Wild Women
24-26 March
2023
 

Spring Awakening
22-23 April 2023

Women in the Land
10-11 June 2023
 

Summer Songs
7-9 July 2023

Embodied Landscapes
29 Sept - 1 Oct 2023

Autumn in the Woods
14-15 October 2023

The Walk of Life is an innovative approach to non-stylised movement and creative expression. Established on the beautiful Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in West Dorset/East Devon in 1991 it integrates moving in the studio with moving in response to inspiring natural environments on the coast and in the hills and woodlands nearby.

Simple movement scores arising from the structure of the body are offered as springboards into motion. These serve to heighten awareness and to awaken vitality. Personal explorations are transformed and become the ground for artistic expression.

This approach fosters an embodied sense of self and of presence both in daily life and in performance. In a process which unfolds over time each participant is supported to follow the evolution of their movement practice whatever their level of experience. Participants include experienced movers, emerging practitioners and interested newcomers.

These workshops offer the opportunity to re-connect with the joy, strength, ease and simplicity that our moving being offers us. Grounding ourselves through an embodied encounter with the land which refreshes both body and spirit we rediscover our 'place in the family of things' (Mary Oliver) . As we move in response to rock and water, tree, earth and sky, different experiences and movement qualities are evoked. Working in a receptive and respectful relationship to the environment deepens our awareness of the natural world and our sense of stewardship and of belonging. The Walk of Life was affiliated to the Jurassic Coast Arts Programme for many years.

This approach to the body in motion has been applied in the arts and performance, education, self-development, movement therapy and daily life. It has proved valuable to people from all walks of life.

In these challenging times it is a pleasure to offer a new Walk of Life programme for 2023 opening with Wild Women, a 3 day workshop in March. This is followed by 4 seasonal workshops: Spring Awakening in April, Women in the Land in June, Summer Songs a 3 day workshop in July, and Autumn in the Woods in October. Embodied Landscapes a 3 day training workshop will take place in September. 

Each of these workshops combines movement practice in the studio with moving on site. Between them they encompass a range of environments including wild tidal landscapes, earth sites and ancient woodland.