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.
Foundations
1. No previous dance or meditation experience required to enter this invitational zone of attention.
2. This is a space for embodied experience: breathing, sensing, feeling, occupying different shapes, positions, and locations, moving, resting. 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 are 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 with consent. Use transparent body language and boundary observance with others. Consent is extended and withdrawn with no need for reason or explanation.
:::
Essential relational agreements
1.Clearly demonstrate respect to all people, regardless of how you perceive or interpret them.
2. From arrival to departure, classes are meaningful time and space for embodied, meditative practice, not a venue for debate. Take a moment to consciously step away from any dramas, reactions, and dogmas 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 approach others for small-group or partner dance. We can all say no or yes, if and for as long as we choose. No reasons required.
5. Don't make physical contact with others unless you receive obvious, ongoing consent.
:::
Practical group agreements
Always tell me or a crew member if you’re leaving early, so I know you’re okay.
Ask me for attention or orientation if you need it during practice, including first aid.
Avoid all chatting in the space where others are practicing. It interrupts them.
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."
Use either bare feet or shoes for support or warmth. Indoor floors require clean shoes. Wearing socks creates slips and falls.
No phones/devices in the practice space. Turn them off and put them away unless you're a medic or caregiver 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 negatively impacts the group.
No photography or video-taking during practice. It punctures the container and others' boundaries.
No intoxicants. If you use CBD/THC for medical reasons, non fresh-smoke methods would benefit the group.
No strong scents. They 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.
Foundations
1. No previous dance or meditation experience required to enter this invitational zone of attention.
2. This is a space for embodied experience: breathing, sensing, feeling, occupying different shapes, positions, and locations, moving, resting. 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 are 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 with consent. Use transparent body language and boundary observance with others. Consent is extended and withdrawn with no need for reason or explanation.
:::
Essential relational agreements
1.Clearly demonstrate respect to all people, regardless of how you perceive or interpret them.
2. From arrival to departure, classes are meaningful time and space for embodied, meditative practice, not a venue for debate. Take a moment to consciously step away from any dramas, reactions, and dogmas 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 approach others for small-group or partner dance. We can all say no or yes, if and for as long as we choose. No reasons required.
5. Don't make physical contact with others unless you receive obvious, ongoing consent.
:::
Practical group agreements
Always tell me or a crew member if you’re leaving early, so I know you’re okay.
Ask me for attention or orientation if you need it during practice, including first aid.
Avoid all chatting in the space where others are practicing. It interrupts them.
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."
Use either bare feet or shoes for support or warmth. Indoor floors require clean shoes. Wearing socks creates slips and falls.
No phones/devices in the practice space. Turn them off and put them away unless you're a medic or caregiver 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 negatively impacts the group.
No photography or video-taking during practice. It punctures the container and others' boundaries.
No intoxicants. If you use CBD/THC for medical reasons, non fresh-smoke methods would benefit the group.
No strong scents. They 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.