Dance Jam Cape Town

Finally I understand why so many contact improvisation dancers also study Feldenkrais.  Yay!  I’ve cracked the code!

On Saturday (24 July) I went to Barbara McCrea’s “Transitions” workshop which used Feldenkrais developmental movements to show one how to get down and up from the floor in an easy, fluid motion.    When we’re babies we experiment with rolling over, sitting up, getting up and so on.  The results of our experiments lay the foundation for our adult movement patterns and consequently our posture and how we use our bodies … all of which determines how our bodies become rigid, stuck and sometimes in pain during later life.

Barbara encouraged us to make the baby movements free of strain, as easy and stress free on the body as possible.  I was surprised at how quickly these movments can build into a progression which would be very useful in dance.  Apparently Feldenkrais was a judo master.  I’m curious to learn more about his Judo-like progressions – diagonal rolls, cartwheels (not sure if this is part of Feldenkrais) and more, which there must surely be.  

I see now that Feldenkrais training can give one effortless flowing movement. Wow!  I’ve found a superb series of 4 video clips on youtube, demonstrating some of the basic developmental movements with excellent voice over explanations. Click here         to watch the first part.

GREAT DANCE PARTY

You’ve probably seen it on Facebook but for those of you who haven’t, take a look at this:
Winter Heart Warming Party
Friday 30th July 2010
19h00 till late.
…R50 at the door
@ Albert Hall, 208 Albert Road Woodstock

Come on time for the 5 Rhythms Dance Class and start the party consciously!

Main Floor:
19h30 – 5 Rhythms Dance
20h40 – HeartSpace Groweth Film on AfrikaBurns.
21h00 – DJ’s till Late including The Limelight, Sponge Bob Zion Pants, Wendy-O, Lord Shiva, and others spinning off an eclectic mix of World, Funk, Reggae, Dub, Electronic, and Classics to open hearts, minds and souls.

Outdoor Open Mic Stage:
Share you hearts stuff around.

Cash bar, chai bar, gifting and surprises.
All most welcome.

This is a fund-raiser for the HeartSpace@AfrikaBurns. Sharing the love, making it better!

Thank you to Charlene at Elixir for fixing the permalinks.   The whole site is visible once again.

On 16 June I went to a free NIA class at their ‘Our Space’ studio in Obs.  What a lovely thing to offer the public!  About 6 different teachers rotated, each teaching a song at a time and each with her/his own style.   It was a great way to start the day and has given me all sorts of fond feelings toward NIA.

NIA is moving & shaking!   In August Kathy Wolstenholme, who introduced NIA to SA, is partnering with Dr Eve to offer a Playshop at Artscape.   Sounds intriguing, don’t you think?  Here’s the write-up:

“Combining the synergies of Nia’s Joy of Movement and Dr. Eve’s beliefs in the rights of women to sexual and relationship safety, responsibility and rewards, expect to be surprised by your own sensations, body awareness, focused climatic moments all blending into a profound feeling of, well… love!
Join Kathy and Dr. Eve for an hour of sheer bliss of movement and learning that will leave you sighing for, hmmm…more!

This blog is boring!    … And why?  ‘Cos there ain’t no pictures.

Much as I would like to code away in chunks and reams of perfect php to revitalise this pallid page, I have to face my almost total Wordpress ignorance.   I’ve just realised that by changing the permalinks on the various pages I have made it impossible for anyone to find them – and I can’t remember what they were before.  Oy vey!

Err … and Chuckles won’t solve the problem.

NON-DAIRY FRUIT SMOOTHIE

Whizz  together:
1 banana
1 Forelle pear
cold grapefruit juice
hemp oil  (very good for your skin)
1T raw oats

Enjoy!

There’s plenty happening on the dance front:   Feldenkrais revealed itself to me on Saturday in Barbara’s workshop.  Finally, I feel like I’m ‘getting it’.   Dynamic Feldenkrais – transitions, developmental movement – must be wonderful training for dance.  This is something I’d love to pursue.

I saw that Mariamne is offering another Mindful Spine workshop (also Feldenkrais).  More about that later.

Jori Snell is performing Inua this weekend, at the New Africa Theatre in Sybrand Park. 

Feldenkrais Workshop:  Computer Athletes

 I’ve been curious about Feldenkrais for years.  Recently I started going to Barbara’s monthly Saturday  workshops.   These mornings with Barbara McCrea are really fun! She’s funny and very good at what she does.  

Each monthly workshop covers a different topic.   This time it’s on how to minimise computer-induced strain & pain

You’ll enjoy this workshop if you have a keen interest in how the body works – and of course if you, like me, are a computer athlete with a stiff neck and a sore shoulder and the fingers of a concert pianist.

Date:  29 May 2010
Time:  10h00 – 13h00
Cost:  R275
Bookings:  somatics@telkomsa.net

Trance Formation DanceMove and Sound Yourself Alive

 
Bring beauty and balance into your life. Join us to transform chaos and stagnation into divine harmony using the power of sound and voice to access our four most ancient ancestors. Facilitated by Niall Campbell A light meal will be served afterwards.

Saturday 22 May 2010
6pm to 10 pm
Phakalane – centre for living ritual 12 Hunters Way, Hout Bay
R240 Includes a light meal
Towel and a change of clothes
Wear light, comfortable clothing

Anyone welcome Silke 082 519 5566 or info@phakalane.co.za

Butoh-inspired workshop with Jori Snell

Venue:  UCT Drama Dept, Hidding Campus
Dates:  22 and 23 May 2010
Time:  10am – 5pm on Sat;    10am – 2pm on Sun
Cost:  R750
Bookings:  dancejams@gmail.com
Queries:  Jori Snell on 076 020 5772

Thisworkshop will focus on accessing “inner landscapes” in our bodies.   The body with its anatomy, memory and inherent intelligence, holds tremendous information on a cellular level.  This information can be a rich source for creative work and expression.  We will play with the interconnectivity of mind and body through active imagination.  Inspired by various approaches deriving from Butoh, we will explore ways to unlock the imagination and how this imagination can lead to physical story-telling.

The Zulurobics class on Mondays at Fizeeks in Training (68b Wale Street) is fantastic!  On the night I went the class was taught by Maxwell from UCT School of Dance.   He taught us three short sequences from different parts of Africa and SA:  a Zulu sequence, a West African sequence and some kwela.   And joy of joys, we danced to live percussion!  I loved the class and can highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates the wonderful music and rhythms of Africa.

Shoooweee … there’s a lot happening this coming weekend 15/16 May:

On Friday night there is:

- a Contact Improvisation class at UCT School of Dance at 6pm
- a Dance Jam in the Kalk Bay Community Centre at 7.30pm
- an Open Night with Movement Medicine at Michael Oak at 6.30pm

On Saturday and night there is:

- the Movement Medicine Workshop at Michael Oak … contact Jayne Bullen for more info :  shellosh@yaho0.com
- the Zumba World Party   … contact Lucas at F.I.T. on 072 144 7119

You don’t have to watch TV if you don’t want to!

Mariamne says:

Feldekrais Method is a movement education, taught in two modalities: Awarenesss Through Movement and Functional Integration.
The ‘Mindful Spine-Heal Your Back’ Workshop will touch upon both, mostly Awareness Through Movement (gentle yet powerful verbally guided micro-movement sequences).

There are so many benefits. You can find plenty of information online and in books about the Feldenkrais Method.
By undoing trauma and armouring in the body, we have the oportunity to re-educate and re-integrate the nervous system and introduce your potential in many ways, including a healthy relationship to gravity, better mobility and flexibilty. Learn economical pathways in movement, increase receptivity, reduce pain and prevent injuries.

Mariamne Wulfsohn has a Dance background and has been working in the Healing Arts for almost 20 years.  She will teach the Mindful Spine Workshop on 21 March 2010 at GURURAMDAS Yoga Studio.

Zumba at Fizeeks in Training

Last Saturday I went to the zumbathon – 90 mins of zumba,  Lucas and Bheki alternating the teaching.  I had no idea what to expect but hoped that the moves wouldn’t so intricate or fast that I couldn’t follow.

Well yeeehaaaaa … I’m hooked!  Lucas is a BRILLIANT teacher!!!   Upbeat, friendly,  funny and a great dancer.   I’d love to start each Saturday morning with zumba.

People who want a good workout might find the zumbathon a little too stop and start but those who are less fit would appreciate the many waterbreaks.

NEW STUFF

Yay!   I love trying new things and just look at this – Lucas is offering a Zumbathon at Fizeeks in Training (that’s where we usually have the DANCE JAM).

I’ve heard a lot about latin dance craze Zumba but as with Feldenkrais, can’t really tell you what it is.   Only one way to find out!

In case you’d like to join me:  it’s a mere R50 for 90min of non-stop dance.  This Saturday, 27 Feb, at 68b Wale Street.  The building’s hard to spot so aim for c/o Bree & Wale  and  look up (the number’s overhead).

It sounds sweaty so the less you wear the better.

Mindful Spine workshop

My yoga teacher recently mentioned that she’s teaching a workshop in March called “Mindful Spine”.   She’ll be teaching Feldenkrais techniques that increase mobility in the spine.  With increased mobility come less back pain, stiff necks and frozen shoulders.  Yay, bring it on!

I’ve long been curious about Feldenkrais but as I still know nothing, I unfortunately cannot tell you what Feldenkrais is.   Therefore I’ll be going to the workshop – signing up today.

If you’d like more info, take a look at the “WORKSHOPS’ page.  Posted the full monty there.