Movement Ritual Explorations
February 2019

Women, Rocks and Water
March 2019

Women in the Land
June 2019

Walk of Life Summer School
July 2019

Embodied Landscapes
Training workshop
August 2019

Autumn Reflections
October 2019
including Sumarah Meditation

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.

The 2019 programme opens with an opportunity to experience Anna Halprin's Movement Ritual. This year includes a pair of 3 day workshops for women which can be taken separately or together: Women, Rocks and Water in March and Women in the Land in June. A 4 day Walk of Life Summer School takes place in early July. Embodied Landscapes is a 3 day intensive training workshop at the end of August and beginning of September. Autumn Reflections a weekend workshop including Sumarah meditation with Beate Stühm, in offered in mid October.

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.