These Dancing for Wellbeing Classes have moved starting Oct. 29th:

After two years of Thursday night sessions at Heart & Hands Health Collective, the Dancing for Wellbeing sessions have moved to other locations and to a bit earlier in the day. Heart & Hands has acupuncture until 7pm, and dancing from 7:30-9pm was a bit late in the evening for a number of dancers and the facilitator.

Much gratitude to everyone who has been part of the nourishing, enlivening dance times at Heart & Hands. The studio has held space for so many delightful, transformative, creative moments over these past two years.

It would be fun to dance with you at another location:

• If you are looking for an evening Dancing for Wellbeing class, there is a new series on Wednesdays at 6pm at Fernwood Community Centre beginning Oct. 29th.
• Joanne will be facilitating a Saturday workshop at Royal Roads on November 22nd: Dancing into Wellbeing: A Creative Toolkit for Stress.
• & for more opportunities to dance please see the list of sessions here.

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(Below is an archive of the details about previous Thursday night classes)

Thursdays 7:30pm-9pm (until Oct. 23rd 2014)
At Heart & Hands Health Collective (851 Cormorant Street)

No prior dance experience needed. All levels welcome!

Sessions are queer-friendly and people of all genders and backgrounds are welcome.

Description:

This class includes playful dance activities to encourage moving in new ways. The focus is on grounding, releasing tension, movement games and supportive dancing as a group.

The activities relate to various aspects of well-being: physical, emotional, cognitive, creative and social. Each week highlights a dance concept (e.g. speed, shape, flow) and a body aspect (e.g. shoulders, hands, spine). Activities alternate between dancing on our own, as a group, and in pairs (optional).

Each class has a variety of guided activities; however these are suggestions for each person to adapt to how works best for them. The overall style is dance improvisation, where we each choose how we feel like moving and interacting.

Classes are facilitated by Joanne Cuffe.

To register, or drop-in:

Click here to register for a series or the class dates that you can make. Sessions are limited to a small group; pre-registering encouraged.

Drop-ins are welcome if there is space (check that it does not say “Full” next to that session’s date above).

Sliding scale:

Drop in:
Pay-what-you-can-afford* $5 – $15  (or $15 – $25 if you would like to subsidize for participants who are low-income)

Please pay by cash or cheque.

*If cost is a barrier, please be in touch about work-study options, or check out Joanne’s free class at Our Place on Fridays at 1pm (at 919 Pandora Ave. in the inter-faith chapel on the second floor).

There is no fee for Salish people, in acknowledgement of where the sessions are being held.

Logistics:

Heart & Hands Health Collective is at 851 Cormorant Street; please see the Heart & Hands website for a map, directions and parking info. Nearest bus routes are #2, 6, 27, 28, and it is just a few blocks to the bus stops at Douglas & Pandora.

The studio is opened 10 minutes before class starts.

Please wear clothing you find comfortable for moving in (no special clothing needed). Shoes are not permitted on the studio floor; socks, barefeet, wheelchairs, mobility aids, and soft-soled slippers are all great.

Accessibilities:

Each class is tailored to the people who are present: the whole session can be done seated or standing, through the imagination, subtle movement and/or bigger movement.

The venue is ground level and fairly wheelchair accessible*. There is a gender-neutral washroom. Please do not wear perfumes, colognes or scented products as some people have allergies. By the door there is a water jug and cups. Please be in touch in advance if there is something that would make it accessible to you and I will do my best to make it happen (e.g. translator, bus tickets).

*The doors are not automatic; while the washroom has two grip bars, the turn-around space in it may be an issue ~ please be in touch to discuss options or if you would like more details about the dimensions of doorways and washroom. Thank-you!

Supportive, safer space:

The sessions begin with a Territory Acknowledgment and mentioning safer space guidelines (Dance in your own way; Respect your own boundaries and those of others; Take a break whenever you need to; If you’re not comfortable with anything please bring it up or adapt the activity to what works for you; Ask permission before engaging in touch or contact).

There is choice and options in activities, and any activities that have the option of contact, also have a non-contact variation.

Each session ends with an invitation to offer feedback (verbal, written, or through dance) about what we liked and suggestions for next time. There are copies of a resource sheet – with contact info for local organizations if you are looking for emotional support – available to take away.

Questions?

If you don’t see the info you’re looking for here, please be in touch or see the Frequently Asked Questions.

There are also dance classes at other locations and times. (-: