When we gather, our confidence, ease, pleasure, and responsibility can be enhanced or degraded.
It's in our hands to create a good space through self care and attention to others. If you have questions, please ask me.
No previous experience required.
No pressure to move like others or live up to any notion of “dancing”. The space is for practice: body sensing & playing with movements, pauses, shapes, locations.
Consent is our standard (e.g. to partner or group dance, touch, or try a specific guided activity). Consent is extended & withdrawn with no need for explanation.
No body is preferred or disdained. We practice mutual respect. My responsibility includes active care & equity. I keep learning about barriers & harms faced by many in group settings. When rupture occurs, I am committed to practising repair. If an issue arises for you, address it with those concerned or raise it with me.
You're welcome and encouraged to dance with others. Learning to approach and respond to others, saying no or yes for as long as we choose, is an integral part of the practice. To say no, turn or move away/shake your head/hold up a “no thank you” hand. To say yes, turn toward/give eye contact/nod. To move on, use a parting gesture that feels natural and clear to you.
This is an emotion, spirit, mind, body, and sex positive space.
Sounds are welcome; screaming is not.
:::::
Practical agreements for everyone
Arrive on time and stay for the whole practice, with the odd exception (because life!) If your situation makes this impossible, let me know, and we will work it out.
Keep silence on the dance floor. Leave the dance space to chat.
To communicate when gestures don’t work, just use simple words: Are you okay? Sorry I bumped you. No. Stop. Give me space. I’m injured. I need the teacher.
Put away your phone and leave it alone. If you use tech to monitor a health condition or to be on call as a medic or caregiver, you're the exception.
NO photography, video, or Shazam. It punctures the container and others' boundaries.
If you want to leave early, inform me first. I need to know you're okay before you go.
Ask me for orientation or support if desired, including physical/emotional first aid.
It's okay to use a blanket for body-on-floor movement. Put it away when not dancing on it—to keep the floor open to all.
This is not a spectator sport. When we take a break, we stay engaged because we're still part of the group and practice. No need to separate ourselves or go to the wall.
We can shift between movement and conscious body rest anywhere on the floor.
Don't use any intoxicant before or during class. If you use CBD/THC for medical reasons, use non fresh-smoke delivery.
Bare feet or clean indoor shoes, please. Socks without sticky bottoms = falls. Dirty shoes = ouch and yuck for others' bare feet.
Minimize scented products on body and laundry. People have serious allergies.
Please wash and use deodorant. (I place deodorant in the washroom.)
:::::
Self care measures
Bring water in your own container. (And take it home with you.)
Wear non-restricting layers that make it easy for you to cool down or warm up.
Indoors, there will be *a lot* of fresh-air ventilation in all seasons. Come with warm, loose layers.
If you have tender joints or injuries, it's a great idea to wear cushioned shoes.
Chairs are available for seated practice. If you don't see a seat you can use, ask me or a crew member.
If you are prone to blood-sugar dives, bring an easy-access snack.
Outdoors, come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.
It's in our hands to create a good space through self care and attention to others. If you have questions, please ask me.
No previous experience required.
No pressure to move like others or live up to any notion of “dancing”. The space is for practice: body sensing & playing with movements, pauses, shapes, locations.
Consent is our standard (e.g. to partner or group dance, touch, or try a specific guided activity). Consent is extended & withdrawn with no need for explanation.
No body is preferred or disdained. We practice mutual respect. My responsibility includes active care & equity. I keep learning about barriers & harms faced by many in group settings. When rupture occurs, I am committed to practising repair. If an issue arises for you, address it with those concerned or raise it with me.
You're welcome and encouraged to dance with others. Learning to approach and respond to others, saying no or yes for as long as we choose, is an integral part of the practice. To say no, turn or move away/shake your head/hold up a “no thank you” hand. To say yes, turn toward/give eye contact/nod. To move on, use a parting gesture that feels natural and clear to you.
This is an emotion, spirit, mind, body, and sex positive space.
Sounds are welcome; screaming is not.
:::::
Practical agreements for everyone
Arrive on time and stay for the whole practice, with the odd exception (because life!) If your situation makes this impossible, let me know, and we will work it out.
Keep silence on the dance floor. Leave the dance space to chat.
To communicate when gestures don’t work, just use simple words: Are you okay? Sorry I bumped you. No. Stop. Give me space. I’m injured. I need the teacher.
Put away your phone and leave it alone. If you use tech to monitor a health condition or to be on call as a medic or caregiver, you're the exception.
NO photography, video, or Shazam. It punctures the container and others' boundaries.
If you want to leave early, inform me first. I need to know you're okay before you go.
Ask me for orientation or support if desired, including physical/emotional first aid.
It's okay to use a blanket for body-on-floor movement. Put it away when not dancing on it—to keep the floor open to all.
This is not a spectator sport. When we take a break, we stay engaged because we're still part of the group and practice. No need to separate ourselves or go to the wall.
We can shift between movement and conscious body rest anywhere on the floor.
Don't use any intoxicant before or during class. If you use CBD/THC for medical reasons, use non fresh-smoke delivery.
Bare feet or clean indoor shoes, please. Socks without sticky bottoms = falls. Dirty shoes = ouch and yuck for others' bare feet.
Minimize scented products on body and laundry. People have serious allergies.
Please wash and use deodorant. (I place deodorant in the washroom.)
:::::
Self care measures
Bring water in your own container. (And take it home with you.)
Wear non-restricting layers that make it easy for you to cool down or warm up.
Indoors, there will be *a lot* of fresh-air ventilation in all seasons. Come with warm, loose layers.
If you have tender joints or injuries, it's a great idea to wear cushioned shoes.
Chairs are available for seated practice. If you don't see a seat you can use, ask me or a crew member.
If you are prone to blood-sugar dives, bring an easy-access snack.
Outdoors, come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.