When we practice together, our sense of security, freedom, and responsibility can be enhanced, and it can also be degraded.
It's up to us to create spaces that support goodness through self care and attention to others.
Here are our foundations for goodness. They're tended to when the need arises.
Foundations
1. No previous dance or meditation experience required to inhabit this invitational zone of attention.
2. This is a space for embodied experience: breathing, sensing, feeling, occupying different shapes, positions, and locations, resting, and moving. You don't have to "dance".
3. I create spaces with people of all cultures, colours, religions, genders, sexualities, life stages, and sizes, all (dis)ability and health situations, all financial circumstances in mind.
4. I hold spaces with justice and equity intent. I continually learn about containers and process in which I, and we, acknowledge and tend to the barriers and harms that can be faced by many in group settings. If you would like to talk to me concerning any issues that arise around these matters, please contact me anytime.
5. Benches/chairs will be on hand for seated dance.
6. No one turned away for lack of funds. Please contact me if you're facing access obstacles.
7. We move in a field of consent: mutual transparent communication and boundary observance that can be requested, extended, and withdrawn.
:::
Essential relational agreements
1.Show respect to all people, irregardless of how you perceive or interpret them.
2. From arrival to departure, classes are meaningful time and space for embodied, meditative, exploratory practice–– not a venue for discussions. Take a moment to consciously step away from any reactions, dogmas, and dramas of the moment, *then* step into class.
3. Our default is to allow others plenty of physical space. Please give attention to nurturing this cushion.
4. You're welcome and encouraged to request options such as small-group or partner dance. We can all say no or yes, if and for as long as we choose, no reasons required.
5. Assume that others are content to dance solo unless you receive clear consent to engage.
6. Don't make physical contact with others unless you receive clear, ongoing consent.
:::
Practical group agreements
Yes, always tell me or a crew member if you’re leaving early, so we know you’re okay.
Yes, ask me for attention or orientation if you need it during practice, including first aid.
Yes, avoid all chatting in the space where others are practicing. It interrupts them.
Yes, if you need to communicate on a matter of the dance, such as space sharing, partnering, or safety, do so. Sometimes movements or gestures are best. Sometimes verbal messages are needed. If this happens, it's perfectly okay; do speak up. You can use simple words, e.g., "Are you available to partner?" "Do you need first aid?" "Sorry I bumped into you." "Are you okay?" "Can I help? " "I don't want to partner." "No." "Stop." "I'm injured." "Don't touch." "Give me some space." "I need first aid." "I need the teacher."
Yes, please use either bare feet or shoes for support or warmth. Indoor floors require clean shoes. Wearing socks makes slipping injuries happen.
No phones/devices in the practice space. Turn them off and put them away unless, of course, you're a medic, caregiver, or parent on call, or you use a device to monitor a health condition. Outside of these exceptions, when someone's device is active in our shared space, it impacts the group.
No photography or video-taking during practice. It punctures the container and others' emotional safety.
No intoxicants. If you use CBD/THC for medical reasons, non fresh-smoke methods would benefit the group.
No strong scents. These can trigger headaches and compromise breathing.
If you'd like any clarification, please ask. Thank you!
:::
Practical self-care measures
Bring plenty of water in your own container. (Also take it home with you.)
Wear comfy, un-restricting layers that make it easy for you to cool down or warm up.
If we're dancing outdoors, always come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
If we're dancing indoors, there will be 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.
If you are prone to blood-sugar dives, have an easy-access snack on hand.
If you are injured or need seated options for other reasons and you're not seeing a chair or bench you can use, ask me or a crew member. We'll get you set up.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.
It's up to us to create spaces that support goodness through self care and attention to others.
Here are our foundations for goodness. They're tended to when the need arises.
Foundations
1. No previous dance or meditation experience required to inhabit this invitational zone of attention.
2. This is a space for embodied experience: breathing, sensing, feeling, occupying different shapes, positions, and locations, resting, and moving. You don't have to "dance".
3. I create spaces with people of all cultures, colours, religions, genders, sexualities, life stages, and sizes, all (dis)ability and health situations, all financial circumstances in mind.
4. I hold spaces with justice and equity intent. I continually learn about containers and process in which I, and we, acknowledge and tend to the barriers and harms that can be faced by many in group settings. If you would like to talk to me concerning any issues that arise around these matters, please contact me anytime.
5. Benches/chairs will be on hand for seated dance.
6. No one turned away for lack of funds. Please contact me if you're facing access obstacles.
7. We move in a field of consent: mutual transparent communication and boundary observance that can be requested, extended, and withdrawn.
:::
Essential relational agreements
1.Show respect to all people, irregardless of how you perceive or interpret them.
2. From arrival to departure, classes are meaningful time and space for embodied, meditative, exploratory practice–– not a venue for discussions. Take a moment to consciously step away from any reactions, dogmas, and dramas of the moment, *then* step into class.
3. Our default is to allow others plenty of physical space. Please give attention to nurturing this cushion.
4. You're welcome and encouraged to request options such as small-group or partner dance. We can all say no or yes, if and for as long as we choose, no reasons required.
5. Assume that others are content to dance solo unless you receive clear consent to engage.
6. Don't make physical contact with others unless you receive clear, ongoing consent.
:::
Practical group agreements
Yes, always tell me or a crew member if you’re leaving early, so we know you’re okay.
Yes, ask me for attention or orientation if you need it during practice, including first aid.
Yes, avoid all chatting in the space where others are practicing. It interrupts them.
Yes, if you need to communicate on a matter of the dance, such as space sharing, partnering, or safety, do so. Sometimes movements or gestures are best. Sometimes verbal messages are needed. If this happens, it's perfectly okay; do speak up. You can use simple words, e.g., "Are you available to partner?" "Do you need first aid?" "Sorry I bumped into you." "Are you okay?" "Can I help? " "I don't want to partner." "No." "Stop." "I'm injured." "Don't touch." "Give me some space." "I need first aid." "I need the teacher."
Yes, please use either bare feet or shoes for support or warmth. Indoor floors require clean shoes. Wearing socks makes slipping injuries happen.
No phones/devices in the practice space. Turn them off and put them away unless, of course, you're a medic, caregiver, or parent on call, or you use a device to monitor a health condition. Outside of these exceptions, when someone's device is active in our shared space, it impacts the group.
No photography or video-taking during practice. It punctures the container and others' emotional safety.
No intoxicants. If you use CBD/THC for medical reasons, non fresh-smoke methods would benefit the group.
No strong scents. These can trigger headaches and compromise breathing.
If you'd like any clarification, please ask. Thank you!
:::
Practical self-care measures
Bring plenty of water in your own container. (Also take it home with you.)
Wear comfy, un-restricting layers that make it easy for you to cool down or warm up.
If we're dancing outdoors, always come prepared for cold, wind, rain, and hot sun. Weather changes. A lot.
If we're dancing indoors, there will be 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.
If you are prone to blood-sugar dives, have an easy-access snack on hand.
If you are injured or need seated options for other reasons and you're not seeing a chair or bench you can use, ask me or a crew member. We'll get you set up.
5Rhythms Teacher Joanne Winstanley offers wonderful "Points for Practice", a very helpful orientation.