More than 100 online vivencias, the research project, the embodiment conference, the Simply Wow weekend experience, social action projects, CPDs, tasters, festivals, marathons, Bio*Gold sessions, skillsharing sessions, blogposts, translations, collaborations, private sessions for emotional wellness, Dharmadanza workshops, BAUK meetings, interviews.... Why? To be there for each other! Challenging times require extra dancing!
January
What beautiful memories of this lovely weekend with Ruth, Pip and Altair! And how could I ever forget the empowering workshop we had in Bristol? Courageous Living was the theme, and how appropriate it turned out to be! Blogposts: Embracing a Nourishing Lifestyle * Lifestyle Changes That Nourish Your Deepest Desires |
February
The Courage to Love was the main theme for February. Little did we know that all our plans were about to change... Blogposts |
March
April
After the initial period of lockdown was extended I finally decided to "go online" with Wellness Week. Every afternoon we met to stay connected and nourish body and soul. Little did I know that these Zoom sessions were going to become the "new normal". I was also busy translating Biodanza teacher-training materials, doing another course on the gradual approach to teaching Biodanza, and pondering about online Biodanza. |
May
May started with another Wellbeing Week and daily sessions to keep us moving, stay healthy and stay connected. These became the basis for the monthly programme, which included holistic dearmouring, mindful movement, biodanza (integrative movement), and dharmadanza (joy, equanimity, love and compassion). |
June
In June we continued to explore mindful motion, bodymind dearmouring and biodanza - plus a couple of late Saturday sessions for night owls! The summer solstice vivencia was fantastic, the interspirituality vivencia for World Unity Week was pure joy and elation, supporting Black Lives Matter and Black Music Month the minimum I could do, and presenting the research findings felt like a real achievement. |
The Refugee Women Dance Event went online for the very first time and hosting it was an absolute delight. It was part of Refugee Week and attracted almost 80 women. Even the BBC news got interested! |
July
July was Simply Wow! The Online Weekend was a spectacular festival of love for humanity. Ninety four people attended, and together we represented 22 countries & nationalities! How special! In addition to the regular online classes, we also had the launch of the Biodanza Skillsharing Project with a talk on Inclusivity and the launch of the Bio*Gold International Group. |
August
August was full on! Unable to go on holidays we travelled through music in the Dance Staycation sessions and continued to dance Biodanza and to focus on mindfulness, heartfulness and bodymind dearmouring. Let´s Talk About Sex was the theme for the 2nd Biodanza Skillsharing, and the Bio*Gold gathering brought together people from Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Portugal and UK. |
September
In September we danced the 4 elements and the Autumnal Equinox, and the Thursday classes were inspired by the stars. The monthly Bio*Gold sessions became fortnightly, and we danced the 1st Dharmadanza commitment - respect for life. Fernanda Pinto, author of the book Biodanza in Schools, was the guest speaker for the 3rd Biodanza Skillshare about bringing affection and aliveness into schools. |
October
October was the month of the truly epic Embodiment Conference (420,000 participants!). The Tribe of Doris "Digital Doris Days" Dance Event was also a huge success, attracting 85 women from over 24 countries. The 2nd workshop at the Oasis event also attracted well over 40 people, which was fantastic. |
Blogposts: Discover Biodanza at the Embodiment Conference and Physical Distancing and Body-to-Body Communication in Biodanza
November
In November, the weekly classes focused on the power of archetypal postures. The fortnightly Bio*Gold sessions continued to attract a lovely international group, and I was back at Oasis and at the virtual Dance Camp Wales. The skillsharing session with Barbara Widhalm attracted approximately 30 facilitators from nine countries. |
Blogposts: Biodanza in times of Covid-19, Distance Biodanza & Mirror Neurons and Distance Biodanza & Forms of Vitality
December
In December we continued to explore the power of archetypal dances, more specifically to tap into our determination, inner clarity, capacity to rise above, and to feel part of the wider human family. We enjoyed the last Bio*Gold session of the year, danced the 4th Dharmadanza commitment (wholesome sexuality), and were fascinated by Olga Bastable´s talk on Biodanza & the Tarot. |
The Joys of Collaboration
Huge thanks to Pavani, Fernanda Pinto, Verene Nicholas, Barbara Widhalm and Olga Bastable for sharing their knowledge. To Blanca, Diana Ojeba, Shumi Chimombe, Renata Day and Chizuko Hanaoka for the weekend experience. To Vanda (Tribe of Doris) and Negat (RWOB) for the women-only dance events, and to Daisy Vasquez, Olga Bastable, Marzena Szrama, Jackie Said and Geane Bonfim for joining in. To Mark Walsh, Elaine Fenton, Lizzie Mooney (and Wynona) for including me in their events. |