Deeper Aspects of Ancestral Movement Workshop – Melbourne, March 18-19

20 Feb Deeper Aspects of Ancestral Movement Workshop – Melbourne, March 18-19

A two day workshop delving further into some of the inner practices of Ancestral Movement. This weekend will focus on the science of mind and body and practices for transforming our embodied sense of self at the deepest levels.

Things we will cover:

NEUROSCIENCE OF BODY AWARENESS:

Body maps, neuroplasticity, pain science, mirror neurons, empathy and nonverbal communication.

AWAKENING THE CENTRAL AXIS:

Spinal freedom and spinal power: safe, simple and incredibly effective exercises for opening up, strengthening and mobilising every individual spinal segment in every possible direction.

Abdominal and chest control: learning to voluntarily contract and relax every part of the pelvic floor and the deep muscles of the abdomen and ribcage.

Directed breathing: the art of focusing the attention and movements of the breath into every part of the torso and every part of the spine. Physiology of the breathing cycle, implications for health, psychology, and physical performance.

AWAKENING THE WHOLE BODY:

Solo and partner exercises which direct movement, effort and attention into all of the deepest hidden areas of the body. Every part of the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, the pelvis, all of the ribs and every part of the spine is strengthened and mobilized in every direction, from every angle, affecting all of the body tissues from the skin through the muscles, connective tissues, blood vessels and lymphatic system, the nerves, organs, and bones.

EVOLUTIONARY ANATOMY & MOVEMENT:

Ancient patterns of anatomy and of movement that we have in common with other primates, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and even worms. Helping us develop more of the strength, agility, and resilience of our animal cousins and human ancestors and to feel ourselves as ancient and miraculous beings, fully at home on the earth.

MOVEMENT & CULTURE:

Posture, gesture, breathing and voice, feedback loops between the body and the brain. Contact and spatial awareness. Forbidden movements and inhibition of movement.

Humans as mimics. Emotional contagion and entrainment. Interspecies empathy, mimicry and tracking. Cultures of embodiment and our sense of connection with the rest of the natural world.

PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY:

Effects of different emotions, mind states, postures, movements, and breathing patterns on the nervous, cardio-vascular, endocrine, and immune systems.

USE OF THE MIND AND IMAGINATION IN PHYSICAL PRACTICE:

Attention, awareness, cultivating emotions and active imagination. Myth, memory and symbols: filling the body with stories. Songlines, magic, and the ancient art of memory. Body as landscape, landscape as body. Re-enchantment of the body and the world.

QIGONG:

A modified version of the “Hun Yuan Qigong” set originally taught by Feng Zhi Qiang, as a perfect example of supercharging or “layering” mind-body practice to contain all of the concepts described above.

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BIO:

Simon has over two decades of experience across a broad range of disciplines, including Chinese medicine and Western physical therapy, massage and bodywork, exercise rehabilitation, Yoga and Yoga therapy, Qigong, Pilates and the Feldenkrais method; Buddhist, Hindu, Tantric and Daoist meditation and internal exercise; Capoeira, Japanese and Chinese martial arts, boxing and Muay Thai, wrestling and Brazilian Jujitsu, as well as an academic background in biology, anatomy and physiology, medical science, exercise science, neuroscience, and anthropology.

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THIS IS A MOVEMENT AND PRACTICE-BASED WORKSHOP! Every topic will be explored in depth through movement, awareness exercises, simple meditation techniques, and partner work.

The workshop will be suitable for movement enthusiasts, dancers, actors, meditators, yoga practitioners, martial artists, rehabilitation practitioners, therapists, environmental educators, or anyone wishing to get more in touch with the natural world or their own bodies.

Participation will be BY DONATION, with the suggested payment of $200 per day. Those on lower incomes such as students, etc, are still very welcome and are invited to come and pay whatever they are able, and to feel good about it.
HALF-PRICE offer, for anyone who attends the workshop on the previous weekend as well, or who attended the Ancestral Movement workshop in Melbourne in August last year.

Further infromation about the method can be found here: http://ancestralmovement.com/about/

A link to the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1845104565762384/

The Ancestral Movement facebook discussion group is here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/954751214582008/

For any other questions, contact simon.thakur@gmail.com or 0431 166 737