplay.org www.mahea.com www.miriamdance.com www.niadanielle.com www.soulsanctuarydance.com www.thecommonwell.com www.thegroovegarden.com www.transdance.com www.sfbarefootboogie.com www.7thheavenyoga.com
%BODF /FX &OHMBOEhT UI BOOVBM
%BODF $BNQ August 14th-25th
at Camp Robin Hood in Freedom, NH
Register and pay online at dne.org if no internet access, call 937-510-6903
Come Dance Play Swim Relax Commune Create and Share with us!
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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presents
the 6th Annual
Tribal
Gathering
m a r t h a ’s v i n e y a r d
July 24-26
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.� ~ Carl Jung
a celebration of community 6 teachers  -  3 days of dancing magical outdoor dinner party beautiful Olympia, WA
Inspired Gifts for Creating Your Sacred Space 508 ”693 ”9600 www.shopsanctuary.com
4Qb <MUXTM Â&#x152; ! Â&#x152; ___ _I^M[ [\]LQW KWU
YogaJourn-June08.indd 1
Esalen Institute Presents
2/27/08 1:35:45 PM
Sacred JourneyDanceâ&#x201E;˘: Love your body, love your life! with JourneyDance creator Toni Bergins
July 31 - Aug 2, 2009 Summer Weekend
Register by phone 831-667-3005 or online at www.esalen.org Open to the joy of life. You are the prayer: your body, your movement, your breath. You are the goddess: your passion, your emotions, your sensual heart. You are the warrior: your power, your intentions, your lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey. In a shamanic style, Toni carries participants through an intentional and seamless flow of guided ritual and free expression. Come, travel this sacred and provocative journey.
JourneyDance Teacher Training Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health Lenox, MA
June 21 - 26, 2009
Details & registration: www.kripalu.org
Get fully into your body and lead others seamlessly in group dance: feel present and alive, funky and divine, and confident to lead as your brightest, shining self!
â&#x201E;˘
JourneyDanceâ&#x201E;˘: Embody your temple. Explore your Realms. Express yourSelf. Elevate your Vibration. Dance your fiery rhythmic beats. Ride waves of melodic passionate pulsation. Dive into your ocean of emotion. Create from your deepest prayerful tones. Express your funky wild desires to let go. Inspire your heart to share its secrets. Feel your sensual aliveness and your true divinity.
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conscious dancer | summer 2009
14 HeroHoops founder Miss Rosie with a colorful collection of neon hoops.
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FEATURES 14 Hoops are Happening!
HoopGirls Christabel Zamor and Candice Schutter touch base with the superheros of hoopdance who are fueling the growth of this inspiring ancient practice.
From large gatherings to small, DJs the world over connect to spirit.
Departments
Photos left to right: Janelle Balnicke / Tyler Blank / Guy Godfree (Becoming Dance Camera West) / Matthew Niederberger / Laura Cirolia
High drama with Camille Maurine and Moving Theatre of the Soul at the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California.
10 WARMUPS
• Dance–Camera–Action! • Debbie Rosas: Thrive! • Saving Soles • Play Attention! Christine Garvin explores the many easy and rejuvenating ways to support your well-being with a nurturing summer cleanse.
Kandice Korvis-Kaus delves into the metaphysical and consciousness raising aspects of hooping.
27 SOUNDS Selection Science
Ron Tofanelli gets in touch with the most important ingredients in a selector's toolbox–intuition, science, and spirit.
18 Workshopping Around
Laura Cirolia gathers insights into personal evolution and group dynamics with a dive into the workshop waters.
25 MOVEMENT MENU Summer Highlights
20 Path Clearing: Meet five pioneers on the retreat trail.
Editor Mark Metz collects pearls of wisdom from retreat center founders who paved the way. Snapshots of five personal journeys into mindfulness and transformation.
Kimberly Jonas shares the secrets of intentionally working with the energy in any environment to create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing container.
24 VITALITY Summer Buzz
16 Elements of Holistic Hoopology.
22 We Do! Aha moments from the field.
9 AMBIENCE Making Space
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Nourish your soul with the freshest events and happenings with listings and reviews from around the globe. • Events and Festivals • Workshops and Education • Performances • Book and DVD Reviews • MixMaster: Kathleen Fallon – SoulDance
conscious dancer | summer 2009
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conscious dancer | summer 2009
ConsciousDancer.com
Photo: Laura Cirolia
I
'm sitting in a cafe (with my laptop, of course). I look around and see about 20 people all huddled intensely over their screens, absorbed in frenzies of Facebook and Twitter, or perhaps even work. The paradox hits me: are we evolving into a culture that isolates in order to connect, or is this just another stepping stone on the path to an enlightened society? We've come a long way from smoke signals to the wonder of WiFi, and the journey is far from over. Our minds can now team up to do great things and tackle big problems, but the fact remains that in this day and age people are spending more time connecting electronically than ever before. As long as humanity lives in a physical body, we'll appreciate connections that include all of our senses. As babies, we thrive on touch and closeness; as adults, we nourish our inner child with eye contact and shared movement. And some say we never outgrow our inner child.
Which brings me back to the topics of this magazine—workshops, dance floors, and retreats are usually device-free zones. We seek out these spaces to connect with ourselves and others, and by default leave our gadgets and mediated communications behind. Whether ecstatic or dramatic, solitary or celebratory, physical movement and human connection provide a balance in our lives. Intentional gatherings outside of the “computer cloud” are organic experiences
STAFF
CO NT R IBUTO R S
founders & publishers Mark
Metz & Aspen Madrone Metz Creative Director Aspen Madrone Quantum Communications Laura Cirolia executive assistant Deborah Meyer Senior Editor Rachel Trachten Copy Editor Jerod Allen Graphic Design & Production Melissa White Staff writers Rachel Trachten, Deborah Meyer, Lowell Brook, Mari Thorne, Mark Metz, Laura Cirolia Staff photographers Laura Cirolia & Tyler Blank Webmaster Steve Shaw IT angel Luis Echeverria Licensing Efrain Correal Printing American Web, Inc. Editor-in-Chief Mark
mark@consciousdancer.com aspen@consciousdancer.com Circulation circulation@consciousdancer.com Subscribe www.consciousdancer.com Editorial Ad Sales
other Inquiries
info@consciousdancer.com PO Box 2330, Berkeley, CA 94702 (510) 778-9131 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. © 2009 Moving Arts International. Printed in the USA with post consumer-waste content using soy-based inks. Please reuse and recycle. All rights reserved.
At the East Bay Ecstatic Dance in Oakland, California.
Checking In
that can meet our needs for human interaction. Conscious dance was once defined as “movement with an intention towards greater awareness.” We invite you to think of this magazine and our online network as a virtual roundtable where awareness and connection can expand. In this issue, we bring you ideas on seeking your own balance through inspiring workshops, holistic hooping, and summertime cleanses. Next time around, we'll bring you a special issue with a focus on health and fitness, and a tip of the hat to fashion-forward dancewear for fall. Let us know which ingredients you would like to see in the mix, and thanks for sharing the nourishment! In Movement
mark metz,
Editor-in-Chief
Kimberly Jonas is the founder of BodyMantra and resides in Boulder, Colorado. Through her work as an intuitive Reiki Master, designer of conscious living and work spaces, and facilitator of BodyMantra, she is devoted to furthering the growth of others. She is known for her expertise in cultivating clear, intentional space, reminding us that the places where we live, work, sleep, and worship are simply extensions of ourselves. Kimberly contributed the article “Making Space” to this issue. www.body-mantra.com Christabel Zamor (left) is the founder of HoopGirl. Her innovative program has created over 300 HoopGirl workout teachers in ten countries. She just released a new DVD, Hoopdance Evolution, and is the author of the forthcoming book Hooping. She is also the winner of the 2008 Female Hooper of the Year award by Hooping.org. Candice Schutter (right) is a Nia black belt and life coach residing in Portland, Oregon. She facilitates hoopdance classes and events internationally as a HoopGirl Master Trainer. www.hoopgirl.com Ron Tofanelli is the owner and purveyor of the Bay Area–based retail music business Sound Spaces. Since 1989, he has been spreading conscious high-vibe music and film from around the world through his traveling store at festivals and conferences. He is also a DJ, artist, and music consultant and wrote the article “Selection Science” for this issue. Other passions and focuses include rites of passage work, sound healing, mythic theatre, new media forms, and the building of a sustainable future. www.soundspaces.com Christine Garvin is a certified nutrition educator and holds an MA in holistic health education from J.F.K. University. She coedits the online spiritual travel magazine BraveNewTraveler.com, and is a featured author at HealthierTalk. com. She is an avid traveler and writer, and loves doing yoga and performing hip-hop with her fusion dance troupe, bHop. She also likes to pretend that living in Fairfax, California, is like being on vacation. Visit her webzine, Living Holistically With A Sense Of Humor, at www.truequanimity.com COVER > Yuichi's Broadway-inspired Friday class at Rancho La Puerta is a highlight of the week. PHOTO > Courtesy Rancho La Puerta conscious dancer | summer 2009
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速
Protect your feet and liberate your soul. Adjustable Dance Paws shield the ball of your foot from skin tears and burns, allowing you to focus on your movement.
866.326.2829 dancepaws.com US Pat 7,051,457. Made in USA.
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conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
warmups ambience
What compels you
about the dance hall where you spin every Sunday, or the retreat center that becomes home for a week each summer? Whether we can articulate the specifics or not, every space has the potential to contribute to the tenor and safety of the experiences that it holds. For this reason, just as facilitators tend to various components of their teaching, so should they attend to the space in which they present their work. This process, often referred to as “creating a container,” requires forethought and diligence. As a group facilitator, identify what needs attention in the space, and consider specific methods to anchor the proper tone before others arrive. This may involve clearing out energy left from previous groups or invoking new intention that supports your teaching efforts. Once people start arriving, they will impact the field that you have established; lead by example and stay true to the energy that you intend for the space. When you come to the end of the practice, save time to offer closure before students leave, whether by leading a ritual or speaking particular words that support an effective conclusion. While attending a workshop or retreat, you may, at some point, land in a swirl of emotion or feel out of sorts. Much as a facilitator addresses the physical space in which we practice, you can bring attention and focus to your internal space. Many of the same techniques used for clearing rooms can be applied to the body to help you move through thoughts and feelings that arise. By keeping your own field clear, you contribute to the overall health of the group space. In any spiritual journey, you can call on the physical space as a powerful ally, a valuable facet of your practice, and a partner that elevates the experience of everyone involved.
Making Space
Try a few of these or get creative and invent your own, personalized solutions.
THE TOOLS
and earth elements anchor energy. Create an altar as a way to focus energy and intention: • Candles and lamps • Flowers and natural items • Bowls of water or fountains • Crystals or special stones • Decks of inspirational cards SOUND move energy faster than any other medium. Focus on corners and entryways: • Singing bowls, bells, chimes • Clapping or snapping fingers • Humming or chanting SCENT should be used with discretion, as many people are sensitive to odors: • White sage or palo santo • Natural incense • Organic essential oils INTENTION can be a unique way to affect space. See what you can invoke through: • Poetry or readings • Affirmations • Prayer SACRED OBJECTS
Natural attention to your inner and outer environments
Photos: Laura Cirolia
By kimberly jonas
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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Dance-Camera-Action! Dance Camera West Film Festival, June 5 – 21, 2009 This annual
“We’re setting the stage for a new style of cinema, by showcasing a wide variety of styles and forms,” says Kessler. “The festival presents an overview of contemporary offerings of some of the most exotic experiments involving dance and the camera.” Local LA artists are featured alongside greats like Thierry de Mey, Anne de Keersmaeker, Merce Cunningham, and Maya Deren. The genre of Dance for Camera is ex panding the possibilities of composition and structure by pushing the boundaries of dance—motion, rhythm, form, and gravity—beyond what is presentable on stage. Feast your eyes on some stunning cinematography in LA this summer, or check out the DVDs of past festivals at www.dancecamerawest.org 10
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
Photos: Courtesy of Dance Camera West: Mkrtych Malkhasyan (Top) / Gaelen Hanson (Bottom) Photo:
Los Angeles–based event brings the term motion pictures to life. Since its inception by noted dancer, choreographer, and media artist Lynette Kessler in 2001, this international gathering has screened over 1,000 dance art films, with an emphasis on the meaning of movement, interconnection, and diversity.
the body’s business by Debbie Rosas
Thrive – Take a Dance Break
Manage your daily actions and feelings with movement, and thrive! Dancing Through Your Life means turning every move you make into something that feels like a dance. It means being responsible for bringing dance into your life as the medicine you use to stay happy, calm, relaxed, healthy, and centered. By spending as little as sixty seconds throughout the day to create fullblown, unscripted dance breaks, you can benefit from the medicine of movement. The importance of dancing lies in the fact that you are wired to move; movement is the body’s medicine, which strengthens and heals. Movement exercises and develops the brain and the body—and best of all, it is completely organic and natural.
Discover your dance. Every body can dance. Think of dance as moving in your own way and in your own time, as something you do to keep your body, mind, emotions, and spirit alert, agile, strong, flexible, mobile, stable, and feeling young. Whether you are dealing with depression, stress, anxiety, self-esteem and/or weight issues, brief bursts of dance act as pleasurable time-release capsules, making you instantly feel and look better. How I do it. I stay connected to the sensation of peace in my body. When tensions arise, if my breath becomes shallow, if my jaw or hands get tight, or if my mind gets in the way of experiencing joy, I take a Nia dance break. No matter where I am, I get up and dance full-out. I dance for at least sixty seconds, and if I have access to music, I put on my favorite tune and let loose for the entire song. I take every opportunity to use my dancing medicine!
To get the most out of your dance break: Don’t think, just move. Tap into the power of preverbal communication, and speak what you feel through your dance using every part of your body, even your voice. Affirm the changes you feel after dancing by letting the body know you have received the gifts and medicine of moving by saying, “Thank you, body. I feel [speak out loud what you notice has shifted].” Invite others to take dance breaks with you, and dance consciously to shift energy in and around you.
Debbie Rosas is cofounder of the Nia Technique.
photos: Laura Cirolia (Lyrical SandAl) / Courtesy www.DancePaws.com
Saving Soles
Follow in the footsteps of the wise. Keep the barefoot look and feel while giving your soles the protection they deserve. DANCE PAWS Protect your feet where they need it most. You'll have more bounce and the balls of your feet will benefit with these snug synthetic slip-ons. Extra comfortable with inner cushions and individual openings to keep toes firmly in place, Dance Paws provide you the best of both worlds, the feeling and look of barefoot and the lift of a lightweight dance shoe. www.dancepaws.com
Lyrical Sandals There’s no need to sacrifice comfort, style, and protection with these thong-shaped half soles. Suede leather softly cushions the balls of your feet, while your heels are free to twirl and contact the floor with ease. www.leosdancewear.com www.capeziodance.com
massage • watsu yoga • dance nature breath
harbin hot springs 707 987-2477 www.harbin.org/cd north of Calistoga
Conscious Dancer 1/3 tower: 2.33 x 9.875”
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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play attention! In his new book entitled Play, Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of The National Institute of Play, claims that play might be the most important work we can do for ourselves. In his book, he identifies eight play archetypes that represent the types of play people tend to prefer. While many of us have one dominant mode of play, most of us are a mix. See where you fit on the play scale.
dance movement yoga
The Artist/Creator
The art of making things, whether beautiful, functional, or purposeless, inspires your playful side. Try Paintdancing, TaKeTiNa, or Eurythmy
wild dolphins
The Kinesthete
The physicality of play—in forms of sports, dance, and acrobatics—keeps you on your toes with a smile. Try Nia, Contact Improv, or AcroYoga
The Explorer
Taking excursions, whether to new places, new feelings, or new ways of thinking, encompasses the way you explore the world of play. Try SoulMotion, 5Rhythms, or JourneyDance
black sand beaches
The Joker
lava treks
You were the class clown in grade school and now you’re the practical joker—quick to pull a prank and offer up a "knock-knock" joke. Try Laughter Yoga or dance moves like "The Robot"
The Competitor
Coming in first, in games and sports, brings you to a state of joy that nothing else can compete with. Try Capoeira, martial arts, or break dancing
The Director
Retreats in a REAL
Paradise! w ww.K A L A NI .co m 12
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
You're the party planner, the one behind all the events, keeping everyone's social calendar booked. Try Theater production, promoting a community dance
The Collector
You seek out what's most interesting in life, obtain it, and then get more—all for the fun of saying you found it. Try Scavenger hunts, exotic retreats, or parkour
The Storyteller
Your imagination is your portable playland—even the most mundane moments are full of magic and fantasy. Try InterPlay, theater improv, or Authentic Movement Source: Dr. Stuart Brown, M.D., Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
Illustrations: Clark Tate
tropical jungle
Holistic hooper Kandice Korves-Kaus revs up the nightlife with an LED-lit display of spiral dynamics.
hoops are happening The new school of hoopdance revolves around dazzling techniques, holistic fitness, and fun. Get in sync with the latest spin on fitness. by Ch r istabel Z amo r and c andi c e s c hutte r
Photo: Kyer Wiltshire author of Tribal Revival: West Coast Festival Culture. KyerPhotography.com
M
overs across the globe are surrendering to a new form of flow. You’ve seen them at festivals, yoga studios, and gyms—men and women blissfully whirling in trance-like movement. An elliptical art form known as hoopdance or hooping is spreading like wildfire as a form of holistic fitness, expressive dance, and meditation. Hooping dates back to ancient Egypt, when children would play with hoops made from grapevines. Over 2000 years later, Native Americans began dancing with hoops to honor the elements and animal spirits. Although its roots run deep, contemporary hooping has mass appeal thanks to Wham-O. In 1958, they released the original Hula Hoop® as a children’s toy, selling 100 million within the first year. Today, this novelty pastime has evolved into a dance practice that has staying power and international presence. Contemporary hoopers use larger, weighted hoops that make it easier to maintain meditative flow. Dancers spin the hoop around the entire body—including the arms, legs, neck, and torso—and off the body in elaborate spins and jumps. Whirling as a meditative and spiritual practice has historically been associated with the dervishes of the Sufi Mevlevi tradition who, for centuries, have prayed in circles to experience ecstatic union with the divine. Hooping offers the same circularity and sense of focused presence, as hoopdancers spin to enhance flow. Many experience soaring emotional states. Karin DeWit from Movin’ Circle in the Netherlands comments, “The repeating rhythm around my center calms my mind and brings me into my body. I am flooded with feelings of positivity and freedom!” Sightless hooping is becoming more popular as a way to amplify mindfulness. Ann Humphreys of Hoop Path explains, “The blindfold turns down the volume on the urgent, busy thoughts that crowd our mindstream, allowing us to ‘hear’ the deeper frequencies that guide the body at its most primordial and subtle levels.” The benefits of hoopdance are vast. Consistent turning lends to
fluidity and grace, while creating a vortex of energy in and around the body. Chakras are activated and massaged through three-dimensional contact with the hoop. This movement of life force, or chi, may be experienced as creative self-expression, release of tension, or a personal connection to a larger source of well-being. Abby Albaum of Hoola Monsters in Florida says, “I can say, with certainty, that hoopdance has played a major role in helping me find the light and overcome depression. Over time, I was able to stop taking medication as a result of my practice.” Even seasoned movement veterans of sister traditions feel the power of the pulse. Carlos Rosas, cofounder of Nia notes, “Hooping provides endless hours of infinite, ecstatic, honest joy!” Central to hoopdance is the experience of flow—a sense of oneness. “Flow happens in the euphoric moment where a ‘trick’ or series of tricks moves from the logical, rational space of the mind into conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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heart space…where the alchemy of movement becomes a part of every living, breathing cell,” says Shakti Sunfire of the Coloradobased Kaivalya Hoop Dancers. But how do you get there? According to Spiral of Spiral Hoop Dance in Vermont, “the more time and practice you put into learning and muscle memory, the more easily a wide array of moves and shapes can flow from you without thought or hesitation.” The hoop offers contagious joy that transports both dancer and witness to a state of transcendence. “Ecstatic dance shines light on the world. I believe that hoopdancers take their audiences on a vicarious journey to places of meditative bliss,” says performer and teacher Julia “Jewels” Hartsell of North Carolina. Many hoopers perform as a way of building community. Betty Hoops comments,
“My aim is to return to love through the dance, to share that with others and inspire them to do the same.” San Francisco hoop troupe, the HoopGirl AllStars, consider each and every performance a “transformance, a way of expanding into a bigger you.” Troupe member Annie Weinert says, “performance helps me realize that the qualities I admire most within others are within me. I hoop to empower my audience to shine!” Hoopdance has evolved far beyond the onedimensionality of sultry, undulating women moving in wave-like rhythms. Leading-edge male teachers like Jonathan Baxter of The Hoop Path and Rich Porter of Isopop create punctuated, lightening-fast break, pop, and isolation styles that are bringing ninja-like discipline to the art. “My style draws from martial arts, break dancing, and firedance,”
says Porter. These male-initiated flavors of hooping are blurring the lines between yin and yang as women eagerly embrace the geometric trends. Heather Crosby of Hooper Power says, “One could say that women have the curves and the sex appeal, and men have the strength, boldness, and athleticism, but I think that all of these adjectives could apply to men and/or women in the hooping community.” Want to give it a whirl? Start by getting a hoop. Larger, heavier hoops are great for slower, meditative flow and are ideal for beginners. With time, many hoopers move to smaller, lighter hoops allowing speed and agility. Sparkling tapes add flair, and cloth wraps increase grip to the body. LED hoops, like those made by Patrick Deluz of PsiHoops, create rainbow light trails in circular patterns. Some craftspeople fill their hoops with crystals and
Fitness is fun with high-energy workouts such as this HoopGirl class in San Francisco.
Hooping.org's teacher of the year Jonathan Baxter advocates sightless hooping for a deeper meditation.
Today's hoops are high-tech tools for serious spinning.
Elements of Holistic Hoopology An Ancient Practice Comes Full Circle
In these accelerated times, the tribal soul within us is reemerging. We recognize the healing roots of dance, and embrace the enhanced well-being, wholeness, and spiritual connection we can achieve through it. Reinventing ancient practices such as hoopdance is a way to meditate, pray, evoke an insightful alpha state, change our level of consciousness, or simply connect with spirit and nature. When we consciously choose dance as a healing modality, we can begin to view it as a spiritual practice. Any such practice, like meditation or yoga, awakens us to higher consciousness, creating an expanded sense of connection between our bodies and the universe. Acknowledging this link, we can consciously merge and synchronize our being on all levels. The hoop can be a tool for catalyzing this personal evolution and for generating healing on all levels. One of the world’s most ancient symbols, the circle was used in many tribal and religious ceremonies to set sacred space. Within the circle, intentions and the power of attraction create infinite possibilities, where true healing can be achieved. Through the circle’s spiral vortex energy, certain patterns of divine intelligence can be expressed. Just as the Sufi dervishes whirl to meditate and reconnect with the One while mimicking the orbiting of the planets, we, too, can initiate our own shamanic dance journey. Moving within sacred geometric mandala patterns can amplify your 16
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
healing energy. Physical movement is a vehicle for setting intentions in our energy bodies, and the hoop itself can intensify those intentions. Acting as a funnel (like a whirlpool), the spiral motion may draw Kundalini-Shakti energy up from the mother earth, while simultaneously pulling KundaliniShiva energy down from father sky and through the chakra channel. This energy movement creates the “spin” of these “wheels of light,” rebalancing the chakra system so that it may operate at its fullest potential. You may notice that it comes more naturally to hoop in one particular direction, the direction that is healing for you. We have discovered through experience that the direction of your spin contributes to the attributes expressed and the benefits obtained. People who spin to the left (or counter-clockwise) clear energy and send it outwards, with a tendency to put out a more active energy into the world. Those who spin to the right (or clockwise) draw energy inward to harmonize it, with a tendency to process internally, examining honesty and authentic ways of being. Yet, you can balance these energies holistically by consciously hooping in both directions. We encourage people to spin both ways to become more ambidextrous and to cultivate harmonic resonance, a state of balancing both hemispheres of the brain while integrating the polarities of the body. Synchronizing our hemispheres and poles will allow our auras to expand and merge with the earth, the solar system, and galaxies beyond.
Photo: Left to Right: Philo Hagen / Lora Weber / Hoopadelic
BY Kandice Korves–Kaus
affirmations. Fire hoops allow adventurous daredevils to spin in a ring of flames, and collapsible hoops are perfect for hoopers on the go. Hoopdance is more than a dance-fitness trend; it is a leading-edge movement practice that appeals to movers of all ages. A vast vocabulary of hoop moves is expanding on a daily basis through social networks and YouTube. Online communities, such as hooping.org, offer features and expertise from hoopers across the globe. A growing number of teachers present classes, retreats, and teacher trainings worldwide. The future of hoopdance is ever-evolving as it blurs the lines between fitness, dance, and transcendent movement. It is a creative current that is making the ecstasy of flow arts accessible to the mainstream, one revolution at a time. Find hooping at www.consciousdancer.com
What's all the hoopla? PHYSICAL BENEFITS • Increases cardiovascular conditioning • Tones and reshapes muscles in the legs, arms, and core of the body • Massages soft tissue and vital organs • Frees the spine through gyro-kinetic movement MENTAL & EMOTIONAL BENEFITS • Creates new neural pathways through moves and combinations • Balances right and left hemispheres through bi-directional flow
PRINT FROM FILE: Shakti_Concious_May_09.ai (illustrator )
• Calms the mind and emotions through meditative trance
• Offers stress reduction and self-healing SPIRITUAL BENEFITS • Activates youthfulness, bringing a reconnection to innocence and joy
• Stimulates and balances chi throughout the body • Encourages presence and spiritual connection through vortex-like spinning • Provides a fun and accessible meditative practice
graphics details Title: Concious Dancer Shakti SP 09
Typeface:
File: Shakti_Concious_May_09.ai
Fabrication Notes:
Format: 4.85 in x 4.85 in
Color Data:
Mode: CMYK
Digital Proof:
Res:
300ppi
Bleed:
Date:
5.19.09
Rev:
By: Andrew Max Cahn
Photo: Patrick Roddie www.webbery.com
Contact: icahn@mac.com
Author, performer, and founder of HoopGirl, Christabel Zamor shows the world how it's done.
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Century Gothic - OUTLINED
PMS 110
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shakti activewear
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Photo:
Clockwise from upper left: Quiet conversation amid the flowers on the grounds at the Omega Institute Dancers forming a human flower at a Bollywood Sisters workshop at Kalani TaKeTiNa teacher Mikael Khei playing the berimbau outside the Dance Dome at Esalen Morning yoga with Alexza de Croix at the Samasati Retreat in Costa Rica At Esalen, David Schiffman playing the flute; radiant sculpture below Solo contemplation in the early morning desert at Rancho La Puerta Kimberly Miguel Mullen leading an AfroCaribe dance class at the Electric Lodge in Venice, CA
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conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
Photos: (clockwise from upper left) Omega Institute / Paul Squassoni / Jacqueline Yetta Lettenstrøm / Laura Cirolia / Harold Pereira / Laura Cirolia / Aspen Madrone / Rancho La Puerta / Kelly Fajack / (sunset) Fabrice Florin fabola
WorkShoppingAround
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Some workshops drop anchor in the heart, others activate your emotional sonar. From dramatic to playful, facilitators send an open invitation to dance with your shadows and archetypes. by Laura Cirolia
y cell phone rang three different times during a weeklong workshop on the power of love. Shock and fear ran up my spine the first time I heard the familiar ring-tone. With a pounding heart, I jumped out of my body, fumbled the play, and did not turn off the power. The workshop leader was reprimanding. With a red flush of shame creeping up my neck, the theme of my week became illuminated. Love and freedom. I did not feel free to make mistakes and still be lovable. The second ring, later that week, was less jolting, as I had been attending to my clamoring inner-workshop mates with tools gleaned from gatherings like this. Some time after the cell phone incident, an invitation from Toni Bergin’s Journey Dance popped into my email. “Get funky and divine,” it beckoned. This unusual word pair jumped off the screen, and I took notice, but the dates didn’t jive with my vacation. Sacred Dance Teacher Training in Scotland also had a real draw for me. I could almost hear the bagpipes, but not quite, as the cost and distance were beyond my range. The next invite I came upon, from the Esalen Institute in Northern California, was one I couldn’t ignore. “Delve deeper into your inner world and dare new forms of expression to emerge,” offered Camille Maurine’s Moving Theatre of the Soul. This unusual and challenging combination led by a well-respected and vivacious teacher piqued my interest. And the opportunity to visit Esalen during the bloom of spring made the package irresistible.
Sign me up! Wait! Stop! Alarm! What am I thinking…the theater? DRAMA! I can’t do that…or can I? Take a deep breath and get past the idea of working hard. Workshops with a focus on inner movement and outer momentum can be playful, amusing, and soulful ways to inspire, uplift, and transform ourselves. As humans we have free will and can choose conscious evolution, melting down and reforming rather than cracking up. Workshops then become golden opportunities to come together with a loving purpose—personal alchemy. Dissolving, solving, and resolving are all in a day’s workshop. It’s never too late to visualize, conceptualize, fertilize, organize, and crystallize your plans to fly away, either far or near, for the purpose of self-invention. While the array of choices can be mind-boggling, one way to get moving and find a workshop that fulfills your desires is to start noticing what’s out there. If you have a desire to lighten and brighten your life, to truthfully express yourself, or to be really heard and seen by yourself and others, you will begin to notice workshops that seem enticing, affordable, and possible. Sometimes a workshop just seems to choose you. A ticket comes your way or an invitation falls in your lap or drops into your inbox. Coincidence? Me-thinks-not. It’s no secret that human beings are powerful creators. The perfect workshop may magically appear when you are ready, willing, and intending to attend to your self. Pretending is also a fun way to get the energy flowing. Let yourself imagine all your preferences. See them in your mind’s eye, and feel them in your body. Can you feel yourself dancing and kicking up hot powdery earth in the ancient city of Fes, at the Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco? Or see yourself Sweating Your conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
19
Prayers, damp ocean winds twirling your hair, as you dance the 5Rhythms in Maui? If you ask yourself what you are craving with no holds barred, you may be surprised. To hear my own wishes, I prefer to work my way up the chakras, the super-power centers of the body. As I go from bottom to top, I listen. Put your attention on where you feel desire or regret to get the conversation started. It may be a whisper or a shout. What are you thinking or saying you want, don’t want, really need, can’t have? It took quite a few workshops and seminars before I realized I was unconsciously choosing to learn through pain. I’ll bet this strategy saved my life more than a few times, once upon a time. I was drawn to modalities far beyond my skill set, to boundary-challenged facilitators, and to unworkable distances, all of which pushed me past my physical or emotional comfort level. This aha moment was a turning point that helped me let go of old patterns in favor of choosing different rewards. There are thousands of different styles of workshops all over the world—from frolicsome, fun, and frisky to hearty, sensual, and spiritual, with locations ranging from mountain peaks to sandy beaches. As varied as the modalities and settings, they all offer something similar if we are willing participants—the possibility of creative chaos. Moving out of our current formation for a view from a different level of consciousness. From fresh vantage points, we can distinguish between a stale review
and a current attraction. Being present is where the power really is. Spine-tingling music, drumming, dancing, somatic movement, singing, clapping, or chanting—each can wake up sleeping senses, fuse the body and soul, and pull aside the veil between our inner landscape and its mirror in the physical world. This reunion can be an eye-opener. Designed for our entertainment and enlightenment, these dynamic gatherings are led by a fascinating array of muses who dismantle old sets and clear the stage for new construction and choreography on the way of life. Movement facilitators are adept at diffusing the heaviness of time and space with sound and movement, guiding us to access our x-ray vision. We can step into these magical spaces and partner up with our inner playmates, as well as our cultural archetypes. Workshops address our multidimensional nature and support our desire to evolve our capacity for love. And yes, there is a reward for all this sweat and tears: moving more freely in our physical bodies, expanding our ability to behold ourselves and others more tenderly, and raising our spiritual IQ by removing self-imposed obstacles to seeing the truth of oneness. When attending a workshop, notice that it does not begin and end at the entranceway. All around you is the workshop of life, and thinking there is a boundary between life around you and the actual workshop is a common misperception.
PathClearing Bright minds set the stage. Meet the first movers and free thinkers who put their best foot forward on the path to enlightenment, blazing the trail for generations to come. Dance in the footsteps of the mindful movement pioneers. by Mark Metz
Richard Koob>Kalani retreat
“Ecstatic dance brings us back to embracing life in a deeper way, sometimes without the contrivance that occurs with so much mental thought and language.”
Kalani Oceanside Retreat started with a vision held by Richard Koob and his late partner Earnest Morgan. With careers as professional dancers taking them around the world, in 1975 they decided to seek renewal by returning to Morgan’s native home of Hawaii. “We decided to invent this institution in a new way, a place that people could retreat to and get a concentrated 20
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
Deborah Szekely (pictured right, with daughter Sarah) >Rancho La Puerta
“People still thrive the most in community. Doing these things in a joyful group is much more fun. It’s about coming together for a common purpose.”
experience that brought them closer to spirit and nature,” says Koob. Movement has always played a major role at Kalani. “There’s a huge trend in two areas; we’ve all seen the growth in yoga, and I’m witnessing the same thing with ecstatic dance.” Kalani is located on the site of an ancient Hawaiian school and temple, and connects with the spirit of the native culture. “We came at the point when this cultural renaissance was happening, when people were beginning to realize how important indigenous culture is. That’s what this ecstatic dance movement is doing; it’s connecting people with something really deep and indigenous.”
Rancho La Puerta in Baja, Mexico, was founded in 1940 by the late Edmund Szekely and his wife Deborah. Holistic practices such as yoga, breathwork, and mudbaths were part of the program at Rancho La Puerta long before they were common in Western society. Says Szekely, “It’s no different, 1940 or 19-now! We are restoring a natural routine, and the body likes to be used.” Szekely continued to define the destination retreat experience with the establishment of the Golden Door Spa in Escondito, California, in 1958. “The secret of the ranch and the Golden Door is that it’s a week-long program. Everybody arrives on the same day and leaves on the same day. You have time to establish a real support system.” Now managed by daughter Sarah, the ranch continues to move in harmony with nature. “Dance has always been central here because that’s the fun part. There’s a rhythm in nature, and a rhythm in life, and dancing makes you one with that.”
David Schiffman, a longtime Esalen teacher, was leading a workshop entitled A Tender Invitation, which ran concurrently to Maurine’s drama workshop. He had a familiarity about him, and we ended up sharing a communal dining table a few times. He seemed to be the yin to my yangy workshop, and I was pleased to discover his willingness to share both a meal and some thoughtful words. Yet our first interaction was fraught with a curious tension. He reminded me of my father. In the sanctuary of the dance-dome at the edge of the sea, Maurine’s evening session included amoeba-like floorwork and ethereal music, which set the stage to freely explore the magnetic pull that drew me towards father-like figures. During this somatic exercise, with moonlight filling the room, the human urge to evolve and create became illuminated. I could sense the dramatic union of conception. “Bringing awareness to something is that magical ingredient, the alchemical force that allows transformation to happen,” says Maurine. And in a flash, something was totally different. A body-mind recognition of wholeness relaxed my entire being. Stress along my spine unraveled, and I felt an inch taller. The next day, I was more at
ease in all my interactions, and especially noticed this with Schiffman. He spoke about the power of friendship to sustain spirit. “Esalen is less about ‘I’ and more about ‘we’ these days,” said Schiffman. Being more supportive and available—before, during, and after his workshop—was what he was up to. Epiphanies ring on and off the dance floor with every beat of the heart, so continuing to integrate and express your experience during the in-between times, as well as after the closing circle, is important. Esalen is developing a more transparent experience, with less separation between teachers and students. Creating afternoon and evening opportunities to make music and to dance, Schiffman banged out some funky old favorites on a drum kit one evening and transformed into a flautist the next afternoon, modeling the new Esalen paradigm. The importance of being approachable is not lost on Schiffman, who notes that his intention is “providing a mood of open-hearted opportunity for rejuvenation, and a way to fall back in love with the life you’re living.” We are always yearning and learning, creating situations that shake ourselves up in order to grow and develop. Inherent in creation is destruction. Turning into a vat of primordial goo has actually become enjoyable. Back at the power of love workshop, when my cell phone rang for continued on page 23
Dr. Gabriel Cousens >Tree of Life
“When people are inspired by a living experience, it's real and credible and they're much more likely to change. People need to feel empowered.” Sajeela>Haramara Retreat
Photo:
“Once we start having a relationship with nature, we start having a relationship with ourselves and with others.”
A rare blend of luxury and sustainability, Haramara Retreat was chosen as one of the world’s top ten unplugged vacations by the Forbes Traveler website. "This is a piece of jungle that has never been cut, totally pristine land,” says founder Sajeela. “I bought the land and lived on it for seven years before I started building anything, because I really wanted to understand how to create a retreat on a piece of land that you’re not going to hurt.” Located on the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico's Pacific coast near Puerto Vallarta, Haramara is host to a year-round variety of yoga, movement, and meditation retreats. “The land provides us with the seclusion, the privacy, and the beauty to hold whatever process we need to go through,” says Sajeela. Groups return year after year to enjoy the hospitality of Sajeela and her family of caretakers. “The land is very giving to us because we have been very respectful. The intention is truly from the heart.”
The Tree of Life retreat center in Patagonia, Arizona, was founded in 1996 by Dr. Gabriel Cousens, who envisioned “creating a community that could really support people.” Famous for their 21-day programs that combine juice fasting, meditation, and expressive motion, the Tree of Life now has the distinction of being a premiere treatment center for diabetes and depression. “People come here for spiritual reasons, not just for healing,” says Cousens. “There's a deeper sense of connection; everyone on our staff is living a raw-food lifestyle and meditates, so everyone becomes an example.” Dance, yoga, and devotional chanting are integral parts of the program at Tree of Life, where the goal is to support people in their transition and to create a positive living experience. “This isn't just whole person healing, it's really whole person enlightenment.”
Stephan Rechtschaffen, MD >Omega Institute
“I think the practices of movement which help people center themselves are as important as meditation. We move all the time; how can we stay centered within life?”
The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, serves over 23,000 people annually with a wide variety of workshops, conferences, and retreats. Cofounded by Stephan Rechtschaffen, MD, and Elizabeth Lesser in 1977, Omega continues to inspire a kind of “spiritual activism” that is relevant in today’s world. “When Omega began,” says Rechtschaffen, “part of its history was out of the Sufi tradition of the whirling dervishes. The practice of spinning is about staying centered within oneself. How does one make movement part of our practice? We've always felt that nutrition goes beyond food and that movement is key.” Reconciling the outer world with one’s inner life has always been a focus at Omega. “Any inner exploration requires regular practice, and there are different ways of doing that. Going on a retreat is one way because you have a period of time where you can deepen and get away from your normal life. If one keeps doing the practice at home, it has a way of infusing one’s life with that kind of quality.” conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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WeDo!
Aha moments from our extended circle. Tales of nourishment and inspiration from workshops and retreats around the globe.
– seven-day retreat at Kalani Oceanside Retreat
Center, Puna, Hawaii Who > Sandy Robinson – media producer aha moment > Living IS dancing! Every part of the paradise trip resonated for me; the potent elemental energies of the Big Island, the vibrant, receptive space that is Kalani, and especially Lara McIntosh's long, delicious movement sessions. I totally sank into all of it. Little by little, layers burned out; fractured self gently peeled away. What emerged is playful, joy-filled, and juicy. These experiences continue to be a powerful, precious, and sometimes challenging part of life back home. Why I was drawn to it > I've been participating in Wassa Dance, a unique Afro-infusion of elemental movement and musical blends, here in Seattle for some years now. This year I was able to make the commitment to dance on the newest earth of this planet, with a teacher who inspires me, and a group of kindred spirits I enjoy. Irresistible and possible at last!
Breakthrough Breath and Dance
What > Energy of Breath
– five-day intensive at the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune, India Who > Paul B. Magit – business consultant aha moment > This was the second Satori experience of my lifetime. Through the trance-energetic breathwork, the live drummers supporting our process, and the dance all at once, energy was moving through my entire body, shooting out through my fingers and feet. I had an experience of enlightenment, and the understanding that I can access this space any time. It was such a gift to become so close to a new family of friends who went through this process with me—everyone became so radiant and connected by the end of the intensive. Why I was drawn to it > I was inspired by Rohi and Giten's ability to hold space and support deep meditative processes in NYC, so I decided to join them in Pune at the Osho resort for more. I love their magnetic energy and way of sharing consciousness and celebration through dance and breath.
What > TaKeTiNa
The Power of Rhythm
– three-day workshop exploring rhythm, sound, and movement in Palo Alto, California Who > Mark Metz – editor, Conscious Dancer magazine aha moment > The flip side of entrainment is humor. I had no idea that there would be so much laughter in a workshop about rhythm and trance. As we approached the edge of chaos by adding layers of steps, claps, and sounds, uncontrollable laughter would erupt from various parts of the circle signaling the overload. I left the weekend feeling nourished and grounded—and better acquainted with my inner klutz! Why I was drawn to it > I had heard many good things about this practice. After meeting Reinhard and Cornelia Flatischler last fall I 22
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
was thoroughly impressed and wanted to experience it for myself. The idea of a moving group meditation where one could fall into rhythm and explore the edge of chaos appealed to me.
What > Interplay
England Meets Oakland
– three-day April Fools’ retreat Who > Deborah Meyer – writer, Conscious Dancer magazine aha moment > Play is the key to melting self-consciousness. Each Interplay exercise seemed to be designed to make me feel that I could do no wrong: I could just be. While dance is my primary mode of play, InterPlay helped me to remember how much I love singing and storytelling. Best of all, I experienced the powerful connection play creates among members of a community. At the end of the workshop, I felt like I was among dear friends. I didn't want to stop playing—and I pledge never to. Why I was drawn to it > I believe I was meant to go. I had just made the decision a week earlier to do my final project for my master's degree on play and then the opportunity to experience the transformative power of play dropped into my lap. For three days I played with an unforgettable group, which included a boisterous gang of fools from England.
What > River Guidess
Kings River Flowfest
– five-day 5Rhythms retreat on the Kings River in Northern California Who > Michael Stone – 5Rhythms facilitator aha moment > On the river you learn to go around the rocks and obstacles, but in life we keep running into the same blocks time and again. The river teaches me to flow with life as opposed to trying to control everything and everyone around me! I can let go and surrender to life as it miraculously and sometimes dangerously unfolds! Why I was drawn to it > In the dance we meet people as energy —our essential nature—but on these trips we get to connect with people’s rich, profound, and fascinating lives with an open and authentic heart. I am drawn to dance in nature, on this precious earth, in the footsteps of our ancestors, who have danced for tens of thousands of years. It is stepping into the web of life itself.
Photo:
Wassa Dances with Aloha
What > Wassa Dance
the third time, no surge protector was needed. By focusing on the work at hand and using the appropriate tools gleaned from mentors past and present, I had transformed. With a calm heart, I fearlessly reached into my bag, willing and able to turn off the ringer. I discovered love and freedom existing together. My body felt recovered, grounded, and stable in a new way. What a relief. From conformation to reformation, divine muses and mischievous archetypes together at playâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;&#x2030;all in a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop.
 The 3rd Annual Summer July 23-26, 2009
Ashland, Oregon
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Workshop Tips for Thriving Being a responsible work-shopper takes practice and patience with yourself and others. Prevent workshop overload, confusion, or misperceptions by setting and sticking to a few life-affirming ground rules. PREPARE YOURSELF Weave a
safety net before you jump into the uncertainty of workshop-land. Learn to expect physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
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your emotional and physical comfort zone. Pre- and post-workshop intentions are keys to preventing injury, exhaustion, and post-workshop â&#x20AC;&#x153;crashes.â&#x20AC;? stabilize YOURSELF Bring comfortable attire, nourishing
snacks, mats, pillows and blankets, journals, water bottles, and other useful items. Well fed, well rested, and hydrated are top priorities when you are in motion. respect YOURSELF If you need to take a break for any reason,
Photo: (previous page, Left to Right) Tyler Blank, Laura Cirolia, Amy Carr (this page) Janelle Balnicke
do it as soon as you can. Occasionally a workshop turns out to be a grand mismatch, proving more physically or emotionally challenging than expected. For your sake and for everyone else involved, leave if you feel compelled to. Staying past your comfort zone usually leads to anger and resentment. EMPATHIZE When a workshop calls for watching someone perform, sharing, or partnering up, find a place within your heartspace that is compassionate rather than judging. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Empathy goes a long way,â&#x20AC;? advises meditation teacher and author Lorin Roche. share When giving feedback, be truthful, authentic, and kind. Sheila Rubin, who leads the Life Stories workshops, says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I use the closing circle as a container to name what surfaced, throw it in, stir it up, and take something out.â&#x20AC;? integrate â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Native Americans ride their horses very fast and far and then get off for an hour to let their souls catch up to their bodies,â&#x20AC;? says work-shopper Jacqueline Yetta Lettenstrom. It takes some time to get in sync with where you really are now. express yourself Write during a workshop to process the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events, pay attention to your feelings, and remember epiphanies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Journaling is like looking in the mirror at high noon. Nothing can hide,â&#x20AC;? said one workshop participant. wrap it up â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take it home! Always buy the leader's book or CD; it will help you integrate your experience and sustain the expansion,â&#x20AC;? says Leela Francis, leader of Vivid Existence workshops. And before you hit the road, tie up any loose ends. Remember thank-yous and goodbyes, get contact info, and grab your flip-flops from the sauna. Aloha.
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conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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vitality
Community support is a key component of the juice fasting retreats at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona.
Cleanse-Zing!
Let your intuition move you through a rejuvenating summer detox.
S
ummer—the time to head to the beach, dance the hot night away, and stick your toes in a neighbor's pool. Summer is also a perfect opportunity to fully let go of whatever has been stored in the body during the long winter and blossoming spring. The age-old process of cleansing, used by many native peoples and spiritual traditions, is a fabulous way to clear your mind, body, and soul, allowing you to renew and rejuvenate on all levels. The summer months offer an especially good time to cleanse. The sun lessens your appetite, provides the Vitamin D you can’t get through food, and slows you down so you can fully enjoy your body’s positive response to the act of cleansing. Though there are many different approaches to cleansing, not every type feels good to every body. An extreme approach can make some people feel worse instead of better. Cleansing need not consist of total 24
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
restriction, and understanding your body's state of health is extremely important in choosing a cleanse. Our amazing bodies have many ways to eliminate toxins, including through the bowels, skin, tongue, and feet. Keeping this in mind may make approaching this ritual less overwhelming, as you can choose which avenue feels most comfortable. For example, a simple detox foot bath at a spa may be just what your body—and mind—needs, or you might want to combine this channel of elimination with a heaping tablespoon full of psyllium husk fiber for a week to gently remove colon buildup. In order to get the most from this process, seek support from your family, friends, coworkers, and living space. Setting clear intentions for what you want to come from the cleanse, and sharing those intentions with others close to you, can make a dramatic difference in the long-term positive
effects of your "time off." A fantastic process I often recommend to people who haven't embarked on this ride before is to simply cut out all sugar, refined foods, and caffeine for one to three weeks. Sometimes it's helpful to slowly cut down on these foods for a week, followed by a week of complete elimination of these substances. The third week, slowly reintroduce healthful versions of these foods, such as herbal or green tea instead of coffee. A cleanse for people who tend to subsist primarily on meat is to switch to organic, vegetarian foods for two to four weeks. Be careful not to substitute refined foods, such as breads, cakes, cookies, and pasta, for the meat you would normally eat. Instead, focus on vegetables (the greener the better), lentils and beans, raw and soaked nuts, and small amounts of fruits and non-glutinous grains such as brown rice and quinoa. For a more complete cleanse, try a juice
Photo: the Tree of Life rejuvenation center
By Christine Garvin
fast, which usually consists of at least three days of drinking primarily organic vegetable juice. This type of cleanse allows the body to subsist nutritionally without the need to break down any complex food, giving the liver a chance to focus solely on removing the body’s built-up toxins. Founder of Dancing Freedom Samantha Sweetwater had this to say about her nine-day juice fast at Gabriel Cousens' Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center: "I left the week more radiantly 'myself ' than ever before, and totally grateful for the abundance that Earth and Spirit surround me with all the time." If you don't have the time to plan a cleanse, buy a detox kit. In making your selection, look for these basics: Does the kit contain milk thistle and dandelion, the two
“ Stuff comes up when stuff comes out. You've been holding onto it for a reason. Being willing to let it go is the first step.” best liver cleansing herbs? How about other beneficial herbs for the liver and digestion, like burdock, garlic, licorice, or marshmallow? If you think you might be dealing with a parasite, does the formula contain wormwood, Oregon grape root, or pumpkin? Cleanses like oil-pulling, a traditional Ayurvedic approach, can help you feel lighter and more connected without restricting your diet. Upon waking, swish a tablespoonful of organic, cold-pressed sesame oil around in your mouth. Wait until the oil thins out, somewhere between one and three minutes. Then spit out the oil, which has pulled toxins and heavy metals from your body. The bonus with this
approach is that sesame oil tastes yummy and can be used on skin as both a detoxifier and lotion. Movement is a huge part of the detox process, so dancers, yogis, and people who exercise are constantly aiding their body in staying healthy. Yoga poses like downwardfacing dog, legs up the wall, and a seated abdominal twist are particularly good aids to digestion. Bodywork that includes any form of massage intermingled with energy work will both invigorate and relax our systems, and move toxins out of their stored slumber. Be sure to consume lots of water after receiving bodywork, so that toxins don't end up recirculating through your system. Detoxifying the physical body is typically the main focus of a cleanse, but it is important to remember the mind, emotions, and spirit. While taking the time to cleanse our bodies, it can be helpful to also cleanse other areas of our lives, like our homes, cars, finances, and anything that we consider an "energy-vampire," whether that be another person or your own outlook. This is the perfect time to sit in contemplation and meditate on how you wish to raise your energy in areas that may have been feeling over-taxed, and remove any obstacles in the way of feeling a sense of flow. Whichever approach you choose, you are bound to feel refreshed, as if you somehow snuck in a summertime vacation. When we truly relax, our bodies are able to let go of the toxins we have been storing, whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or energetic. Stuff comes up when stuff comes out. You’ve been holding onto it for a reason. Being willing to let it go is the first step. We don't even necessarily need to know what should be released. That is the power of our bodies: they are inherently intuitive.
did you know? moving is cleansing Moving smoothly through a cleanse is a matter of listening to your body. SOLO Use your intuition to decide what will nourish you most. Movement along the vertical axis activates the lymphatic system, while expansive motion has a centering effect. • Breathwork and meditation • Saunas and steam rooms to release sweat • Hot soaks and cold plunges • Nature time: hike, bike, swim, or kayak • Walking barefoot in sand stimulates pressure points and is a natural form of reflexology • Jumping rope or trampoline • Hooping for abdominal massage
PARTNER Pair up with a friend to reach beyond what you can do for yourself. • Partner stretching or AcroYoga • Capoeira, aikido, or tai chi • Tennis, frisbee, or ping-pong • Massage and bodywork GROUP Gather in the company of others to share the warmth of humanity. • Facilitated movement or ecstatic dance • Soccer, basketball, or volleyball • Drum circles and live music • Restorative yoga classes
®
Artisana Niu kinolau Ku
Kalpa Vriksha (Coconut The Tree Of life)
Evolutionary Organic Creation crust: 1c each almond flour and flax flour. (grind separately in a vitamix or coffee grinder) try dark and light flax for taste preference 1/3 c. date paste (soak fresh dates a few minutes in water if need be, pit, and press firmly into measuring cup) ¼ c. Artisana coconut butter (not oil!) 1 c. raisins (mannuka or red flame. Look for raisins not coated with oils, ie safflower oil) ½ tsp. cinnamon reserve ½ c. raisins. Blend all ingredients in food processor until well combined (about 1 minute). Add the reserved raisins and blend for about 3-5 seconds so chunks remain. Coconut cream: 1 c. “fresh” macs (must be white and sweet! Not yellow, rancid and bitter!) ¼ c. Artisana coconut butter (not oil!) 1 ½ c. filtered water ¼ c. date paste 1 whole vanilla bean (the whole pod, not just the seeds) blend in a high powered blender (ie vitamix) until creamy smooth, but don’t let it get too warm. Makes about 2 cups. Fruit: 4 spotted ripe large bananas, coarse sliced and then chopped. 1 ½ c. blueberries (frozen is fine) to assemble pie: press crust into pie plate. Use spatula to add banana layer, working the banana until all air pockets are gone and the banana forms a gel like smooth solid surface. Next, spatula about 1 ½ cups of the vanilla cream across the banana layer, or more if you like. Finally, place a nearly solid layer of blueberries onto the cream. That’s it! Enjoy! You can place it in the freezer for a couple hours to help firm it up before serving. It also freezes very well for longer storage. Thank you to Christian Mastor of Sebastapol for this Awesome Recipe!
Premier Organics
www.premierorganics.org (866) 237-8688
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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Manuelito Biag photo: Adrienne Nishina
westwave dance festival
2009 choreographers & filmmakers:
patrickmakuakane katiefaulkner manuelitobiag
with alexketley and karadavis
amyseiwert kimepifano benjaminlevy Sunday, July 12 at 8pm Cowell Theater Fort Mason Center, San Francisco Box office: 415-345-7575 westwavedancefestival.org ~ Sing, Drum, Paddle, Relax ~
Dance
al ~ tion ed! p O nte ing R a f t s G u a r ae s t im o n ia ls T s r i o l f B it e
See W
with the
River
~ and Play on the Bay!
ebs
June 26-30 ~ Kings River Flowfest
with Samantha Sweetwater, Dana ~DharmaDevi~, Vegan meals by Elaina Love of Pure Joy Planet, & more!
July 30-Aug 2 ~ 5Rhythms 速 on the Trinity River with DJ Shawn Swanson & Yemaya Renuka Duby
Sept 11-13 ~ Motion Theater速 & 5Rhythms on Tomales Bay ~ with Nina Wise & Davida Taurek Jan / Feb 2010 ~ 5 Rivers in Costa Rica!
RiverGuidess Adventures
California, Baja & Beyond, since 1993!
Contact Gail at 415-312-3112
Details at www.RiverGuidess.com 26
conscious dancer | summer 2009
sounds
Globe-trotting DJ Tiesto feeds energy back to the crowd at a festival in Europe.
Selection Science
Getting in tune with the natural selection process.
By Ron tofanelli
Photo: Matthew Niederberger
I
f music is indeed the "universal language," are the DJs of the world its translators? What is the common thread that ties it together, and how can we use this thread to choose the best music for a particular situation? The thread is spirit and the key to using it is balancing science—the observation of external factors, with intuition—the realm of non-visible phenomena, often beyond reason and systemization. To find this balance, many factors come into play: intention, set and setting, audience, age range, internal vs. external influences, the energy of the people and space, spontaneity vs. preset plan, and maps such as the five famous rhythms of Gabrielle Roth. How do we, as musical linguists, cultivate a stronger awareness so as to be more “in tune” and in the zone, the flow, with this intuitive and ever-changing science? The joy and the edge in creating musical communion lies in the moment of spontaneous creation, whether it’s on the spot or beforehand. It’s an approach that rides the moment of musical inspiration and also draws from current signature song picks, the nature of the event, the time of day and year, even the stars. Music is a language with
specifics of subtlety and nuance, energy and vibration—and developing sensitivity to this form of expression is paramount. Equally important is responsibility—the audience is in an open and vulnerable state, so choose lyrics and textures with care. Ultimately the key to awareness is spirit, and having the mindfulness to be in touch with it. It helps to remember that music is a conveyor of feeling. What is the feeling of a solo sitar or shakuhachi flute, an African drum ensemble, a hip-hop beat, an ambient electronica wash, or a trance/house vocal anthem? How much of your expression is based on an internal motivation, and how much on an external read? Is a communion with spirit taking place? Feel. Are you an island, or in a sensitive process of listening and feeling? I like to go “outside the box” of what might be expected to expand people’s musical perceptions and range of feelings. I educate and explore potentially unfamiliar musical territories, creating a “flow,” yet introducing the novel or unexpected. Playing and riding the “waves” of musical energy is also a vital component in the mix—will your set offer calm seas, highs and lows, slow builds, sharp turns?
Your selections will suffer if the mix is not considered. Rough transitions aren't called "train wrecks" for nothing. A smooth blend will have one track almost sneaking up behind the other, filling the floor with fresh energy without missing a beat. Likewise, a well-timed cut between songs can provide punctuation and emphasis without causing dancers to stumble or yawn. The feedback loop between DJ and dancers creates the magnetism of a timeless dance floor. The variety of genres and styles available as well as the event itself, also dictate the process of selection. Is the focus geared towards a dance party, a movement exploration, or a healing meditation? Greater awareness of all the energies involved affords a DJ a more positive and conscious impact. The ever-expanding range of musical styles and genres is creating a living, evolving musical language. DJs adept at the art of fusion—the weaving together of elements and styles into new forms and expressions— are both exciting to watch and to experience directly through the dance. Through life’s chaos and uncertainty, we hunger for meaning. Translated through the body, it becomes the dance—a thread, a root, a beat, that echo their remembrance to the ever-present flow of life that connects us all. Each day thousands of new songs are birthed. So where do we begin? We begin with the beat. The honking in the street. The heartbeat inside. Step in and enjoy the ride.
S e l ectors T oo l bo x As with any mindful practice, certain primary ingredients are essential: mindfulness – awareness of both your
external and internal environments rela x ation – softening and opening into
the experience as it happens playfulness – having fun and spreading
the love, joy, and good vibes presence – staying in the moment and
being one with the waves of cocreation non-attachment– remaining open and
avoiding contraction or self-criticism heart– feeling strong, open, and
vulnerable to the energy of the dancers gr atitude – for the opportunity to
translate inspiration into movement humility– for the gift to serve, the chance
to connect, and the blessings of spirit
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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A
Manifestival
Kundalini Dance Energetic Healing
Tantra Kundalini Yoga Contact Improv
DJ
Dragonfly
& special Guests
Organic Raw Meals --a new evolution in conscientious gatherings-Fri. July 31 -Sun. Aug. 2 Only 200 tickets sold: Adv. Registration only! Jughandle Farm, Mendocino, CA
Registration & More Information
www.ascend-dance.com 28
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
29 Festivals and Events 29 Workshops and Education 31 Performances
32 Reviews 34 MixMasters Top 10
Movement Menu
Nourish your soul with happenings in your area — visit the ConsciousDancer.com directory
summer highlights Mystic Garden Party
festivals and events Beach Dance: Movement, Music, and Nature MAY–SEP Cannon Beach, OR Experience an ecstatic dance like no other—with synchronized iPods—on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific Northwest. These free-form dance events are held on select Friday nights and Saturday mornings throughout the summer months. Different dates and times for special group events are available on request. Explore the art galleries, natural beauty, and community of Cannon Beach. Take your dance outdoors this summer onto the sand and into the surf. Come move and be moved by this unique dance experience on the Oregon coast. www.beachdance.com
Gotta Dance at Canyon Ranch – pg.30
Raw Spirit Fest AUG 29 Washington, DC This is more than a vibrant vegan festival. Our vision is to integrate healthy living, eco-sustainable solutions and world peace because together these comprise a comprehensive strategy for addressing current global challenges. We feel that our Raw Spirit Fest non-profit organization belongs to the entire ever-expanding, international community. www.rawspirit.com
Photos: From top to bottom: Canyon Ranch / Jorge Vismara, www.jorgevismara.net / Jamie McHugh / Omega Institute
Beloved Sacred Art & Music Festival AUG 13–17 Tidewater Falls, OR Experience four days and nights of music, dancing, playing, and praying. Out beyond ideas of traditional and contemporary, there is a field where time-honored and cutting edge intertwine; we’ll meet you there. We celebrate the many and varied ecstatic paths to union with the beloved, including, yet not limited to, sufism, bhakti-yoga, and the global ecstatic dance community. We aspire to engage the hearts and minds of those present in the finding of the beloved in each other, cultivating our cooperation to make that appreciation tangible on earth. www.belovedfestival.com
Wild Honey Dance Festival
Arts and Spirituality of Bali – pg. 31
Bhakti Fest
SEP 22–27 Temple Byron, Byron Bay, Australia The Wild Honey Dance Festival will host six days of dance, movement, and voice workshops including Tribal Fusion belly dance, Zaar trance belly dance, Bee Goddess Embodiment Dance, Extended Voice, Tibetan Song, Flamenco, Hat & Cane Cabaret, and more! www.wildhoneyfestival.com
SEP 11–13 Joshua Tree, CA $150 A music and yoga festival of devotional celebration through chanting, yoga, meditation, and community. Gather on 450 acres of desert land, embracing the powerful forces of yoga and kirtan, in a transformational community. Return home with a deep connection to your inner pulse, a new community, and the power of devotion in your life. Half of proceeds go to charity.
workshops & education Connections to the Living Body MA Dance & Somatic Wellbeing
www.bhaktifest.com
Earthdance 2009 SEP 25–27 Laytonville, CA The three day camp out celebration for world peace and unity, set amidst a beautiful old-growth oak forest, features five stages of entertainment uniting jamband, world, conscious lyricism, electronica, reggae, and folk. Also featuring a global artisans market, healing village, activist alley, workshops, and Conscious Dancer magazine hosting the Sunday morning ecstatic dance.
JUL 23–26 Ashland, OR Our third annual summer festival will be our largest yet and also have a global audience via webcast! It will feature performances by an assortment of entertainers, a number of workshops, displays by various visual artists, as well as the Eco-Village to showcase sustainable solutions. At the heart of the Mystic Garden Party is the healing village, where a number of healers will be on hand to help soothe you inside and out. Dr. Masaru Emoto will be with us on July 25 (the Day Out of Time) at our summer fest, July 23-25. Watch Dr. Emoto's video invitation for our Global Water Blessing on Love & Thanks to the Water Day! www.mysticgardenparty.com
Somatic Expression with Jamie McHugh – pg. 30
Beginning October 2009 in New York City "This program is one of the most comprehensive I have ever seen. It is truly on the creative cutting edge of dance and movement" Mary Abrams – President ISMETA. This unique training in Dance & Somatic Movement Education is offered by The University of Central Lancashire, UK, in conjunction with Moving Body Resources in New York. Applicants from a wide range of vocational backgrounds are welcome. Modular work takes place during the weekends and small intensive retreat block periods. Study for completion of the Masters can take place over 1, 2 or 3 years.
www.earthdancelive.com
www.movingbodyresources.com
Full Moon Dance Festival
Dance Your Bliss
JUL 21–25 Pyhajarvi, Finland The scenic landscapes of Pyhäjärvi provide the stage for the leading lights of Finnish and international contemporary dance. The program will also include dance courses, workshops, and discussion event.
JUL 3–5 Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY Guided by Rachel Fleishman, an expressive arts therapist, release stress while journeying deep into the body through a fun mix of movement, vocalization, guided imagery, art making, journaling, play, and body-centered expressive therapy. www.eomega.org
www.fullmoondance.fi
Dance Your Bliss at Omega Institute – pg.29
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workshops & education cont. Experience Salsa Dance in Mexico SEP 12–19 Oaxaca, Mexico Begin each day with a yoga class to prepare for the following intensive two-hour salsa workshop. The first half of class, taught in a group format, you will practice body isolations, Afro-Cuban movements, and typical salsa footwork. You will discover how to make the basic step more graceful, and expand your creative capacities by learning new styling techniques. Later you will work with a personal instructor to achieve a true connection with your partner. For all levels: beginners gain an understanding of the fundamental elements of salsa; experienced salsa dancers will improve their repertoire significantly. www.salsaretreat.com
Gotta Dance
ISBN 978-0-9715994-3
AUG 9–14 Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ Catch the beat, and get ready to groove. By popular demand, the smash-hit Gotta Dance returns to Canyon Ranch for a fifth year in a row. Are you a dancin' demon already or just getting started? In exciting classes for all levels, Canyon Ranch staff and professional dancers, including Broadway veteran Russell Warfield, ballet dancer Tracey Katona, and choreographer Todd Wilson, will show you their best moves and help bring out your star quality. The big finale comes with the fabulous guest recital, when you can dance with the stars! www.canyonranch.com
IEATA: 8th Biennial International Conference AUG 12–15 Lesley University, Cambridge, MA The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association invites you to an international gathering as expressive arts therapists, educators, consultants, artists and activists, and innovators of expressive arts modalities from around the world converge to celebrate the journey of Expressive Arts and Social Action: Peace-ing our World Together. Addressed will be the interdisciplinary use of the arts in therapy, and the interface between expressive arts therapy and social transformation within individual relationships, families, and communities. www.ieata.org/conference.html
Libido: 5Rhythms Workshop JUL 24–26 Haiku, Maui, HI Libido, facilitated by Andrea Juhan, PhD. focuses on the sexual feelings and sensations that arise in a healthy, moving adult body. By using the map of the 5Rhythms® to ground and explore the full spectrum of our sexual energy, we can learn to tolerate, express, and enjoy a wide range of experience, both subtle and intense. As we open to the essential, instinctive energy that runs through all of our bodies, we support ourselves—and one another—as sexual, sensual, creative beings in every aspect of life. www.thestudiomaui.com
Written by a teacher of ballet, expressive and sacred dance; Lisa Michaels Available at Amazon.com Visit www.naturalrhythms.org
Make Love to Life
Nia in India JAN 5–15 Auroville, India $1350–1650 Experience ten days with Philippe, Sabine, and Danielle in Auroville at the ocean—an international spiritual community and city of the future. Additional classes in yoga, Indian dance, tai chi, aikido, horse riding, and many other healing modalities. Prices include 90 minutes Nia per day, two three-hour workshops, nine nights accommodations in an eco-sustainable community, ayurvedic buffet for all meals, bicycle rental, excursions to Pondicherry, ashram visit, and transfer from Chennai Airport. www.niamaste.com
Somatic Expression in Nature SEP 20–27 Sea Ranch, CA
We are nature. Our bodies are a microcosm of the outer landscape. In this residential workshop, led by Jaime McHugh, we use sensory awareness, the five elements of somatic experience, and creative expression to participate more fully with our nature and the nature around us.The five-day intensive consists of a ceremony at the Pomo Roundhouse with a native healer, and a solo day of assimilation. www.somaticexpression.com
Soul Motion: Body Prayer JUN 26–28 Madrona Mindbody Institute, Port Townsend, WA Body Prayer is a wild and luminous offering of the body in motion to this sacred Presence that is continu-
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workshops, retreats, & tools to re-connect you, nature, sense and soul Join us on the east and west coast, Mexico & Hawaii
www.VividlyWoman.com www.VividExistence.com
Beach Dance
where movement, music and nature merge
Out in the elements… in the sand, in the surf, in the sun. Alone, yet together… music is played, movements are made, freedom is found and dancers are born.
Ecstatic Dance Events May – September Move and be moved by the experience. Come dance this summer on the shores of Cannon Beach, Oregon.
503.860.7711 ~ www.beachdance.com
SALSA DANCE & YOGA Oaxaca, Mexico: Sept 12 - 19, 2009 Dec 5 - 12, 2009
enjoy explore dance
ally breathing us into Being. Join Zuza Engler for a three day dance retreat, which is not so much an invitation to dance as it is an enticement to enter into a spirited engagement with Life. Open to dedicated dance devotees, beginning movers, and all curious and willing to meet self and other. www.madronamindbody.com
Tribal Jam: Moving with the Rhythm AUG 16–21 Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA Come play and explore the depths of your heart. Explore the funk in the sacred and the sacred in the funk while you raise your vibration, increase your joy, and settle into a deep state of peace in this ultra-fun program that brings together the body-mind-spirit union of dance, drum, and yoga. Megha Nancy Buttenheim, Daniel Leven, and Toni Bergins will inspire you into celebratory states of devotion-in-motion. KDZ: The Kripalu Drummers and masterful percussionist John de Kadt will lead drum workshops and set the rhythm to carry you on soulful waves of bliss. www.kripalu.org
Zumba Convention SEP 3–6 Orlando, FL The face of fitness is no longer a face of strain and exertion. It is no longer a face of “no pain, no gain.” It is no longer the face of “feel the burn.” Zumba® has transformed the face of fitness from a face that mutters “I have to” into a face that screams “I want to.” Zumba, the Latin-inspired group exercise program that has five million hooked, has become nothing short of a revolution. Coining the concept of a fitness-party™ and changing the way people feel about their workouts, Zumba has spread like wildfire, positioning itself as the single most influential movement in the industry of fitness. This year's Zumba Instructor Convention is crashing Orlando. The ground will shake this Labor Day weekend as over two thousand Zumba instructors from all over the world throw a mind-blowing fitnessparty. This event is only available to members of the Zumba Instructor Network. www.zumba.com
The Arts and Spirituality of Bali JUL 20–AUG 7 California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), San Francisco, CA Join tour leaders Susan Bauer and Richard Buggs to explore the dynamic creativity of Bali’s most important artistic and religious traditions. Based in Ubud, the center of Bali’s artistic life, this inspiring tour offers travelers a rare immersion into Balinese Arts. Tour includes study with local master artists (in gamelan music, dance, mask-making, and carving), performances, and visits to Balinese temple festivals and sacred sites. Enjoy Balinese food, exquisite spas, snorkeling, and beaches. Package includes international airfare, 17 hotel nights, some meals, 8 art classes, 4 performances, an island tour, day trips, and one spa treatment. www.ciis.edu/publicprograms/travel.htm l
performances Picnic Playground Series by Putumayo Kids AUG 2 Children’s Museum, Boston, MA Picnic Playground is a collection of delicious, kidfriendly songs about healthy food and cooking. To celebrate the summer 2009 release of this newest CD in the acclaimed "Playground" series from Putumayo Kids, a series of family concerts scheduled for multipul cities features artists who contributed a song to Picnic Playground. A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of Picnic Playground will be donated to Vitamin Angels, a non-profit which provides essential nutritional supplements to children around the world. Putumayo Kids is the children's music division of Putumayo World Music. www.putumayokids.com
WestWave Dance Festival
Salsa Retreat is dedicated to sustainable and responsible tourism and we donate 2% of net sales to a local non-profit organization dedicated to the education of underprivileged children.
info@salsaretreat.com
206.234.3720
WWW.SALSARETREAT.COM
Camp Hye Sierra near Kings Canyon, CA
JUL 12 Cowell Theater, San Francisco, CA Celebrating its 18th annual season of contemporary choreography and dance film, WestWave Dance Festival 2009 features the work of leading Bay Area choreographers including Patrick Makuakane, director of Kumu Hula; Amy Seiwert, director of im’ij-re; Benjamin Levy, artistic director of LEVYdance; Katie Faulkner, Founder of little seismic dance company; Manuelito Biag, artistic director of SHIFT>>> Physical Theater; and Kim Epifano, founder of Epiphany Productions Sonic Dance Theater. This one-night-only performance starting at 8 pm. www.westwavedancefestival.org
Jo Cobbett Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Davida Taurek 5Rhythms Constantine Darling Elemental Dance Aaron Jessup Contact Improvisation Nita Little Contact Improvisation Richard Bock Breathwork Olivia Corson/Lysa Castro Body Tales Miss Rosie Hooping and MORE!
For info
510.496.2722
www.ncdcdances.org conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
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REVIEWS BOOKS Emotional Freedom Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life By Judith Orloff, M.D. A wildly bucking bronco or a purring kitty in the sun. Which is more likely to get our attention? In the realm of emotion, it's unfortunately the wildly negative ones that often steal the show. Freedom from emotional turmoil is all about learning to focus on the positive feelings, which may be warm and fuzzy, but quietly sleeping in the sun. In her latest work, Emotional Freedom, Dr. Judith Orloff uses analogy, metaphor, and plain old storytelling to illustrate the benefits of achieving emotional freedom, and offers plenty of down-to-earth tips and practices to help you get there. Deepak Chopra M.D. calls it "A must read for anyone who's tired of feeling frustrated, lonely, jealous, or emotionally tense." Dean Ornish, M.D. says "Emotional Freedom combines neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality to present a new approach for freeing yourself from negative emotions. This book offers you a path to greater health, intamacy, and compassion." Orloff firmly believes that the future of healing depends on integrating intuition, energy, and spirituality with the best of traditional and holistic medicine. This book provides the tools to help you choose a constructive reaction when your buttons get pushed, rather than relinquishing command by falling into established negative patterns. One of the great insights she offers is that difficult emotions are actually a laboratory for spiritual growth, and that every emotional experience is an opportunity to get more in touch with our hearts and expand our light. You will gain an understanding of the four basic components of emotion: biology, spirituality, energy, and psychology. You will also discover your emotional type and learn about the filters you use to see the world. Are you an “intellectual,” an “empath,” a “gusher,” or a “rock”? It’s helpful to know your default setting, which is determined by upbringing, inborn temperament, and perhaps even karma. Since this is what you are likely to revert to under stress, self-awareness in this area will help to identify the aspects that do or don’t serve you.
;KHOJ>CO
Cki_Y WdZ MehZ _d Cel[c[dj 9bWii[i WdZ Mehai^efi 7lW_bWXb[ <ekh#O[Wh" <kbb#J_c[ JhW_d_d] 8[]_di I[fj$ (&'& 9^Wd][ Oekhi[b\ J 9^Wd][ j^[ MehbZ <eh ekh KfYec_d] ;l[dji" YWbb eh [#cW_b ekh cW_d e\ÓY[$ RUDOLF STEINER COLLEGE 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd. Fair Oaks, California
916-961-8727 ext. 100
e-mail: rsc @ steinercollege.edu
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conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
www.drjudithorloff.com
true purpose 12 Strategies for Discovering the Difference You are Meant to Make By Tim Kelley This book is written for those who sincerely want to live in passionate alignment with their own mission. First, a framework is created with wonderfully clear directions into the dense territory of our interior: the realm of the psyche made up of ego, unconscious, and soul. Then, carefully designed exercises of inquiry, facilitation, and interpretation guide readers through stages of exploration and discovery, opening the way to their own precise mission. Many personal stories and examples serve to humanize and ground the journey along the way. This book can provide the courageous reader with a structure both deep and focused for designing a transformed life. The concepts and strategies may sound simple and familiar, but don't be fooled—it’s part of author Tim Kelley's mission to demystify transformation with perennial basics brought together into an unusually comprehensive and coherent progression. Throughout, the reader is encouraged to choose the particular language and format that is most likely to match his or her background and preferences. This friendly, yet brilliantly systematic offering is likely to profoundly influence many ready-for-change readers for years to come. LB www.truepurposebook.com
LESS Accomplishing More by Doing Less By Marc Lesser The Less Manifesto presented here is a simple yet powerful set of tools for creating a peaceful life. A clever combination of Zen meditation wisdom, corporate coaching knowhow, and down-to-earth self-help techniques, Less is a refreshing approach to time management. Discover how to find composure in the midst of activity, and bring more presence into every moment. "Ask yourself: What is one change I could make in my life today that would have an impact on the quality of my day?" By engaging less in fear, assumptions, distractions, resistance, and busy-ness, we can experience more ease in our daily lives. Concrete and easy-to-implement strategies are the nuts and bolts of this volume, and fascinating real-life anecdotes make it a fun read. The idea that kindness and love are actually levers for accomplishing more of what matters may seem radical, but the key in today’s multi-tasking world is knowing what to leave out. Lesser reminds us that "Everything is constantly changing...and these simple practices let you gently enter and dance in the stream of change."Give your life a tune-up by following the practices in this profound book of spiritual wisdom, and you’ll be rewarded with more calm and productivity than you ever thought possible. MM www.newworldlibrary.com
Photo:
RUDOLF STEINER COLLEGE
Emotional freedom is actually a skill that Orloff defines as “your ability to love by cultivating positive emotions and being able to compassionately witness and transform negative ones, whether they’re yours or another’s.” Emotional freedom also means making a commitment not to lead a fear-driven life. “Overcome fear and worry with faith in goodness, and try to stay in the moment rather than catastrophizing the future,” says Orloff. A fascinating and enlightening read, Dr. Orloff’s work is timely and inspiring. “We must find inner peace before we can have outer peace. That’s why I consider emotional freedom an inner peace movement.” MM
Primal Healing through the 4 Rhythms
The Dance Hoop dvds trainings Register for a workshop in your area. bettyhoops.com 970.379.4988
a
Walk by the Sea
Music of Hawaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i, Tahiti, Zimbabwe, West Africa, and America.
Where is your mountain? What is your river? How did you come here? Winner of the Hawaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i Music Award for Best World Music
CD available at:
www.mahea.com â&#x20AC;˘ 510.827.3997
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through Movement We Find Healthâ&#x20AC;?
Danielle Woermann | 510.385.8858
.IA$ANIELLE COM s .IA.OW COM s 3&"AY.IA COM
5(621 '$1&( <2*$ Inspirational Music
Align Open
Expressive Movement
Release
Fluid Yoga
DANCE YOUR YOGA! SUNDAYS 2-4pm Jen Healy (415) 531-8972 Satori Yoga: 40 1st. St. (@ Market) SF, CA
www.zenhealyng.com
conscious dancer | spring 2009
33
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Mettler Studiosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Summer Workshop In Tucson, Arizona
re v ie w s
CREATIVE DANCE for Adults
Individual & Group
IMPROVISATION at the Tucson Creative Dance Center July 27-31, 2009 Tuition: $300 (ďŹ nancial aid available)
Dancers and dance educators on all levels and professionals in the ďŹ elds of education, recreation, and therapy are encouraged to take part. No previous experience is necessary.
CDs
DVDs
Water: Alex Theory
Brazilian Body: Dance and Be Fit
The new series of soundhealing recordings from Alex Theory begins with the element of water. Engaging the listener with soothing, multilayered tones, this CD is the perfect soundtrack for meditation, massage, or just chilling out. Created with â&#x20AC;&#x153;specially designed instruments that translate the actual molecular frequency of water into sound,â&#x20AC;? this recording highlights the important role water plays in maintaining our individual and collective well-being. Ebb and flow with the energy of the planet's most valuable resource, and prepare to be nourished with the vibrations of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most essential natural element.
Dance fitness has never looked so good! Set in a lush tropical location, this actionpacked DVD led by Kimberly Miguel Mullen is smooth and well produced. With a trio of good-looking dancers leading the moves, Brazilian Body warms up quick to a heart-pounding workout thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to follow and fun to do. The moves use elements from a variety of Brazilian dance forms such as samba reggae, capoeira, and the maculeleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Get your mind-body fitness groove on with Kimberly and let the Carnival begin!
www.soundstrue.com
www.acacialifestyle.com
jhoomâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;The intoxication of surrender: gabrielle roth
What About Me? is a lovingly crafted explosion of music and philosophy which gives an inspiring and alarming look at our collective insanity: how we are ego-driven, needy in relationships, insatiable in desire, addicted to status, wounded by childhood and unable to stop thinking, but how we still manage to be inspired and creative... Featuring an incredibly diverse collection of over 100 collaborators from the 50 locations that 1 Giant Leap visited including: Noam Chomsky, Deepak Chopra, Billy Connolly, Ram Das, Lila Downs, Stephen Fry, Bob Geldof, Eugene Hutz, Huun Huur Tuu, Maxi Jazz, KD Lang, Baaba Maal, Zap Mama, Alanis Morrisette, Tim Robbins, Tom Robbins, Eckhart Tolle, Carlos Santana, Oumou Sangare, Susan Sarandon, Speech, Michael Stipe, Rokia Traore, Will Young, Neale Donald Walsch disc 1: Film Album s SHORT FILMS EACH EXPLORING A BIG LIFE THEME s ! HOUR MOVIE CUT FOLLOWING OUR JOURNEY FROM CHILDHOOD THROUGH OLD AGE AND BEYOND
Your feet wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to say no to Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; latest collection of hypnotic beats, featuring vocalists Allison Cornell and ChloĂŤ Goodchild. Enjoy the latest in a series of groundbreaking soundtracks for transformative moving meditation. Jhoom will have you in a trance, taking you on an electro-tribal journey through the rhythms, calling forth your primal impulse to move. This five-track rhythm ride goes to electrifying heights with deep vocals and driving percussion. The final destination: the other side of chaosâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the lull of a deeply moving and meditative place. www.gabrielleroth.com DISC 46 SERIES s 46 EPISODES 4HIS FAST PACED VERSION OF h7HAT !BOUT -Ev WHIPS THE VIEWER AROUND THE WORLD following Duncan & Jamie as they meet their heroes and find some new ones along the way. s 3TILLS GALLERY FEATURING MINUTES OF 'IANT ,EAP MUSIC AND SHOTS FROM THEIR GLOBAL JOURNEY
Conceived, Produced & Directed by Duncan Bridgeman & Jamie Catto For more information and full credit listin whataboutme.tv
For Information or to register contact: GriďŹ&#x20AC; Goehring
griff@creativedancecenter.org 802.380.0068
Meet yourself. Meet the Universe. Lead through love. Dance Freedom.
MIXER
one giant leap: what about me? Globe-trotting sound collectors Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto return to give us the long awaited second installment of the One Giant Leap project "What about me?" The scope of their enterprise is breathtakingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve recorded and videotaped musicians, philosophers, and artists in over 50 locations worldwide to create a time capsule of humanity at its most inspiring. With appearances by a host of luminaries, this beautiful work succeeds in "celebrating the unity and diversity of humanity." www.whataboutme.tv Sort your head out!
MIX MASTERS SPOTLIGHT
Kathleen Fallon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Top Ten
FACILITATOR TRAINING
An Embodied Mystery School
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conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
Kathleen Fallon
â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gardener of the Mystery
Cofounder of the ecstatic gatherings Souldance in Albuquerque and Embodydance in Sante Fe, Kathleen Fallon attributes her positive attitude about life to her past five yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; journey into ecstatic dance. She balances full-time work, three teenage kids, and management of two weekly events, and has a passion for crafting soulful musical programs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just try to be a gardener of the mystery, and to include everyone.â&#x20AC;?
track title
/
artist
1.
Returning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jami Sieber
2.
Kyrie â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Charles Bernstein
3.
Love, Reign Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;er Me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pearl Jam
4.
Wade in the Water â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alvin Ailey
5.
Samb-Adagio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Safri Duo
6.
Greg Didge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hilight Tribe
7.
Ready For A Miracle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LeeAnn Rimes
8.
Praan â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gary Schymann
9.
Te Rongo O Te Tuna â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Whirimako Black
10. Maitreya â&#x20AC;&#x201C; David Parsons
Photo: John Cavanaugh
ORGANIZING CRUISES TO EXPLORE THE WAVE WITHIN
July 17-19 2009
Harbin Hot Springs
Middletown,CA
WWW.MARIOSACRUISE.BLOGSPOT.COM
Body of Sound ÂŽ A Journey into Rhythm, Voice & Movement with Alyssa DeCaro
Freedom through Movement by
DJSource
Find your own dance from within. Set the mind aside for a direct body-spirit experience in movement and free-form dance. Dance in joy like a kid again. In Truckee/Reno/Tahoe.
Explore your body as an instrument through Body Percussion, Vocal Expression, Ecstatic Dance, Contact Improvisation, Circle Song and Balinese Kecak *Retreat in Bali, Indonesia Sept. 20-27th, 2009* Weekly classes in San Francisco Thursdays 6-7:30 PM at Twin Space 2111 Mission St., Suite 300 (at 17th)
ecstaticdanceguy.com
At the Core of Every Body is the
Dance
www.BodyofSound.com - info@bodyofsound.com - 1-415-971-6452 Interested in Booking for your event? Please call 1-415-519-4592
July 17-19 2009
Harbin Hot Springs
Middletown,CA
Core Connexion Transformational ArtsÂŽ
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Weekly classes JO #FSLFMFZ Workshops + Trainings JO $BMJGPSOJB $BOBEB
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THE PLAN
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July 17-19 2009
Harbin Hot Springs
Middletown,CA
conscious dancer | spring 2009
35
closing circle " The Huichol use laughter as a tool for transformation; it's their way of showing love for one another, to joyfully tease and laugh. Laughter really opens the heart, and makes our bodies and souls feel happy. It's a beautiful way of being on this altar of Mother Earth."
Summer Solstice: Dance of the Deer Foundation founder Brant Secunda holds space for community during an annual eight-day shamanism retreat in the wilderness of Alaska's Inside Passage.
36
conscious dancer | SUMMER 2009
Photo: Dance of the Deer Foundation
â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Brant Secunda, Huichol shaman
DANCE DANCE NCER R ™
movement for a better world
LOCATIONS
Ecstatic Dance Houston at Planet Funk 5731 Logan Ln, Houston www.ecstaticdancehouston.com (281)748-8080
Hope Stone
with Leslie Scates 1210 West Clay #26 Houston, Texas www.hopestoneinc.org (713) 824-1197
Austin Yoga School 1122-C S Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas www.dancingtogether.org (512) 923-4643
Crazywood Dance Spa 1416 Sam Houston Ave Huntsville, Texas www.crazywood.org (936) 662-5250
5Rhythms Classes
Galaxy Dance Studios www.dancingfirelizards.com ldeland@earthlink.net (512) 680-4212
Body Choir
Galaxy Dance Studios 1700 S. Lamar #338 Austin, Texas www.bodychoir.org (512) 680-4212
Heather Spiller-Gream MA, CEAP Various Locations in Dallas drumdancesing@live.com (817) 229-6134
OPEN NOW
Galaxy Dance Studio 1700 S. Lamar #338 Austin, Texas See website for schedule
www.galaxydancestudios.org
(512) 442-5299
Texas SCHEDULE MONDAY
Nia (Heather) Lovers Lane Dancing Together Austin Yoga Body Choir Galaxy Studios
6:00 - 7:30pm 7:45 - 9:45pm 7:45 - 9:45pm
TUESDAY 6:00 - 7:30pm
8:00 - 10:00pm
Partner Yoga / Contact Improv Crazywood Contact Improv Austin Yoga
WEDNESDAY 10:00 - 11:00am 7:45 - 9:45pm 7:45 - 9:45pm
Nia (Heather) Lady of America Dancing Together Austin Yoga Body Choir Galaxy Studios
THURSDAY 7:00 - 8:00pm 7:30 - 9:30pm 8:30 - 9:45pm
Nia (Heather) Lady of America 5Rhythms® Galaxy Studios Conscious Dance Cosmic Cafe (Heather)
FRIDAY
7:45 - 9:45pm 7:45 - 9:45pm
Body Choir Galaxy Studios Dancing Together Austin Yoga
SUNDAY
10:00am - 12:00 Body Choir Galaxy Studios 10:00am - 12:00 Dancing Together Austin Yoga 10:00am - 12:00 Ecstatic Dance Houston with SunShine at Planet Funk 1:00 - 3:00pm 5Rhythms® Galaxy Studios 6:00 - 8:00pm Contact Improv Hope Stone (see website for details) 4:30-6:00pm Contact Improv Austin Yoga
In the heart of dance:
eventscommunitymusicandyou! BRAZIL
Houston
DAILY JUICE
Austin
DANCING CHEF CATERING Lizzie29@aol.com
PC GURU
Austin
HOUSTON DALLAS AUSTIN HUNTSVILLE EVENTS HOPE STONE SUMMER SCHEDULE Leslie Scates hosting Contact Improvisation/Improvisation Jams in Houston and in the Montrose Area
Sundays from 6-8pm
May 17/June 7 and 21/ July 12 and 19/ August 16 and 30 Cost: $3 - $10
www.hopestoneinc.org 713-824-1197 713-526-1907 x1 Contact Leslie: hopestone@sbcglobal.net
Crazywood would like to thank Conscious
Dancer Magazine for inspiring the dance community in Texas. New dancers and studios see themselves as part of a regional, national and international dance community now and that feels good. Thanks goes out to those studios and dancers who helped build this Texas Page...its been an awesome dance season!
Calling All Texans...
if you haven’t been to the west coast or east coast summer dance camps..this is the summer to go...they are incredibly fun and well organized...the food 1st class...the swimming is sublime...swim, dance, swim, dance, eat, rest, dance, ....Hope to see you there, John
West Coast Dance Camp • www.ncdcdances.org East Coast Dance Camp • www.dne.org
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS at www.ConsciousDnacer.com
CONSCIOUS
Deep in the heart of