Category Archives: the body

helping horses, helping humans

I love working with horses and their humans.  Most of what goes wrong with horse and their humans is not in the saddle.  It happens on the ground.  it happens in the stall.  It happens on the way from one place to another.  A lot of it has nothing to do with the horse at all.  It has to do with things that are older and deeper that make their way into the relationship with the horse.  It is rarely intentional or malicious.  It often has to do with a lack of awareness, or regard, or attention or understanding.

Most often what I do starts with movement observation.  I watch how the person moves around the horse, how the horse responds to them, to its environment, to the various parts of tacking up, leading, riding.  I watch.  And then bit by bit, I start to decode the dance.  What is working?  What is confusing?  What is missing?

Much of what I do has to do with bringing both horse and human more fully into their bodies, and then more fully into connection with each other.  That makes for a better relationship.  And usually it makes for a better ride.  Happier horse, happier human.  I love that.

If you want help, you can contact me here.

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300!

Almost one year ago I began this blog.  Today is post #300, which feels like it deserves a HOORAY!  I have been hugely encouraged in my blogging by the indefatigable, generous, kind Jon Katz, whose blog and life inspire me daily.  I have been encouraged by my beloved Pammie, whose blog and passion inspire and delight.  Maria Wulf is another bright light in my personal constellation of writing artists.

I chose the name horsedancing because it is the title of my (still seeking a publisher) book.  But over the months of writing these posts daily, have come to see horsedancing as a life practice and a metaphor for being an improviser and an artist of dancing the moment, with or without a horse.

This is how I say it on the home page of my new website: At the core of my work is a passion for movement that springs from an unpredictable and limitless aliveness in the body. To me, being in the body means experiencing it in a bloodful, breathing way that is transformative and improvisational. I love diving into the deep waters of the body and all its wild possibility.  My writing, dancemaking, teaching, coaching and the horses are all part of the whole cloth of my practice as a movement artist. My goals are to help people connect to their creativity, to improvisation as a life practice, and to their own delicious experience of embodiment.

I spoke to a writing teacher today who said that she thinks of herself as a “word coach.”  I think that I am, above all,  a “movement coach” or maybe a “body mentor,” helping others push deeper into a felt sense of themselves as creative, physically expressive beings.  The blog is a part of that passion. Check out some of the other possibilities on my site!

 

the soft animal 2

My friend Suzanne Weinberg writes, “I think with my animal loves, there is just an automatic softening – and that contains all of what you write about: vulnerability, nakedness, etc. and more — presence, love, generosity, simplicity.”

I have not written about Nelson much lately.  But the last couple visits have been very good.  He is opening to me again.  He stays with me and is his inquisitive, sweet old self.  Even with big flies bothering him, he stays calm and connected.  He still does not want to do any of the movement games that we were playing a few months ago and I am good with that.  He will tell me when it is time. What I want more than anything is that sweetness, the presence, love, generosity and simplicity that Suzanne speaks of.

 

summer movement class


Authentic Movement is a contemplative movement practice that nourishes creativity and imagination through a practice of intuitive and spontaneous movement. Movers allow themselves “to be moved” following whatever impulses (for both movement and stillness) arise from the body. The teacher acts as a compassionate witness, affirming and giving meaning to the experience of the mover.

The class also include SourceWork – guided somatic meditations for deepening awareness and discovering new movement possibilities – as well as embodied writing and drawing practice.

This class is perfect for those who are seeking to deepen their creativity and connect to the body in a way that encourages both profound listening and improvisational ways of living more fully in the body. It is also appropriate for therapists and coaches who wish to bring a more embodied consciousness to their practice.

Series of four classes Wednesday evenings at my studio in Sharon, CT, 

July 11, 18, 25, August 1, from 6:30-8 pm

Class size limited to 6, so register NOW.

To register, please email HERE.

or sign up here. (Directions provided upon sign up)

Movement Class