Open Floor Workshops
UNFOLDING ENCOUNTERS - Edinburgh
Ongoing group starting June 2019
with Sietske Venema - assisted by Sarena Wolfaard and Aileen Reid
We are essentially fluid beings constantly changing as we breathe and move through life. We live in challenging times, we are often in transition, finding ourselves living life in unexpected ways. Many of us are drawn to movement practices because in the dance we discover our passion, our life force and it allows us to experience ourselves at our most fluid, soulful, and connected.
Faced with life’s inescapable challenges we often are struggling to connect the truth of our inner lives, with the outer worlds we inhabit and to bring it into our daily lives.
We can easily become fearful that our inner darkness might be exposed and, act ...as if... Presenting ourselves in some way, hoping to be approved of, to be loved, hiding the very vulnerability which makes us “human” in the best possible sense. We both fear and long for attention from others. When fear arises we easily lose our presence in fixed roles and seemingly solid identities ...as if... we were untouched by feelings. And as a result we become disconnected from what is true for us.
The Encounter process which offers individual attention within careful group holding provides the opportunity to look below the surface of your life. To the habitual patterns and long-held beliefs and assumptions you have about yourself and others.
We witness ourselves as we are mirrored by others, embracing and embodying our own shapes and movements with the support of the group.
The ability to witness each other, as well as oneself, is an essential part of Encounter. Witnessing, as well as the chance to be seen and heard by others, supports each participant’s capacity to change, become more fluid and has a profound impact on the individual, as well as the group. Collectively and individually, we allow each and every part that emerges from us to move through our bodies in dance. This work enables us to develop compassion and respect for the Mystery and vulnerability that connects us all.
Using a combination of the Encounter group process, one-on-one feedback and smaller group work, we will investigate the patterns and themes of our lives that emerge, spontaneously and inevitability from the movement of our bodies. We use Core Movement Resources to explore and develop new skills that will support us. We take time for dancing and moving to enter, and settle, the process.
The Encounter Unfolding is a group of conscious movement practitioners who are looking for a profound opportunity to know yourself and be known, to learn to stand in intensity and make clear choices, both individually and collectively.
Please Note, this workshop has prerequisites: This program is by application only. Students are required to commit to all 3 weekends. At least 20 hours of experience in conscious dance, classes and workshops
Teacher
Sietske Venema has been working in embodied movement practice for over 20 years. She is a certified 5Rhythms and Open Floor teacher, a Transpersonal Psychotherapist, studied Somatic Experience and Sensory Motor Psychotherapy. She has been trained by Andrea Juhan to facilitate the Encounter Process.
Practical Information:
When:
*Friday June 7 - Sunday June 9, 2019
*Friday August 30 - Sunday September 1, 2019
*Friday November 29 - Sunday December 1, 2019
Time:
Friday 7 pm to 9.30 pm
Saturday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
and Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Where:
Restoration yard, Wellness Centre, Dalkeith Country Park, Edinburgh, EH22 1ST
Cost:
Cost for 3 weekends: £390 full price
Early bird: £360
(if applied and paid before 1 May 2019)
Booking and more information:
To book email Sarena Wolfaard.
You may use this link also for questions and more information.
Ongoing group starting June 2019
with Sietske Venema - assisted by Sarena Wolfaard and Aileen Reid
We are essentially fluid beings constantly changing as we breathe and move through life. We live in challenging times, we are often in transition, finding ourselves living life in unexpected ways. Many of us are drawn to movement practices because in the dance we discover our passion, our life force and it allows us to experience ourselves at our most fluid, soulful, and connected.
Faced with life’s inescapable challenges we often are struggling to connect the truth of our inner lives, with the outer worlds we inhabit and to bring it into our daily lives.
We can easily become fearful that our inner darkness might be exposed and, act ...as if... Presenting ourselves in some way, hoping to be approved of, to be loved, hiding the very vulnerability which makes us “human” in the best possible sense. We both fear and long for attention from others. When fear arises we easily lose our presence in fixed roles and seemingly solid identities ...as if... we were untouched by feelings. And as a result we become disconnected from what is true for us.
The Encounter process which offers individual attention within careful group holding provides the opportunity to look below the surface of your life. To the habitual patterns and long-held beliefs and assumptions you have about yourself and others.
We witness ourselves as we are mirrored by others, embracing and embodying our own shapes and movements with the support of the group.
The ability to witness each other, as well as oneself, is an essential part of Encounter. Witnessing, as well as the chance to be seen and heard by others, supports each participant’s capacity to change, become more fluid and has a profound impact on the individual, as well as the group. Collectively and individually, we allow each and every part that emerges from us to move through our bodies in dance. This work enables us to develop compassion and respect for the Mystery and vulnerability that connects us all.
Using a combination of the Encounter group process, one-on-one feedback and smaller group work, we will investigate the patterns and themes of our lives that emerge, spontaneously and inevitability from the movement of our bodies. We use Core Movement Resources to explore and develop new skills that will support us. We take time for dancing and moving to enter, and settle, the process.
The Encounter Unfolding is a group of conscious movement practitioners who are looking for a profound opportunity to know yourself and be known, to learn to stand in intensity and make clear choices, both individually and collectively.
Please Note, this workshop has prerequisites: This program is by application only. Students are required to commit to all 3 weekends. At least 20 hours of experience in conscious dance, classes and workshops
Teacher
Sietske Venema has been working in embodied movement practice for over 20 years. She is a certified 5Rhythms and Open Floor teacher, a Transpersonal Psychotherapist, studied Somatic Experience and Sensory Motor Psychotherapy. She has been trained by Andrea Juhan to facilitate the Encounter Process.
Practical Information:
When:
*Friday June 7 - Sunday June 9, 2019
*Friday August 30 - Sunday September 1, 2019
*Friday November 29 - Sunday December 1, 2019
Time:
Friday 7 pm to 9.30 pm
Saturday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
and Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Where:
Restoration yard, Wellness Centre, Dalkeith Country Park, Edinburgh, EH22 1ST
Cost:
Cost for 3 weekends: £390 full price
Early bird: £360
(if applied and paid before 1 May 2019)
Booking and more information:
To book email Sarena Wolfaard.
You may use this link also for questions and more information.
Rejoice - with Andrea Juhan
1-3 November 2019 - Edinburgh
There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them. --Vicki Baum
Joy is our birthright. We are designed to experience pleasure. However, have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift to the one negative comment in a sea of positive responses? To dwell on one doubt in the face of overwhelming support? Yes, we are designed to experience pleasure but our brains have what neuropsychologist call a “negativity bias”. Therefore, we need to practice embodying the full spectrum of human joy, teaching ourselves happiness to counter balance evolutions survival directive.
In Open Floor we investigate embodied joy; the kind of joy that transcend one’s own personal gain; like generosity, compassion, peace, and benevolence.
Dancing is the perfect medium for developing our capacity to tolerate the ‘big hits’ of rapture or ecstasy, and noticing the quieter forms of joy, such as presence, health, connection, belonging, kindness, ease, and well-being.
All of these particular qualities of joy have had imprints within our being. We can strengthen these neural pathways – we can dance ourselves into being happier people – at least more of the time.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Edinburgh Academy, 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5BL
Cost: £210 Early bird deadline if paid in full by 1 Oct: £195
To book email Sarena.
1-3 November 2019 - Edinburgh
There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them. --Vicki Baum
Joy is our birthright. We are designed to experience pleasure. However, have you ever noticed how easy it is to drift to the one negative comment in a sea of positive responses? To dwell on one doubt in the face of overwhelming support? Yes, we are designed to experience pleasure but our brains have what neuropsychologist call a “negativity bias”. Therefore, we need to practice embodying the full spectrum of human joy, teaching ourselves happiness to counter balance evolutions survival directive.
In Open Floor we investigate embodied joy; the kind of joy that transcend one’s own personal gain; like generosity, compassion, peace, and benevolence.
Dancing is the perfect medium for developing our capacity to tolerate the ‘big hits’ of rapture or ecstasy, and noticing the quieter forms of joy, such as presence, health, connection, belonging, kindness, ease, and well-being.
All of these particular qualities of joy have had imprints within our being. We can strengthen these neural pathways – we can dance ourselves into being happier people – at least more of the time.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Edinburgh Academy, 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5BL
Cost: £210 Early bird deadline if paid in full by 1 Oct: £195
To book email Sarena.
States of Being - with Deborah Jay-Lewin
Findhorn
11 May 2019
COST: £80 | 3 places at £65 (for those earning less than minimum wage)
Pre-booking is essential. Places are limited to 16.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
A deepening into movement and community through dancing and witnessing. This workshop will focus on physical embodiment and expression; giving you tools to explore lesser-known paths, so your dance reflects more of the essential you. The state of your being influences your capacity to focus, relate and be authentically engaged with life.
Over the course of the day 4 people will have the opportunity to work individually with Deborah, supported by the rest of the group. Bring yourself as you are; we will invite the wisdom of the body to be our guiding principle.
“I loved it. It felt balanced, considered and well organised. I found witnessing the 1 to 1 sessions moving and beneficial.” – Previous Participant
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Or if you have any questions or need further information contact: Michael: admin@vitalmoves.co.uk
Findhorn
11 May 2019
COST: £80 | 3 places at £65 (for those earning less than minimum wage)
Pre-booking is essential. Places are limited to 16.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
A deepening into movement and community through dancing and witnessing. This workshop will focus on physical embodiment and expression; giving you tools to explore lesser-known paths, so your dance reflects more of the essential you. The state of your being influences your capacity to focus, relate and be authentically engaged with life.
Over the course of the day 4 people will have the opportunity to work individually with Deborah, supported by the rest of the group. Bring yourself as you are; we will invite the wisdom of the body to be our guiding principle.
“I loved it. It felt balanced, considered and well organised. I found witnessing the 1 to 1 sessions moving and beneficial.” – Previous Participant
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Or if you have any questions or need further information contact: Michael: admin@vitalmoves.co.uk
heartfulllife - with Deborah Jay-Lewin
Findhorn
7-9 June 2019
An Open Inquiry
Fee: £160
Early Bird: £135, paid in full by May 17th 2019
Friday 7-9:30pm; Sat 10:30am-5:30pm and Sun 10:30am-5pm
There are plenty of reasons to guard your heart these days. You don’t have to look far to see the inhabitants of this earth are troubled; on a screen, down the street, through the window of a train. Then again, almost every day I see or hear something that makes me smile, feel peaceful or excited about the innovative times I am living in.
What is it that makes a difference? Is it perception? Is it how you are feeling? Or how you feel about your feelings?
Come spend the weekend on the Open Floor using movement consciously, to liberate your body and become the most tender, inspiring, engaged being you can humanly be.
“The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe.”
― Joanna Macy
14 hours of an Embodied Movement Practice required.
BOOK HERE: https://www.vitalmoves.co.uk/events/2019/3/8/heartfulllife-findhorn-scotland
Findhorn
7-9 June 2019
An Open Inquiry
Fee: £160
Early Bird: £135, paid in full by May 17th 2019
Friday 7-9:30pm; Sat 10:30am-5:30pm and Sun 10:30am-5pm
There are plenty of reasons to guard your heart these days. You don’t have to look far to see the inhabitants of this earth are troubled; on a screen, down the street, through the window of a train. Then again, almost every day I see or hear something that makes me smile, feel peaceful or excited about the innovative times I am living in.
What is it that makes a difference? Is it perception? Is it how you are feeling? Or how you feel about your feelings?
Come spend the weekend on the Open Floor using movement consciously, to liberate your body and become the most tender, inspiring, engaged being you can humanly be.
“The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe.”
― Joanna Macy
14 hours of an Embodied Movement Practice required.
BOOK HERE: https://www.vitalmoves.co.uk/events/2019/3/8/heartfulllife-findhorn-scotland
Embracing Change - with Deborah Jay-Lewin & Bettina Jespersen
Findhorn
17-23 August 2019
Tiered Price: £1110/£840/£690
Saturday 18 August, registration 11am-1230pm
Workshop costs includes all programme content, 7 nights accommodation, full board and refreshments.
Friday 24 August, last session is in the afternoon, followed by a celebration dinner. Friday overnight and Saturday lunch is included in the package!
Change can be so unsettling, even though it is the only predictable thing there is. Some changes we resist, others we welcome. In the current planetary climate, we are called to dance deeper into our own creative selves; to be honest about our vulnerability so we can access our equilibrium and strength.
Do you contract with the effort to control change? When the going gets tough, do you find ways to avoid or escape? What enables you to soften, keep focused, release and let go, expand and connect with effortless synchronicity? Are you open to the possibility of greater equanimity, whatever the external circumstances might be?
This week we will use Open Floor Movement Practice to bring this inquiry to the dance floor as we literally embody the physicality of change. Open Floor anchors us in our bodies and engages us in lively, enlightening movement conversations with ourselves and each other.
Pre-requisite: At least one class of an Embodied Movement Practice (eg Open Floor, 5Rhythms® or Movement Medicine). Findhorn Foundation Experience Week not required.
This workshop counts as 30 hours for the Open Floor Teacher Training.
Watch Deborah explain more about the workshop here.
Workshop costs includes all programme content, 7 nights accommodation, full board and refreshments.
Book here: www.findhorn.org/embracingchange/
Brand New - with Deborah Jay-Lewin & Arjan Bouw
Findhorn
29 Dec. 2019 - 3 Jan. 2020
A New Year Dance Gathering in Findhorn, Scotland – with Deborah Jay-Lewin & Arjan Bouw
More details coming soon
Deborah (vitalmoves.co.uk) has been teaching on this event since 2001 and is delighted to once again be co-teaching with Arjan (dansendhart.nl). They have been dancing and teaching around the globe for over 25 years. Amongst other things, Arjan will bring his drums and meet you in the beat. They are excited to bring their love of Open Floor Movement Practice to this New Year gathering and are really looking forward to celebrating in Findhorn with you.
The venue for the gathering is the magnificent Universal Hall Arts Centre in the Findhorn EcoVillage Community, NE Scotland, within easy reach of Inverness and Aberdeen airports. The Community is a major international centre for personal and spiritual transformation and sustainable living. It is situated on a 2 mile long peninsula amongst beautiful beaches, sand dunes and woodland.
Findhorn
29 Dec. 2019 - 3 Jan. 2020
A New Year Dance Gathering in Findhorn, Scotland – with Deborah Jay-Lewin & Arjan Bouw
More details coming soon
Deborah (vitalmoves.co.uk) has been teaching on this event since 2001 and is delighted to once again be co-teaching with Arjan (dansendhart.nl). They have been dancing and teaching around the globe for over 25 years. Amongst other things, Arjan will bring his drums and meet you in the beat. They are excited to bring their love of Open Floor Movement Practice to this New Year gathering and are really looking forward to celebrating in Findhorn with you.
The venue for the gathering is the magnificent Universal Hall Arts Centre in the Findhorn EcoVillage Community, NE Scotland, within easy reach of Inverness and Aberdeen airports. The Community is a major international centre for personal and spiritual transformation and sustainable living. It is situated on a 2 mile long peninsula amongst beautiful beaches, sand dunes and woodland.