The Practice

with Meshi Chavez.
a Wednesday evening drop-in class.
6:00 - 7:30 pm
$10 - $15 sliding scale, cash or check.

Held at:
One Song • 1028 SE Water Avenue #250 • Portland

Organic technique for your ecstatic form

Here we foster an ability to pay attention, to let go, and to move with incredible intuition.

Collaboration begins with what each dancer brings into the room. Facilitation guides you deeper into your body, into listening with your whole body. Your imagination is sparked with suggestion and your conscious mind becomes engaged through this night's direction. You are invited to explore organic impulses and to channel them though various structures: how do you dance an idea like "scaffolding" or "time"? How do you open your peripheral vision, or see the room beyond the bodies, or imagine that your body is glowing? How do you dance "glowing"?

The invitation then moves to playing in these structures with other dancers. The challenge is to shake you out of routine and habit. You become more aware, more invested, more interested in what is being created by your duet, trio, or group. Innovation, problem-solving, and discovery occur, simply by improvising with movement and intention. Eventually, the session drops all instruction as we come together in one group, exploring these new energetic, mental and physical pathways that we have built.

The Practice offers the opportunity to be an active witness as well as participant in this unfolding process. This safe environment, devoid of "look good" - or even "look interesting" - frees you to focus on the task at hand. When you drop the mask of self-consciousness, your inner life is illuminated, revealed to your fellow dancers through a spontaneous movement sequence or unguarded gesture. This authenticity is a well-earned treasure. With it, you have the chance to truly learn from one another and to share your own unique experience/dance.

A note about skill level ~
This class is tailored in the moment to the dancers that show up. It is appropriate for all levels of practitioners, from beginning through advanced. Every level of physical technique, creative capacity, or playful willingness contributes to the unique flavor of each Wednesday evening's experience.

These Wednesday evening sessions are attended by a co-creative group of movers who are interested in the transformative power of sharing form.

For more information: Meshi at pivotalmassage@mac.com