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LOVING BIODANZA • SCENE IN NYC • GLOBAL MOVE-MAP

CONSCIOUS FALL 2012 ISSUE#20 movement for a better world DANCER 60 PLACES TO DANCE ECSTATIC! Prayerformance Four visionaries share the wonder and wisdom of sacred dance

DO-IT-YOURSELF DANCE START-UPS PLUS Technicolor Hearing GIFT GUIDE Gaining AXIS GROOVY IDEAS Touching Breath

11 I N S P I R AT I O N : AXIS Dance Company Groundbreaking physically integrated dance company rolls out a hearty curriculum. 24 15 WARMUPS • Murals That Dance • Transformational Gift Guide • Debbie Rosas: Sounding as a Sacred Act 21 SPOTLIGHT: Circle Up, USA DJ Franklin Markowitz offers wisdom from ecstatic dances around the country, and perspective on what makes gatherings move your spirit. 39 VITALITY: The Power of Breath Danielle Fraenkel and Jeffrey Mehr share insight on the art of mindful breathing. 42 SOUNDS: Sense Around Sound Kim Cascone is our guide on a sensory journey into the world of subtle listening. features 46 DESTINATIONS: New York City Surprise! The Big Apple is buzzing with a multitude of moving modalities. 48 RESULTS: Biodanza 24 Sacred Encounters Embrace the joy of connection with yourself The magical union of movement and spirituality shines and others. brightly through four distinct lenses: Prema Gaia is 49 MUSIC REVIEWS Seven facilitators and DJs share their faves. transported as she watches a PRAYERFORMANCE by the 51 MOVE MENU Fall Highlights Vajrasa Temple Dancers, hoop yogini Jocelyn Gordon brings • Education the HOOP DANCE to a higher plane, Vatra Amidzich • Events and Performances reflects on the primal power of FIRE DANCE, and • Retreats and Workshops • Dance Ecstatic Listings Ilona Glinarsky reveals the loving connections that emerge DEPARTMENTS through the ARGENTINIAN TANGO. 32 Open Hearts. Open Source. Craving a new flavor of dance in your town? Pick up the recipe from an open source movement model and cook up connection in your community. We highlight four friendly frameworks that flow across borders and through cultures. 15 PHOTO: TOP LEFT: BRENDAN JAFFER-THOM / COYOTEFOTOS / TOP RIGHT: KIRSTEN EDDYSON / BOTTOM: JJ TIZIOU BRENDAN JAFFER-THOM / COYOTEFOTOS TOP RIGHT: PHOTO: TOP LEFT:

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 5 CONTRIBUTORS

BAJA, MEXICO SCOTT BELDING

Scott Belding is a dance photographer and executive director of Moving Arts Dance whose photos have been published worldwide. In his work, Scott strives to capture authentic moments in dance, as opposed to dance poses. Authentic moments, he says, take place when dancers completely give themselves to the character and the movement. Scott’s evocative prayerformance photography is featured on our cover and in our sacred dance story. www.scottbeldingphotography.com

PACIFICA, CA KIM CASCONE

Kim Cascone studied electronic music at the Berklee College of Music and the New School in Manhattan. He founded Silent Records in 1985 and has released 40 albums of electronic music. He has performed with Merzbow, Keith Rowe, Scanner, John Tilbury, and worked as assistant music editor on two David Lynch films. Cascone founded the .microsound list in 1999. In his Sounds article he explores the practice of subtle listening. www. anechoicmedia.com

ROCHESTER, NY DANIELLE FRAENKEL JEFFREY MEHR

Dr. Danielle Fraenkel is director of Kinections, the only freestanding institute in the US to offer all the dance/ movement therapy courses for board certification. BUTOPIAPACIFIC NORTHWEST CENTER FOR EMBODIED ARTS IN NATURE She created LivingDance™, an approach to personal Dance • Yoga • Butoh • Meditation Workshops • Performances • Retreats growth based on the healing inherent in dance. Her Teacher Training • Artist Residencies colleague and husband Jeffrey Mehr, MA, creates Liv- ingMusic™ powered by the dancers, and teaches them Located on Beautiful Whidbey Island in FREEland, WA Dance FREEly & Live lightly in Wild Forest EcoSpace to create LivingMusic of their own. www.kinections.com with your hosts Maureen "Momo" FREEhill, MFA & DreamCraftsman John Lorette.

For information on Spring/Summer 2012 Embodied Art Offerings & creating YOUR event @ Butopia/SOMA TAOS, NM www.butopia.orgPacific 206-855-5836 PREMA GAIA Northwest Center IMAGINATION for Embodied SENSATION Embodied Arts SOUL in Prema Gaia is a freelance writer and “new world Nature S MA consciousness publicist” who raises awareness BODY Sanctuary Of Moving Arts about movements and events that are transforming our world and uplifting our spirits. In 2010, Prema and 18 other women healers and teachers co-founded the Goddess Temple of Ashland, a sanctuary that nurtures the divine feminine in all. In her feature story, she explores Prayerformance as an access point to deeply embodied transcendent

experience. www.facebook.com/premagaia1 PHOTOS: TOP TO BOTTOM: LISA DEAN, CHRISTOPHER CASCONE, SYDNEY ROBINSON, MANDY CREIGHTON

6 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 consciousdancer

Overlooking the festivities aboard the giant VW Bus at Burning Man ‘12. CHECKING IN

onnecting the dots. It’s a phrase we hear that has been very real for me WHO WE ARE of late. I have a four-year-old who asks me to create dotted outlines of scenes she imagines from her storybooks, so she can connect the dots and FOUNDED ON APRIL FIRST 2007 BY C Mark Metz & Aspen Madrone color in the picture. It’s a creative collaboration that brings us together in a really PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Metz heartwarming way. CREATIVE DIRECTION Laura Cirolia MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Trachten Thinking about the mission of this magazine, our role is to pencil in as many DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Melissa White, Isabelle Metz different dots of dance as we can, creating an outline that is filled out and colored CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS Brian Yee, Gianna Cirolia OFFICE MANAGER Karina Louise in by all of the people who really form the picture. We trust we are serving you by CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Liz Mac, Jetta Martin, putting more points of light on the map, and giving the “movement movement” Elana Silverman, Mariana Rose Thorn more opportunities to learn, grow, and connect. (And speaking of maps, have you STAFF WRITERS Rachel Trachten, Laura Cirolia added your event to our new online MoveMap yet?) We love fueling your creative COMMUNITY LIAISONS Liz Mac, Samurai Bennet DIGITAL CONSULTANT Ryan Dohrn process with fresh ideas from far-flung edges of the field, and serving as the DETAIL HANDLER Naias Kabir conduit for cross-pollination that a strong and evolving cultural movement needs. I.T. ANGEL Luis Echeverria LICENSING Efrain Correal Fortunately, a lot of clever people out there are figuring out ways to spread HOUSE DJ Julie Joules connection. In this issue we gathered together four “open source” movement PUBLISHED BY Moving Arts International models—frameworks that can be passed on like a baton in a relay race, and put ISSN 1937-8130 in motion in any community or culture. This feature is our tribute to some of the ADVERTISING SALES AND DATES movers and shakers who are creating welcoming containers for new dancers and WINTER #21 – RESERVE 12–1 / STREET 1–15–2013 SPRING #22 – RESERVE 2–1 / STREET 4–15–2013 helping the movement grow. Our other big tribute is to everyone who finds spirit through movement, with a focus on four very different individuals who illustrate AD INQUIRIES [email protected] the term “sacred dance.” The connection we are highlighting is the internal one, EVENT PROMOTIONS [email protected] between self and spirit. INQUIRIES & SUBMISSIONS [email protected] Also in this issue: Kim Cascone reveals how to create deeper connection with our OUR MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 2330, Berkeley, CA 94702 own senses through the practice of subtle listening, and Danielle Fraenkel and WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU! Jeffrey Mehr offer insight into that most vital of all connection points, the meeting (510) 778-9131 of breath and body. Plus, we’ve created a listing of 60 freestyle-ecstatic-barefoot VISIT US ON THE WEB AT dances around the world so our readers can more easily connect. All that and a gift WWW.CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM guide too, with tips for timeless giving in the season of connection.

Conscious Dancer is a quarterly active lifestyle magazine that celebrates transformative dance, mind-body fitness, and Finally, a note of love and gratitude to my dear friend and mentor Gabrielle Roth. energy movement arts. Conscious Dancer does not endorse any specific modality, practitioner, or product. Please consult Your voice informs the vision and spirit of this magazine always, and I am honored a health professional before attempting any new movement activities or health regimens. Conscious Dancer disclaims to be one of the many people who carry the living map of 5Rhythms in my heart. any liability for loss or injury in connection with activities portrayed or advice given herein. Please send all editorial Thank you for touching my life Gabrielle, your light will shine through me always. mail, manuscripts, letters to the editor, and address changes via email or to our Conscious Dancer address listed above. With love in the dance!

COVER: Tribal fusion belly dancer, yogini, and mark metz, Editor - in - Chief costume designer Lucrecia Navarro at Danza Mistica in Tijuana, Baja, Mexico.

PHOTO: JULIE FORREST PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT BELDING

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 7

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List your classes, workshops and events on the MoveMap for free when you are a subscriber. www.consciousdancer.com With their attention on their game, the song SHAREBACK doesn’t register at all among the under-ten crowd. The grown-ups notice, however. They TURNING THE TABLES shoot me quizzical looks, yet give me the “Cow cow who. Cow cow one dibba two. benefit of the doubt and attempt to dance to Check in honna chicka-chicka holla hubba…” the music though the tempo is too fast and So begins the great old novelty tune “Rubber the tone too silly to let most of the dancers Biscuit.” I’ve been playing the original version deepen into the movements they’ve been dis- by The Chips for my daughter Mirabai, who covering. “Rubber Biscuit” bounces sideways. is six. At the first saxophone strains, she be- For the first time in my life, I’m glad the gins flinging her arms and legs to the frenetic song is only two minutes long. I let it play tempo of the song’s nonsense syllables. It’s the through while pretending to fiddle with the same with music by Spike Jones, the zany 50’s soundboard. The next song can’t start soon bandleader. When Mirabai’s friends are over, I enough, and when it does, I sigh. It’s one by put it on, and they laugh and dance with aban- Mo’ Horizons—perfect for returning the don—just as I used to do at their age. I like dancers to their previous flows. silly music. It’s fun. of all the songs I’ve ever loved dancing to, I And then for the umpteenth time, I under- So, I decide to play “Rubber Biscuit” at know that my tastes would send many danc- score this mental note: keep personal tastes Sunday’s Soul Sanctuary Dance in Berkeley. ers off the floor. If Spike Jones didn’t do it, in check when making a dance playlist. Of I love it, my daughter loves it, and because Mojo Nixon or Dead Kennedys might. course, my preferences will influence the it’s a family dance, the two of us won’t be When “Rubber Biscuit” comes over the songs I choose, but my first responsibility is the only kids there. As for the grown-ups, I speakers at Soul Sanctuary, I expect to look to build a continuum of sound and rhythm figure they’ll be able to connect to their inner up and see Mirabai dancing crazily as she that supports the greater dance. Having children and enjoy the goofy song as well. does in our living room. I imagine all the kids brought my awareness to this aspect of the But the subtle art of making a dance play- will be going nuts. But when I finally spot my art of the playlist, my next step is to quietly list dictates that you can’t just string together daughter, she is underneath the tables pushed remove the impending Spike Jones selection your favorite songs. As awesome as it would aside to make room for our dance. She and from that afternoon’s set. be for me to dance through the eclectic library all the children are pretending to be kittens. – DANIEL ARI, Berkeley, CA

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8 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 Greater Bay Area

“5Rhythms is a moving meditation that directs us back to the here and now, to the vast and wild wisdom of our own bodies – the only place to begin any search for truth.” – Lori Saltzman

CONTACTS FOR CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SWEAT YOUR PRAYERS

BELLA DREIZLER CLAIRE ALEXANDER JENNIFER BURNER STACEY BUTCHER Sacramento Mountain View & Santa Cruz North Bay – San Geronimo Mill Valley & San Francisco bodyjoy.net ecstaticproductions.com sweatyourprayerssg.com staceybutcher.com 916.267.5478 408.829.7366 415.200.7559 415.755.7905

CHARLIE KORDA JADE BLACKADAR KATHY ALTMAN SYLVIE MINOT San Francisco East Bay – Oakland & LORI SALTZMAN Sausalito 5rhythmssanfrancisco.com [email protected] Mill Valley – Sausalito – syzygydanceproject.com 808.269.3279 San Rafael 415.272.1896 707.295.5841 movingcenterschool.com 415.887.9399 “ Movement is the medicine. Each of us has the power and responsibility to heal ourselves, to be our own medicine man or woman. Awakening our innate powers of being, loving, knowing, seeing and healing – DANIEL ARI, Berkeley, CA involves ongoing work at all levels and in all dimensions of our self.” – Gabrielle Roth

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R2-Naropa_ConDance_Aug11_halfpg.indd 1 8/4/11 5:14 PM CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 9 THE BAY AREA’S PREMIER YOGA STUDIOS

Workshops Teacher Trainings & Events & Intensives

JANET STONE PEDRO FRANCO 5 YAMAS – 5 DAYS: TANTRA YOGA RETREAT EXPAND INTO THE TEACHINGS 50-HOUR IMMERSION November 9th-13th November 9th - 15th

DINA AMSTERDAM GURUDEV SPEAKS ABOUT YOGA NIDRA AS MEDITATION INNERYOGA November 16th-18th TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM PART 2 March 16th - September 8th, 2013 PETE GUINOSSO LIGHTING THE PATH JANE AUSTIN INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS PRENATAL YOGA November 17th - 18th, 6:00 - 9:00 am December 1st - 2nd, 6:00 - 9:00 am TEACHER TRAINING March 20th - 24th CHRISANDRA FOX WALKER

HOLIDAY TWISTS: CHRISANDRA FOX WALKER A HEART OF RENEWAL & KATIE SILCOX DAYLONG RETREAT 8 DROPS YOGA TANTRA TRAINING November 18th April 15th - 22nd

JANE AUSTIN DARREN MAIN, PETE GUINOSSO, JANE AUSTIN, DINA AMSTERDAM, CHRISANDRA FOX, LAUREN PRENATAL PARTNERS SLATER, HARVEY DEUTCH, AND MORE! December 8th 200-HOUR YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER TRAINING 1 MONTH: January 14-February 9th, 2013 MARK MORFORD 6 MONTHS: February 15-July 28th, 2013 & BRITT FOHRMAN 1 MONTH: June 17th - July 13th, 2013 6 MONTHS: Sept. 6th, 2013 - Feb. 9th, 2014 NEW YEAR’S EVE AND DAY WORKSHOPS Register at yogatreesf.com January 1st

YOGA TREE CORTE MADERA OPENING NOVEMBER 2012! TELEGRAPH (Berkeley) MISSION (SF) VALENCIA (SF) HAYES (SF) STANYAN (SF) CASTRO (SF) 2807 Telegraph Ave @Stuart 24 Shotwell St @14th 1234 Valencia St @23rd 519 Hayes St @Octavia 780 Stanyan St @Waller 97 Collingwood St @18th (510) 486-1989 (415) 626-9707 (415) 647-9707 (415) 626-9707 (415) 387-4707 (415) 701-YOGA PHOTO: DARREN MILLER Sonsheree Giles. member company AXIS with duo alively in reach his extends Florida, in Dance who founded REVolutions Dwayne Scheuneman, companies toshowcaseintegrateddance,but Smith, makingAXISnotjustoneofthefirst much timetoeducationisquiteunusual,says physically integrateddance.Devotingso of their time—goes toward education about part ofAXIS’s mission—andafull50percent thrill andsurpriseaudiencesnationwide.Akey dancers withandwithoutdisabilitiesroutinely director ofAXISDanceCompany, whose “ A NEWSPIN workshop withtheAXISDanceCompany Dancers fromaroundtheworldconverge foramemorableandmoving W looks.” SosaysJudithSmith, looks andhowdisability e gettochangehowdance Dancers ranginginagefrom their20sto for AXIS’s seventh annual summer intensive. the West Indies,andacross theUS,converged from England,Ireland, SouthAfrica,Sweden, town ofOakland,California. summer intensive in the company’s home workshops given across the country and a nities forstudy. Theyaccomplishthisthrough also oneofthefewgroups tocreate opportu Smith andothercompanymembers. 60s tookpartintheweeklongprogram ledby This summer, 30 dancers of myriad abilities,

BY RACHEL TRACHTEN BY in spiration

CONTINUED ONPAGE 13 - superhooper.org

12 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 inspiration CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

FEEL GOOD! Dancers and educators travelled from around the world to explore the diverse language of movement in a memorable workshop with the AXIS Dance Company.

“It was lovely to connect with a wider adaptogens community and to play and explore with a & superfoods diverse group of bodies,” said participant Lisa Cahill, who will bring new ideas and methods back to Spoken Dance, the integrated dance company she founded last year in Limerick, Ireland. Novice dancer Nata- shentrition.com lia Agote Urquia from Brighton, England, will use what she’s learned to enhance her teaching of visual arts to adults with learning disabilities. And Jessie Spanglet, a graduate student who hopes to start an integrated dance class at the University of Maryland, interpret prompts—for example, to take on scooped up invaluable knowledge about the qualities of a jagged rock in alternation finding common ground among dancers of with those of a piece of seaweed. Later in the mixed abilities, ages, experience levels, and class, Zach Pine of Berkeley, California, ob- even languages. served a wheelchair user moving her arm to To establish this common ground, in- vividly express the idea of reaching and fall- structors focused on the theme of transla- ing, and then challenged himself to respond tion—given a series of moves, how could to some of the prompts using just one arm each dancer be empowered to interpret the instead of his full body. moves and express them in their own per- Participant Dwayne Scheuneman was a sonal way? “We wanted each dancer to be- wheelchair track and field athlete who experi- come conscious of his or her choices,” said mented with dancing ten years ago as a way company member Juliana Monin. to cross-train in the off season. Scheuneman As a daily warmup, the dancers were given never looked back, and today he leads the instructions such as “arch and curl” or “ex- physically integrated company REVolutions tend and fold” and asked to create their own Dance in Tampa, Florida. After taking part in expression of the words. When the instruc- three AXIS workshops in Miami, he decided tion “swing and spin” was given, one dancer to attend this year’s intensive. Over the course seated in a wheelchair swung his arm in a of the week Scheuneman says he stretched circle, ending the motion by making contact his creativity as a dancer and also expanded with the chair wheel and thus spinning the the radius of where he could reach from his chair. At the same time, another dancer stood chair. “I found myself doing movements I up, flung her head to one side and followed it wasn’t familiar with,” he said. “I loved being elephant-style in a full-body rotation. there. There were so many different levels As the dancers moved on to solo and of dance and so much openness to learning

PHOTOS: DARREN MILLER group improvisation, they were asked to about one another.” •

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 13 Discover treasure on the MoveMap* *Subscribers post for free!

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14 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 PHOTOS: JJ TIZIOU MURALS THAT DANCE Philadelphians lightinguppublicspaces. Photographer Tiziou’s JJ ongoingprojectcelebrates the dancing. Dancers can bring any music they choose, or a drummer, adrummer, or choose, they music any bring can Dancers dancing. the watch time, the at stage on person the with okay it’s if and others, to themselves inintervals, a intimate small space. Upon arrival people stretch, practice, introduce ten-minute in dance to invited are They session. photo acommunity for together and other celebrations. involvement and while community photographing in weddings arts the performing his through dance appreciate to came who photographer, the says style,” Any “Any age. Any body. photographed. be to byTiziou invited is dance to loves who someone as self-identifies who Philadelphian Any support. and engagement says laughing. he thing,” spiritual It’sbigger a we’re fireflies. saying I’m not lives. own our into and us, around world the into light bring to potential have all “We light. generates they represent. city the of perception the and cover they space the transforming black, of afield in six stories tall. Twenty-six people swaying and spinning are illuminated and unified ofdecks the Philadelphia International parking garage, about Airport a structure top the graces feet, square 85,000 covering mural, awe-inspiring The world. the in mural second-largest the includes which Moves, Philly How endeavor art public the “P Faves, raves,andfunstuff forourcommunitytoappreciate It works like this: one weekend each year, over 60 participants are brought brought are year,participants 60 over each weekend one this: like works It public of outpouring an to due continuing is 2008, in began which project, The Tiziou points out the literal meaning of the term “photogenic”—something that belief that everyone is photogenic, 33-year-old Tiziou is for responsible his express to dance Using (“JJ”) Tiziou. Jacques-Jean photographer says different,” Iknow but photogenic, not are they me tell eople warm

BY LAURACIROLIA CONTINUED ONPAGE 17 ups or m or

o ve in in ve

Soul Motion is

i st(ic) overs Soul Motion teachers in the Pacific Northwest

Oregon Washington Paula Byrne • Portland M Aletia Alvarez • Port Townsend MGrace Llewellyn • Eugene Daisy Jo Compton • Tacoma Winky Wheeler • Portland Allison Dey • Port Townsend Molly Gilmore • Olympia Kristina Mayer • Port Townsend Jens Wazel • Seattle

SoulMotion.com

16 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 PHOTOS: TOP LEFT: JEFF STEWART/ RIGHT: JJ TIZIOU Learn more at www.NiaNow.com/Education maintain asoftbelly, whichiskeyto sounding. conscious intentandawareness. Thiswillhelpyou PAY ATTENTION movements thatare free-forminnature. MERGE tones inthemusic. words thatyousenseasaligningwithcertain BEGIN something thatemotionallymovesyou. while lyingdowninarestful position.Choose LISTEN GETTING STARTED By DebbieRosas Sacred Act Sounding asa the inside out. inside the from harmony find and self authentic your into you tap will then Only of energy. circulation and flow the activate to voice your use meditation, or practice amovement into you step time next So action. in and stillness in both life, of dance the It away enhance to is power. personal your into away relax to is resonance vocal and tone spirit. and emotions, body, mind, your self: innermost your to in you tune as engaged you is of part every practice; Nia such makes a holistic what of part sense is This flesh. in also embodied spirits We feeling. bodies—as dancing than more as ourselves start and thinking body. We the stop in vibrations stimulate beings. physical and (breath) energy life-force our of alignment an find to We neglect hours. and forhours screens of front computer in sit to ourselves force and us send bodies our messages We ignore or unconsciously. consciously either minds, our breath. and body the blend to used that’s act sacred a beautifully also it’s but expressive, and fun is Nia) in it to refer we (as punch, Sounding cha-cha-cha. kick, and block, they as “no” and “yes,” “huh,” W Trusting your voice and getting to know your your know to getting and voice your Trusting we sounds, make and dance we When Too many of us keep our bodies separate from

to hum,grunt,makeothersounds,orsing

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to sounddetails.Exhalewitha Business Body’s The my life,” she said. “I felt safe; I felt celebrated and beautiful.” beautiful.” and celebrated Ifelt safe; felt “I said. she life,” my to dance on stage. “Today may have been the most liberating four minutes of opportunity the for gratitude floor,expressed dance usual her was kitchen thing inthe most important my life.” experience person’s this making in interested is me of half other the and stuff, technical the all with dealing is me of part “One Tiziou. says that,” for open be myself let “I second. asplit for them with sync in completely is he and up lights someone where time of asliver is there that noticed has he shoot, each During way.” same the in all celebrated being and life, everyday their in wouldn’t they away in paths crossing dance, to come who people the all seeing and there Kickstarter. platform Internet the using funding, crowd through project the continue to funds additional raise to him enabled efforts Tiziou’s for Enthusiasm area. claim baggage airport’s the in exhibit permanent accompanying an and Arts the of Festival International Philadelphia the for commissioned Center Kimmel the of façade the on installation projection amonth-long include features Additional there. from evolved project the and Program, Arts Mural camera.” the and me, them, between collaboration dance—a improvised an truly is It dancing. really are They dance. to pretending not are they that fact the from comes images the of life real The dancer. the by moved be myself let and be to wants camera the where up preconceived notions about what the image will be like. “I cultivate knowing giving by this does He safe. feel them make and eyes the in person each look to is task challenging most his that adds way.” any in Tiziou them directing or them watching than rather moment the capture to order in them with dancing welcome. is it of all silence. none of hoops, Costumes, it ribbons—while is necessary, CONTINUED FROMPAGE 15 MURALS THAT DANCE at www.HowPhillyMoves.org found be can project ongoing the about Information More than 400 people have taken part so far. Participant Mia Rotondo, whose whose Rotondo, Mia far. Participant so part taken have people 400 than More “Being Tiziou. says together,” comes shoot the how is happening real “The Philadelphia of City the from funding through being into came mural The am “I Tiziou. to,” says want they however dance and come “Anyone can

• warm

ups ups warmups 40 THOUGHTFUL GIFTS Give with heart and awareness this season. As you select gifts for those you love, add your love of the earth into the mix. We’ve chosen over 40 companies that value green business practices as they create heart-centric products to bring joy and cheer to your holidays. Indulge your generous spirit and stay true to your beliefs.

ON THE GO CITIZEN FOLDING BICYCLE For the hip LIGHT UP HOOPS Illuminate your dance! GAIAM ORGANIC COTTON INTIMATES commuter, a compact bike that rides like a Choose from fire, LED light, or simply cus- Feel comfy and free in what you wear typical bike and folds up in a flash. tomize your hoop. www.moodhoops.com under your clothes. www.gaiam.com www.citizenbike.com GIFT CARD FROM YOGITUNES QUEEN OF HEARTS CLOTHING Dance TIMBUK2 Design your own carry-all with Spice up a friend’s travels with the gift of your dreams and walk in beauty with these custom messenger and yoga bags, back fresh tunes. www.yogitunes.com playful yet feminine designs. Comfortable and bike packs. www.timbuk2.com wash and wear fabrics make it easy to pack THE BODHI PLAYERS DECK The cheat and go. www.queenofheartsclothing.com TRAVEL HOOPS FROM SUPER HOOPER sheet for acroyogis, this durable deck of May your beloved hooper never travel illustrated cards makes it easy to explore FUNNY PEOPLE CO. Collectible vintage- hoopless again! www.superhooper.org the world of flying. www.bodhitrix.net style chain bracelets, headpieces, arm bracelets, and necklaces. FLOW TOYS Goodies for the spinner on www.etsy.com/funnypeopleco your list. LED and fire poi, juggling gear ON THE BODY and more. www.flowtoys.com AUTUMN TENEYL Add grace and harmony TOE SOX Nothing says “I love you” quite to any floor with free-flowing, eco-chic like warm, snuggly, eco-friendly socks that TO-GO WARE Bamboo utensils and stain- hug every toe. www.toesox.com less steel food carriers for dancers on the movement wear from a designer who move. www.to-goware.com celebrates women’s bodies. DANCE PAWS The can’t-fail gift for any www.autumnteneyl.com dancer. Just the right amount of protection LIFE FACTORY Glass water bottles, BPA- for bare feet on wood floors. free and ready to go. www.lifefactory.com LEOM DESIGNS This beloved designer’s new line is super special and supremely www.dancepaws.com KEEP YOUR COOLER For festy fans, danceable for both men and women. ROCK’N’SOCKS From knee to thigh, behold this eco-friendly cooler on wheels! Find true comfort in your truest self. check out the trippy patterns for men and Storing your food has never been easier. www.leomdesigns.com women. Your sock drawer will jump for joy. www.keepyourcooler.com www.rocknsocks.com WARRIOR WITHIN Their signature Onesies LIBRE TEA Glass tea containers perfect for are the freshest look on the dance floor. BUDDHAFUL MEN’S PAU DRAWSTRING warming hands and hearts. Loose-leaf on Off the rack or better yet, cut-to-fit, PANTS Move with ease in these stylish the go is now an option. www.libretea.com discover your own warrior within. cotton canvas pants. www.buddhaful.com www.warriorwithinus.com THE SPOONK MAT Nothing like a bed of PHOENIX RISING DESIGNS STONEWASH nails to help a loved one relax. Seriously, OM GAIA TREE MEN’S SUNDANCE ACE BRITCHES Enjoy the comfort and the Spoonk is an updated version of the PANTS Function, fashion, work, play, romp cooling of these three-quarter length ancient ritual, an acupressure massage mat and stomp in these dress-up/dress-down trousers. Look online for a huge that energizes and relaxes. pants. Check out the women’s designs too. selection of women’s festive-wear. www.spoonkspace.com www.omgaiatree.com www.phoenixrisingartists.com

Leom Designs Jinn Designs Autumn Teneyl L LOMBARD BUMB SHANTI; RIGHT:JASON LEFT AND MAIN IMAGE: MARIO COVIC; CENTER, GENEVA PHOTOS: FAR

18 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 40 THOUGHTFUL GIFTS

WOMP-A-WEAR The original faux fur DESIGNER YOGA CHAIR Sit easy in the creature wear. Be a bear, zebra, or lion! office with this radically designed high- www.wompawear.com end yogi chair. It will change the way you sit forever. www.sukhasana.com HERITAGE STORE ROSE SPRAY This aro- matic spray leaves you feeling grounded OMGYM A daily flip and stretch in the and refreshed. www.heritagestore.com air makes a body feel wonderful! www.omgym.com TOM’S HIGHLANDS FLEECE BOTAS Cozy, fleece-lined boots for men and ZUMBA EXHILARATE BODY SYSTEM women. www.toms.com 4 DVD SET Home fitness at its best. Shake it like you’ve got it and have fun JINN DESIGNS Urban time traveler with this high-energy dance practice. styles for men that withstand the www.zumba.com elements. www.jinndesigns.com JIAO GU LAN TEA They call this the tea NIA SOCKS For the serious Nia aficio- of immortality in China, and it is rapidly nado on your list. www.nianow.com catching on here in the West, a surprise FED BY THREADS Dress your sweetie worth giving and sharing. and help to fight hunger, all in one www.aumtea.com swoop. Clothes are all organic cotton, YAMUNA BODY ROLLING FOOT made in the USA. SAVERS KIT Improve gait, alignment, www.fedbythreads.com and muscle tone, and stimulate HAPPY COW HIP BAGS Handy leather reflexology points. Be kind to your feet. hip-belts, bags, and packs let you store www.yamunabodyrolling.com your stuff. www.happycow.com.au BARE FOOT MYSORE PRACTICE YOGA RUGS All cotton yoga rugs to ON THE please any type of yogi. Namaste. HOME FRONT www.barefootyoga.com ZABUTANS Comfy, elegant pillows and THE PENGUIN Never recycle another other props for yoga and meditation. sparkling water bottle again. This is the www.yogamats.com answer for the Pellegrino fan on your list, and it comes with nearly indestructible SKY CHAIRS Relax and rejuvenate from glass carafes. www.sodastream.com on high in these cozy, durable hanging chairs. www.skychairs.com VITACLAY MULTICOOKER Organic clay pot seals in flavors and vital nutrients. ZIJI MEDITATION SUPPLIES Uplift your Makes perfect quinoa and millet consist- world. Create your own sacred space ently. Aluminum- and lead-free. with everything from alters to zafu www.vitaclaychef.com cushions. www.ziji.com

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Leom Designs

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 19 20 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 Sharing after a dance spotlight gives the group a chance to connect and reflect.

CIRCLE UP, USA Feeling called to sweat your prayers, dance ecstatic, or fumble towards ecstasy? There is a tribe that matches your vibe. A soul sanctuary. l BY FRANKLIN MARKOWITZ

ntering an ecstatic dance for the first time, I’m always well-explained in opening circles, while at other times the aware of two emotions— excitement and a sense of awe. opening is used to set an intention and hold the space. As a rule, EMy excitement comes from knowing I’ll be in a euphoric ecstatic dancers are friendly folk, so newcomers can expect to state soon as a result of dancing, and the awe is in feeling I’m be treated gently. entering a sacred space. “Our container is held as a hub of loving community,” says Community freestyle dances, loosely sharing the “ecstatic” Greg Bonin of the Asheville Movement Collective. “We believe moniker, are spreading quickly across the US. As a facilitator each dancer is a cherished part of the whole and that each in Seattle and Portland, I was eager to visit other e-dances. experience matters.” Boundaries, both spatial and those of a Visiting 10 cities with 15 different ecstatic dances, I experienced more intimate quality, are important when people participate a wide array of styles, not only among the dancers, but also in the in such physically close, interactive environments. What is facilitation, the music, the DJs, and acceptable or desirable for one the ambiance of the rooms. As a rule, ecstatic dancers are dancer may be overwhelming to In essence, ecstatic dance is another, and opening a dialogue a group of people gathering to friendly folk, so newcomers can around these preferences is express themselves through dance. essential for the growth of a dance They come with a wide variety of expect to be treated gently. community, where honoring one motivations, including the love of another is key to a healthy dance. dance, exercise, socialization, spiritual Speaking with dance facilitators and pursuit, and even physical healing. This founders, I found a wide array of union of personalities creates a palpable motivations for the creation of their energy formed directly from each dances. Genia Zilberstein of Sacred dancer’s purpose in being there. Circle Dance was inspired by Vinn Martí’s At the heart of every dance I’ve concept of dance ministry and decided to attended lies one of these organizational create her own “dance church” when she structures—individual, rotating, or moved from San Francisco to Portland. collective. For example, at Flying Turtle Brooklin Kayce of Dance Embodied Dance in Seattle, one individual holds & Immersion says that when she was the dance on a regular schedule; at Dance approached to create a clothing optional Tribe in Santa Barbara the facilitator ecstatic dance in Seattle, she knew it was rotates; and Dance New England is her edge. “To be present with so many a group of different dances in one who desire to ‘shed’ concepts about geographic region. themselves as well as their clothing, in Besides the standard “no booze- a non-sexual environment is powerful,” no shoes” tradition, chit-chat on the says Kayce. “Embodied is specifically dance floor is generally frowned upon. chosen to be in past tense,” she adds.

PHOTOS: JASDEN VANKEITH Guidelines are sometimes explicit and “Having ‘embodied’ in the past tense is

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 21 TM

EMBODY EMPOWER EXPRESS ELEVATE

A CONSCIOUS DANCE PRACTICE www.journeydance.com

JourneyDance™ is positive transformation—weaving movement into FACILITATOR TRAINING PROGRAM ritual, awakening inner healing resources. It connects us with our innate state of joy and divine well-being, transforming angst into art APPRENTICE MODULE 1 and vulnerability into strength. 2012 Oct., Pure Yoga, NYC “JourneyDanceTM is having a major moment, with classes filling up GUIDE MODULE 2 everywhere from New York to Nairobi.” – Redbook magazine 2012 Nov., Kripalu, MA, and Synergy Studio, TX “Toni is a live-wire and her signature practice is a hotline to unlimited energy!” – Conscious Dancer magazine CERTIFIED FACILITATOR MODULE 3 2013 May., Earthdance, MA Locate a JourneyDance™ Apprentice, Guide, or Facilitator internationally in over 12 Countries. ADDITIONAL TRAININGS www.journeydance.com. Find us on Facebook. 2013 in FL, TX, MA

22 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 spotlight CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Study Somatics in Depth like saying ‘already done.’ I set and hold our space with focus and connection as if Pacifi ca Graduate Institute’s M.A./Ph.D. we are already embodied, fully expressed, Program in Depth Psychology with fully unified.” For each instance where a single Emphasis in Somatic Studies originator successfully maintained a Neuroscience has now convincingly dance, and perhaps even earned a living demonstrated the functional unity from it, numerous others came and went between mind and body. This validates quickly, withering for lack of structure or one of the foundational principles of attendance. It takes deep commitment, and the investment of many hours each week depth psychology—an understanding creating playlists and setting space. The that there are forces of the psyche that generosity of dancers helping to set up, stimulate the body’s capacity to heal break down, and clean the studios eases itself. This new paradigm has led the workload, simultaneously creating deep Pacifi ca to off er this exciting new bonds and friendships. degree program specialization. Styles for mixing music are as diverse as the dancers on the floor. Eclectic mixes, abrupt transitions, smooth waves with seamless segues, and everything else DJs can imagine create the ambiance that An Accredited Graduate School with Two Boundaries ... are Campuses near Santa Barbara, California 805.969.3626, ext. 305 | www.pacifica.edu important when people participate PGI_Somatics_ConsciousDancer.indd 1 3/23/12 4:54 PM in such physically close, interactive environments. informs the dance. The ones who pay close attention and listen carefully to feedback in order to learn what their audience loves deliver the goods and are in demand. Many dances create sacred space for contemplation. Some have alters, which can be quite elaborate, while others have minimal, or no room to do this. With or without an alter, the sense of sacredness can be palpable when the facilitator sets the space with intention. At every dance I’ve attended in Hawaii, the alters are a rainbow of color with exotic flowers in abundance. Annie Eshaia’s alters for Sacred Circle and Mindful Meltdown feature a pile of Scrabble tiles for people to express their emotions and thoughts. Mixing music and facilitating the journey to Spirit for myself and others is the most joyful path I can imagine. At its core, ecstatic dance is transformative. By all its names and any of its descriptive titles, it will move you, in more ways than you can imagine. •

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 23 Join us on four remarkable journeys, as intentional movement opens the internal doorways to spirit.

Our bodies speak in ways our words cannot, and when we dare to really move it opens us up to both sides of ourselves, mind and body, soul and spirit. People have long known that dance is the switch to the inner-light that occasionally shines on our shadows, illuminating them in ways that only we can see and yielding the “Aha” moments that help us spiral upward through life. For this reason, when someone says that their dance is sacred, it is. No argument. The deeper wisdom within each of us is indeed sacred, and by moving in ways that allow us to playfully experience shadow and light, sacred and secular, we tap into that which can serve us best, our dance. PHOTO: PHOTO:

24 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 Join us on four remarkable journeys, as intentional movement opens the internal doorways to spirit.

The Vajrasa Temple Dancers. Left to right: Ruth Rhiannon, Jumana King-Harris, Monique Trinity-Rose, Tera Ptacek, Tenley Wallace.

PREMA GAIA shares her heartfelt response to a prayerformance by the Vajrasa Temple Dance Ensemble.

spellbound stillness swept across the room as five dancers stepped onto the Persian rug covering a wooden stage. The dancers were striking in temple-tribal-fusion garments, ornate golden headpieces, intricate belly Achains, and luscious feather earrings. The dance was Panchandala: Dance of the Five Dakinis performed at the Jackson Wellsprings Casbah in Ashland, Oregon, by Vajrasa, an extraordinary group of Temple Dance Priestesses. (In Tibetan Buddhism, Dakinis are female deities who represent enlightenment.) The covered pavilion was decorated with fairy lights, statues of Eastern deities

SCOTT BELDING and goddesses, ornate brass candle holders, and carved

PHOTO: wooden Moroccan chairs. About 80 audience members, with feathers in hair and bindis on foreheads, greeted one another with hugs and bright-eyed anticipation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 PHOTO: PHOTO:

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 25 VATRA AMIDZICH tells us how fire and spirit merge in his dance.

here’s nothing like being surrounded by liquid flames while in the flow of dancing. The intense heat, the entrancing light, and the roar of the flames rushing past my ears is otherworldly and brings me closer to TSpirit. I cherish the moments when I completely lose myself in the fire, simultaneously embodying it as servant and master and becoming one with it. Fire Dancing is a moving meditation with a powerful primal element that I thoroughly enjoy controlling… and enjoy being controlled by even more. Dancing with fire has transformed me. I began nearly a decade ago at a time when I had suffered great losses. Within a year, I was sharing my new form of expression with massive audiences at major events. I felt like I was reborn, like a Phoenix emerging from the ashes. By the way, I’m three-quarters Serbian and the word “vatra” means fire in the native language of my Serbian ancestors. I’m also one-quarter Greek, and Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to the humans. I’m the founder of Pyronauts, an international sacred theatre fire ritual performance troupe. We incorporate archetypal characters, international styles of dance, and breathtaking costumes and theatrics fused with the primal element of fire and highly skilled displays of Fire Dancing. I feel blessed to be sharing my passion and spirit with so many and for the opportunity to inspire. • Vatra Amidzich is best known for founding the Pyronauts and performing

with massive fire rope poi, some of the largest fire dancing apparatus in the SAVATIER TRISTAN world. www.facebook.com/vatra PHOTO: PHOTO: PHOTO:

26 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 JOCELYN GORDON finds herself in the middle of a portal to the divine.

ance, to me, is, and has always been a sacred practice, meaning it has been a direct portal to the divine. It is also focused on embodiment. In a lot of spiritual contexts, sacred means transcendent Dand leaving the body and that the body is mundane. However, in my experience and observation, dance celebrates the body, celebrates being in the body. To me, sacred means being embodied and having a direct connection to spirit at the same time. I know it is not easy for everyone to find comfort when they pick up the hoop, but coming from a lifelong passion for movement and a background in kinesiol- ogy, it was pretty much an instant hug of recognition for me. I quickly realized that hoop dancing encom- passes yoga, mindfulness, meditation, massage, and also the freedom of dance. It was so holistic. It was a huge “Aha—this is home!” This is why hoop is a sacred dance to me: it combines so many of my loves and studies into one study, into one visceral experience. My background in hoop, in terms of skill, comes from the hoop-modified teacher training that I fell in love with, designed by Raina McIntyre. I studied with Raina and she passed the baton to me. I was the teacher training director for Hoopnotica for three years and trained about two hundred trainers and the trainer master staff. When I was a yoga teacher, especially when I was in the DC metropolitan area, my big question, as a person CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 THOM/COYOTEFOTOS – BRENDAN JAFFER PHOTO: PHOTO: PHOTO:

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 27 PRAYERFORMANCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

Prayerformance arts are a modality like yoga, body, through chills, goose bumps, and waves and flowing movements, and even large and in which you must feel the experience embod- of energy coursing up my central channel, dynamic kung fu–inspired leaps and kicks. ied in order to experientially receive its trans- and confirmed by the tears that spontane- Possibly the most striking aspect of the show formation. However, with prayerformance ously flowed down my cheeks throughout the was the dancers’ remarkable willingness to arts, there is a symbiotic “co-cre-activation” first half of the show. fearlessly channel potent expressions of femi- between the audience and the prayerformers, The third and my favorite section was the nine power and Shakti in all its forms. creating a mutual uplifting. This can happen invoking of the wrathful deities who protect Section four is the attainment of samadhi: all when the prayerformers include audience the dharma and bring with them the qualities beings are free. By this time, the energy field members in a part of the ritual, such as anoint- of fierce love and compassion. The dancers in the casbah had taken on a surreal quality ing the viewers with frankincense of ambrosial expansiveness. As the or other holy oils. In my experi- evocative Balinese gamelan music ence, the symbiotic activation was whispered to my cells, I sat in a on an energetic level: the invoca- state of spellbound wonder, feel- tion and moving prayer were so ing like a little girl who had been mesmerizing that audience mem- transported to a magical realm. bers commented that they felt like In the final section, all merits and they were “part of the prayer” or blessings attained are dedicated to “cells in the same body of shared the liberation of all beings. intention and experience.” “Panchandala” means the man- The piece was co-choreo- dala of five. Each of the dancers is graphed by Monique Trinity-Rose, invoking and representing one of Tenley Wallace, and Ruth Rhian- the five traditional elemental Wis- non, and also included dancers dom Dakinis, and is channelling Jumana King-Harris and Tera Pta- Tenley Wallace is rapt in the flow. the element she represents. Rhian- cek and musical direction by Solus non said that each woman received Soulsinger. In the first of five sec- profound teachings in her own life tions the dancers invoke the sacred space. In brought in what I would affectionately dub from the specific element she was embodying: the second, the Dakinis are invited in from the the “jedi kung-fu warrioress Kali” spirit as earth, water, air, fire, or ether. primordial realm, at which point, in the words they upped the energy level to its peak point. After the show, I felt elevated, deeply of Trinity-Rose, “The Dakinis take over and Trinity-Rose shared that although much moved, and grateful that the following day run the show. It’s not a performance, it’s actual of the dance is choreographed, there is also was Sunday, so that I could take some quiet invocation—embodied ritual functioning at a room within the ritual for improvisational ex- time to integrate this remarkable experience. • deeply authentic level beyond what we even pression of the Dakini spirit by each dancer. For more info, visit Monique Trinity Rose’s web- realized was going to happen.” The movements included impressive articula- site: www.dakinirosegardens.com and Tenley Wallace’s I felt this truth unmistakably in my own tions and isolations of ribs and hips, circular website: www.vajrasatempledance.com.

THE JOY OF HOOPING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

of color, was: where are the people of color comes out of this process. Daydreaming, to coming to yoga? It’s such a powerful, benefi- me, is a lost art for adults. However, it is a cial practice. We need to be partaking. What I space of abundant creativity where solutions saw was that the hoop is so benign and free of can be discovered and the contentment that philosophy that a more diverse group is com- the yogis talk about can also be discovered ing to the practice with curiosity. The reason through that free-flow space. the hoop reaches a lot of people is that: 1) It Contemporary hooping has been around feels good. 2) If someone is interested, it can for 14 or 15 years. But, the common aware- be community building. 3) There are obvious ness started within the last five years and we physical benefits. It’s a huge calorie burner— are seeing an ascent into a more common 406 calories per hour. practice as it gains more media awareness.

I’ve also noticed that the hoop is a bio- Michelle Obama is helping with that, with her ; TOP: SCOTT BELDING feedback tool. If the hoop is moving around fitness initiatives. The hooping community is my body and I’m aware of what I’m going young, but deeply creative. Everyone lends through in my mind, if I’m trying to make a their own form of discovery because the THOM/COYOTEFOTOS list of what I am going to do next, the hoop circle is so open; there is no threshold for – just falls to the ground. If I am just staying what can be discovered. • present, breathing, and paying attention to the Jocelyn Gordon is an ecstatic embodiment expert known RENDAN JAFFER hoop it keeps its orbit around the body for a as the Hoop Yogini. More about her work and coaching

little bit longer. I’ve noticed that daydreaming can be found at www.jocelyngordon.com PHOTOS:

28 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 ILONA GLINARSKY stumbles upon tango and discovers poetry in motion.

Julio Bassan and Josefina Scaglione share a moment of deep connection as they practice the tango in Los Angeles.

ow loudly does one have to speak let go of everything. “I can simply relax into my femi- in order to be heard?” ninity and allow my partner to guide me,” she says. I pose this question to my begin- I’m now looking directly at the men in the class. ner Argentine tango class while “When leading a lady in tango,” I tell them, “all you “ slowly scanning the reactions on need is to whisper. Every message, every cue you con- their faces.H The room is quiet except for the faint sound vey to your partner has to be subtle, yet clear. Quiet, of the legendary Di Sarli orchestra playing softly in the yet potent. The quieter your lead is, the more deeply background. Most of my students look puzzled by this your partner has to tune in, the more intently she has question, except for Marcus, a well-respected yoga in- to listen.” structor by day. He smiles with his eyes and nods at me, The room is silent. I notice some subtle nods and as if to let me know he knows where I’m going. smiles, as well as a few contemplative looks. “Remem- His partner Nora says that tango is the only place in ber, gentlemen, you’re not driving a truck—you’re now her life where she doesn’t have to take charge, where driving a Ferrari!” I tell them jokingly. Several of the PHOTO: PHOTO: PHOTO: LAURA MINGO she can just turn off her brain, relinquish control, and women nod approvingly. I turn my attention to them.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 29 1SBDUJDJOH#SFFNB +& TVQQPSUTZPV UPEFFQFOUIF DPOOFDUJPOXJUI ZPVSTFMGBOEXJUI PUIFST TVQQPSUJOH ZPVUPCFDPNF QSFTFOUBOE SFNBJO QSFTFOU

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30 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 TRUSTING STEPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

™

with Valerie Chafograck

BERKELEY (East Bay) Valerie Chafograck facilitates Soul Motion™ Coming together with full Every Monday a Conscious Dance practice. presence, Ilona Glinarsky and her • Move alone and together. teaching partner Fred Lessantiz. 6.30-8.00pm Berkeley Unitarian • Listen and follow the rhythms of your soul. Church • Cultivate body awareness and presence in “But... ladies, if you want to be ‘driven’ like a the moment. Ferrari, you’d better tune in to the driver and 1924 Cedar Street Berkeley, CA, 94709 Weekly drop-in classes are an invitation to be able to respond without hesitation, antici- explore dance as the manifestation of the pation, or assumptions. Just breathe, relax, get human spirit grounded in the body. out of your head, let the leaders do their job, MILL VALLEY (Marin) and enjoy the most wonderful ride!” Every Thursday Irresistible music and movement inquiries Few people are aware that tango is actually an 6.00-7.30pm blend to support self-expression improvised social dance, based on connection Almonte Clubhouse and co-creation. between two ordinary people, often complete 105 Wisteria Way A diverse group of people attend; beginners strangers. Rather, they think of tango Argen- (at Almonte) and experienced movers. Are all welcome. tino as an “old-world” dance: passionate and Mill Valley, CA, 94941 dramatic, yet choreographed and rehearsed. Come and join us! Yet real tango is made up of an ever- changing kaleidoscope of basic patterns and concepts that serve merely as building blocks [email protected] to make every dance a magical, unique experience for both partners. I often tell my students that Argentine tango is a lot like learning the basic alphabet and then co-creating beautiful poetry in the moment, one step at a time. I found that discovering tango was about an intimate, internal connection between my partner and myself. Fancy footsteps and DANCE VILLAGE TX patterns merely represent the outer layer. Ultimately, the essence of tango is that two people give each other the most precious of POPULATION 2012 gifts—that of full presence, of listening to each other, caring for one another, and com- beingLoved Facilitator Training municating in ways they may have never com- Oct. 13 - 19 Liz Ganz municated before. As the students trickle out of the studio, I SUFI DANCEMEDITATION can’t help but ponder: what would life be like Nov. 10 - 12 Dunya if I could relinquish control and fully relax into the arms of the Spirit, my ultimate tango Spontaneous Rigor partner? What if I could just close my eyes, Nov. 17 Leslie Scates open my heart wide, and entrust myself into this Divine embrace? The word that comes Crazywood Dance Retreat up is trust. Maybe if I can think of practic- Dec. 6 - 9 Brandon Gonzales & Friends ing trust and surrender just like I practice my tango steps, ochos and boleos, with devotion and SoulShine patience, then my life would transform into the Monica Blossom most fulfilling dance I could possible imagine: Feb. 8 - 10 filled with grace, ease, and everyday magic. • Ilona Glinarsky is an Argentine Tango instructor and life coach. She teaches private and group dance lessons CRAZYWOOD.ORG

PHOTO: LAURA MINGO throughout Los Angeles. www.LivingTango.com

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 31

IT’S EASY TO SUBSCRIBE ONLINE Subscribe. 4 issues per year. $24.

You get a lovely magazine to read and share, plus you can post your classes, events and workshops on the MoveMap.

www.consciousdancer.com OPEN HEARTS OPEN SOURCE

Want to cook up some action in your home town? Start with an open source recipe, marinate with local flavor, and stir the pot with love. Serve up a dancer’s delight! BY MARK METZ

How does a certain flavor of dance pack up and travel? How can a creator spread a model that works in one town to another? The answer is to open source it. In other words, create a set of guidelines, a blueprint for the container that can be passed along from hand to hand and activated by anyone with enough energy to rally live bodies into a space and give it a try. It’s a balance between relax ation and control, requiring enough structure to hold a new entity together, and also enough flexibility to encourage the locals to

add their own tastes and imprint. CONTINUED ON PAGE 37 PHOTO:

32 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 OPEN HEARTS OPEN SOURCE

LUNCH WITH A SIDE OF BEATS An hour of dance plus lunch to go energizes urbanites in Stockholm.

Lunch Beat STARTED IN SWEDEN Curious about blending her New York are in the mix. “I French, “but that’s not my passion for work with her imagine it works like a kind of life anymore. Lunch Beat is passion for dance, 28-year- urban meditation for modern about making dance available old concept developer Molly workers,” says Range. “It is at times and places that are Range re-purposed her lunch an hour where you can do convenient to more people, hour. What started in 2010 nothing but move, and it is different ages, a more diverse with 14 people in a Stock- impossible to think about any range; the goal is to connect holm garage is now an inter- have-to-dos or deadlines.” people through the universal national movement, with over Venus French first heard language of dance.” 55 Lunch Beats worldwide. It the idea on National Public Rev up your workday and works like this: one hour, one Radio and is now the Lunch bring some of your creative DJ, one lunch to go. Events Beat ambassador for the San dance energy back to the must be not for profit, and Francisco Bay Area. “I used office: guidelines for setting dancers from cities like Berlin, to be a clubber when I was up a Lunch Beat in your town PHOTO: KIRSTEN EDDYSON PHOTO: PHOTO: Copenhagen, Seoul, and young and fabulous,” says are at www.lunchbeat.org.

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 33 ELEVATED BY ARCHITECTURE The Historic Sweet’s Ballroom in Oakland is an Art Deco era masterpiece, resonating with the sensibilities of organizer Tyler Blank. “We feel it’s really important to dance in wonderfully held spaces.”

EcstaticDance.org RAPID GLOBAL PROLIFERATION Ecstatic dance is a term that goes back to ancient times, but in recent decades it’s become a catch-all for almost every form of “barefoot-freestyle-dance-jam- boogie” event. These dances are more closely defined by the commonality of what’s noticeably absent. “No Booze- No Shoes” and no dancefloor chit-chat is the rule, and facilitation is minimal, although circles, intention-setting ceremonies, and group meditations or sound healings vary. However loose the roots of the term, when Texas DJ Max Fathom brought the spark of Body Choir to the Kalani community on the Big →

A MANDALA OF PRAISE FOR TARA “When I dance the praise, Tara twists out the kinks,” said one dancer. “I feel unblocked, open, and astonished that so much was there.” PHOTO: PHOTO:

34 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 ALL ONE PEACE IN THE SUN Cultivating universal reverence for spirit in the great outdoors.

Island of Hawaii, he lit a fire as hot as the The Dances of Universal Peace live volcano next door. Tyler Blank and AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE 28 COUNTRY NETWORK The Dances of Universal Donna Carroll, romantic partners travel- Peace are the inspiration of Sufi teacher Samuel L. Lewis, who sought to awak- ling at the time, felt the raw energy there en the hearts and minds of his students and to create an ecstatic experience in 2006 and had the flash that this flavor of unity. To create the Dances, Lewis set scripture, sacred phrases, and poetry of ecstatic dance was needed in the Bay from the world’s spiritual traditions to music and movement. The Dances are a Area. “It was the progressive, modern, spiritual practice in motion invoking a living experience of unity, presence, and electronic music fused with the 5Rhythms compassion. The circle of hearts logo is a distilled visual representation of the model of a wave that really spoke to my practice of Zikr: heart-centered beings linked together as One. The Dances are enjoyment of music and movement,” says taught worldwide today much as Lewis presented them in the 1960s, and all Blank. Fast forward to today, and while are welcome to join in. www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org Tyler and Donna are no longer romantic partners, their Sunday morning and Wednesday night dances in Oakland draw The Mandala Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara upwards of 300 regularly, showcasing 90 CIRCLES TURNING A meditative practice created by Prema Dasara with the Bay Area’s top DJs and electronica more than 90 circles worldwide, it offers respect and gratitude to the Buddhist producers. Tyler has taken the lead in traditions of the Tibetan people, who chant praises for the Universal Mother. establishing a non-profit with guidelines Dancer Phyllis Moses describes the circle: “One by one, the dancers are born so people can start their own e-dance. out of the intricate mandala formation to dance one of the Praises of Tara as Fifteen affiliates have sprung up world- an offering to the world. As they dance, participants reveal their inner nature as wide, with more in the works. This Novem- an aspect of the Goddess Tara. The body moves and Tara appears through the ber, make plans for a pilgrimage to Kalani movements. This is not something channeled from without, but something that for the first annual Ecstatic Dance Retreat. arises from within.” Materials and support are available for those who want to www.ecstaticdance.org

PHOTOS: TOP LEFT:TYLER BLANK; TOP RIGHT: FRANK OLIVIER; BOTTOM: PHYLLIS MOSES BLANK; TOP RIGHT: PHOTOS: TOP LEFT:TYLER create their own circle. www.taradhatu.org

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 35 Lunch BeatinStockholm. Audible andediblesustenanceat The DancesofUniversalPeace. the ever-expanding circle of There isalwaysroom foryouin the upside istremendous. the upside the torch, to are entrusted who carry For folks the end on receiving

at Kalani,ontheBigIslandofHawaii. Ecstatic danceisabelovedSundayritual mer, withahigh-energy gatheringinOakland. Lunch BeatarrivedintheBayArea thissum -

PHOTO: OPEN SOURCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

To tell the story of open sourcing, we chose four dances, showing a range of what’s possible and some very different styles and aes- thetics. The benefits are many. Should you be the one to pick up the torch, you’ll have Join Karina Schelde for a ready-made blueprint for activating your this 2-day intensive life chosen movement form, as well as affiliation transforming workshop. and credibility right off the bat. It could be a strictly communal activity run by volunteers with no commercial side, like the Rainbow Gathering or The Dances of Universal Peace. A dance that brings in some funds could of- Learn and discover how to: fer scholarships or charitable donations. Or,  Uncover the unique spiritual resonance, healing abilities, and it could be an out-of-the-box business model ...if you have ancient knowingness of your own voice such as ecstaticdance.org, where part of the a voice, you  Free your creative expression and your whole being can sound...  Strengthen your listening, singing, and communication skills premise is an opportunity for income on the  Express from your authentic heart and gut feelings part of the promoters. come and play!  Find your voice, literally and figuratively

The franchise model is a proven methodol- October 6 - 7 Nevada City Ca ogy for success in the world of commerce, Love Divine, [email protected], 530-263-0739 October 13 - 14 SaN FraNCiSCO Ca and as it is applied to the world of dance, Marcela Sabin, [email protected], 510-703-6771 beloved forms of movement are multiplying October 20 -21 NOrthamptON ma Joa Agnello-Traista, [email protected], 413-727-8573 across the landscape. For the dancers being October 27 - 28 LOS aNgeLeS Ca Phyllis Banks, [email protected], 312-933-8396 November 3 - 4 ChiCagO iL ... these are not stale, Muriel Reymond, [email protected], 815-277-2563 November 10 -11 pOrtLaNd Or prepackaged experiences, Stara Shakti, [email protected], 973-570-6530 For further information about Soul voice visit: www.soulvoice.net but rather fresh fruit from the original vine, ripened in the local climate, with all the nutrition the founders intended.

served in new communities, these are not stale, prepackaged experiences, but rather fresh fruit from the original vine, ripened in the local climate, with all the nutrition the founders intended. For folks on the receiving end who are entrusted to carry the torch, the upside is tremendous. After all, when you are just starting out it can be an awful lot of work to reinvent the wheel. For some, affiliation will bring not just camaraderie, but a chance to visit sister dances in other towns. The foundation and support received from a proven framework is invaluable, as you learn from the mistakes and successes of others. For you meta movers and shakers who pre- fer to blaze your own trails, let these examples serve as inspiration to coin a term and launch your own movement. Whether you choose to jump on an existing bandwagon or lead with one of your own, open source dances are gaining momentum, with loving help from a

PHOTOS: TOP: FRANK OLIVIER; BOTTOM LEFT: KIRSTEN EDDYSON; BOTTOM RIGHT: COURTESY OF KALANI; CENTER; ARIC CRABB KIRSTEN EDDYSON; BOTTOM RIGHT: PHOTOS: TOP: FRANK OLIVIER; BOTTOM LEFT: world of open-hearted dancers. •

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38 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 Dancer Sydney Robinson finds home, the place where body and breath connect. vitality

THE POWER OF BREATH Mindful breathing opens new paths to enhanced presence and soothing release. l BY DANIELLE FRAENKEL, PH.D. with JEFFREY MEHR, MA

ou’d think that learning how to belly-breathe would be easy The integration of body-mind and spirit, housed in each inhalation for a dancer, but when I took my first yoga class decades and exhalation, freed me to remain present as, simultaneously, I Y ago and encountered the concept, the instructions seemed embodied and witnessed the sadness and anger that surfaced. like a foreign language. For years my dance teachers had told Having reclaimed parts of my self in the here-and-now, I would exit me to stand up straight and tighten my stomach muscles. Their Jack’s studio ready to face the challenges in my life. commands rang in my ears, especially during barre work. I heard Many practices include some form of mindful breathing, words like turn-out and alignment, not breath or breathing, though yet practitioners often encounter challenges like the ones I I believe I would hear them in dance classes now. experienced in New York. Thoughts intrude, pass, intrude again. In Graham Technique, I learned that contraction relates to Letting the thoughts go may seem impossible, but gentle methods exhalation and release to inhalation, signature concepts of Martha such as Somato Respiratory Integration™(SRI) and LivingDance™ Graham’s work. However, I focused on developing the movements can counter restlessness, intrusive thoughts, and blocks. of my spine, pelvis, and limbs. I had not yet grasped what I would Improvisations, where the inhalation and exhalation become now call the power of breath. the underlying pulse of dance, offer another way to That changed when I studied in New experience mindful breathing. Anyone can do this York City with Jack Wiener at his School I found it possible because the process is grounded in movements that for Creative Movement in the Arts. There to gently awaken we see in infants. Inhalations generate movements I learned how to use breath as a source of that unfold and grow. Exhalations generate improvisation. My dancing blossomed as I forgotten parts of movements that fold up and shrink. Movements discovered the relationship between breath can be large or small, any tempo, in one finger or and movement—allowing the dance to my breathing body. the whole body. Together, breath and the natural emerge from the rise and fall of my breath. I movement that emerges from it become dances, reclaimed the joy I’d experienced as a child, dancing with my sister during which dancers remain mindful of breath and movement. to my parents’ music on piano and musical saw. I discovered in Actively linking breath and movement in the moment not only leads Jack’s classes an awareness of breath that people now call “mindful to connection, but also creates a crucible for discoveries: from the breathing”—being intentionally and non-judgmentally aware of personal to the spiritual and from the creative to the heightened one’s breath in the present moment. ability to focus during meditation. Staying alive to my experience in Jack’s creative movement Bonding breath and movement allowed me to hold on both classes meant being mindfully aware of the connection between to the horror of my parents’ struggle and to the fun my sister my breath and my dance. Although exhilarating, experiencing the and I had as our smiling parents played the music for our child- present was not always pleasant. Unexpected thoughts and feelings hood productions. showed up. For example, my parents survived the Holocaust. They were immigrants who had escaped, and lost everything. Often Together, Danielle Fraenkel and Jeffrey Mehr offer LivingDance- when I danced, a deluge of feelings about their suffering flooded LivingMusic, a unique approach to dance/movement therapy that me. But by staying alive to the moment—allowing the tempo of offers a spectrum of benefits, ranging from emotional growth and my breath to transform and match my current feeling—I was not personal well-being to creative expression. www.kinections.com

PHOTO: JEFFREY MEHR overwhelmed. Instead my emotions were manageable.

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 39 vitality CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

Mindful breathing can highlight areas locate home, and then connect his inhalations where the flow of breath seems blocked— with movements that widen, lengthen, or but all too often these places are hard to grow, and his exhalations with movements reach. Adding touch to the process brings an that narrow, shorten, or shrink. additional dimension to working with breath Henry discovered what it is to feel fully that often makes it easier to be mindful. Key present. After nearly two years of group work, to this process is the concept of home. he can not only connect to himself, identify I often ask dancers to begin their blocks in the flow of his breath, and use dance improvisations by using touch to scan their expressively, but also sees that he is much bodies and find the spot where they can rest better at listening and empathizing. their hands and feel connected on both the Peter Appel says that the listening quality inhalation and the exhalation. We call that spot of this approach provided valuable feedback home. My student Michele Iemolo says that by about his actual state of body and emotion. In finding home before beginning her movement his practice as a yoga instructor, he has been practice, “each move becomes more authentic able to move in a more grounded and sensing and comes from a place of complete presence way. “By using the warmth of my hands, my to the current moment. Finding home makes attention, and conscious breathing,” he says, the movement a meditation.” “I found it possible to gently awaken forgotten Leslie Hunter has found a supportive daily parts of my breathing body.” presence in the awareness of breath. “The Invariably, for my students and my own simple tool of acknowledging breath has dancing, touch and finding home lead to been useful in my everyday life,” she says, dances that alter our relationships not only “particularly when I feel anxious. Taking the to breath, but also to ourselves, one another, moment to be present, find home, and follow and life. The dances—creative movement the flow of my breath is not only relaxing, but meditations—provide a fluid form that stress relieving and healing.” allows us to stay alive to our breath and, when Henry Titlebaum, age 47, wanted to necessary, to attend consciously to blocks in improve his relationships to self and others, our breathing. in both his personal life and tech career. The The combination of breath, touch, and combination of breath, movement, and touch dance bridges from everyday breathing to the were likewise crucial, and he says he “learned mindful breathing for which so many of us how to use breath work to identify and work strive. Mindful improvising using this triune on my blocked areas.” of kinesthetic elements leads to dance that To bring Henry to this point I taught him taps our innate capacity to heal—dance that how to integrate breath, touch, and motion, nourishes the soul. •

FROM HOME TO LIVING DANCE Grounded in the belief that dance itself is healing, LivingDance~LivingMusic™ works with natural elements of dance/movement. When working with breath, we first identify home, the place on the body where dancers feel connected to both their inhalations and exhalations. Home becomes the dancer’s source for connection and expression. To find home, place your hands on your torso, breathe, and focus your attention on the area under your hands. Imagine that your breath has a story to tell and that your hands are listening—just the way you wished everyone listened to you. Once you feel connected, allow the breath to be your music. Let it synchronize with your movement, opening, rising, or widening on the in breath, and closing, descending, or narrowing on the out breath. Start the movement small—first in your fingers, then bring in your hands and arms, leading eventually to a dance that engages all of you. When thoughts distract, place the heels of your hands on your eyebrows, palms on your forehead, and let your fingers relax onto the top front of your head. As you breathe, focus your attention on the area under your hands. Pretend that you are sending your breath to your hands just as you did when seeking home. This position can become your source of improvisation, or when you feel connected and present, you can return to finding home on your torso and dance from there.

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CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 41 sounds

SENSE AROUND SOUND Tune in to deeper awareness through the art of subtle listening. l BY KIM CASCONE

s a child, I noticed that certain sounds would have a strange creating my own meditations, many of which involved hearing, or effect on me. A sound, as well as the acoustical properties of more importantly, the act of listening. A a particular location, created mental images that transported me to an imaginal world. These images weren’t shapes or textures— Listening Meditation although that occurred later on—but images of a location, like a My listening meditations, which today form the basis of my Subtle scene from a cinematic dream sequence. Listening workshop, developed quite by accident. After many hours For example, the distant reverberations of a propeller plane of practicing guitar (my instrument in music school) I would often evoked the image of an expansive marble quarry framed by wild take a break in the evening and walk over to the Christian Science jungle vegetation; another sound evoked the interior of a candy shop Center where I would meditate near the expansive man-made pool viewed through purple cellophane. These in the plaza. The surface of the water and the strange visions lacked any correlation to the Creating new circuits in concrete walls of the buildings played tricks sound I heard. It’s difficult to explain, but I with the sounds of the city. As I meditated, intuitively knew that these images represented art means creating them these echoic, reverberant sounds would form the essence or the soul of a sound, as if the shapes and textures in my mind’s eye. in the brain. – Gilles Deleuze sound had an atmospheric or psychic flavor. Intrigued by this phenomenon, I sought out Although confused by these experiences as a child, I’ve since ways to enhance this awareness through meditation. After months recognized these visions as a type of synesthesia, in which one type of trying different techniques I noticed that my hearing became of stimulation evokes the sensation of another. As an adult, I’ve sharper. My heightened awareness picked up on sounds I would have learned to control and develop my synesthesia using various forms previously tuned out, and I heard them in greater detail. It was as if of meditation and exercises. It has become an important tool in my my hearing went from black and white to Technicolor as a result of work as a sound artist. my listening meditations.

Learning to Meditate Like the Buddha Sitting Under a Tree I started meditating in 1975 while attending the Berklee College While I was home from music school one Thanksgiving, a friend of Music in Boston. I spotted a flier at a health food store for a asked if I would drive him to an appointment. After dropping him off, class at a meditation center and, being interested in Eastern spiritual I found myself with nothing to do for an hour so I took advantage of philosophies, I decided to check it out. After a brief introduction to the beautiful, crisp autumn day and sat under a tree in a nearby park. the basics of meditation, the teacher showed me how to sit, how to Savoring the colors and sounds of autumn, I closed my eyes, focused focus on my breath, and some techniques to deal with distracting on my breathing, and began to meditate. thoughts. Like many first timers, I struggled with the usual problems, After a short while, a flock of noisy birds, preparing to migrate, such as sitting on a cushion for long periods of time and quieting the started flying back and forth between the treetops. Resisting the urge internal chatter, but after a month or so of practice, I found myself to shift my attention to them I heeded my meditation teacher’s advice: able to meditate. “acknowledge the distractions, don’t focus on them.” I continued to meditate at the center, where I learned other In this state of meditative non-attention, the sound of the birds techniques I incorporated into my practice. I read books on meditation took on a distinct shape in my mind’s eye. The sound became an and discovered there were as many ways to meditate as there are undulating, spiky, amoebic shape, traveling back and forth in arcs and

people who meditate. Being the inventive type, I experimented with CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 CAMERON GRAY ART:

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CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 43 sounds Europe, I had not encountered a single “ear CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 training” class or formalized introduction to BIODANZA listening of any sort for digital media students. Voice and Percussion Of course, music students learn solfège All-day immersion for anyone and loops. At some point the flock split (singing the sol-fa syllables to a scale or interested in deepening connection into two amoebic shapes, each with its own to their authentic self and community melody) and melodic dictation in ear training through song, dance, and play speed and trajectory. But something strange classes, and engineers are taught to listen for with Belisa Amaro happened while I was in this state; I was no technical anomalies. But most students learning Director of the San Francisco longer aware of each flock separately, but about sound for digital media have no formal School of Biodanza became aware of the space between them. instruction in how to listen. Students typically In other words, I was not focusing directly learn how to work with the latest software on the birds, but sensing the negative space applications as well as the technical aspects of or where the birds were not. It was as if I creating content; however they are often lost had switched into an altered and slightly when it comes to using their “inner ears.” mystical reality, one that enabled me to hear And this often showed in their work, which where a sound was not occurring—much like displayed competent technical craft, but a sculptor’s negative space or a sonic black suffered from a lack of internal exploration. hole. I came to understand later that sensing Seeing this lack I felt I needed to help correct absence can be just as important as sensing this by sharing what I had learned during 30 presence—because it is often in the empty years as an artist working with sound. spaces where art occurs. On my connecting flight I busily jotted down as many of my listening meditations, Reaching Dark Stations exercises, and past experiences as I could Saturday Over the years I’ve been fortunate to earn think of. I then turned these fever-fueled Workshops a living in both the music and audio industries notes into a framework for the Subtle Nov 10, 2012 while pursuing my work as a composer. From Jan 26, 2013 Listening workshop and emailed them Mar 16, 2013 synthesizer programming and film sound editing to running a record label, I’ve always [email protected] • 415.339.8739 It was as if my hearing www.biodanza.us managed to make a living with my ears. I was privileged to get a job as an assistant went from black and music editor on a couple of David Lynch films: Twin Peaks and Wild At Heart. Time white to Technicolor as allowing, I would run up to the mix theater to watch Mr. Lynch, working with a sound a result of my listening designer, transmute ordinary sounds into intricate, dark sonic tapestries. meditations. Each sound effect or sonic texture needed to a friend who teaches digital media. He in a scene was verbally conjured by Mr. Lynch responded saying that this was exactly the sort before working with any sounds from the of thing his students needed. He saw that his Lucas sound library. Many sound designers students were all too ready to start their work work in a “top down” approach, starting from in software rather than spend time reading, Core Connexion a vague idea of a sound needed in a scene, writing, and exploring their psyches. He felt transformational arts® then manipulating and mixing many different the workshop might help his students develop sounds until something works. However, Mr. their sensory intuition, shifting their workflow Dancing Life from Your Core Lynch worked “bottom up,” meaning his from the physical plane to the mental plane. unconscious already knew the sound needed Classes, Workshops, as well as the recipe needed to create it. What is Subtle Listening? Training Programs David Lynch conjured sound from a deep Let me first explain what Subtle Listening is USA • Canada • Europe place, one I intuitively recognized as an imaginal not. Subtle Listening is not the ability to hear realm accessible through years of exploring his subtle nuances in a piece of classical music, unconscious. So it was no surprise to discover nor is it a master class for nature recordists that David Lynch was also a meditator. (those who record the sounds of nature) or a new type of music therapy. Subtle Listening Ear Training for Media Students is about developing an intuitive awareness, a www.coreconnexion.net While fighting a bout of influenza on tour heightened sensitivity to the world around you. [email protected] I had a feverish epiphany as I rushed for a The word “subtle” is borrowed from Eva Vigran, Berkeley CA connecting flight: there was no ear training for various esoteric philosophies that describe a people working with sound as an art form. In concept called the “subtle realm.” There are ten years of teaching and lecturing in dozens many different names used for this imaginal of universities and media centers across place. For example, the Islamic scholar, and

44 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 expert on Sufism, Henry Corbin, coined the term “mundus imaginalis” to explain the Sufi SUBTLE LISTENING EXERCISES concept of the subtle realm to Westerners. Exercises to help facilitate a visual sense of sound while also exploring your unconscious. Jungian psychologists use the term “active imagination” to describe a similar idea. Six Degrees of Similitude This exercise requires two people. One person draws the Whatever term is used to describe it, the shape and texture of their favorite sound on a piece of paper. The paper is then handed subtle realm is an imaginal, numinous domain to the other person, who studies the drawing and tries to hear the sound the drawn shape said to exist between nature’s outer appearance represents. After they hear the sound they then draw the sound on the paper. This process and its inner essence or soul. The subtle realm is repeated until there are six soundshapes drawn on the page. Afterwards, discuss the is an interworld viewed by the soul of a person drawings and the sounds each represents. while in an altered state of consciousness. Water Talk Find a sound file of a river, brook, or stream (freesound.org). Load it onto Poets, mystics, and artists, by nature, are an mp3 player and set the player to repeat mode. Listen to the sound file on headphones familiar with this realm, and it is precisely this while in a meditative state. Set the sound level to be audible as background but no louder. unique way of experiencing the world—with Spend 30 minutes or so listening to this sound, but don’t directly focus on the sound; let their souls—that enables them to communicate the random sound of the water remain in the background as ambiance. Afterwards, write their vision through their work. To offer a down any sounds or speech patterns you heard embedded in the sound of the water. somewhat less mystical explanation, one can think of the subtle realm as the unconscious Auditory Field of a Painting Select a favorite painting. It can be figurative or abstract— associations within a person’s psyche that form the important thing is that you resonate with it. Study it while in a meditative state. Let an intuitive perception of the physical world. your gaze enter the painting and descend below its surface, as if you were inside the Hence, the techniques used in the Subtle painting. Let the sounds in the painting come to you. After the session, write down all the Listening workshop are culled from sources sounds you heard in the painting. such as Jungian psychology, Hermetic Sonic Replacement Therapy Go to a sonically rich environment such as a park or a philosophy, Rhythmanalysis, synesthesia, mall food court. Make two columns on a sheet of paper and write down each individual paradox meditation, and brainwave entrainment. sound you hear in the first column. Later, look at the sounds in column one and write I have handpicked techniques from each of down corresponding sounds that are similar in quality but would only occur in a very these areas I think people will find useful in different environment. developing the intuitive flow between the outer For example: the chirp of birds could correlate to the chirping of a crossing signal for world and their unconscious—where the subtle the blind at a busy intersection. realm is perceived. Or to put it a different way, Shape of Words Draw a simple shape of the following words as you or a partner read using meditation as a method to develop an them aloud—over-enunciation is helpful: slam, tan, golf, fuse, ship, slab, tone, fuzz, and hum. extrasensory awareness of the world. In addition to the standard forms of meditation, I have created special sound files AUDIO GLOSSARY to be listened to during meditation. These BRAINWAVE ENTRAINMENT An external periodic stimuli that causes a synchronization special sound files are designed to induce of brainwave frequencies. Usual forms of entrainment are in the form of soundfiles “audio brainwave entrainment.” Often called and/or electronic devices using headphones and LED goggles. binaural beats, these sounds synchronize the BINAURAL BEATS A perceptual artifact that occurs when two tones of different frequency of the listeners’ brainwaves to the frequencies are presented separately via stereo headphones. For example, when 100 Hz is frequency contained in the sound file, thereby played in one ear while the other is played 101 Hz, a binaural beat of 1Hz is produced by affecting a change in consciousness. These files the brain and perceived as audio. can help those who have difficulty meditating MONAURAL BEATS Rather than presenting each ear with a different frequency, the beats by slowing down their brainwaves, thereby are mixed electronically before being presented to the listener. They are mixed down to a affecting a more relaxed state. monaural track and presented as a single channel of audio, not stereo. Additionally, all workshop participants take ISOCHRONIC BEATS Rather than using different frequencies to create beats, isochronic part in a project where they create a short sound beats electronically turn a sound on and off at an evenly spaced rate. People who don’t work based on a soundscape “heard” during a respond well to binaural or monaural beats tend to respond to this method of brainwave guided meditation. This not only teaches them entrainment. to plumb the depths of their unconscious, but SUBTLE REALM A realm that exists between the surface of nature and its soul or also fosters a more holistic sensory connection essence. This realm can be perceived with a developed extrasensory perception (also to the world by having them focus on listening called active imagination or integral consciousness), which can be brought about through in an imaginal, interior space. lucid dreaming, hypnosis, or meditation. It yields its secrets when entered with full Any type of artist can participate in and consciousness. benefit from Subtle Listening. Whether you are a poet, writer, photographer, painter, filmmaker, ACOUSTICS An interdisciplinary science that deals with the study of mechanical waves dancer, musician, or sound designer, your in various media. In the context of this article, acoustics refers to the behavior of sound artistry will be enhanced by having a height- waves when encountering different surfaces and materials. ened awareness of the world around you. • RHYTHMANALYSIS A method for analyzing the inherent, non-musical rhythms of an Contact [email protected] for urban, or any, space and how those rhythms affect its inhabitants. information on future workshops.

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 45 destinations

The dance scene here is seriously evolutionary, and each event is more epic than the last. We’re still searching, still pushing our edge, still re-inventing our practice. – Jesse Johnson, Media Tribe ESCAPE TO NEW YORK Converging communities create a shifting dancescape. l BY DANIEL LAUREANO

o many people outside of New York City have told me classes. Zumba is everywhere, and martial artists train diligently in that my work to create a lasting, thriving Ecstatic Dance this eclectic, electric city. S community in the Big Apple is absolutely necessary. Their Since March 2012, I have gathered hundreds of New Yorkers reason? “New York needs something like this. It’s so hard to live for a monthly Ecstatic Dance experience. New York is one of 16 there, and people are so disconnected from their bodies.” Au cities around the globe that has been claimed as a dance floor by this contraire. I’ve recently returned to New York after three years in the Hawaii-born/Oakland-boosted tribe. Ecstatic Dance NYC gathers Bay Area. And as I’ve lived, danced, and created with New Yorkers, at St. Mark’s Church in The Bowery, for three hours of freeform I have experienced something quite movement and conscious dance. different: New York City has become New York City has become Among the other crews, teams, and a fit, active, somatically wise place in circles I have snuggled up to recently: the cosmos. a fit, active, and somatically Unitribe, Get Your Dance On, Yoga Rave, In New York City, you will most Dance of Liberation, Globesonic, and likely find any type of cuisine you wise place in the cosmos. Yoga Soundscape, a skillful blending of live desire, at any time of the day or night. music, movement, and yoga that delights Though 24/7 offerings may not yet and nourishes dancers in the Big Apple. exist, Metropolis also features a full Leader Aarona Pichinson, a lifetime yogi menu of movement options. and dancer, sees the bridge between the two New to town, I get to be naive and movement styles clearly: “With the added outrageously optimistic. I have joined element of live music, I find that there is less a circle of diligent, persistent, and room to get stuck in mental chatter and an arguably stubborn entrepreneurs, who invitation to feel more present and alive.” instigate conscious dance on a regular Some of these facilitators have been basis. This summer, 5Rhythms, Ecstatic able to create regular schedules for their Dance, and Contact Improv seem to offerings; others have taken time off to re- be the most consistent offerings that vision what is possible given the realities Feeling the energy in Brooklyn, I have found. Three of the city’s most at the Shambhala Dance Hall. of limited space, high rents, and floors not popular 5R weekly offerings happen always conducive to barefoot dancing. at Manhattan’s Joffrey Ballet School. “The dance culture here is grounded, Jonathan Horan and crew host High Vibration Waves, and Douglas fierce, and real,” says Natasha Blank, creator of Get Your Dance Drummond and Lucia Horan teach Urban Waves, which draws from On. “There are hundreds of styles and countless communities to the rhythmic wells of dubstep, rock, psy-trance, hip hop, and classical. explore.” One of New York’s beloved conscious dance catalysts and Open Movement, one of the most popular jams in the five boroughs, entrepreneurs, Natasha embodies the spirit of the New York City welcomes all dancers, movers, and musicians to participate in two- conscious dancer: vibrant, passionate, and fearless. hour sessions of improvisation. Biodanza with Michelle Macek also If you are looking for a sure bet, and want to plan a week of gathers weekly—the Dance of Life, in the Melting Pot. conscious dance in New York City, here are some of the Big Apple’s

Yoga also abounds, as do gyms with weight rooms and cycling best metronomes.• SHAKTI ANDREA SMITH / ABOVE: JESSE JOHNSON PHOTOS: BELOW:

46 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 DATELINE DANCE: NYC Monday

Biodanza with Michelle Macek Deeply connecting creative dance encounters that bring joy and vitality into your life. A global practice created by Chil- ean psychologist Rolando Toro. Dancing Classrooms Studio, 25 W. 31st Street, 4th floor, NY, NY. 7:15- 9:15pm. www.biodanza-usa.com

Open Movement This is offered as an open music and dance jam, but the gatherings have a strong focus on Contact Improvisation. 27 Barrow St., 6th floor, NY, NY. 8-10pm. www.facebook.com/openmovement Tuesday

High Vibration Waves with Jonathan Horan In this class we dance hard, bold, and deep. Jonathan takes us to the place where the soul of hip hop, the catharsis of rock and roll, the trance of techno, and the heart of house collide into the world beat. 434 Sixth Ave, NY, NY. 7:30-9:30pm. www.gabrielleroth.com Contact Improv: Tuesday Lab “Working Group” or “Lab Group,” at Bill Young’s Studio. People come with suggestions, and then the group decides together what to work on for the evening. 100 Grand St, Buzzer B, NY, NY. 7-9:30pm. www.contactimprovblog.com Wednesday

Ecstatic Dance NYC A transformative, electronic music journey, mixed with intention. Move however you wish, in a container for conscious dance and freeform movement. Monthly @ St. Mark’s Church in The Bowery, NY, NY. 8:30-11:30pm www.ecstaticdance.org/nyc Thursday

Urban Waves with Lucia Horan and Douglas Drummond An opportunity to investigate the un- explored sacred wilderness of bone and breath, hands and hips, spirit and flesh. Our great- est source of inspiration is the dance within. 434 Sixth Ave, NY, NY. 7:45-9:45pm. www.luciahoran.com/ Friday

Yoga Soundscape @ Kula Yoga Project Aarona Pichinson’s Yoga Soundscape fuses movement, yoga, and music into a high-vibration offering for community. 28 Warren Street, 4th Floor, NY, NY. 6:30-8:15pm. www.yogaofnourishment.com/yoga-soundscape U Goddess Waves with Julia Wolfermann A 5Rhythms® movement meditation for women, created to support the poetry of the process of reconnecting with our inner wise wom- human encounter S an. BDA Studios, 265 W 37th St., Studio 206, NY, NY. 12-2pm. www.gabrielleroth.com Shambhala Dance Hall Sister to the Barefoot Boogie, BI DANZA this freestyle dance lives in the heart of Brooklyn, near the Brooklyn Museum. Meets every first Friday. California Classes Clara Rubin-Smith Shambhala Yoga and Dance, 367 St Marks, Brooklyn, NY. www.biodanza.us San Francisco - Thursday 8:30-11pm. www.shambhaladancehall.blogspot.com Tim Lorenz Zora Coeur de Roy San Francisco - Sunday Berkeley, Oakland, SF Saturday Cecilia Reus & Marla Leech www.zorabiodanza.com Barefoot Boogie A freestyle dance on the 2nd and San Francisco - Monday; L.A. East Coast Classes 4th Saturdays of each month. People of all ages are Tatanya McClurg Michelle Dubreuil Macek welcome in this smoke- and alcohol-free environ- Sausalito, CA - Monday NYC, DC & Maryland ment where folks can freely express themselves Carmen Aranda www.biodanza-usa.com to an eclectic mix of inspiring music. Still going L.A. - Tuesday Stephanie Bloch strong in their 30th year! 28 West 27th Street, NY, NY. Belisa Amaro North Miami - Wednesday 8-11:30pm. www.barefootboogie.org San Francisco - Tuesday Paola Bolzan Jairo Wilches & Aliria Serna Bethesda, DC Sunday San Francisco - Wednesday biodanzawashingtondc.com Sweat Your Prayers with Jonathan Horan A weekly Babi Tapia Silvans 5Rhythms® practice where we move through Garberville - Wednesday Every human being the rhythms of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyri- Hildegard Flemming is miraculous and cal, and Stillness with breath and intention, creat- Petaluma - Wednesday extraordinary with many ing sacred time and space as we transition from the Vicky Combs possibilities in the universe. current week to the next. 434 Sixth Ave, NY, NY. Cotati, CA - Wednesday –Rolando Toro www.jonathanhoran.com/sweat-your-prayers

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 47 48 Island Chiropractic Dr. LesliePrins 2111 Whitehall Place, Suite A Alameda, CA AAlameda, Suite 2111 Place, Whitehall 5 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM www.kinections.com Rochester,New York Februaryfor Now AcceptingApplications for certificationinDance/Movement Therapy Alternate RouteProgram 10-76 9-6066 Kinections • 585.473.5050 of Innovation! Repair and Injury Between Bridges Building Celebrating

28 Years | FALL 2012

SM BIODANZA For more information, visit www.biodanza-usa.com progressively introduced. was carefullyand level ofintimacythat I waschallengedby the results a poetic life. a poetic A human encounter inspires DEEPENING THISABILITYTOBEAUTHENTICALLY PRESENT how we are supposed to relate to one another. liberated from cultural constraints of contained, I felt increasinglyand nest or“puppy comforted, puddle” onthe ground, a warm in lying or it, describedToro Rolando creator Biodanza and anthropologist Chilean late the humanity”as dance.the in elsesomeonenected with hands,Holding“eyesof the into gazing con really but society, Western busy our in be to tend we as present superficially Not ers. NEXT, AND PERHAPS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE, their space, gestures, and need for contact is also stressed. them through awareness of with communication in beingdancers, other the to concept this Extending decision. the make you need to slow down, speed up,your physical or needseven in the dance—if rest, two concepts important reinforced in the Biodanza space. Self-regulation allows you to care for aredance. These every within me real the of emergence the feedback,felt self-regulationand I with layers the away peel to began I As dance? my in up showing this is How behind? hiding gressivelyintroduced. However, feltsafeconnectingI first with myself. am mask I that is What pro and carefully was that intimacy of level the by challenged was Johannesburg.I in School WITH PASSION INMYHEART ANDANEWLY BORNBABY, embracing life’smadic life, authentic I was flow. indeed strong and quite capable of no and adventurous own my in that acknowledge me helped back and group the to me from with these connections andin time, desire for this adeep authenticity. constant pulsation The ever, as the facilitator wove specific exercises into each class, I to began develop a level comfort staring into someone’s eyes during orholding the handswalking with astranger exercise. How I WAS INITIALLY TAKEN BACKBYTHEPERSONALCONNECTIONS in an outdoor Biodanza class. child, third my with encounter, pregnant first my made I trepidation, With wall. gym a on flyer DISCOVERING BIODANZA WAS THE PRODUCT OF PURE SERENDIPITY task difficult the and motherhood adapting to challenging environments in poverty stricken African cities.new of of morass the in myself lost had but children, andhadtwofined me. Ihadmarried atenuredand teaching jobthatde US the in life independent secure, my up given having Africa, in years seven lowa very point in my life. I’d spent I HAPPENED UPONBIODANZADURING Biodanza class into my daily life! eachmythat and precious beyond and extend issacred moment encounters” “poetic the knowingsomeone, with present truly be can I detachment. awaywith look or phone ringing my don’tanswer and them, on focus eyes, the in people look I before. felt I distraction the AS AWIFEANDMOTHER, nous and feel this awesome in dancers with whom I ignite on the dance floor. energy numi the of now, presence dance the I Divine. with filled theWhen amto profoundlyI more

I am connected in mind, body, and spirit ways that overshadow •

was learning to be present was with oth learning domestic goddess. Activities: offering classesinNYCandMD. of BiodanzaMaryland/DC Director oftheEastCoastSchool MICHELLE DUBREUILMACEK I decided to join the Biodanza the join to decided I also allowed me to connect Reading,travel,Reiki, during the sessions, ntefr fa of in the form you need to ------

PHOTOS:PHOTO: VALU RIBEIRO reviews MUSIC Whether you’re compiling a two-hour wave or practicing a new hoop move, these super-duper recommendations are worth your ear.

Lacuna Loops N Grooves by Mockingbirds by Wah! The great thing about Loops N Grooves is a triggering a mood during a magical sanskrit chanting dance is that those who have electronica blend. If you content to work through can are a Wah! fan, imagine her dive in and those who don’t rapturous voice and her can just dance. Lacuna offers a wide array of emo- elevating chants with a pumped groove-ability and tional hues backed by excellent lyrics. A tribute to dance factor! It’s free, wild, and sensuous, with the lead musician’s father, the record goes through pulsating rhythms and soaring lyrical journeys as fields of grief, joy, stoicism, play, and transcendence. only Wah! can create. My favorite funky, expansive “Surprise” puts a high-energy polka into my playlist, tracks are “Shambho” and “Kali Ma,” where we while the title track offers a mellow comedown after awaken the energies of transformation. For a a peak in tempo or intensity. – DANIEL ARI smooth, sensual, sacred re-mix, “Cosmic Krsna.” www.mockingbirdtunes.com If you’re new to Wah! music, you can explore her chanting hits, like “Maha Deva,” “Jai Ram,” or gems from her huge collection. She is a chanting Swing Patrol goddess of deep love and inspiration. Wah! Music. by Tape Five – TONI BERGINS At Berkeley’s Barefoot www.wahmusic.com/music_loopsngrooves.html Boogie, this album hits us in all the right places. Rafe Sampler It’s playful, it’s old school, but also modern and hip, by Rafe Pearlman both organic and electronic, and it gets people One of the best voices I’ve connected and smiling. It’s got tunes that are ever heard is that of Rafe familiar as well as great new grooves—some slow Pearlman, an artist whose and sultry, some a happy medium pace, and some albums are available only at fast enough to induce an aerobic high after just shows and directly from him. three minutes. Great dance floor fun! Smarty Mart Rafe’s voice is powerful and emotive, with a wide Music. – CHRISTINA TUCILLO range and perfect pitch. His choice of self-written www.digdis.de/labels/-/smarty_mart_music songs on any of his seven albums, which include In Moment, Drive By Star, and Live at Church, are wonderful. All of the albums are available for tasting I Am Soul at his website, and each includes a few good cuts by DJ Sol Rising for dancing. Rafe is currently working with Greg This ecstatic dance DJ is Ellis (of Vas & Juno Reactor) on a new disc with probably the only veteran some amazing cuts. For a special treat, if you enjoy world-class scratch DJ (as Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” go to youtube and in championship-winning, check out Rafe at Unity Church in Seattle. I thought beat-juggling turntablist) to no one would ever top Jeff Buckley’s version, but make the shift and evolve into a conscious dance see what you think. – FRANKLIN MARKOWITZ hero. With the release of his first full-length album, www.rafepearlman.com I Am Soul, he cements his reputation as the DJ’s DJ, with a collection of user-friendly and crowd- Megalithic pleasing tunes. Think new-school electronica with plenty of big bass drops, but with an uplifting feel Symphony due to his old-school sensibility and ample use of by AwolNation classic samples. Grab this CD and shine some One song that usually brings Sol Rising on your dancers! – MARK METZ the younger set up to the www.djsolrising.com DJ stand, asking “What was that—cool?!” is “Sail” off Lamb 5 of the album Megalithic Symphony. I discovered “Sail” while watching a TV commercial during the by Lamb Olympics opening ceremony, of all things! This I love Lamb 5. It came out in slow and steady, yet unique song usually brings 2011, not upbeat dancing but the younger set up to the DJ stand with questions deep inner, with some peaks and appreciation. Its driving bass intrigues while its and magic. They have been lilting high notes give spaciousness for improvisa- around a long while—after a tion and personal expression. Red Bull Records. five-year hiatus the duo (Andy Barlow and Lou Rhodes) – SHAKTI ANDREA SMITH reformed in 2009. This album with Lou Rhodes’ http://awolnationmusic.com/music/ compelling voice is fabulous. – JO COBBETT megalithic-symphony www.lambofficial.com

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 49 EDUCATION IN MOVEMENT

THE DANCE OF LIFE

ROLANDOBIODANZA TORO SYSTEM

FLORIDA SCHOOL OF MASSAGE • GAINESVILLE, FL SCHOOL OF BIODANZA • WORLDWIDE PACIFICA GRADUATE INSTITUTE • SANTA BARBARA, CA TAKE YOUR DANCE INTO THE HEALING ARTS THE POETRY OF HUMAN ENCOUNTER FORGE A CAREER THAT IS UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC Empowering students to turn their dreams into reality Biodanza is a powerful somatic practice that activates such Pacifica’s unique mission attracts innovative and creative for nearly 40 years, The Florida School of Massage offers inherent human potentials as vitality, sexuality, creativity, working professionals who are interested in a rigorous students a holistic education in the art and science of affectivity, and transcendence. A weekly Biodanza practice intellectual experience that connects with their souls and massage therapy. We offer you a safe and nurturing cultivates pleasure, sweetness, community, and profound positively transforms how they see the world. Graduate community environment where you will be supported in connection to life. degrees are offered in somatic studies, community your journey of personal growth and transformation. psychology, counseling, depth psychology, depth The Rolando Toro System (RTS) of Biodanza emerged in psychotherapy, mythological studies & the humanities. Our heart-centered and mindful environment can help you the 60s in Chile from the pioneering work of Rolando Toro discover and experience the full potential of transformation Araneda, a clinical psychologist and anthropologist. It was Pacifica has developed educational formats that are for yourself and the lives of those you touch. Simply put, introduced to the US in 1998. Today there are many schools particularly well suited to individuals who wish to pursue your experience at FSM can empower you to create the worldwide and two in the US: east coast (www.biodanza- graduate education while continuing their existing life you want and help your clients do the same. usa.com) and west coast (www.biodanza.us). They host the professional and personal commitments. teacher training and point to weekly classes and workshops. 670 Hour, 6 month, Nationally Accredited Massage Pacifica’s eight graduate degrees are accredited and Hydrotherapy Certification Becoming a Biodanza facilitator requires 30 weekend work- through WASC and financial aid is available. Financial Aid Available shops over a 3 year-period, presenting a thesis, and com- Pacifica is currently accepting applications in pleting supervised facilitation. The training forms Biodanza all programs. Programs begin in January, May and September. facilitators and enriches the work of wellness educators. www.floridaschoolofmassage.com www.biodanza.org www.pacifica.edu

50 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 51 l Education 52 l Festivals movemenu 52 l Events & Performances 53 l Retreats & Workshops 54 l 60 Places to Dance Ecstatic

Visit www.ConsciousDancer.com for the MoveMap, and join the mailing list!

f a l l h i g h l i g h t s Introductory Workshop in Dance/ EDUCATION Movement Therapy NOV 4 • San Francisco, CA 200-Hour Danyasa Inspired Yoga Teacher This day-long workshop with instructor Forest Training For Living Artfully Franken is intended for individuals who would like OCT 20–NOV 17 • Bamboo YogaPlay, Dominical, an introduction to the basic concepts of dance and Costa Rica movement therapy. No movement experience is The pristine beaches and jungles of Costa Rica necessary. Dancers, students, therapists, and all provide the backdrop for a transformative, those interested in the transformative elements of life-enhancing experience—an immersion into creative movement experience are welcome. Par- yoga and embodiment as a way of life. This unique ticipants will be introduced to the history of the field teacher training with Sofiah Thom, Larry Thraen, NCDC Winter Dance Camp – pg 55 along with the major tenets of emotional expressive and Shawn Roop provides a solid foundation in movement, mind/body integration, and nonverbal the fundamentals of hatha yoga, tantra yoga, and communication. www.movement-education.org vinyasa yoga, fused with the principles of expressive SomaSoul Somatic Expressive Therapy healing arts, contemplative movement practice, and Training: Moving Your Body’s Story somatic psychology. Learn new flow sequences and DEC 2–7 • Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA philosophies for combining yoga with expressive SomaSoul®: Somatic Expressive Therapy is a dance, as well as initiation into the tools for guiding healing, therapeutic process that brings vitality students in the arts of a life well lived, in this unique to the mind and body. This workshop invites you creative exploration. www.bambooyogaplay.com to discover your embodied life story. Using an Body–Mind Centering: integration of therapeutic dialogue, expressive arts, Basic Neurocellular Patterns and mindfulness, participants will move beyond OCT 23–31 • Berkeley, CA their limitations toward freedom, beyond blockages Body-Mind Centering® is an embodied approach to toward healing, transformation, and acceptance. movement, body, and consciousness. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair – pg 53 The SomaSoul Training consists of four five-day series over the course of seven months. This training It is approved by NCBTMB, Bonnie Bainbridge is for all levels and can lead to a certification as a Cohen, and The School for Body-Mind Centering®, SomaSoul® Practitioner and a Registered Somatic as well as a prerequisite for Infant Developmental Movement Therapist (RSMT). This course qualifies Movement Education. Body-Mind Centering® as five hours of continuing education credit for MFTs courses and certification programs are an and/or LCSWs. www.leveninstitute.com experiential study of the body as a whole, which includes psychophysical integration. BMC is applied Gokhale Method in many fields including education, dance, therapy, Teacher Training the arts, yoga, and sports medicine. Explore BMC DEC 7–14 • Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA for your personal and professional development as The Gokhale Method® uses kinesthetic, visual, well as to enhance your movement and touch skills. intellectual, aesthetic, and technological cues to www.bmc-nc.com gently guide students back to the way they moved Science and Nonduality Conference when they were children. Esther Gokhale teaches OCT 24–28 • San Rafael, CA the craft of restoring primal architecture and movement patterns. Using high-touch and high-tech Explore the convergence of science and ancient Sacred Circularities Hoop Dance Retreat – pg 55 tools, teachers guide their students in relearning the wisdom at the Science and Nonduality conference. daily movements of life. Gokhale Method® teachers Nonduality is the philosophical, spiritual, and scien- learn to be perceptive with their eyes, eloquent with tific understanding of non-separation, our intrinsic their hands, and compelling with their voices. When oneness. This year’s conference will bring together they graduate, teachers are proficient in presenting preeminent philosophers, mystics, scientists, and introductory classes, doing initial consultations, spiritual teachers for an exploration of the new and teaching the six-lesson Gokhale Method paradigm emerging in spirituality. Grounded in Foundations course to individual students and small cutting-edge science with the ancient wisdom of groups. Interested students must have already nonduality, participants will be awakened to the completed a Gokhale Method Foundations course. deep understanding of the interconnectedness of www.gokhalemethod.com.

PHOTOS: FROM TOP: COURTESY SF SCHOOL OF BIODANZA / COURTESY NCDC / COURTESY DICKENS FAIR / COURTESY SACRED CINGULARITIES / COURTESY BODY TALES PHOTOS: FROM TOP: COURTESY SF SCHOOL OF BIODANZA / COURTESY NCDC / COURTESY DICKENS FAIR life. www.scienceandnonduality.com BodyTales Fall Retreat – pg 53

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 51 COSTA RICA: Bamboo Yoga Play’s Yoga Teacher Training combines yoga, expressive dance, and somatic psychology for a powerful experience in the expressive healing arts. pg 51

Alexander Technique Workshop professional capacity, the White Belt Training is Other offerings will include dance, yoga, music, your entryway into teaching. Those who choose to DEC 27–JAN 1 • Serra Retreat Center, Malibu, CA sacred movement, and eco-educational workshops. pursue the path of personal enrichment use this Come visit this magical place where the outside The Alexander Technique offers a systematic training as a starting point for becoming a master world falls away. www.envisionfestival.com and clear look into the underlying principles that student. During this course at StudioNia, with govern human movement. These principles in their Allison Wright and Vickie Saito, you will comprehen- application guide us to a dynamic experience of sively explore physical sensation through five core- movement awareness. After gaining an understand- competency areas of study including movement, EVENTS & ing of kinesthetic lightness, feelings become more anatomy, science, music, and philosophy. This joyful balanced, thinking clearer, sensations livelier, journey into the self is instrumental in helping you PERFORMANCES and movement more pleasurable. We find our positively shape the way you feel, look, think, and actions strengthened and our relationship with the live. www.nianow.com Works in the Works environment restored. The Malibu workshop at the NOV 10–18 • Berkeley, CA Serra Retreat Center is an excellent introduction to anyone new to the technique, as well as those Created in 1979, Works in the Works is the longest seeking to deepen their work and knowledge. FESTIVALS running low-tech, open performance series in www.alexandertechniqueworkshops.com/malibu/ the San Francisco Bay Area. Traditionally an opportunity for Bay Area performing artists to East Coast School: Biodanza MD/DC Synthesis 2012 show their works in various stages of develop- Personal Development/Facilitator Training DEC 20–23 • Piste Pueblo and Chichen Itza, ment, Works in the Works attracts performers JAN 19–29 (first module) • Maryland/DC area Yucatan, Mexico from throughout California. Following each The Maryland/DC Biodanza School invites you to A four-day global gathering and celebration on the evening’s performance, the audience is invited embrace life and connect to humanity. Join the Winter Solstice, at the end of the Mayan calendar to to participate in a moderated discussion with the Personal Development/Facilitator Training as we honor the closing of the old cycle and welcome the artists. www.worksintheworks.org explore and liberate motion and emotion on the dawning of a new era. Synthesis 2012 will feature an Complexions Contemporary Ballet dance floor with poetic encounters of joy and vitality international lineup of world and electronica music, connecting to self, the other, and the universe with yoga, visual arts, conscious dance, and panels NOV 13–25 • New York, NY true presence. Director Michelle Dubreuil Macek and workshops with experts to discuss the Mayan For its Joyce season, Complexions Contemporary and a host of other national and international calendar and the prophecies of our times. Live Ballet performs three New York premieres including facilitators will deepen your knowledge of Biodanza broadcast in collaboration with the International a work set to Rockjazz virtuoso ELEW that features during this profoundly transformational program, Mayan Council for this transformational celebration unique renditions of songs by the Foo Fighters a system of development based on science, and planetary synchronization December 22 and and Linkin Park; Threshold, set to Tchaikovsky’s art, and love. Training program extends for 28 23 on www.Worldunity2012.com. Come join us! Piano Concerto No. 1; and a duet set to music by weekend modules over the course of three years. www.synthesis2012.com New Orleans trumpeter Nicholas Payton. Their www.biodanza-usa.com celebrated dancers, innovative works, and pioneer- Fourth Annual Tribal Spirit Festival ing spirit have made them a leader in American Caribbean Yoga Conference JAN 11–20 • Maui, HI contemporary ballet. The season will also include JAN 31–FEB 3 • Montego Bay, Jamaica Celebrate the worldwide Tribe of Conscious Movers repertory favorites like On Holiday, Testament, and The Caribbean Yoga Conference will bring together at the Tribal Spirit Maui Festival January 11–14. a new production of Pretty Gritty Suite, set to the people from around the world who are inspired 5Rhythms, Soul Motion, Dances of Ecstasy screen- music of Nina Simone. www.joyce.org by the practice of yoga, curious about exploring ing with filmmaker, live music, yoga, drumming, Connexus: A Conscious Connection our planet, and ready to embrace a growing bonfires, sweat lodge, waterfalls, swimming. All Dance Event community of practitioners from all walks of life. levels of accommodations, delicious vegetarian NOV 18 • San Francisco, CA This conference provides practitioners of all ages, food. Private whale watching boat January 15 & experiences, and backgrounds with a balmy, 21. Awakening Through Movement: 5Rhythms Connexus is an incarnation of the conscious effort tranquil space to learn from some of the world’s Immersion with Amara Pagano January 16–20, all in to effect change within and beyond our communi- most beloved teachers. This is a warm celebration of the magic of Hawaii. www.tribalspiritmaui.com ties through creative integration and social partner dance. Pollen8 Productions and Nomad Dance are sun, sadhana, sand, and sangha. You will also have Envision Festival the opportunity to venture into the local community bringing education and celebration together in FEB 27–MAR 3 • Uvita, Bahai Ballena, Costa Rica through one of our community partner organiza- one day of integrated embodiment. With top notch tions to apply your practice with your teacher. Envision a diverse mix of conscious people from musical acts such as The Human Experience, Sixis, www.caribbeanyogaconference.com around the globe gathered to share an elevated Lux Moderna, Mr. Moo, Chance’s End, and David experience of spirit, culture, and community in a Keogh, Connexus will be a dance experience unlike Nia White Belt Intensive Training stunning natural setting. Picture sandy bays, warm any other, fusing social partner dance with modern FEB 7–17 • Portland, OR waves, waterfalls, and crimson sunsets. There will be electronic music and conscious, vibration-raising This first level of a five-belt training series presents bonfires and fire-dancing on the beach under the action. Workshops 3:00pm - 8:00pm; Music and a body-centered approach to health, wellness, stars as well as diving, kayaking, surfing, paraglid- Dancing 9:00pm - 2:00am.

and fitness. If you have a desire to share Nia in a ing, horse rides, canopy tours, and jungle walks. www.nomaddance.com PHOTOS:ABOVE: BRENDAN JAFFER-THOM / COYOTEFOTOS OPPOSITE: TODD HOBERT

52 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 The Great Dickens Christmas Fair Black & White Ball: Barefoot Boogie Yoga and Meditation Retreat and Victorian Holiday Party Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary NOV 10–17 • Nosara, Costa Rica NOV 23–DEC 23 • San Francisco, CA JAN 27 • Berkeley, CA Held at the beautiful Blue Spirit retreat center with The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, a Bay Area Join us for an evening of fun and frivolity in celebra- Suddha Weixler, the workshop includes morning tradition, returns to the San Francisco Cow Palace tion of Barefoot Boogie’s 30-year anniversary. Dress sitting meditation and an afternoon practice of Exhibition Halls for five weekends in 2012. The fair up in black and white—we’ll have prizes for the best creative and dynamic Vinyasa sequences. The asana continues its family tradition of theatrical excellence costumes. Dance and express yourself to a great practice will be restorative, deep, and therapeutic, through participation, playfulness, and authenticity. mix of music: funk, Latin, Middle Eastern, house, blending essential aspects of Yin Yoga, Ashtanga, Guests may wander the lanes of Victorian London pop, R&B, blues, oldies, and more. The first hour is a Iyengar, and Viniyoga traditions. Classes will in the glow of twilight with the scent of pine boughs luscious warm-up, followed by two “waves.” Boogie include meditation, and the history of yoga and its and freshly baked scones to the sound of carolers is more than a freestyle dance— it’s community and philosophy. Suddha’s teaching style is integrative, and holiday merrymakers. www.dickensfair.com good medicine. Dance, play, sweat, connect, expect attentive, and precise. The emphasis will be an Garth Fagan Dance the unexpected! No smoke, no alcohol, no scents. integration of the mental, energetic, spiritual, and physical faculties. NOV 27–DEC 2 • Rochester, NY www.sfbarefootboogie.com www.bluespiritcostarica.com Internationally acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance Soul Motion: The Dance of the Master returns to the Nazareth College Arts Center for NOV 16–18 • Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA its home season of eight performances featuring RETREATS Vinn Martí, designer of Soul Motion™, describes revivals spanning the company’s 42-year history. it as “a conscious dance practice that brings Additionally, a spectacular new work includes & WORKSHOPS together deep self-inquiry with an exploration of choreography by Tony- and Olivier-award the outer worlds of relations, creative expression, winner Garth Fagan, music by Pulitzer Prize winner Body Tales Fall Retreat and divine dialogue.” It is a movement practice, a Wynton Marsalis, and set design by Guggenheim life philosophy, and pedagogy of a dance practice. OCT 19–21 • Los Gatos, CA Fellow mixed-media artist Alison Saar. The This weekend will be about practicing the natural, Body Tales is a creative and healing practice that dance was created in celebration of the 150th alive moments of the dance in the moment, freely integrates movement, voice, and personal storytell- anniversary of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. and confidently. www.soulmotion.com www.garthfagandance.org ing. This unique form combines elements of dance, theater, and expressive arts, and encourages and Biodanza: Embracing a Biocentric Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets supports an embodied value system in which the Mysticism DEC 1–23 • San Francisco, CA well-being of the Earth is central. Join Olivia Corson NOV 17 • Ashton, MD Held at the Southside Theater in the Fort Mason and Lysa Castro for three days of Body Tales and What is it to be human? To be awe filled? The Center, Mark Foehringer’s Nutcracker Sweets is beauty and sanctuary in nature, with rest, camara- numinous surrounds us with love and grace right a unique and intimate 50-minute version of the derie, star-gazing, redwoods, meadow-dancing, here on earth. This workshop will open the space holiday classic especially designed for children, stillness, support, grieving, celebrating, dreaming, for participants to embrace the divine and sacred with live music. After select performances, there will re-humanizing, renewal. www.bodytales.com value of human life on the dance floor fusing music, be a Candy Land party with costumed performers. Dance Your Power Weekend Retreat emotion, and vivencia. Come make contact with the Directed, conceived, and choreographed by Mark OCT 25–28 • Cherry Valley, CA seed of the marvelous, of life that pulsates within Foehringer, the performance will feature live music each of us. www.biodanza-usa.com with musical direction by Michael Morgan, scenic The time is now to discover and claim an enriching design by Peter Crompton, and costume design by path of aliveness and beauty that is uniquely yours. Feldenkrais Spinal Awareness for Richard Battle. www.mfdpsf.org Reconnect with the essence of your feminine power Yoga, Bodyworkers, and Everyone through dance, nature’s wisdom, creative ritual, NOV 18–23 • Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA The New Year’s Jam: Celebrate movement, and a circling of a community of sisters. Spinal Awareness, with Patrick Douce, focuses DEC 27–JAN 1 • Earthdance, Plainfield, MA The Dance Your Power weekend is an initiation on integrating, relaxing, and developing a new Earthdance’s biggest Contact Improvisation event gathering where you will be intimately introduced relationship with the body. It is a combination of the of the year! What better way to let go of holiday to your three centers of feminine power, also known Feldenkrais Method®, Taoist energetic science, and stress and ring in the New Year than to dance till as the three inner fountains of woman’s wisdom: the the Esalen experience. Safe, non-invasive touch les- the wee hours? Frosty air, a ritual bonfire, twinkling emotional fountain, the intuitive fountain, and the sons will be used to help understand our spines. By winter stars, and plenty of warm bodies on the sensual fountain. www.vividlywoman.com increasing awareness and fluidity, students will find dance floor. Every year it is a special event, co- Wind Spirit Fall Dance Retreat new ways of being flexible, sensitive, and aware in created by the people who attend. Come imagine a OCT 26–28 • Winkelman, AZ whatever discipline they practice such as body work magical end of the old year and a blessed beginning or yoga. Those people with chronic or acute tension, of the new one. www.earthdance.net Join Shivadam, Darvesha, musicians, and beloved leaders for the Dances of Universal Peace. stress, stiffness, or pain will discover specific tools These multicultural circle dances are joyous and for their needs. www.spinalawareness.com meditative, using sacred music, chants, and music Beyond Skin BAY AREA: Connexus fuses social partner from many spiritual traditions. These dances NOV 30–DEC 2 • Philadelphia, PA dance with modern music and positive touch the spiritual essence within the self and This movement meditation with Michael Molin- action. pg 52 others. Begun by Samuel L. Lewis in the 1960s, Skelton encourages you to move your body beyond they promote connection, peace, integration, and the surface, using the potent practices of Soul understanding across cultural boundaries. Everyone Motion™ and 5Rhythms®. It is an inspiring dance is a part—there are no performers nor audience. exploration that moves beyond the everyday The Wind Spirit Fall Dance Retreat will take place on patterns to an essential place. Participants will be a 16-acre intentional community featuring artwork, called to move beyond the separation to bring what blossoming trees, an underground sauna, heated is outside to a place within, and to find a place of indoor showers, and outdoor solar showers. Fresh contentment and explore the meaning of how and spring water and homemade vegetarian meals are where we belong. www.spiritweaves.com included. www.shivadam.net Open Your Heart in Paradise Retreat Sacred Immersion DEC 5–10 • Maui, HI NOV 3 • Monrovia, CA Join Krishna Das, Ram Dass, Mirabai Bush, Sharon This healing day retreat with Jamie Bechtold Salzberg, and friends for the fifth annual retreat. and Bekah Turner will take place at the stunning Engage in daily dharma talks and meditation with Monrovia canyon, surrounded by streams, trees, Mirabai and Sharon. Enjoy two daily yoga classes; and wildlife.The immersion will feature hiking, special sessions will include chanting Hanuman yoga, sound bath, ceremony, and shamanic Chalisas with Nina Rao and Hawaiian Mahealani journey. Held just days after the full moon, this teachings by Lei’ohu Ryder. Napili Kai Beach Resort retreat is the perfect time to reflect, heal, release, accommodations, ground transportation from and align yourself with the changing of cycles. Kahului Airport, and healthy, delicious meals will be www.dancingspiral.com provided. www.krishnadas.com

CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 53 Remembering that man is indeed the microcosm, the universe in miniature, the Divine Dance of the future should be able to convey with its slightest gestures some significance of the universe… As we rise higher in the understanding of ourselves, the national and racial dissonances will be forgotten in the universal rhythms of Truth and Love. We shall sense our unity with all peoples who are moving to that exalted rhythm. – DANCE PIONEER, RUTH ST. DENIS 60 PLACES TO DANCE ECSTATIC ALASKA Bare Paws Dance Collective BOULDER: Students in motion during Anchorage, www.facebook.com/barepawsdance a Golden Bridge workshop led by Melissa Michaels at the Star House, also CALIFORNIA Barefoot Boogie home to the Sunday Movement Mass. Berkeley, www.sfbarefootboogie.com Catalyst Community Dance Sebastapol, www.catalystcommunitydance.com Dance Alive Santa Monica, www.dancealive.com MAINE TEXAS Dance Church Ecstatic Dance Body Choir Santa Cruz, www.dancechurch.org Portland, www.ecstaticdance.org/maine Austin, www.bodychoir.org Dance Journey MASSACHUSETTS Dance Evolution Berkeley, www.dancejourney.org Houston, www.ecstaticdancehouston.com Dance Freedom Dance Tribe Cambridge, www.dancefreedom.com Dancing Together Santa Barbara, www.sbdancetribe.com Austin, www.dancingtogether.org Dance Friday Ecstatic Dance Cambridge, www.facebook.com/dancefriday Ecstatic Dance Austin, www.ecstaticdanceaustin.net Grass Valley, www.ecstaticdance.org/gv Dance Spirit Napa, www.ecstaticdance.org/napa Northampton, www.facebook.com/dancespirit Ecstatic Moondance Dallas, www.monicablossom.com Oakland, www.ecstaticdance.org Ecstatic Dance Palo Alto, www.ecstaticdance.org/palo-alto Boston, www.ecstaticdance.org/boston UTAH Sacramento, www.ecstaticdance.org/sacramento Just Dance! MONTANA Silicon Valley, www.ecstaticdance.org/siliconvalley Salt Lake City, Ecstatic Dance www. saltlakemovementcollective.com West Marin, www.ecstaticdance.org/west-marin Missoula, www.ecstaticdance.org/missoula Fumbling Towards Ecstasy VERMONT Culver City, www.movinground.com NEW MEXICO Vermont Dance Tribe EmbodyDance Santa Fe Shelburne, www.vermontdancetribe.org Intuitive Movement Jam Santa Fe, www.embodydancesantafe.org Alta Dena, www.IMJam.net WASHINGTON Sacred Dance Live NEW YORK Dance Embodied Los Angeles, www.sacreddancelive.com Barefoot Boogie Seattle, www.meetup.com/seattletantra Sierra Conscious Dance NYC, www.barefootboogie.org Dream Dance Truckee, www.sierraconsciousdance.com Dance On the Wild Side Seattle, www.omculture.com Soul Sanctuary Dance Buffalo, www.danceonthewildside.com Ecstatic Dance Berkeley, www.soulsanctuarydance.com Ecstatic Dance Seattle, www.ecstaticdanceseattle.com Spiritweaves NYC, www.ecstaticdancenyc.org Flying Turtle Dance Santa Monica, www.spiritweaves.com Open Movement Seattle, www.flyingturtledance.com Yum Sessions NYC, www.facebook.com/openmovement INTERNATIONAL San Luis Obispo, www.facebook.com/yum-session NORTH CAROLINA Divine Dance Melbourne, Australia. www.divinedance.com.au COLORADO Asheville Movement Collective (AMC) Movement Mass Asheville, www.ashevillemovementcollective.org Ecstatic Dance Boulder, www.goldenbridge.org Amsterdam, Holland. www.ecstaticdance.org/ OREGON Rhythm Sanctuary Coalessence Dance amsterdam Wheat Ridge, www.rhythmsanctuary.com Eugene, www.coalessencedance.com Barcelona, Spain. www.ecstaticdance.org/barcelona Berlin, Germany. www.ecstaticdance.org/berlin FLORIDA Dance Ashland Lisboa, Portugal. www.ecstaticdance.org/lisboa Prayerdanse Ashland, www.danceashland.net Rome, Italy. www.ecstaticdance.org/rome Miami, www.prayerdanse.com Dance Quest Sacred Dance Portland, www.somaspace.us Just Dance Vancouver, British Columbia. Del Rey, www.ecstaticdancecommunity.com Mindful Meltdown www.facebook.com/JDYVR Portland, www.pdxecstaticdance.com HAWAII The Move Sacred Circle Dance Ecstatic Dance Toronto, Ontario. www.themovecollective.org Honolulu, www.ecstaticdancehawaii.com Portland, www.sacredcircledance.com Movement Medicine Urban Boogie Kalani Ecstatic Dance Capetown, South Africa. Portland, www.somaspace.us Pahoa, www.kalani.com www.schoolofmovementmedicine.com ILLINOIS RHODE ISLAND Sacred Moves Give Peace a Dance Ecstatic Dance Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

Chicago, www.givepeaceadance.com Providence, www.ecstaticdance.org/providence www.sacredmoves.com PHOTO: COURTESY OF WWW.GOLDENBRIDGE.COM

54 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 E CSTATIC

PHOTO: PURE SOULS Retreat Center, in the magnificent coastal redwoods redwoods coastal magnificent the in Center, Retreat Toyon Monte the at meet community and dance where weekend amagical is Camp Dance Winter CA Cruz, 14–16DEC •Santa Camp Dance Winter (NCDC) Dance California Collective Northern Day. Hoop World celebrating gathering ahistorical of a part be 12th December On Wong. Khan and Bouchelion, Saffire Michael, Rainbow Gordon, Jocelyn Mary, Jaguar include Instructors qigong. Nia,and yoga, dance, ecstatic hooping, hula Enjoy movers. and artists, flow hoopers, of levels all for appropriate is retreat This ceremony. cacao sacred and practice, qigong healing, theta in workshops spirit-infused with complemented be will sessions dance and Hoop movement. of days life-changing seven include will retreat the desert, rock red gorgeous of acres 160 on Center Retreat Mago the at Held AZ 9–15DEC •Sedona, Sacred Hoop Circularities Dance Retreat www.eastwestsomatics.com Dale. Spring nearby in out Dinner performances. late and evening afternoon of somatically conceived a and lodge, the of room big the and canyon the in dance reflective of aday include 12/12/12 will Zion 8. or 3days for Stay conference. Somatics Workshops. Workshops overlap the D teach. associates Unwinding, Paths. Archetypal Sondra Fraleigh and Chakra Yoga, Water to Land Experiences, Dance Conference meets it. match we Unconsciously fathom. ever can we than inside further already is world The evolution. planetary of year auspicious an 2012 as Celebrate and Zion Canyon Canyon, Snow George, 8–16 •St. DEC Transformations: Somatics in Utah Eastwest transformation. of time powerful this into forward move you as garner stamina, self-empowerment, and creativity to Breath of aDance into dive you as soar spirit your Let vitality. and renewal of adance is rhythm its and world, outer the and motion, in miracle linkconnecting our between body, that gorgeous the is Breath Christmas. and Thanksgiving between time frenetic often this during within have you that Come home to yourself and remember the peace movement is serial stillness.” and poised, perfectly movement is “Stillness Foothills Virginia 8•The DEC BreathDance: The Movement of Stillness play. liberating and yoga, and rejuvenating of rhythm healing relaxation, living empowering an in yoga, vinyasa power fluid and Rea Shiva Year with New the Enter world! the in canopy exhilarating most longest, the down zipping to riding transformational surfing, yoga,and sunset horseback from ranging activities optional with day each Enjoy alike. surfers new and experienced inspire will ocean healing clear, warm, the of power the where location surfing Aworld-class meet. jungle and ocean where Center Retreat Spirit Blue to retreat adventure yoga atransformational Year with New the in Ring Rica Costa 5•Nosara, 26–JAN DEC Year’s Retreat New Rica Costa Flow Prana available. are nities opportu work-exchange and Camp Kids included. accommodationsmeals, are and dorm-style eveningworkshops, boogies and performances, Daytime toes. our warming just or cuddling, talking, singing, fireplaces, the around gathering as well as meals sharing and classes movement enjoying time spend We will Cruz. Santa of south just ecember 8–12 & 12–16, Transformational Dance Dance &12–16, 8–12 Transformational ecember www.sacredcircularities.com

www.breathdance.org D www.ncdcdances.org ecember 10–12. www.shivarea.com

- support. You’ll learn a variety of relaxing, revitalizing revitalizing relaxing, of avariety learn You’ll support. mutual and non-judgment of atmosphere an in connection approach topractical mind–body a emphasizes Breema intensive, winter this In CA •Oakland, 2–7 FEB Present Being of Art The Breema: tion. blindfolded trance dance, Improvisa and Contact dance, inworkshops ecstatic authentic movement, and classes leading been has Paula 1996, Since out. inside the from body your moving of pleasure the to connect and vocabulary, movement your expand awareness, body deepen to container playful asafe, creates facilitation inspiring Paula’s self-discovery. of ajourney into transformed be will silence, movement and stillness, the everyday dance and music of ablend Through Byrne. Paula creator Grace™ Wild with movement authentic natural, your reclaim and like looks dance what of notions Release OR Detroit, Springs, Hot JAN •Breitenbush 18–21 Dance Ecstatic Grace Wild www.eomega.org us. of each within lives that potential human the ing awaken self, authentic your toward head your from move to learn You will aSaturday. on ending and beginning nights, seven and days eight is program week-long Each edge. Ocean’s Pacific the at setting natural alush in teachers top Omega’s of some with Take classes living. inspired and learning, lifelong relaxation, and rest of combination ideal an offers Retreat Spirit Blue Nosara. in Retreat Spirit Blue at vacation learning winter Omega all-inclusive an with Rica Costa of beaches the on sun the in soak Come Rica Costa 2•Nosara, 5–FEB JAN Omega Winter Learning Vacations www.journeydance.com year. coming the for prepare to living of ways new experience and intentions powerful Set rejoice. with healingconnection energy, and the space to body, the of afreeing experience will Celebrants program. liberating and joyful this Toni for join will poet) and (musician Kadt de John and teacher) yoga Kripalu and coach (life Kozlowski Coby music. filled passionate dance, guided movement, and energy- to yourself and others through personal exploration, tion at the Kripalu Center. Deepen your connection celebra Year’s New a special for Toni Bergins Join MA •Stockbridge, 28–30 DEC Journey Dance: Living from the Heart

www.somaspace.us - - - plant 100 trees at the Mulingana Primary School, School, Primary Mulingana the at trees 100 plant villages, rural in live to Movement Belt Green the with Kenya to agroup taking be will Addison Lis Kenya •Kangundo, 15–26 FEB 100 Trees Plant and Africa in KiVo Learn www.afterthehoneymoon.org conversations happen privately couples. between intimate all and nudity public no is There erotic. the into deepen that assignments “homework” offered advice forand practical erotic exploration, then conversations, to given practices increase intimacy private intimate increasingly through guided are sexuality. connected ship—emotionally Couples the presents modelworkshop for Erotic Partner The couples. in passion sexual reignite to designed workshop Valentine’s week-long this facilitate MFT Matto-Shepard, Felicia and PhD Matto-Shepard, Jim Mexico Chacala, 9–16FEB •Playa the Retreat:Erotic Awakening Partnership www.breema.com class. each in provided is practice and review for Time treatments. (foot-to-head) whole-body create to combined be can that sequences bodywork present Classes feeling. and thinking, moving, of ways natural more to connect and patterns conditioned of go let to us enables and self-understanding fosters present being of art the Practicing movement. and touch through Breema of expressingsequences, the nine principles unifying bodywork Breema and exercises Self-Breema people who would love to dance with you with dance to love would who people the find and info your post to able be you’ll MoveMap, online our With workshops. and classes, events, your about news the Share PIN YOUR ON EVENT THE NEW MOVEMAP -africa-and-plant-100-trees www.consciousdancer.com/events/learn-kivo-in music. women’s Kamba the of aCD record to Kenya in staying be will and Program Preservation Cultural GBM’s create to helping is Lis food. grow to water retain helped and reforested also and cooking for wood provided which trees, plant to them taught and women, particularly areas, rural in people empowered who Maathai, Wangari winner Prize Peace 1978 Nobel in by started was Movement Belt Green The District. Machakos the in women Kamba the of dances and songs the learn and H eart of Passion of eart CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM traveler. pg 52 pg traveler. forofferings the transformational fire and wind, earth, water, of range afull has festival this movement, sacred to workshops ral setting. From eco-educational and in community a stunning natu COSTA RICA:

Enjoy spirit, culture, culture, spirit, Enjoy | FALL 2012 -

55 . closingcircle

“I want each visitor to experience an immersion into art, nature, and the beauty of creating. Just as nature is one ‘body’ with many manifestations, so is art.” – LAURA INSERRA

NATURAL SETTING Artistic expression, natural beauty, and the process of art-making converge at Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, California. As visitors stroll along the Stream Trail at the annual Art in Nature: The Nature of Art festival, they encounter dancers, musicians, visual artists, poets, and unexpected chances to explore their own creativity. Festival Director Laura Inserra, a musician born in Sicily, is pictured with dancer Tania Llambelis and clarinetist Peter Jaques, as Inserra improvises on the hang while simultaneously narrating the

improv process. RATHOD PHOTO: MADHAVI

56 CONSCIOUSDANCER.COM | FALL 2012 JO COBBETT SAMANTHA Fumbling SWEETWATER Towards Ecstasy Dancing Freedom

CONSCIOUS DANCER MAGAZINE PRESENTS Dancing into Love Valentine’s Week at The Ranch • Feb 9-16 • 2013 Join us for a heartwarming week of collaboration with SAMANTHA SWEETWATER and JO COBBETT

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOURSELF THE LOVE YOU DESERVE. Set the intention to surround yourself with kind and compassionate community for the one week of the year dedicated to love. THE CARE POURED INTO RANCHO LA PUERTA HAS BEEN FLOWING FOR 70 YEARS, an unbroken family chain of sustainable ideals, embodied awareness, and love for nature. We are delighted and grateful to offer a high-vibration collaboration at one of our favorite spots on earth. A WEEK AT THE RANCH IS IDEAL FOR INDIVIDUAL MEN AND WOMEN AS WELL AS COUPLES. Enjoy sessions with our group and sample any of the more than 50 art, fitness, and culinary classes offered weekly. Relate to yourself in a deeper way and remember the love that you are.

CONSCIOUS ® DANCER movement for a better world Getting to The Ranch is easy. Their private shuttle picks you up curbside at the San Diego airport and delivers you to paradise in about 90 minutes. Every meal is created from their organic gardens, and dietary preferences ranging from raw to indulgent are welcomed. The jewel-like atmosphere of this sacred land is the result of over 70 years of loving care from the Szekely family.

learn more: 510-778-9131 • for reservations: www.danceretreats.com

voted “world’s Best destination spa” (Travel+Leisure magazine Readers’ Polls 2010 & 2011)