Movement Workshops are a fusion of physical and vocal warm up exercises, free dance, self-healing, breath-work, guided visualisation & automatic writing/drawing.

The workshops are unique in shifting energy because they combine self-expression with meditation. Firstly, we raise our energy levels with a gentle warm up, isolating different parts of the body with flowing movements synced with breath and vocal sound resonance. The middle part of the session is a free dance exercise where each person around the circle will have an opportunity to ‘lead’ the dance whilst the rest of the group accurately copies their movements. The purpose of this exercise is not to perform a perfect dance but to allow the body to react instinctively to the music. We then wind down into relaxation in order to absorb new energy and end with 5-minutes of automatic writing/drawing.

If all this sounds scary, it’s not! It’s a lot of fun and because we all do the work together in a circle, no one feels singled out. I have found group work to be very powerful but these exercises can also be taken home and are recommended for solo practice.

My aim is to give people the tools that they can continue to adapt according to the needs of their body in their own time by attuning to the wisdom deep within themselves. When we reach a state of awareness that is beyond our mind, we connect to a core truth, at once a unique sense of self and a universality.

Why?

Quality of thought, creativity and insight emerge from a body that is present and a mind that is still.

Unblocking the body through improvised movement and quieting the mind through meditation closes the space that separates our mind from our body, and our self from others. This ‘joining’ of the mind to the body creates a new space for an inner voice to be heard by attuning to energy deep within. Techniques such as automatic writing and drawing further bypass the mind’s logic in order to capture something more unique and autonomous.

The purpose of this work is to get out of our heads by bringing the body to a state of presence. My aim is to teach people to tap into a universal, innate health and wisdom that exists in all of us and which is available at all times. We are all uniquely individual and our bodies will guide us to whatever movement or healing it needs, if we listen and allow it to. We don’t need to come into a dance with any preconceived ideas of how we should be or feel. If we have too many ‘shoulds’, it overrides our ability to be responsive. When we surrender, let go of the need to control and prepare and allow our bodies to move in a way they instinctively want to, we make room for divine inspiration.

When we are fully invested, engaged and present in the current activity, be it dancing, chanting or meditating, we go beyond our limited personal minds. In many cultures, these practices are part of everyday life because they bring a sense of freedom and truthfulness.

This work is about being real, being exactly as we are in each given moment, where we can fully express ourselves in a safe, non-judgmental environment and experience ourselves anew. Observing ourselves, or others exactly as they are, helps us to see reality more clearly, unobscured by our thoughts. We can begin to listen and be guided by life instead of trying to manipulate and force our way through it.

If you observe young children, you will notice that they are very often present, forgiving and highly curious. They express themselves without holding onto each emotion in order to be consistent. Three year olds figure things out without reading a ‘how to’ manual. They pick up language, not by studying for hours but by simply absorbing new information.

As adults, thankfully, we naturally make sense of things in time because we are connected to a vast intelligence that is far more powerful than can be comprehended with logic alone. These classes aim to tap into the greater intelligence that is within each and every one of us, no matter our external situation. They help us to relax into ourselves, because when we are in a calm state, insight comes to us. When we try so hard to get things right to the point of being stressed, we fall out of sync with the natural rhythm of our true self. We don’t need to fight for solutions because they will naturally come. We continue to grow, breathe and think whether we struggle to or not. This intelligence is universal and is much more accessible to us when we are present.

The techniques used in the class are not necessary to make us present, because we can be aware of our presence at any time, but they put us into a practice of being present so that we know what it feels like. Trust plays a big role in becoming present. Trusting that there is nothing to do. Trusting that we can just be. Trusting that there is a power behind the scenes that will heal and guide us. We don’t try to heal a cut with our thoughts, just as we don’t try to make our heart beat, because we know that with nurture and care the body heals and regulates itself. The same applies to the rest of our life but we forget and try to manipulate situations, which create a build up of unhealthy and unnecessary mental activity which puts a huge stress on the body and compromises our ability to access the true power of our minds because wisdom has no room to get through. Neutral awareness is something to aim for. Awareness of reality, without making it into a ‘this’ or a ‘that’.

In all my years of training, be in art, drama, healing or spirituality, there has always been a process of unpeeling, of subtracting layers in order to get to a core spiritual truth that is beyond the illusion of separation. The work done in these classes is beyond language and so has the power to communicate that which the body and soul can understand directly.

In a nutshell, the workshops are deeply enjoyable. That’s why!

Who?

Work is done in a circle, collectively, and is suitable for people of all ages, experience, beliefs and backgrounds, with or without prior experience, as the methods used are a primal and natural part of every person. Ensemble work and play have great therapeutic value and are key parts of the creative healing process.  Just like an instrument needs tuning, so do we.

Me.

This work has evolved from years of training in various creative, performative, mind-body and spiritual practices and the workshops reflect this diversity. Workshops have naturally progressed from over 10 years practice as a Multimedia Artist and 4 years as a Holistic Therapist. It is my belief that the inspiration for any art comes from a universal creative source, which is the same source for healing. My aim is to connect people to their inner freedom and that through this work, they can learn to flow without judgment, force or manipulation and be real, their true self.

Kerstin, Student

“Tanya’s class was a new kind of experience for me as I’m more used to structured yoga classes and I think the combination of movement, breath and great music worked well. I found the warm up and meditation really calming – it’s such a lovely airy place to be. I was a bit more self conscious in the dance exercise but think that that might take time to get used to and that it could be a freeing experience”

Kate, Student

“Tanya is a great facilitator, my session with her was enjoyable and rewarding both physically and mentally. I felt very relaxed afterward and learned some new techniques”

Tracy, Student

“I have been quite self conscious for a long time, especially with dancing. I went to Tanya’s class with the hope that I could overcome this. Tanya successfully creates an environment where you feel comfortable to express yourself completely without embarrassment. By attending her classes I am much more confident expressing myself through dance”

Simon, Student

Workshop for the charity Mind - 18th Feb 2010

Mental Health Well Being through Movement, Creative Play & Meditation

These were the comments from members who participated in the workshop:

• It made my day
• I didn’t know it was going to be such fun
• The event was organised really well. Everyone knew each other and there was a friendly environment. The workshop was informative and practical which made it easy to understand