Happy Winter Season, Wholehearted Souls!!
How have you been?? Yesterday was our last Dance Fitness class of the year and it went wonderfully well!! We were only 12 which was our lowest number but which is completely normal considering it is the Festive Season!! We started with a freestyle warm- up as you guys really loved the Afrobeats music I was playing; so thank you for being playful and adventurous!! I love it when the group allows space for fun and creativity!! We are allowing ourselves two weeks off and we will be back on Saturday 6th January 2024 at 11am!!
Awa, any other classes in the New Year?
I'm afraid I will only continue the Dance Fitness class on Saturday morning. My new exciting role takes a lot of my time and energy. When I am not teaching, I am creating space for self- care as I work with Young People with traumatic backgrounds; so I need to ensure I do not overdo it outside of this full time teaching position. However I will be considering Arts & Culture workshops over the holidays. When I am more settled in my new job, I will open a Dance Rehearsal Space for confident dancers committed to rehearse weekly, to perform onstage and for dance theatre videos.
Awa, what happened to the Sound & Movement Therapy?
Sound & Movement Therapy was a great experience as a practitioner. I was really blessed to develop this practice at the Buddhist Centre; unfortunately, Sound & Movement Therapy was not part of the vision of the Buddhist Centre. It was a pity because the feedback from the participants was amazing; I personally really liked the space; it was convenient to store the instruments safely and I met some unique friends! The reality is that the instruments were too heavy for me to carry! People are really nice and say they will help until they can't... As a professional, I need to rely on myself and I need to observe the practicalities as well as its disadvantages. Unfortunately, the weight of the instruments triggered my shoulder injury; therefore I did not enjoy moving the instruments from one place to another nor taking eventual risks which would damage the crystal balls before and after each session- it is something that I did not wish to consider when delivering workshops at various locations...
Awa, what about Therapeutic Movement Sessions?
Therapeutic Movement is actually the service I prefer delivering. Because I have loads of energy, people tend to think that I love jumping, 'grapevining' and 'star jumping' (pleeeeeassse!!). But you smile, I heard. Yeah, it's called Customer Services, come on!! So, you think, I'm a dancer, too?!?! I'm sorry to break it to you, I'm not! I'm an Actor with Movement skills aka a Performer! And when I worked as a Movement Specialist for the Mental Health Service, I discovered that I wholeheartedly enjoyed working on a 1-2-1 basis. I have been teaching Group Dance Classes since 2010 and less than 10 years later, I became a Qualifed Yoga Instructor, trained in Pilates and GP's Exercise Referral which led me to work on Psychiatrics Wards to help the patients soothe any tensions in the body as well as to support them with their Mental Health. If you believe Movement is Medicine and you need to find balance in your body, mind and soul, please do not hesitate to email me to book a consultation with me. I am available after working hours and on the weekend. As I am currently running The Ojas Centre by myself and due to shortage of staff, the 1-2-1 sessions are for now just for women!
What next With The Ojas Centre?
The Ojas Centre will continue offering Movement for Mental Health on a 1-2-1 basis for women, Dance Fitness for everybody, and Movement for Arts & Culture for Confident Performers. The Ojas Centre is looking for a Home that resonates with The Ojas Centre's Vision. The Ojas Centre is looking for Volunteers for our August event, 'Fly With Me: Croydon'; for Black History Month and for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in November. The idea is to schedule one event a term with at least one Afro Dance Fusion workshop; storytelling; Live (Dancing) Music (Drumming preferably; Afro- Caribbean &/or Middle East); DJ (preferably Lofi / Social Justice Hip Hop); Stand- Up Comedy (Preferably Social Justice) & Mindful Humans!!
In the meantime?
In the meantime, I am wishing you a wonderful and festive Winter Season !! I hope you will remember this is all about listening to your soul, to take care of yourself, to listen to your body and not to your materialistic ego; it is not about doing as many things as you can; but finding balance during a very demanding period of the year, so rest Mindful Human!! Allow yourself to listen to your body and to your soul and ask yourself what do you truly want to do, allow your voice to be peacefully heard and to be truly you!
Authentically yours,
AWA!
Lecturer & Movement Practitioner
Founder of The Ojas Centre
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