I grieve for... I'm grateful for...

How are you?

I have to admit, I've been simultaneously motivated to try and figure out what I can do and paralyzed. What can I do?

Scott Berinato, writing for the Harvard Business Review, reminds us that we will be feeling grief during this time. And to honor that. There is much to grieve.

But I also believe that there is much for which to be grateful. Even when we are immediately (or for the foreseeable future) struggling.

In the moments when I'm down, I've begun a practice. I state the things for which I'm grieving, mourning, and fear.

Having acknowledged them, I can also state things for which I'm grateful, even if they're in the past.

For example, I'm grieving a chance to explore my creative process with other dancers in the studio. But, I'm grateful that we re-scheduled HOMEbody for February.

I'm grieving physical interaction with folks who have been mentoring me this year. I'm grateful for online practices just as email and Zoom.

I'm grieving the loss of financial and economic security for many of my peers, students, and friends. I'm grateful for independent organizations and individuals who are stepping up to help the arts and the increased awareness of the importance of the gig economy. And... the motivation to do something about these insecurities.

What are you grieving? For what are you grateful?

Pic by Bicking Photography

Just for Fun - wash your hands! #Covid19

We all need a little bit of Joy and Connection as we navigate our own Kinesthetic experiences. Practice Wellness, friends!

Take care! 

Tiny dances for new times - Covid19 Creative Challenge 1

Friends, the Covid-19 excitement is presenting challenges for us all. Please stay safe. Please take all precautions recommended by the CDC (or your respective governments if you're reading this outside of the US).

In the meantime, as we're spending more time in one spot, this is an opportunity to be creative!

We'll be developing new habits in the coming days. Let's make them fun!

So... here's my #Covid19CreativeChallenge #Covid19Dance! (Post to social media or just send it out to the Universe. I feel your energy!)

The song "Happy Birthday" is about 4 counts of 8 in 4/4 time. (12345678. 12345678. 12345678. 12345678.) 4/4 time can be described as "walking time;" so, image counting to 8 as you take steps in your natural pace.

Singing "Happy Birthday" twice is the recommended time for washing hands during this time (and probably anytime).

So...

Create a dance that can be done WHILE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS that is 8 counts of 8.

Post it here in the comments or where ever you post with the tags: #covid19dance #danceeverywhere #getcreative #jcwkdancelab

Paul Fejko has created a special version of "Happy Birthday" to get you started:

Check out more of Paul's music by clicking here.

I look forward to seeing your dances! 

Stay tuned for more....!

March 8, 2020

Happy International Women's Day.

Today it's my wish that we can take pause and remember that we are not alone.

The joys and challenges we face, we face together - as a cohort, as a community, as a partnership, and as a family.

May you be a support. May you find support.

Photo by Ellen Rosenberg Photography

Continuing the conversation - HOMEbody in Reviews

Thank you, everyone who came to HOMEbody!

I had to close the box office on the morning of the show because we were already sold out. Thank you to the folks who reserved tickets in advance and thank you to the folks who came to the door!

Thank you to everyone for continuing the conversations of HOMEbody in your feedback and through the reviews.

I'm grateful for each of these reviews because they allow the conversation of HOMEbody to continue in the public view. So much of these stories don't get to have a public conversation... thank you!!

Thank you, Lewis Whittington and PhiladelphiaDance.org for recognizing that "the dance is the things that ultimately drives it all home."

Read more of Lew's addition to this conversation here. 

Melissa Strong from The Broad Street Review had a plethora of experiences within the performance that she details in her review.  Thanks, Melissa, for accepting the challenge of embodying your own home and experiencing your own story through "visually appealing and whole-hearted dancing... HOMEbody was thoughtfully conceived and skillfully performed".

"Home is when we breathe together," reflects ThINKingDANCE author Leslie Bush. "HOMEbody is a piece that abstracts and distills its central concept" Bush writes.

"There is a language in HOMEbody, even if I can't decipher it. I'm okay with this; I know I'm seeing someone's idea of home and that is enough." ~Leslie Bush

Photo by Juliana Wall Photography