Why move? Why dance?
To express (and accept, and be conscious of, and make space for) all the parts of yourself, to blow off steam, to get to know yourself better, to listen to what's actually going on, underneath the most immediately accessible level, and to learn new ways of managing yourself, to enhance your movement vocabulary and move with more creativity, to free yourself up from the tyranny of your incessant thinking, to feel embodied, grounded, and nourished, at a physical, emotional, and soul level - while the mind serves.
To be happy, in short, with all of you.
To bring self-acceptance of all that you are into relationship, and practice embodiment with others (the emotional, soul, and mind levels - contained in the physical here-and-now awareness of grounded safety). Self-compassion & acceptance in all your difference & understanding & valuing yourself is crucial, if you want to get un-stuck and move forward.
Dancing with all that you are is a skill that gets developed through regular practice. Come back, and back again. Come witness your emotional and cognitive streams while in movement (it's like a moving meditation), and practice supporting yourself. The objective is gentle, clear self-awareness, following our path, getting more and more familiar with the surprisingly expansive vastness of who we actually are.
We dance to anchor the Container
A constant awareness of our body, and the contact with the ground, in addition to all the dance tools which facilitate embodiment, or coming into the body more fully), facilitate a sense of safety. I am here in this body, and there are some solid truths about it, some reality I can always attune to. We can learn to differentiate the body awareness of our sensations, from our emotions, from our thoughts, and our sense of self. We can also develop the Observer: an awareness of the clear seeing that we are at all times; as well as the loving connection to ourselves, no matter what. It's all about enlarging the ways in which we connect to ourselves - to increase resilience and joy.
Human beings are born to move; as dancer and movers, we thrive - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
The art of moving is infinite.
Research shows that people who dance grow more
- flexible
- confident
- capable of intimacy
- resilient in the face of change
We dance because it feels good on every imaginable level - physical, emotional, mind and soul.
Open Floor Movement Practice is
- a lively meditation practice that builds muscular and emotional intelligence, enhances movement vocabulary and resources; we use Core Movement Resources and Embodied Anchors (parts of our embodiment in this body on this planet: parts that make us feel more tangible, more 'fleshy' and safe here) in each class. For a quick outlay of the Core Movement Resources of Open Floor (meta-cognition tools to help us see wider and consider more resources of movement or of being), please see here.
- a dance floor discovery place where we move and include good and bad days, our own and others': community support is encouraged
- a dance practice in which there are no steps to learn and no way to do it wrong; it's about compassionate self-connection, first and foremost. From this Truth, we connect to others
There is a mix of music with clear guidance and free dancing time; both connections and solo time are encouraged. Bring in your emotional life: dance it out! Give it shape in the dance, make it travel through the music, let it transform (you)!
See what happens when you trust the Container to support you.
Please come as you are. Sometimes, all you need is to see friendly faces, or a hug. Sometimes, laying down and feeling both your emotion and the safety of others around you is the best you can do. Come. Sometimes you need to dance out your rage, act out your fearful side in the dance, or explode in joy. That's what it's for. You're welcome. :)
What is Open Floor?
Open Floor is a form of conscious dance which inspires people to move from more of who they actually are - enlarging the vocabulary of movement and resources we have at our disposal to face daily life. Our dance and mindful movement practices are for personal healing, professional growth and community building. Open Floor supports resilience, compassion and joyous connection with others, when life is challenging. We dance because joy and compassion are good for our mood, our thinking, and for how we act in the world.
Come dance with me: what is your way?
I focus on non-judgement & unconditional positive regard, because relational safety matters to me: that's when we think better, heal and are able to work together. Boundaries are a fundamental part of safety (physical and other): feel free to communicate what you like best, or you can't do. If you can't do something, please translate my instructions to something that would work for you, or to turn/move away and do what you need to do to best take care of your body or your nervous system. Sitting down or laying on the side can be helpful at times. I might check on you, but please be aware that this is a group environment: for more personalized attention, or if you are aware of a trauma that can still be accessed through coaching, I am available for one-on-one sessions bookings. For more serious (particularly relational) trauma, a psychologist might be a better option.
When you can't express your needs, or don't even know what they are, please give yourself time, kindness, and compassion. When you're feeling failed by others, go back to supporting yourself, or ask for support - if you are able to (not everything we want comes at the moment or in the way that we want; but eventually, we figure it out). Some things make a lot of sense afterwards.
It is important to keep your deeper well-being in mind: when you're connected with it, you are connected to the well-being of everyone around you, and to the best possible solution. Yet you can't force anyone. In that spirit, feel free to move away from someone if it feels better - even if that might upset them. You are free to engage or to move away if someone wants to dance with you (the law of your own two feet). This will help relax your nervous system relax ; we gradually retrain the nervous system to make free choices about our own bodies. And please be attuned to the non-verbal language of other dancers: if they turn or move away, avert their eyes from you, it may signal interiority, shyness, or a need to be left alone. A clear 'thank you'/Namasté gesture with the hands in front of the chest is a good way to signal 'thank you, this is over', or 'no, thank you'. The more you do the internal work of self-love (grounding, feeling your pain) when others need their space, the freer and the more joyful of an environment you will help create. Thank you in advance for contributing to a world which trusts in our deepest truths, together.
