This is my intention I want to create this Saturday for my movement practice. I want my movement to just be physical, and then see where it transforms. Tracking my thoughts and imagination will be very interesting.
I tend to put meaning into my movement all the time. In other words, there's some chatter that says, "your movement HAS to have meaning" and "if it doesn't have meaning, it's boring." I just blogged about this in detail on my other blog HERE if you're interested.
Although my intuition and heart says that isn't true, it's just my ego again looking to sabotage. You're so clever, ego!
Anyway, I'm interested in the movement itself and how my body/mind/spirit reacts to it. I do want to teach movement more, but at this point, I just want to move. Experience the physical. Watch, observe, and witness the body as this movable, expressive vehicle, and not get stuck in the head about what it means! Sometimes ya need a break from that.
Why do we tend to put meaning into everything, especially movement? Can we just appreciate it for what it presents?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Unleashing energy
My butoh/movement practice was truly engaging this past weekend. A lot of great exercises that warmed up and released some energy that was stored up in my body. Although, I had an energy session prior to practice, it was no accident I did some of these exercises.
One of them was about resistance. You pick a point across the room, and another person creates resistance with your body as you try to walk towards it. My partner grasped my ankles, while I moved toward the point using my core. I felt a struggle and my edge. I allowed myself to safely fall forward when I lost balance, but I kept pressing on. All of a sudden, guttural sound escaped me and I was grunting, yelling, roaring and screaming. It was like a fire was set within and I was unleashing it in any possible way I could. Afterward, my whole abdomen (power center) was humming. There was so much energy going through me I felt dizzy and almost nauseous. I got some air, sat down, and drank some water. As I took some deep breaths, I released some more emotion and I felt this very calm, sense of relief. I have been doing a lot of work on re-tuning my sense of power, will and intuition (also chakra 3). It's wonderful to be able to feel and acknowledge it!
The rest of the exercises were grounding and less intense ;-) I realized that I put a lot of meaning into the movement I do, and sometimes, it's okay to be "just physical" with movement. One of the exercises was playing with gravity; allowing yourself to fall and roll on the floor. Very playful! The other one was moving along your axis. You stand in a spot in a space and close your eyes, visualizing your body's axis. With a soft gaze, you move in a circle along your axis, while taking in the world around you. A big difference than looking out, but rather receiving what comes into your field of vision. There are more things you can add to it, which can make it engaging in different ways. One can make contact with another or not. It depends on the intention of the exercise.
What does energy mean to you? How do you unleash your energy when you feel you can't contain it anymore? What are some ways you contain it? i.e. stimulate acupressure points, sing, chant, dance, etc.
I feel we all have a fire within us.
One of them was about resistance. You pick a point across the room, and another person creates resistance with your body as you try to walk towards it. My partner grasped my ankles, while I moved toward the point using my core. I felt a struggle and my edge. I allowed myself to safely fall forward when I lost balance, but I kept pressing on. All of a sudden, guttural sound escaped me and I was grunting, yelling, roaring and screaming. It was like a fire was set within and I was unleashing it in any possible way I could. Afterward, my whole abdomen (power center) was humming. There was so much energy going through me I felt dizzy and almost nauseous. I got some air, sat down, and drank some water. As I took some deep breaths, I released some more emotion and I felt this very calm, sense of relief. I have been doing a lot of work on re-tuning my sense of power, will and intuition (also chakra 3). It's wonderful to be able to feel and acknowledge it!
The rest of the exercises were grounding and less intense ;-) I realized that I put a lot of meaning into the movement I do, and sometimes, it's okay to be "just physical" with movement. One of the exercises was playing with gravity; allowing yourself to fall and roll on the floor. Very playful! The other one was moving along your axis. You stand in a spot in a space and close your eyes, visualizing your body's axis. With a soft gaze, you move in a circle along your axis, while taking in the world around you. A big difference than looking out, but rather receiving what comes into your field of vision. There are more things you can add to it, which can make it engaging in different ways. One can make contact with another or not. It depends on the intention of the exercise.
What does energy mean to you? How do you unleash your energy when you feel you can't contain it anymore? What are some ways you contain it? i.e. stimulate acupressure points, sing, chant, dance, etc.
I feel we all have a fire within us.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Teaching movement
I had the opportunity to guide a movement exercise over the weekend. It was nice to be the guide/teacher/witness for a change. I'm always the one following and moving from what someone else is saying. I really got to hone in on my teaching chops and this inspired me more and MORE! Although being a yoga teacher helped, I know my strengths are voice projection, being present, and holding the space and group involved. I got feedback from my group of movers, but I want more constructive feedback. What worked and didn't work.
I'm totally down with going for it. Ya have to start somewhere, right? There are going to be things that don't work, but how do you know, unless you try?
For all movement teachers, what obstacles did you run into in the beginning? What are your strengths as a teacher? What works well? Did you ever have a bad experience?
I would really LOVE to hear your experiences. If you want to respond privately, feel free to email me, lizsfilippone@gmail.com. Thank you for sharing!
I'm totally down with going for it. Ya have to start somewhere, right? There are going to be things that don't work, but how do you know, unless you try?
For all movement teachers, what obstacles did you run into in the beginning? What are your strengths as a teacher? What works well? Did you ever have a bad experience?
I would really LOVE to hear your experiences. If you want to respond privately, feel free to email me, lizsfilippone@gmail.com. Thank you for sharing!
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