Twin Cities Creative Meditation Group

This class will teach the foundations of Contact Improvisation Dance. We will learn and practice skills and concepts such as rolling point of contact, weight sharing, sliding, deep listening, and following connection. Experience sharing your center of gravity with others, while negotiating how to naturally fall, catch, and pivot with the help of momentum and moving together.

Class will include solo and group guided improvisation, CI partnering exercises, and conclude with a round robin, which is structured group dancing with observation. This class is for any level of mover!

Lindsay Forsythe has enjoyed dance creating, performing, and teaching for over three decades. Her background includes ballet and modern dance. She has trained with many contact improvisation teachers, some of her favorites being Nancy Stark Smith, Nita Little, and Nora Hajos.

Visit www.creativenaturecollective.com for more info.

Every Thursday (excluding Feb 13) Drop-ins welcome.

Also this class is advertised in multiple places so there will be more attendees than indicated on this meetup event. :)

Sliding scale $10-20.

www.creativenaturecollective.com

CDP is a movement meditation practice first created and practiced by Barbara Dilley in 1980. She describes it as a “dancer’s meditation hall”. It is a practice of mind and body integration and how we choose to move as a result. We, as a group, observe and research, both alone and together. We “see rather than look at", with acceptance for what arises in the present moment, with no judgment.

THE STRUCTURE:

Brief Opening Circle. This is a time for introductions and for the facilitator to give a short overview of the practice. Then we go to our seats at the perimeter of the space.

Sitting Meditation. 15 minutes. A bell will sound to mark the beginning. We find a relaxed posture, let breath be simple and easy, let thoughts come and go, images resound and dissipate, be easy on yourself. Eyes closed or soft cast down gaze. This is your time for stillness.

Personal Awareness Practice/Solo Authentic Movement. 20 minutes. A bell will sound to mark the beginning. This is your personal exploration of bringing meditation practice into movement. Let small movements or stretches ease you into this transition. Enter and explore the space as it arises. This is a time for self-care, research, and to invite the unexpected. Wait for images and sensations to move you, follow and develop them. Trust your present moment.

Open Space/Group Authentic Movement. 25 minutes. A bell will sound to mark the beginning. Return to your seat. See the space, acknowledge the container of “well wishers” and “supportive onlookers.” Then bow into and out of the space as you wish, as many times as you desire. This is practice, not performance. We meet others, and expand into group awareness and consciousness. Explore together, expect the unexpected. You may observe from your seat or be in the space. You are part of the group either way. A bell sounds to mark the end, return to your seat for a final minute of stillness and a group bow.

Brief Closing Circle. All are invited into a light process to share noticings, thoughts, ideas.

Please bring a cushion or blanket if you wish for sitting. I will have a few extras.

Suggested donation: $10

www.creativenaturecollective.com

This class will teach the foundations of Contact Improvisation Dance. We will learn and practice skills and concepts such as rolling point of contact, weight sharing, sliding, deep listening, and following connection. Experience sharing your center of gravity with others, while negotiating how to naturally fall, catch, and pivot with the help of momentum and moving together.

Class will include solo and group guided improvisation, CI partnering exercises, and conclude with a round robin, which is structured group dancing with observation. This class is for any level of mover!

Lindsay Forsythe has enjoyed dance creating, performing, and teaching for over three decades. Her background includes ballet and modern dance. She has trained with many contact improvisation teachers, some of her favorites being Nancy Stark Smith, Nita Little, and Nora Hajos.

Visit www.creativenaturecollective.com for more info.

Every Thursday (excluding Feb 13) Drop-ins welcome.

Also this class is advertised in multiple places so there will be more attendees than indicated on this meetup event. :)

Sliding scale $10-20.

www.creativenaturecollective.com

CDP is a movement meditation practice first created and practiced by Barbara Dilley in 1980. She describes it as a “dancer’s meditation hall”. It is a practice of mind and body integration and how we choose to move as a result. We, as a group, observe and research, both alone and together. We “see rather than look at", with acceptance for what arises in the present moment, with no judgment.

THE STRUCTURE:

Brief Opening Circle. This is a time for introductions and for the facilitator to give a short overview of the practice. Then we go to our seats at the perimeter of the space.

Sitting Meditation. 15 minutes. A bell will sound to mark the beginning. We find a relaxed posture, let breath be simple and easy, let thoughts come and go, images resound and dissipate, be easy on yourself. Eyes closed or soft cast down gaze. This is your time for stillness.

Personal Awareness Practice/Solo Authentic Movement. 20 minutes. A bell will sound to mark the beginning. This is your personal exploration of bringing meditation practice into movement. Let small movements or stretches ease you into this transition. Enter and explore the space as it arises. This is a time for self-care, research, and to invite the unexpected. Wait for images and sensations to move you, follow and develop them. Trust your present moment.

Open Space/Group Authentic Movement. 25 minutes. A bell will sound to mark the beginning. Return to your seat. See the space, acknowledge the container of “well wishers” and “supportive onlookers.” Then bow into and out of the space as you wish, as many times as you desire. This is practice, not performance. We meet others, and expand into group awareness and consciousness. Explore together, expect the unexpected. You may observe from your seat or be in the space. You are part of the group either way. A bell sounds to mark the end, return to your seat for a final minute of stillness and a group bow.

Brief Closing Circle. All are invited into a light process to share noticings, thoughts, ideas.

Please bring a cushion or blanket if you wish for sitting. I will have a few extras.

Suggested donation: $10

www.creativenaturecollective.com