INNER WILD - Conscious Movement

15/11/2018

Prana House - Yoga • Wellness • Events • Yoga Teacher Training

Most of us want to 'see' and understand ourselves more clearly, do we not?

Most of us are compelled (or repelled) by our own image and the idea of who we are and how others 'see' us and we are either constantly striving for alignment between the two, or we are in conflict.

Such is the nature of the human condition and the dualistic reality we live in....

Recently I've been pondering this idea of 'seeing things clearly' and what that means. How there is so much illusion that appears real at first glance, but then with time and experience we see the truth beyond all appearance, image and illusion. (Think of someone you know intimately now, but who you had a completely different idea of when you first saw them...)

How does this dissolution of illusion occur?

Real insight ('inner sight') I believe, is gained not through the eyes of our judging, categorising minds and the frontal cortex of the brain, but through the 'eyes' of the entire physical body via the heart - the heart being the receiver and place of integration for all of the feelings, instincts and innate intelligence of the whole body above and below it. I feel that the heart is ambassador for the whole body and being. (In Traditional Chinese Medicine the heart is The Emperor, not the brain.)

To put it succinctly, I feel we see with true clarity when the whole body is totally awake, alive and receptive to experience and the 'input' from our physical eyes is secondary.

In my Conscious Movement classes, when I engage in the simple yet profound process of sitting with full awareness of my own body whilst witnessing another in spontaneous movement with their eyes closed (with no music, just their own impulses to guide them) with time I see that I'm gradually cultivating an almost lucid whole-body-presence where I see my self and the other with crystal clarity - without interpretations, judgement or story attached. I actually have this incredible physical sense that I am 'seeing' everything with my entire body, mainly emanating from the area of my chest.
When it is my turn to be witnessed by another and I am moving spontaneously with my eyes closed, it's fascinating how I feel that I also 'see' more clearly in this blind state because my whole body is alive, receptive and responsive. I am witness to my own experience yet also completely immersed.

As esoteric as some of this may sound, this class is actually highly practical and focused on physical sensations and being engaged with what is actually happening in our bodies, in the moment, through breath, weight, movement, sound, stimulation and exploration of the senses.
(All answers are in the body!) It's also a very intimate, safe, honest and welcoming place where we can practice being absolutely authentic in our expression of who we are, physically and otherwise, with the support and clear 'mirroring' of the group.

This is where I feel the conflict between image and illusion and true insight - 'who I am' and 'how am I perceived', is so beautifully teased out.

My 5 week CONSCIOUS MOVEMENT course starts THIS SUNDAY!

Sundays 1pm - 2.30pm at Prana House in Thornbury Nov 18th - Dec 16th

Book now through Prana House: http://pranahouse.com.au/event/conscious-movement-yoga-course/

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions ###

Yoga • Wellness • Events • Yoga Teacher Training

09/10/2018

Drop-in Authentic Movement class is on tomorrow night from 7-9pm at Dancehouse in Nth Carlton. (See Events)

No need to book, these are casual classes so you can just turn up and pay cash at the door.

I look forward to sharing some rich embodiment practices that bring you closer to your self.

20/08/2018

Quote from Steve Paxton, thank you Karen Daly for showing it to me.

Worth a read...

"I think that one of the reasons I got involved in dance
is to finish my movement development.
Because I have a hunger to find,
and to finish,
and to explore,
to do essentially what babies do when they begin to move.
A hunger to find out more of what movement is or can be.
I think it provides a service to keep the search alive
in a culture,
which has engineered an environment which requires physical and sensorial suppression to exist in.
Most of the people who study dance aren’t ambitious to be dancers, in fact.
Or aren’t serious about that ambition.
I think they’re trying to complete physicality
that gets messed up by sitting for 12 years in school, or longer.
Essentially, urban civilization has cut off from movement and sensorial development which would occur in a natural environment.
I mean the sense of smell is leaving.
The sense of sight is rigidly controlled by readings,
by television,
by school,
by signage,
by words everywhere in the city.
In fact there are many kinds of of control or implicit visual message
about how to interact with the city.
Here there is more neon than nuance.
Food is advertised rather than hunted for.
Entertainment becomes divorced from ingenuity.
I’m not complaining because it is about 15,000 years too late to change direction.
I have found the cities very interesting places,
but when I return to the country I am struck by the difference in what is required by the senses.
It is appalling how we disuse the body.
Dance remind us about that.
Dance explores some of the physical possibilities.
Dance refocuses our focusing mind on very basic existence,
and time, space, gravity, open up to creativity.
This seems to me a reminder of nature, of our natures,
and as such it provides a service to us in our physical doldrums.
It is a wake-up call to deadened urbanites,
a stimulus, to work-habituated bodies,
a promise to developing children …
Even those country folk who cope with their natural environment
use their bodies more and more often
fall into a routine and mold their bodies into tools
from which creativity has departed
dance will remind them of their feet, their spines, their reach
I think its good for us"

07/03/2018

Drop-in classes in Footscray start tonight folks!
6.30 - 9pm at The Body Voice Centre, 50 Wolverhampton st.
Pre-book online to save money or just turn up at the door, see you there for some relaxing embodiment practices.....

(Click on 'Events' to pre-book for 'Thursdays in Footscray')

12/02/2018

The second last class of this drop-in series is on tonight at 6.30pm at Dancehouse in the upstairs studio.
I have a very restful and more internally-focused class prepared for tonight so if you're feeling like you need to relax then come along!
Next Monday is the last class before I take a short break xx

04/02/2018

If you've been feeling stuck in 'doing mode' lately and you're tired of working, planning, organising, writing or checking lists, rushing against the clock, stressing, thinking, analysing, running your errands, dutifully following your routine and 'achieving' your goals or success... (eg a lot of Yang outward energy) ....then you may benefit and enjoy these classes where we practice dropping into a much more receptive, open and fluid Yin kind of state where there are no expectations, plans or goals and nothing to 'do' except see what is actually happening in the moment and sink deeply into that and follow it.

When we give ourselves more opportunities and more time to BE in these very present, internally focused, receptive and physically embodied states, we are offering ourselves the underlying support we need for our busy and productive lives.

Breathing supports you. The ground beneath you supports you. Relaxing and releasing in to your breath and into the ground (and into gravity) supports you in absolutely everything that you do from the moment you are born to the moment of your death.

Come and sink into the floor, your breath and the moment with me tomorrow night. See what happens... x

(6.30 - 9pm upstairs at Dancehouse in North Carlton for the next three Mondays...)

28/01/2018

Thankfully by tomorrow night it's meant to be raining and in the mid 20's (fingers crossed!) so come and join me for a balmy evening of rolling around on the floor and other such lazy and playful delights...

Upstairs at Dancehouse in North Carlton from 6.30 - 9pm ###

(Pre-book to save $5 off the full price. Click on 'Book Now')

20/01/2018

INNER WILD: Authentic Movement drop-in class is on again tomorrow night at Dancehouse in the big upstairs studio (and for the following 4 Monday nights) from 6.30 - 9pm.

One newcomer from last week's class shared with me that the total experience reminded them of the following poem, which for me also, captures the essence of 'Authentic Movement' in an beautiful way....

'Wild Geese' by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

14/01/2018

To those of you planning to come along to any of the drop-in classes in this next series (starting tomorrow night) - I have the studio booked half an hour before class starts at 6.30 so you are welcome to come earlier to stretch or lie down/meditate and arrive in the space in a gentle, leisurely manner if you so desire.. (which is what I will be doing)

See you tomorrow night ###

12/01/2018

Drop-in classes in 'Authentic Movement' and other embodiment and movement meditation practices starts up again this Monday night at Dancehouse in North Carlton at 6.30pm.

It's no exaggeration to say that our bodies are magnificent creations of the supreme intelligence of Nature (whether we 'approve' of them or not!) and if you haven't given yourself the opportunity lately to really check in with yours and see what signals or insights might await you, then you may really benefit from these classes.

Come and explore your self in all of it's wholeness in a very welcoming, safe, playful and completely non-judgemental space.

I truly believe your body is your one true teacher and guide. You just need to re-unite your head with it! (my reminder to myself....)

Pia x

Click the 'Book Now' icon for tickets or see 'Events' for more details.

PS. If you buy a 4 class ticket to be used within the 6 week series you save $$$!

04/01/2018

2018 Authentic Movement drop-in classes resume in just over 1 week folks!

If you're in need of a good dose of physical grounding and connecting in with your body and 'bodymind' (I.e. the innate intelligence of your body as opposed to your intellect) - these classes are a great way to take a break from your usual mode of operation and become truly present to what is physically happening in the moment.

When we are fully present and unified in our wholeness (body/mind) and in a safe, non-judgmental and creative space that allows anything that wants to happen to unfold, it's often quite surprising what bubbles up from the sub-conscious and is expressed through the body.

First-time participants of the Authentic Movement Practice (the formal yet simple process that we do each class) are often amazed at how profound it is and how much freedom they experience...

Come along and try it for yourself! xx

23/12/2017

After you've recovered from the silly season and you've had some time off, ease into the new year gently and join me in some playful summer classes.

Each session is designed to ground you in your body and give you a tangible connection with yourself and your own unique way of expressing who you are in a very PRACTICAL sense.

We engage with what is actually happening in the moment, in our physical bodies, with all our senses, and we improvise - just like we do every day in life - from that place where we are in between the incoming information/stimulus we are receiving from our environment (including our internal environment) and our response to that information.

In other words, we are constantly sensing, feeling and then responding to every moment whether we are aware of it or not.

We, as human beings, are fascinating 'vessels' that receive the world through our bodies/senses/minds and have our own spin on it! We each have our own histories and stories and a very unique way of seeing things that is particular to our nature.

These classes are about accessing that authentic nature. Come along and try the 'Authentic Movement' practice for yourself and you may be surprised at what you discover......

(See 'Events' for details on upcoming classes in Jan and Feb)

19/12/2017

Last drop-in class for the year is on tomorrow night folks (Wednesday) at 7pm upstairs at Dancehouse.

Come along and give yourself the Christmas gift of exceptional quality 'you-time' before the silly season sets in!

Otherwise, see you in the new year ###

12/12/2017

Tomorrow night we meet again for the second last drop-in class for the year at 7pm upstairs at Dancehouse.

Due to the general consensus that time goes too quickly for the Authentic Movement practice and most people are sad when their turn is over, I am putting aside more time so we can go deeper and really enjoy ourselves and luxuriate in our 'me-time'!

So if you're planning to come along to class tomorrow, please be on time so we can still have enough time for a thorough warm up and grounding xx

05/12/2017

What happens in an INNER WILD class??

We start by warming up our bodies and exploring our senses through simple movement, sound, touch and imagination....We play physical 'games', we use spontaneous free movement, we do pair work and group exercises and we do simple hands-on work or roll around on the smooth floor....This way we become fully present to our physical, fleshy human form and how it feels and what it does. We stop THINKING so much and instead we start sensing and feeling and simply being. We unite our minds with the rest of our bodies and feel connected!

Then, we dive into the Authentic Movement practice which is done in pairs with a 'mover' and a 'witness'. It is a simple yet formal process involving self-directed free movement with eyes closed (no music) and with a compassionate observer. It is a profound window into the subconscious realms and is always fascinating. It needs to be experienced to be understood. We then discuss our experiences in pairs and together as a group.

Lastly, the lights go down and we dance/rest/move in the dark to some gorgeous music to wind down and integrate everything we have 'learned'. We finish in a circle.

If you haven't been to one of my classes yet, there are 3 more Wednesday night drop-in classes left for the year.
(See EVENTS)

See you in class xx

28/11/2017

Drop-in classes resume tonight at Dancehouse in Carlton North at 7pm in the big upstairs studio.
Pre-book for a single class or for the block of 4 classes to save $$$ (click on the Book Now button)
Looking forward to moving and exploring with you!
(Please wear loose comfy clothing that doesn't restrict you as you move...) xx

09/11/2017

INNER WILD: Authentic Movement drop-in classes

I'm excited to announce that INNER WILD Authentic Movement classes are back on in a few weeks at Dancehouse in North Carlton!
Wednesday nights from 7 - 9.30 pm from the 29th of Nov until the 20th Dec in the beautiful big upstairs studio.
You can come to a single class to check it out or pre-book for all 4 classes and save $$$.
https://www.trybooking.com/SPAA

Drop-in classes designed to get your head out of the driver's seat and ground you in your physical body in the present moment. These classes enable you to tap into your body's inherent wisdom and connect with your self and others in a way that is gentle, supportive and fun, yet also potent and trans...

06/11/2017

Hi folks, so there is no confusion, this is a reminder that there is NO CLASS on tonight due to last minute troubles with the venue again, I am in the process of confirming with a new studio space and I should know very soon when and where classes will resume. My sincere apologies for this postponement!

15/06/2017

Only two more drop-in classes to go! (Until I don't know when..) So if you still haven't had a chance to try this most interesting and rewarding formal practice of Authentic Movement, now might be the time.

The experience is different for everyone but it is somewhat like holding up a mirror to your current state, or diving into your creative depths or your forgotten emotional landscape, or simply feeling the joy and relief of being free of pressure of any kind to 'do' anything or be a certain way....

Yes it can be confronting and challenging for some, being bare, vulnerable and exposed, yet you are held and supported in an environment free from any judgements or expectations. And the rewards are generally worth the risk of peeling off those layers.

Come and see for yourself! Tomorrow night (Friday) at 6.30.
###

07/06/2017

'All structures in the body unfold through movement patterns during embryological, fetal, infant, and child development.

Movement is as fundamental to the body as structure. We are designed to move and through movement we develop our brains and our minds. The body creates itself through movement.' (Rebecca Haseltine)

If our movement created our brains and our minds, indeed our whole bodies, what does our movement 'say' about us when we observe it?

Does our physicality and the way we move reflect or express our very essence?

Authentic Movement practice is about witnessing and bringing awareness to every movement, gesture and physical expression.

In this process, the 'mover' - through being clearly seen and reflected by a 'witness' (a neutral, non-judgemental, compassionate observer with no agenda but to hold the mover in their attention) is then able to more clearly 'see' and re-cognise themselves through the other.

This understanding, and being seen, paves the way towards integration.

01/06/2017

There are 4 more DROP-IN classes from 6.30 - 9pm every Friday night until the 23rd of June at Naturalis Clinic in Northcote, so come along if you haven't experienced the Authentic Movement process before and especially if you feel that your body and mind are distinct or separate. In this case you may be curious to see what your body has to 'say' to you. Perhaps you will even feel a tangible sense of wholeness and integration xx

24/05/2017

PLEASE NOTE: Friday night DROP-IN classes are continuing instead of the 5 week committed series (due to lack of numbers and the unfortunate change to Friday nights which was beyond my control) so if you're interested then you still have the opportunity to come along and try out these workshops for yourself.

I will however be running a committed group in the near future so keep an eye out for that and let me know if that interests you. (It wont be on a weekend night!)

Workshops are on Friday nights until June 23rd from 6.30 - 9pm at Naturalis Clinic in Northcote. Pre-book to save $5.

Hope to see you there!

02/05/2017

Drop-in classes begin tomorrow night at 7pm at Naturalis Clinic 9 Langwells parade Northcote. (Dont forget to pre-book to save $5)
Looking forward to being present, grounded and playfully and restfully embodied with you x

01/05/2017

'Being seen, seeing oneself, seeing another, movers and witnesses move closer to their true nature because of witness consciousness. With increasing trust in themselves and in the discipline, through this mysterious developmental but non-linear process of enduring commitment, individuals can journey from the experience of duality to unity consciousness.'

Quote by Janet Adler about Authentic Movement Practice