Movement Mondays: Ways of Attending: Movement and Embodiment Practice

Instructor: Brad Stoller

Where does exuberance come from? How does attending to your attention make that more accessible? What happens when we challenge habitual patterns and introduce new possibilities in movement and perception? In this class we will explore common and uncommon movement as a means of cultivating awareness, learning, and embodied attention. We will draw from the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais as well as my own personal experience and knowledge of various movement practices as we curiously explore and investigate in these guided movement sessions. Sessions will look at activities that challenge our balance, strength and spatial orientation ranging from Aikido (martial arts) to dance, to the use of our voice. The class will invite attention to our movement that illicit invigoration at the same time as deepening connection to awareness.

A typical class will start with a reference activity/movement (as simple as getting up and down from the floor, pretending to change a lightbulb, throwing a ball or cushion.) The lessons then will explore and breakdown the various patterns involved in the activity through unusual perspectives by changing things like the axis line or the direction and timing. These changes in approach to movement increase our ability to attend with more specifcity. nuanced and therefor generally overall improved functionality. Breathing is usually increased, a more distributed use of force through the activity creates a more reliable power and balance becomes improved as well through a process of attention to ground forces and our interaction with them. I will use activities from Aikido and other things like dance to explore thee forces and the usefulness of increasing our awareness of these forces in activity.

All welcome. Loose fitting clothing recommended.

About Brad

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Brad Stoller, MFA (Playwriting, University of Virginia), has explored and practiced a wide range of contemplative and movement-based disciplines, including Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Aikido, Contemplative Dance Practice, Authentic Movement, Movement Improvisation, Physical Theatre Improvisation, and Nia.

Brad brings his broad understanding of movement to his teaching with an unassuming playfulness, ease, and joy. His approach recognizes that the most essential ingredients in learning are curiosity, a willingness to explore, and a genuine desire to move.