Embodied Ballet

Embodied Ballet

The intention of Embodied Ballet classes is to guide each child to express their unique self through their body. They are also designed to support a positive experience of being in their bodies. They help children cultivate foundational qualities which provide them with deeper embodiment and wider possibilities for self-exploration and expression. It is hoped that these experiences in dance will be mirrored in their broader relationship to the world.

Ballet is a beautiful art form that cultivates strength, balance and grace. It teaches children to hold their bodies with structure and softness so that their energy can flow freely. Expressive dance brings movement into the feeling realm, where the body moves without the mind. In Embodied Ballet, the child learns the forms of ballet and then lets them go. They discover their own rhythm and flow, and the qualities of strength, balance and grace naturally emerge within their dance.

Each class has the following structure:

o Stretching and warming up the body
o A structured ballet lesson focusing on a different body part each week
o A small amount of choreography based on the lesson (for age group 8-11 only)
o Guided free dance – to incorporate the feeling and movements of ballet into their own expressive dance.

About me

I grew up dancing and dreaming ballet. As a child and teenager I attended ballet classes three or four times a week and regularly performed in concerts and competitions. I also did many years of modern dance and some tap dancing. Dance was an important part of my life which gave me much joy.

As I emerged into adulthood, I focused my dance on accessing emotions within, moving deep soul energies and learning more about myself. This came through attending many expressive dance classes which have no choreography but are held in a strong safe space to explore the inner realms.

In recent years I have been exploring bringing ballet into my expressive dance. My self-awareness in my dance now is far greater and I am relearning the power of ballet in my body.

I am a co-facilitator of Soul Dance which is a weekly expressive dance class for adults in Warburton.

Aside from my dancing self I am also a mother of 3 young children and a practicing spiritual healer.

Location
Hoddles Creek Hall: 630 Gembrook Road, Hoddles Creek, VIC 3139

Time
Ages 4-7: 3:45pm - 4:30pm Mondays
Ages 8-11: 4:30pm – 5:30pm Mondays
The Term 3 starting date is Monday 13th July, 2015
Classes will run on public holidays but will not run on school holidays.

Uniform
Children can wear any fitted stretch clothing so that they can feel the edges of their body. No skirts or loose clothing. They can wear ballet shoes or have bare feet.

Presence of Parents
Parents are welcome to watch the warm up, ballet lesson and choreography but are not to be present during the free/expressive dance. This is so that the children feel unselfconscious and able to focus on their natural expression without the influence of parents / caregivers. There is a kitchen where you can make yourselves a cup of tea during this time.

Performance
A performance will be created for the end of 2016
Cost
$80 per term for ages 4-7
$100 per term for ages 8-11
Term fees are to be paid by the second week of term. There is a 50% discount on the second sibling.
There will also be a $25 fee per year to cover insurance payable in term 3 each year.

Enrolment
To enrol send the name of your child to me and their age either via a private message on Facebook or via text on 0424308472.