Walk of Life Training
The
Walk of Life Training Programme in Non-stylised and Environmental Movement was developed by Helen Poynor as a result of 30 years of professional
practice as a movement practitioner, performer and teacher. Established in 2007 it attracts regional, national and international participants from a wide range of movement backgrounds and has proved stimulating and fruitful for all the participants. It consists of three 5 day intensive
training sessions in spring, summer and autumn combined with ongoing personal practice.
The Walk
of Life approach to movement is grounded in an experiential
understanding of the structure of the body, an awareness of the
relationship between the moving body and the self and of the responsive
inter-relationship between body, earth, self and environment. Movement
scores are used as a springboard into motion awakening vitality
and heightening awareness, transforming personal explorations into
creative expression. In a process which unfolds over time each participant
is supported to follow the evolution of their movement practice
within the context of the group. This approach fosters an embodied
sense of presence in daily life and in performance.
The grounding principles of the Walk
of Life are explored in the studio and in the inspiring
environment of the Jurassic Coast. The sessions include individual
work, pair work and working in response to the group as a moving
environment. The natural
environment becomes both partner and teacher. The changing seasons,
weather and tides present continual challenges, each element stimulates
different experiences and elicits a different range of movement
qualities and skills.
A commitment to personal practice of at least two hours
a week (one in a studio/hall and one outside) throughout the training is required.
Between the training sessions the participants will receive an individual
session with Helen to support their ongoing movement practice. Arrangements can be made for international participants. The
programme is envisaged as movement training rather than teacher
training. It is not a programme for beginners.
The Walk
of Life approach is grounded in:
- a three dimensional
awareness of the body and of space
- the integration
of upper and lower body through the spine
- the integration
of limbs and torso
- released
joints and the interconnection of the whole body allowing movement
to flow freely through the body
- a mobile
sense of grounding
- the ability
to follow a movement as it evolves and moves through space
- clear but
permeable body boundaries
- an awareness
of the layers of space
- the inter-relationship
of sensation, feeling/atmosphere, images/associations and state
of mind
- a receptive
and responsive attitude to oneself, to others and to the environment
- the capacity
to move in a mutually responsive relationship to others without
losing a sense of self
- the ability
to be simultaneously aware of personal and environmental landscapes
- the integration
of moving and seeing
The practice
is supported by a personal reflective journal and log incorporating
creative visualisations.
Helen gratefully
acknowledges the influence of Anna Halprin and Suprapto Suryodarmo
from Java with whom she trained intensively in the 1980s and 1990s.
Their work has served as a springboard for the development of her
unique approach to non-stylised and environmental movement.
Training
participants' comments:
I so much
enjoy the juice of creative exploration amongst such a diverse group
of dedicated movement practitioners. Thank you both for your guidance
and for your letting go, you create such a rich environment in which
to see and be seen both through the human body, the human group
and out into the complexity of the natural landscape.
The spacious
boundaries of the training enable me to follow my own path and also
be accompanied and accompany others in their practice…. I have found
working in a non-stylised way gives me the possibility to flow between
the many styles that I have learned…. Commitment and curiosity are
replacing imposed discipline and guilt.
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For information about future training opportunities with Helen in non-stylised and environmental movement please contact her by telephone or post. The structure of the training is currently under review with a view to offering a new programme from 2022.
01297
680155 (Mon-Sat 9am-7pm)
Helen Poynor, 8 Mill Lane, Branscombe, Devon, EX12 3DS
The Mentorship Programme in the application of non-stylised and environmental movement in professional/artistic projects, open to applicants who have completed both the Foundation and the Continuation Walk of Life trainings, is running currently. It is being offered again from October 2021 - June 2022 commencing October 8th - 12th 2021. Please contact Helen for further details.
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