Anne O'Keeffe presents:Anne O'Keeffe presents:

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Alchemy......from Impulse to Expression

RISK (verb)…one ventures into the unknown,
into vulnerability and possibly also into riches,
good fortune and self-knowledge

Alchemy….from Impulse to Expression is an intensive workshop for dancers and movers wishing to surrender to the beauty of the present moment.

Alchemy is designed for those wishing to honour the uniqueness of their moving body, embrace creative impulse and expand understanding of their artistic process. The classes are sequential and have a cumulative affect, as we spiral into the centre of what makes us unique as movers. Alchemy engages the heart in a rich and joyful exploration to find this mother-lode.

Alchemy focuses on dance improvisation as a means to strongly connect to the present moment. Improvisation allows inner life and outer expression to integrate, facilitating deep, transformational change. Gentle bodywork techniques (‘touch facilitation’) are used to release hidden tension patterns and blocks, allowing a rich expansion of movement vocabulary. Core exercises affirm and deepen understanding of the unique aesthetic choices we make in the moment. Improvised performance provides an opportunity to fully embrace and celebrate these impulses.

An open, safe, generous space is provided for beginners and experienced movers, with participants exploring and developing their unique movement expression with support and encouragement from the group. The workshop includes discussion, dancing, writing and performing and culminates in an informal showing of improvised solos and duets for invited guests.

Informed by Tibetan Buddhism, Meditation and Yoga, Anne’s work recognises the profound connection between finding Presence in the present moment and the core of the creative self. When embracing the moment, we release the internal critic and free ourselves from perceived past inadequacies and future expectations. Our dance is then joyfully and effortlessly liberated.

Improvisation is a metaphor for life.

The present moment is the only aperture
through which the soul can pass out of time into eternity.
- Aldous Huxley

* photo of Anne O'Keeffe by Dianne Reid