At the foundation of the Open Floor Movement Practice is the 4x4 weave: 4 dimensions of embodiment (physical, emotional, mental and soulful) layered with 4 relational hungers (solitude, connection, belonging, and Spirit). This weave is the terrain of all our dances, and where and how we dance on the Open Floor.
The Space Between is a series for those who have already participated in Fertile Ground (or Bare Bones) and are ready to deepen into the seen and unseen relational dynamics that show up on the dance floor...the 4 relational hungers (solitude, 1:1 connection, belonging to community, connection to Spirit). At the core is the understanding that relationship isn't something we DO but that we ARE, and learning to move gracefully within these realms can make life rich, playful, and meaningful. Potential themes of exploration will depend on what shows up in the group field, however, may include: boundaries, dancing your YES/NO, consent (both physical and energetic), spatial awareness and mutual responsibility (moving from ME to WE).
When:
Mondays, May 15 - June 26, 2023
7 - 8:30pm
*No class on 5/29 - Studio is closed on Memorial Day
Where:
Tula Yoga & Wellness, 99 Snelling Ave N, St Paul MN
Investment in Self:
$150
Pre-requisite:
Completion of Fertile Ground (Bare Bones) or 1+ year of steady practice in a facilitated conscious dance practice such as Open Floor, 5R, Soul Motion, Movement Medicine, Dancing Freedom, etc. (If you’re unsure, PM me to discuss).
Space is limited to 12 movers.
Whether you're curious or unsure...
Dancing to play or dive in deeply...
There is a space for you on the Open Floor!
Conscious dance can teach us to be more present, sensitive, and responsible…to be aware of the habits we bring to the floor and discover new and novel ways of being alone and together. When we dance with others, we open ourselves to the potential of co.regulated healing and support…and…we open ourselves to complex layers of thinking, sensing and feeling that can organize or disorganize our dance. Moving with others requires a level of self-responsibility and a willingness to stay with questions that linger…to be curious and not know…to be open to being surprised…to be guided by what emerges in the process.
You may enjoy the Open Floor if:
*You’re willing to accept this as a space of suspended knowing and encounter - rather than fixing or looking for solutions.
*You wonder how or where you could explore the multiple, sometimes contradictory, aspects of your lived experience.
*You want to turn your dance into an awareness practice - becoming more awake, resourced, and empowered to make choices in the present tense.
*You find value in recognizing your blindspots, needs and habits, and are ready to dance toward new possibilities.
*You want to engage experientially with the diverse and ever changing experiences present in relational dynamics.
*You want to do this communally!
Our time together will be balanced by the structure of gently guided facilitation and the freedom of self-exploration. Opportunities to learn and explore new ways of being in the body as well as ample time for integration will be offered.
What participants are saying:
“You have helped me trust my body again! Learning to nonverbally communicate a clear “yes” and “no” made it possible for me to feel more present with others. I can be in my joy and pleasure without shame. I can set clear boundaries without care taking. I’m so, so grateful. After years of unsuccessfully trying, you helped me find my way. Thank you for creating such a safe, supportive space, and for embodying this teaching so powerfully and gracefully for us!”
“The experiences of dancing with Teresa have been deeply nourishing, tender, and filled with the conditions for developing deeper belonging to the soft animal of my body and the ways in which my own wildness can be welcome in community.
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“Teresa brings such a loving presence to her work. The sense of safety and trust I experience in her groups makes it easy for me to explore how my body feels. I love the sense of connection with others that develops.”
“I felt held so well and knew I could (and wanted) to go deeper into the truth of my experience. ”