Archives 2014

Authentic Movement on mondays : Towards the Inner Form with Catherine Lessard From Septembre 22 to December 15, 2014 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM An opportunity to practice, on a regular basis, this exceptionally simple and powerful form, with a trained facilitator, who learned directly from the pioneers of the discipline. This series is an invitation to dive into the heart of the "true self" in motion, supported and surrounded by a clear and safe frame. For a detailed description of that extraordinary work, click here. Happy reading! Drawing : Susan Arnsten-Russell Coûts : 210$ - 180$ si inscription avant le 8 septembre. Inscription confirmée sur réception d'un dépôt N/R de 75$ Drop in (if availability, movers with experience) : $30 ($25 for students) Group limited to 12 people per evening. Location : La Poêle, in the Mile End sector. 5333 Casgrain, studio 307 (3rd floor), Laurier metro. **Arrive on time, building's doors lock at 7 PM!** More info : worksphere@hotmail.com, 514.518.6240. How to register? : see at the bottom of this page. cette page en français

Floor Work for Dancers and Improvisers - Rolls and Puzzles A morning workshop at Studio 303, with Catherine Lessard November 10 to 13, 2014 (monday to thursday) from 9:30 AM to 12:30 photos : Véro Boncompagni and Bruno Garibal Meet the floor as an indispensable ally and a multi-dimentional support! This training is an essential foundation for movement improvisation, interpretation, Contact Improvisation and/or performance. It is deep educative and revealing work, allowing to build organo-skeletal collaboration, kinesthetic awareness, nuances of Body-Mind states and precise alinement to physical forces. For a more detailes description of this work, click here. **This workshop also is a possibility to make the pleasure last, it offers a lengthening to the CI Festival and the Montreal International jam!** dessins par Susan Arnsten-Russell Costs : $110 on the spot - $100 before november 10 - $90 before october 26 Registration confirmed upon reception of a $50 N/R deposit Drop in (dancers with substancial experience in improv and CI) : $30. Location : Studio 303, 372 Ste-Catherine West st., 3rd floor, PDA metro station More info : worksphere@hotmail.com, 514.518.6240 How to register? : - through paypal here (with or without an account) :   - by sending a $50 cheque to Catherine Lessard, 873 Léonard, Ste-Thérèse, Qc, J7E 2N8 - through email e-transfer at worksphere@hotmail.com (send the answer to the security question in an email) - through AccesD - Desjardins accounts only (write an email to obtain digits)

MOVING AWARENESS

Somatic Education classes inspired by Moshe Feldenkrais,

with Monica Coquoz

Autumn 2014 session

4 Tuesday evenings : November 11, 18, 25 and December 2, from 6 to 7:30 PM

« What I am after is more flexible minds, not just more flexible bodies. »

— Moshe Feldenkrais

Participants will be verbally guided through a series of movements to help develop a sense of curiosity, ease and clarity in the body-mind.

In taking the time to finely sense our movement as it emerges, without outer expectations or judgments, we can fully dive into our experience and discover new pathways for moving. The classes offer a unique opportunity to rest deeply within ourselves, refining our proprioceptive abilities and kinesthetic discernment. The last part of each class will be dedicated to a free movement exploration on the theme of the day.

Monica Coquoz has been moving all her life. Through dance, yoga, meditation and somatic education, she has been researching the relationships between awareness and movement. She received a DESS in Somatic Education (UQAM), BFA in Contemporary Dance (Concordia U.) and is presently enrolled in the MA in Dance at UQAM. She greatly appreciates the opportunity to share this remarkable method with others and rejoices in its benefits.

Preregistration is suggested for the series of 4 classes.

Early-bird rate - before October 28 : $68

After : $80. Drop-in : $23.

Location : Studio La Poêle, 5333 Casgrain (corner of Maguire), studio 307.

For more information and registration, contact : EmbodiedInsight@gmail.com

See also Monica's Web site.

Improv Itinerary August 3 to 7, 2014 with Catherine Lessard Workshop at Chertsey, arrival sunday 12pm, end thursday 5pm An exceptional 'rendez-vous'! Dance improvisation in nature : creative treks, solo & collective works, contact improvisation et contact with the environment, dance of elements, incorporation, ... An invitation to dance under the vault of giant maple trees, on the shore of the lake, in the deer's open field, on the floating stone at the top of the mountain, at the spring near the blackberries, and under the stars and the eagles. An occasion to compose and interact with the inner and outer environment, through a research of suitable body-mind states for spontaneous creation and surpassing of our limits. Between technique and trance, there is our encounter with the dance of now : an improvisation based on being (instead of doing), on receptivity (instead of productivity), on openness to nature (instead exclusion). Nature is wild, malleable, microscopic, spectacular, organized, unpredictable, repetitive, mysterious, fragile, intense, scientific, poetic, ecstatic, ... And so is our movement when it is composed in relation to her, imprinted with her genuine signature. During this workshop, we will travel along the forest several times, across the land of the 'Domaine du Lac Seize'. We will improvise in contact with the elements, the partners and the forces surrounding and penetrating us, through scores that are sometimes quite open, sometimes more structured. We will have some time for indoor practices. We will be supported by the music of our bodies and nature. Some moments for integration, writing, sharing and demonstrating (small performances between us) will also be offered. Costs : $250 - $290 - $330, according to your capacity to pay (Suggested: $0 to 12 000/year: $250  -  $12 000 to 25 000/year: $290  -  $25 000 & more/year: $330.) *$200 - $240 - $280, if registration before July 20, 2014* Registration confirmed upon reception of a $100 N/R deposit. - Included : 5 days of training, housing in rooms (with sheets), exclusivity on sites, access                    to all facilities (including clothes washing machines). - Excluded : food ... this is what allows us to offer an exceptionally low cost for 5 days                     of workshop (you can compare to other events of same duration).                     Everyone has to bring food and participate in the creation of all meals in a                     friendly pot luck format. It's a formula that works well with medium size                     groups and that has proven efficient several times in Chertsey! Maximal number of participants : 16. Location : at the 'Domaine du Lac Seize', in Chertsey, in Lanaudière, at 1:15 hour from Montreal. Map on google : click here. How to register? : see at the bottom of this page. cette page en français

Deepening and Research in Contact Improvisation dessin Susan Arnsten-Russell Summer classes, with Catherine Lessard Wednesdays, June 11 to July 30, 2014 (no class July 23) 7:30 to 10PM in June 6:30 to 9PM in July Where is down? What is being still? Does it really exist? Where and how is my attention moving presently? Is there a recipe for presence? What do I see, what do I hear? What is performance? What is intimate, mysterious, the unknown? What is autonomy when I am falling? What is my survival strategy right now? Does gravity make any difference between me and the chair? When to dare? What to choose, what to let go? How to compose with others? This series of classes is an occasion to move those questions, to surpass theory and to explore them with an available and animal body-mind... Explore the dynamics of weight, inertia, curiosity, space-time, support and composition, in an atmosphere of research. An opportunity for oneself to grow and listen to the "inner teacher", while being supported by the environment, the group and Catherine's facilitation. The last 30 minutes of each encounter will often be used to practice and integrate, in a score or a jam format. photo Céline Babin Costs : >Whole series (7 classes) : $120        - $110 if registration before June 1 - >5 classes forfeit : $90 >Drop in : $20 (according to availability) Registration upon reception of a $50 deposit. Location : UQAM dance department, 840 Cherrier, Montreal (Sherbrooke metro station). Room k-3220. cette page en français

The Great Fresco Authentic Movement, contemplative practice and "mural" creation Workshop in residency, with Catherine Lessard July 11 to 13, 2014 (Arrival Friday 5PM - end Sunday 5PM) At the retreat center L'Autre Versant, in Mille-Isles (50 minutes from Montreal) : http://www.ressourcement.ca. In the Authentic Movement practice, there are the rules, relatively few but necessary to  ensure the safety of everyone (physically and emotionally), and to help each individual to become a responsible owner of their experience. Then, when the foundations are established, there's the intuition, or the incredible co-existence of our reality and our creative potential. photo Michael Slobodian The Great Fresco is a proposal that is both collective and personal. It's an intimate adventure with self and with art (simple art, that come from enthusiasm - wether one considers himself an artist or not). It's an encounter with one's inner mover and inner witness, in a shared movement of aliveness. During this unique voyage, Authentic Movement will be our home structure, with its three phases : - movement : a time for closing the eyes, diving into the unconscious, moving, listening,                        resting, launching onself, watching, receiving, feeling, holding, ... - transition : a time for reflexion, noticing, finding back a followed path, awakening of a                      memory, an image, a consciousness, drawing, creating, opening wings, ... - exchange : a time for communicating, sharing in autonomy, witnessing, hearing with                     generosity, taking ownership, offering oneself, harvesting, archiving, ... Through this simple yet powerful form, as well as through integration exercises (morning ritual, vocal meditation, walk in nature) and moments of rest, we will feed the emergence of a Great Fresco, we will create a collective mural of our "return to consciousness". This workshop targets people who practice a form of physical education (dance, somatic work, yoga, martial arts, etc), OR a form of meditation, of conscious communication, of artistic approach or of spiritual process. Costs : $175 ($145 if registration before June 25) Reservation confirmed upon reception of a $75 N/R deposit. Housing & meals in addition : varies from $125 (in tent) to $185 (according to type of room). To reserve housing, please contact directly the Center : http://www.ressourcement.ca/index.php/hebergement. Possibility to discuss directly with the cooks for any allergy or health issue. How to register? : see at the bottom of this page. photo Véro Boncompagni Catherine Lessard transmits the key principles of dance improvisation, contact improvisation and Authentic Movement since 15 years, with the passion and the coherence of a visionary. She teaches and performs in Canada, Europe and the USA. Her unique pedagogy combines scientific sharpness and a profound sense of imagery/poetry, in a deep atmosphere of discovery. She has performed and studied with Nancy Stark-Smith, Zoe Avstreih, Daniel Lepkoff, Nita Little, among others. cette page en français

work from Andy Goldsworthy Somatic Landscapes Exploring our Outer & Inner Terrain A workshop on a body-based listening practice, by Leyla Demir Saturday, June 7, 2014 1 to 6 PM A small group of participants will enter into both solo and group exchanges of a meditative somatic practice. This body-based listening, witnessing, and expressing offers an intimate and deep process of self awareness. As a result, participants experience a variety of subtle to grand realizations that offer opportunities for clarity, relief of tension, increased self confidence, and potential healings. Movement, drawing, and journaling will also be offered as supportive tools to this process. As this is a practice that deepens and strengthens both one's inner relationship with self as well as their outer relationship with their partner, it is helpful, but not essential, to attend with a trusted friend. Note: Attendees of this workshop will have special opportunities for other upcoming or more advanced somatic activities (including a regular practice group) where this workshop or prior related work with Leyla will be a prerequisite. image Aidan Koch Location: Centre Kinésphère, 1565 ave du Mont-Royal East, Montreal. Costs: $65 to $100 (according to your capacity) $55 to $100 - if registration before May 24 Registration confirmed upon reception of a $35 N/R deposit. For more information, contact Leyla Demir here. Please type "Somatic Workshop" in the subject of your e-mail. If you have not already attended a workshop, coaching session, or group with Leyla, please send her an e-mail introducing yourself prior to registering. How to register? : see at the bottom of this page. photo Kinga Michalska Leyla Demir is a Holistic Life Coach with a rich background in personal growth facilitation, improvisational dance, women's group facilitation, and hosting movement-meditation workshops. Somatic practices such as Focusing, Authentic Movement, Contact Improv and BMC inspire her projects along with 25+ years of spiritual study and counsel. A personal practice in Somatic Listening for the past 15 years has brought deep insights, life transformations, and healing for herself and others. cette page en français

Authentic Movement groups (training, practice, exploration) One group is already closed and ongoing since 2011 ... A second group is currently being formed! NEW short TRAINING:  Saturday and Sunday March 29-30, 2014 (10am-5:30pm) Registrations now happening. Open to all types of movers. UQAM dance department, 840 Cherrier, Mtl (Sherbrooke metro station), room ks-1210 on Saturday & k-3220 on Sunday. Cost: $120 ($100 before March 10) See at the bottom of the page for registration details *UPON INVITATION* This Summer : one week of intensive exploration and continuing education indoors and outdoors, at Chertsey, group 1 and 2 together, dates and costs to be confirmed.) Presentation of Authentic Movement by Catherine : "Recently, I had the great opportunity to receive teachings from Zoe Avstreih, a pioneer in the Authentic Movement work. Fulfilled and inspired by this profound experience, I now want to suggest you to dive with me into the heart of this magnificent work, both simple and rich. Whether it is to feed the creative artist in you, or simply to access greater self-knowledge, I invite you to dare close your eyes for a moment, to enter into yourself, to welcome emptiness and to listen ... suddenly, something amazing happens, and it takes source in the silence and in the body. Zoe used to say “The answer is in the body!” This practice is rooted in the field of art therapy. It invites one to tap into the inner realms. And it frees us from our “I must ... I should ...”. With eyes closed, movers welcome internal sensations and impulses, allowing it to manifest into gestures and movements, giving expression to one’s subconscious creative process. Without judgement, a witness pays attention to both the mover and his/her internal experience. This unique form is an invitation for introspection, observation and contemplation of the whole, in details. This form is also an invitation to be patient and kind towards oneself, because it is with time and experience that one captures the essence and depth of this practice." — Catherine Lessard cette page en français

photo John Barrett Contact Improvisation series on tatami mats Workshops with Catherine Lessard - Winter/Spring 2014 **PROLONGATION : 2 workshops added to the 3 initial workshops! April 26 and May 31** - Recommended to have solid experience in CI and/or dance improvisation. - All is in all... The work of the contact improviser is a mind preparation and a body auto-revelation through a journey of observation and enthusiasm. Meet the forces, study them directly in your moving body and aline your brain with your incredible always changing reality! This training is intense energetically... it solicits deep connections and cultivates wisdom for self regulation. Momentum is breath : Saturday February 8, 2014, from 12 to 4PM. Respiration and intrinsic rhythms of the body as supports to the moving experience, and as natural substitutes to control ...  Macro is micro : Saturday March 1st, from 12 to 4PM. The observation of the body-mind's reality as an entry door to acceleration & release in the space-time fabric ... Acrobatic is meditative : Saturday March 22, from 12 to 4PM. The embodiment of a present and unified self as an origin to enthusiasm, and as a source for safety in the alinement of forces and weight ... *New dates* The Invisible Kinesphere - diving into the unknown : Saturday April 26, from 2 to 6PM. Let's open our senses in order to tame the visible and the invisible. Let's dare diving into the back space! Here is a video describing this workshop :  http://vimeo.com/28110310 Space is a playground - trios, quartets, quintets : Saturday May 31, from 2 to 6PM. Viewing the environment as our main partner, in order to navigate though stimuli, with mental and physical flexibility. Several group scores. dessin Élise Auger Costs : - Series of 2 (April 26 & May 31) : $80 - $70 if registration before April 12. - 1 workshop : $45 - recommended to attend the whole series (- 3 workshops : $115) Location : Dojo Shoshin Aikido Montreal, 5445 ave de Gaspé, suite 208, Montreal (Laurier metro station) How to register? : see at the bottom of this page. photo Véro Boncompagni Catherine Lessard transmits the key principles of dance improvisation, contact improvisation and Authentic Movement since 15 years, with the passion and the coherence of a visionary. She teaches and performs in Canada, Europe and the USA. Her unique pedagogy combines scientific sharpness and a profound sense of imagery/poetry, in a deep atmosphere of discovery. She has performed and studied with Nancy Stark-Smith, Zoe Avstreih, Daniel Lepkoff, Nita Little, among others. cette page en français