Moving with classical music

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I'm struck by the depth and breadth of classical music and what it brings to the movement classes I offer. Perhaps it's my imagination but I sense it's capacity to hold people in the places we can feel most powerless or clueless - in times of great sadness, depression , death and birth.

I imagine pieces as a reflection of the composers themselves - Arrhythmic, like Beethoven's heart, manically beautiful like the long stretches of Tchaikovsky not writing at all and then his bursts of extraordinary activity.
I invite you to come and explore how classical music-scapes interact with your moving body, however that is moment to moment.

This Class Costs £14 full time earners with a high or comfortable salary or savings

£12 - Lower waged workers / part time earners

£10 - concession : Unwaged students / benefits / low household income

The class prices are a reflection of our ongoing costs and what we need in order to keep the class going. This system is designed to acknowledge diversity of income or resources. Concessions are only made possible by enough people paying the going rate.

Class fees increase by a small amount each January
Redmond

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Map to venue

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Redmond+Community+Centre,+Kayani+Avenue,+London+N4+2HF/@51.570132,-0.09145, (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Redmond+Community+Centre,+Kayani+Avenue,+London+N4+2HF/@51.570132,-0.09145,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x48761c7651cb0d3d:0xfd5e3b1ba26446b7)

About Jane -

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I

I have been dancing since I was very young , and have been teaching 5 rhythms since 2001 and Open Floor since 2016. I am a mentor for Open Floor school and was one of the creators of the school's Mentoring programme. All my OF classes and workshops count as hours towards

To find other classes and workshops :

www.innerdancer.net

How do I start?

1. Go at your own pace.
2. Be responsible for your own body (stay aware of injuries and limitations).
3. Keep your eyes open to stay aware of others.
4. Dance barefoot or in dance shoes only - no socks on the floor.
5. Move how you feel and stay open to changing.
6. Know that everything that is alive has a dance, and your only task is to find and express yours.
7. Enjoy yourself! (Excessive seriousness may slow you down.)

Here are some commonly asked questions.

More Information For Beginners

When you walk onto a dance floor you may ask yourself?

I’ve just walked in and everyone seems to be doing different things – what are they up to?

They’re warming up. Some people stretch while others just start to dance gently. Often it helps to start on the floor, moving gently and feeling your weight supported. Try to get warm and get moving any way that feels right for you.

What happens after the warm-up?

There will be some instruction from the teacher – sometimes a lot and sometimes very little. Classes may comprise of a combination some solo dancing, some partner work and some dance as a whole group.

What happens if the teacher says “take a partner” and I don’t want to?

The most important thing is to be true to yourself. This might mean thanking but stepping away from a partner or just turning your back. It’s a gift to the other person to be honest with them – and if they feel hurt or rejected this is just more stuff to put into their dance and learn to express and move through.

What if the teacher gives an instruction I don’t feel like following?

If you're really deeply into your dance or if an instruction feels wrong for you, you don’t have to follow it. On the other hand this is a laboratory of sorts – you are encouraged to experiment trying things that break your patterns. If its unusual for you to try something new then you might go along with the teacher anyhow. If it’s unusual for you to say no, then you might want to try doing so here.

What do I do when I get bored, feel really self conscious, busy-headed or judgemental?

This is a movement meditation and while its great to be totally 'present' and absorbed in your own dance, most of us can’t sustain that state throughout. The teacher will offer you different ‘doorways’ into this state but here are a few suggestions in the meantime:

1. Put your feeling into movement – dance your boredom or self-consciousness…. Exaggerate it, get fascinated by it – on the whole really being where you are is the best medicine.

2. Focus on any body part, such as your left elbow, and let it lead your dance. You will find different body parts have very different dances for you and that as your dance becomes stranger and more varied it will absorb you more and more.

3. Connect - find someone else to dance with and focus on them

Some people seem to be having sensual dances together – what’s this all about?

You might see people dancing together intimately on the floor or otherwise. Occasionally there’s some sexual energy between them, other times you’ll imagine there is just because it’s such an unusual sight. This is a practice of presence in which you can express a fleeting attraction without committing to marriage. You should be prepared for connections to change from class to class. Some beginners are broken hearted to find that someone they had an amazing dance with, goes on to dance just as closely with another person. If you do end up feeling rejected, disgusted, jealous etc, we encourage you to try to put those feelings into your dance.

What should I do if someone seems really upset?

On the whole people can handle their own feelings and we don’t advise you try to comfort the crying or soothe the angry. You might actually end up interrupting an important and therapeutic process they are going through. The teacher and crew will keep an eye out for those who might need help.

What if I knock into or hurt someone by accident?

Keep your eyes open when on the move and stay aware so as not to hurt anyone. Even so it may still happen. If it does then you are responsible for them – to check they are okay, to taken them out and apply first aid or get help as needed.

Ground rules

Be on the dance floor by 7.15 pm

Be responsible for your own body (stay aware / include injuries and limitations) Let the teacher know if there is anything that could impact you being and staying in the dance space

Keep your eyes open to stay aware of others

Move with how you are feeling and stay open to this continually changing

Go at your own pace

This is a non-verbal practice – please keep all conversation off the dance floor Please switch off mobile phones and do not use them or other devices to record or photograph any part of the session

Please stay for the closing circle at the end – this is an important part of completing the dance

You are welcome , whatever body you find yourself in today - everything that is alive has a dance - your only task is to find and express yours…

Children

We understand that sometimes its not possible to find a childminder.

Children are welcome with the following provisos - No electronics or talking in the dance space.You remain responsible for your child throughout the session. Children are welcome to join the dance

This is a drug and alcohol free space