The Joy of Teaching

I just taught the first class last night of Restorative Yoga. I love my students on Monday nights. I have at least 3-4 students who have been coming to my classes for 3 years! It's truly an honor. I realized after class what joy I get out of teaching. It's the sharing about me and the practice of yoga that makes it joyful. I had so much fun helping them relax in the postures; to help them be in their bodies. This time of the year we get so into our heads and I really stressed that in class. It was my invitation to them really stop and just be in the body. Be with breath. I know this can be difficult for people who aren't in their bodies which I did mention a bit, but the first step is observing the breath and the way it is in your body.

I gave them a little homework assignment! Ha! I love it! I asked them to practice at least one of the poses we did in class for at least 5 minutes everyday and to see what happens. I can't wait for next week!

Bare Bones Butoh 12 performance

It was so great to perform again. It's been a few months, but it's always a blast. I've been developing more work on this ongoing piece I've been showing at Bare Bones called "Purge". It has to do with a struggle of identity with the world inside and outside of us. How so many things influence us from the external world (people, current events, pharmaceuticals, etc) into the internal world (mind, body, spirit, psyche, breakdowns, etc).

This particular installation was about birth and how our experience affects how we respond to this new world around us. Most births are initially traumatic for the baby (depending on the environment they're born into) and mother. During my Holistic Health program we had a module where we got to experience birth regression and how the way we were born has affected us throughout our lives. For example, I was born as a planned C-section, so my mother didn't go into labor, wasn't that nervous because she knew when I was going to be born. So there wasn't any excitement. I also didn't have any choice in the matter. They just opened up my mom and took me out. Think about how that would feel!

So taking this experience into my performance was really interesting. I can't wait to explore this more and longer as my piece was pretty short. The picture I've included depicts coming out of the womb for the first time. I named the image "Shock".

All Together Now

(From Yoga Journal.com)

All Together Now

Have you ever wondered why public classes are so popular? Yoga is something that, once the foundation is built, everyone could do at home on their own. It's true that we get individualized instruction at a yoga class. And yes, we learn different things from our teacher and other practitioners that we might not discover in our own home practices. One of the biggest reasons many of us enjoy going to class is because it's inspiring and uplifting to share our practice with others. It's exciting to synchronize our movements with those of our classmates, and when we enter a room that's filled with energy, we in turn feel energized.

Even if you never speak to the person on the mat beside yours, there's something magical about connecting with other people to practice. Although every class won't be a perfect fit for our individual needs, we sacrifice to enjoy the company of others.

The next time you attend a public class, why not take a moment to be grateful for the way that the other people in the room enhance the experience of your practice.



IN THIS ISSUE
Bring Connection Home
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/1455


Not All Yoga Is Created Equal
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/165

Bare Bones Butoh Presents 12: One Night Only!

BARE BONES BUTOH PRESENTS 12
A Benefit to Help Bring Other Butoh Masters to San Francisco

WHEN: Friday Nov 21, 2008 ONLY!
The performance starts at 8:00 pm

WHERE: Studio 210, located within the Old Sears Building at 3435 Cesar Chavez (inset from the corner of Cesar Chavez and Valencia).
There is plenty of on the street parking. It's four blocks from the 24th St. BART Station, and MUNI buses #27, #26, #14, and #49 will drop you off a block from our door.

TICKETS: $5-$20 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Additonal donations are always graciously accepted and gratefully appreciated.

WHAT: Bare Bones Butoh Presents is a Butoh/performance art/ritual performace showcase/platform for local and international performers to show new works we're in the process of developing, try stuff out, hone our improv chops, redo/revisit material we've done before but want to continue to explore, or even to bring out old favorites we would just like to do again. The audience only pays a minimal fee, so everybody wins!

Hosted by a veteran group of Bay Area Butoh performers, Bare Bones Butoh Presents employs the grassroots ethic of working together to sustan our artistic culture.

Thus far in its over two year (!) history, every Bare Bones Butoh Presents show is a Benefit Peformance. It serves not only as a performance outlet, but also as a fundraising platform which supports local Butoh and Performance Artists in need. Our 12th show is no exception. All proceeds from these performances go towards enabling Butoh SanFrancisco to bring out of town and international Butoh Masters to our fair burg, thus enriching the entire community.

Bare Bones Butoh is community building and performance all smushed together into two evenings.

WHO: The weekend line-up this time around consists of performers Christina Braun, Deborah Butler, Darya Chernova, Shelley Cook, Michael Curran, Elzza Doll, Martha Matsuda, Liz Saari-Filippone, Constance Taylor, and Bob Webb.
Surprise guests (local, national, and international) are also frequently known to make an appearance. It's that kind of show.

We hope to see you there as well.

For further information please contact: bobwebb20@hotmail.com

When it's been awhile....

I always have a twinge of anxiety when I'm going to perform and it's been months. I just finished school and put the dancing on the back burner. The last time I performed was August which isn't a long time, but I feel like it is. I'll be performing next weekend at a very low-key, informal venue which comprises of some of the most amazing, supportive butoh and performance artists in the bay area. There's a BIG part of me that just wants to improv and then a little part that says, "You need to rehearse!". Sometimes it's just more fun to improv. It's a time to REALLY play with the audience and what comes up in the internal. Butoh is so internal for me but as I write this, playing with the external might be the way to go. The internal is much more juicy but maybe it's time to change it up. Take risks! Wowsers! Now that will be fun!

Butoh Without Borders

Butoh Without Borders - Multimedia party and launch for Alexander Besher's QR Code sentient T-shirt novel THE MANGA MAN this Halloween. All proceeds to benefit Doctors Without Borders.

Date: October 31, 2008
Time: 6 - 9pm
Location: Arte Moviemiento SUB Mission, 2183 Mission at 18th Street
A true Mission alternative space w/stage, AV sound system, back patio with historic murals on 150-year old towering brick walls! Easy BART access at 16th & Mission. Paid parking lot between 19th & 20th Mission.
Admission: $15 or sliding scale or free at door
Attire: Costumes, especially Butoh or cyber-fetish, are encouraged but not required.

Website(s):
http://mangaman.mobi (premieres Oct. 31)
http://www.newmancom.com/mangaman (going online soon)
http://www.alexanderbesher.tv (synopsis of 'The Manga Man' in 'Coming Soon')

Sci-fi novelist and futurist Alexander Besher is releasing his latest novel 'The Manga Man' via QR/2D barcode on a limited edition T-shirt, in partnership with mobile platform pioneer Winksite.com.

Multimedia available through the barcode includes a link to the full text of the novel (for mobile phone or web browser), a reading selection from 'The Manga Man,' neo-silent film inspired by 'Manga Man' directed by Nara Denning, videography by Maria Karpoukhina, original tracks by composer William Collin Snavely aka Diagram of Suburban Chaos, and more.

View a premiere of the video book trailer, live electro-techno music by Best Friend, a fashion show happening of Butoh-inspired wear by Picky Studio, sales of the limited edition 'book on a T-shirt' (American Apparel, design by prize-winning Italian graphic novel artist Daniele Serra; $30 value retail),
Butoh-themed video installation by Maria Karpoukina, a raffle giveaway of a Nokia smartphone, a QR Code scanning demonstration on mobile phone, a special reading from 'The Manga Man.' Soft drinks and light refreshments including La Meditteranean-catered Middle Eastern hors oeuvres will be served. A bar will also be set up, first drink on the house courtesy of Arte Movimiento, they charge afterwards for wine and beer.

Special guests: Butoh dance performance featuring members of the Bare Bones Butoh and SF Butoh LAB collectives.
Event to be videographed for future documentary.

Grass Valley Weekend

I had such a great weekend visiting my friend in Grass Valley and Nevada City. California has such a variety of little towns to go to and explore. Saturday went kayaking at Lake Valley reservoir. We got up pretty early around 6:30am, but it was worth it! We had the whole place to ourselves. We got to a little beach and had a picnic with salmon, veggie sandwiches, homemade pesto dip and crackers, champagne and white wine. Mmmmmm. After the 20 minute rule, we dove off the rocks into the lake to cool off from the 95-100 degree heat. Perfect day!

My friend lives in this little apt/house behind her mom's. Super cozy, country-style. Outside you can hear the goats and chickens hootin' and hollering. Saturday afternoon we sat on her mom's porch reading and sipping on lemonade, then I found myself in an episode of Planet Earth! A mommy dear and her 2 babies came up the drive looking for food. They hung out for at least 30 minutes.

Nevada City is where my friend grew up and it's super cute! I can't stop saying cute because that's all I can think of to describe it. LIttle cafes, resturants, bed and breakfasts, and shops on little streets of this old coal mining town. It used to be called City of Nevada before the actually state of Nevada took the name, hence they had to change their name to Nevada City. Interesting little fact.

All I know is I'm going back....

Benefit for BUTOHSanFrancisco May 31st!

BUTOH SanFrancisco Benefit:
MAY 31 8pm
Studio 210,
3435 Cesar Chavez, SF 94110 (at Valencia and Mission-near 24th ST. BART) SF 94110

At this event Studio 210, you can see Koichi and Hiroko Tamano's Harupin-ha Butoh, young performance artists, Deborah Butler's Kitsune Butoh and rare butoh film curated by Richard Wara.

At this May 31st benefit, you can purchase special VIP tickets to BUTOH SanFrancisco's performances Friday and Saturday, June 27 & 28.

Please visit our website: www.BUTOHSanFrancisco.net for more info on the Butoh dance workshops June 21-22 and 29, the fantastic shows June 27-28 with pre-show film at 7:30 and post-show artist talks. Ledoh, Shinichi and Hiroko and Koichi will teach AND perform!

Upcoming Butoh Workshops in SF

Butoh Dance Workshops

Saturday, June 21 & Sunday, June 22
10am–2pm Koichi & Hiroko Tamano
3pm–7pm Ledoh

Studio 210, 3435 Cesar Chavez St
San Francisco, CA 94110 map
24th St Bart, Muni bus 14 or 26

Sunday, June 29
10am–2pm Shinichi Iova-Koga

Margaret Jenkins Dance Lab
301 - 8th St, 2nd Floor, Studio 200
San Francisco, CA 94103 map
Civic Center Bart

For more info and registration, go to www.BUTOHSanFrancisco.net.

Why can't this always happen?

On Saturday, I decided to celebrate cinco de mayo with a few margaritas w/ friends at my fav mex resturant, Puerto Allegre in the Mission. We had a yummy feast and yes, a few pitchers of margaritas between the 5 of us. Then off to another bar down the street for beer. I knew what I was getting into (especially when you've read my past blogs about drinking alcohol).

It was a fantastic day! I set an intention for myself for the day that I would create laughter, fun, play and community. When we got to the bar we joined in on a fabulous dice game with some people. Even though some of them were the hipster-type, they were super friendly cool! We were playing this game, laughing, connecting and having fun.

My husband and i left around 6ish and yes, I was drunk! But just enough, that I do remember the walk home, the route I went etc. I also remember the conversation I had with my husband, so this is good! (hee hee hee)

When we got home, we decided to order chinese food. As I sat on the couch, that's when the motion started. I wasn't actually moving, but it sure felt like it. So I decided to go to the bathroom and hang out there for a bit. I did the classic position: kneeled down beside the toilet bowl and rested my arm on the side and then my head. Then 10 min later I puked. When I was finished, I went to bed. this was 7:30 I think.

The next morning I woke up feeling like a million bucks! A little dehydrated, but no headache and no queasiness. Wow I thought to myself, "Why can't I do this everytime I drink too much?". I had friends in college who could do this on command if they felt the need. I personally hate puking, so would avoid it as much as possible.

Anyway, I actually did stuff on Sunday w/o feeling horrible. Still, I wouldn't do this every weekend....;-)

Nia Rocks!

I just took a Nia class last night at City Dance in SF. It was my 2nd time taking one and I couldn't believe the energy that was pulsating out of me. Nia is a low-impact aerobics including dance, movement, martial arts and yoga. I also hadn't gotten my heartrate up like that in a long time and all I can say is WOW!
I so recommend this to anyone who just wants to move and have fun. I took my class with Monica Welty and she teaches all over SF.

I'm so glad I went because I knew I needed it. I have been too much in my head in this week and felt disconnected from people and myself. So bringing movement, music and community into my life again was the best thing ever!

My intention is to continue to create community, connection, movement and play into my life and in others.

Namaste.