My belief is in the blood and flesh being wiser than the intellect. The body-unconscious is where life bubbles up in us – It is how we know that we are alive, alive to the depths of our souls and in touch somewhere with the vivid reaches of the cosmos.
D.H. Lawrence
Dear Friends,
We hover at the threshold of 2021 wondering together if, when, how, will this Pandemic end? I remember the exuberance with which 2020 began… it was, many believed, to be a good year… and now…?
Yet, perhaps, paradoxically it has been, if not a good year, a transformative one….
This year, the veils of two of our most destructive delusions have been cracked open. We can no longer deny the dire consequences of climate change that destructively affects humanity simultaneously world-wide. AND, we are forced to face the evils of systemic racism long ignored especially in the west.
Our transformation is being mandated on the cosmic level by Jupiter and Saturn coming together in a Great Conjunction ushering in the Age of Aquarius. Our participation is necessary for this to unfold in a good way….
Faced with fear and death we are called to come together with kindness, generosity and compassion.
Through forced distance we are called to face how acutely and desperately we need each others’ living embodied presence.
We are called by the forces of the universe to collaborate, to respect and love one another no matter what color, gender, age, size, beliefs, culture or any other ‘differences’ we may perceive.
We are called to recognise we share a collective ancestry with all beings and must come together with those other than human beings to protect and nurture harmony and balance, justice and equality with and among all our relations.
We are called to surrender to the matrix that holds us all with the vibrancy of love in an intimate, intricate dance.
The image above shows a rainbow of sparkling lights emerging from the darkness. There is a dark shape in their center from which emerges hope out of the ever-present dance between the Light and the Dark.
May you and your loved ones stay safe and well as we heal together in this New Year.
With Love and Hope,
Tannis
Radical Hope
I feel so privileged to live in these potent and extra-ordinary times! There are moments, of course, when I feel overwhelmed, frightened and confused. Then, I recognize I have the opportunity to embrace radical hope, which, for me, must include conscious embodiment and community.
The workshops I offer this winter and spring are opportunities to enter our bodies more fully, to discover our own resilient wisdom, and join with the world that surrounds, fills, and transcends us.
With Love and Radical Hope for the New Year,
Tannis
Cherishing All Our Bodies
Saturdays: February 20th, March 20th, April 17th
11am – 1 pm
On Zoom
We are learning that on-line Authentic Movement does offer a way to be witnessed while we explore what lies beneath our daily struggles to survive and transform during this ongoing pandemic and the unveiling of systemic racism. We may discover some miraculous essence in our embodied selves.
In a safe environment of their own choosing, participants will close their eyes to attune to their bodies’ desire to move as he/she longs to. Simultaneously the witness (myself) will attune to the mover with compassion and acceptance. In the dialogue that follows, both witness and mover share their commitment to becoming more fully embodied human beings.
Fee: $40 for a single session or $100 for all three, payable by email Interac to tannisis@shaw.ca.
No prior experience necessary. No one turned away for lack of funds.
I encourage you to register early as space is very limited. You can register by emailing tannisis@shaw.ca.
Registration is complete only when payment is made.
Moving with Spirit
Saturdays: February 27th, March 27th, April 24th
11 am – 2:00 pm
On Zoom
Journey to the realms of Non-ordinary Reality using ‘Ecstatic Body Postures’.
Bring your vision into your body with Moving Prayer.
Ecstatic Body Postures are a sacred technology used by our elders thousands of years ago to commune with the world of spirit. Now, to regain access to these realms, practitioners hold a posture from an early indigenous culture. Accompanied by drum or rattle, they enter a visionary trance state.
We will dance our trance experience with Moving Prayer to embed the visionary sacred teachings into this reality.
No Previous Experience Required.
Fee: $40 for a single session or $100 for all three, payable by email Interac to tannisis@shaw.ca.
Register early as space is limited. No one turned away for lack of funds.
For information and registration tannisis@shaw.ca /604-267-9951.
Registration is complete only when payment is made.
Ongoing Workshops
Contact Tannis for dates and locations.
Authentic Movement
In this introduction participants will learn the form of Authentic Movement. They will explore the roles of mover and witness to gain a deeper understanding and acceptance of their embodied experience in all areas of their lives.
Authentic Movement and Performance
Using Authentic Movement to access and manifest deeper levels of our selves, we may enrich our presence in performance, enhance creative exploration, and increase awareness and trust of the body. The form of Authentic Movement is especially useful for dancers and actors.
Moving Prayer
Our need to pray is as ancient and central to life as our breath. In this workshop, we listen to the prayers moving in and through our bodies using guided visualization and structured movement improvisation. By joining body, mind and spirit to dance our prayers, we celebrate ourselves and the earth as miracles of Creation.
Moving with Spirit: Ecstatic Body Postures and Authentic Movement
Learn to journey to the realms of Non-ordinary Reality using Ecstatic Body Postures and integrate the teachings of spirit into conscious awareness with Authentic Movement. Discovered by anthropologist Felicitas Goodman, Ecstatic Body Postures are a sacred technology used by our elders thousands of years ago to commune with the world of spirit for healing, divination, and ritual celebration. Now, to regain access to these realms, practitioners hold a posture from an early indigenous culture, accompanied by drum or rattle, and enter a visionary trance state. In this workshop, we will explore both practices to connect with our ancient roots and the guidance of spirit. Transformed by these gifts, we will feel our place in the web of life and a compassionate acceptance of all being.
Embodying the Roles We Play
This workshop begins by embodying our unconscious realms through Authentic Movement, inviting the emerging parts of ourselves to dance their roles. Then, using the playful tools of drama therapy, we will discover and enact the stories that wish to be revealed.
Hunger Spirit and the Body
A split between our bodies, minds, and spirits can leave us feeling profoundly starved. This workshop uses movement, art, and creative writing to investigate personal and cultural issues which prevent us from nourishing and loving ourselves. We will discover and enter the body’s wisdom, creating a path to heal.