Let Me Be

Tags

art, Existence, faith, humanity, inspiration, life, love, Love Between Men, love for all, loving, me, observations, sand, sharing, Sky, thoughts, travel, truth, water

Let me be Sand

Let me be Water

Let me be Sky

Let me be that which is below, beside and above

Let me surround you with all I am so you never question my love

Let me sustain you with all I am so you know I am always there for you

Let me satisfy you with all I am so you trust your heart, your beauty and your grace

Let me be Sand

Let me be Water

Let me be Sky

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Thirty Day’s of Thoughts: Day Eight

Tags

art, changes, faith, health, Home, humanity, inspiration, learning, lessons learned, life, me, observations, space, training, travel, truth, work, Writing

On this day I pause to absorb the incredible light that is this life, my life. I am so full of gratitude for so much goodness that it is truly hard to compose the joy. I smile as I sit here and write this as I am once again reminded that I have been given the gift of a voice to use it to express myself in so many different ways. I have been give the gift of expression through movement, song and word. For this I am grateful and for this I shall sing.

As I woke today I was kissed on the cheek by Bradford as he so lovingly assures me that it is in fact to get up and there is no more time left for this sleeping thing. The time is now to start paying attention to his wishes and needs along with his brother. I mean it is morning and it is time for a romp in the yard and that thing they love called breakfast. What is really beautiful is that he will wait patiently after the first little kiss and stare at me until I stir. Gentle breathing with his head rested on my arm.

And so I enter my day, this day of celebration through the act of gratitude. It is my goal to pay attention to all of the beautiful moments this day brings. Paying attention to the beautiful energy and soul of my home and my sanctuary that continually folds me into itself and revitalizes my spirit. The energy of a home should be that of a sacred space that recharges ones spirit by letting them feel safe as they are surrounded by both energetic and physical blessings.

I have no plans to do anything special except be extra grateful for this life. I celebrate all that is my present, honor all that is my past and open my heart to all that is to be. I open myself to what is to come and know without a doubt there is magic in store. So much more than I can plan or scheme. I open my spirit and welcome the energies of the vast infinite universe to move whatever it is I need into my path. When this happens, it will be as natural as breath itself.

I once again was reminded of this yesterday when I was out looking for a new work to add to my collection and to my walls. I have been wanting a David Cressman for some time now as his paintings really speak to me. I cam across them a while ago and have been keeping an eye out for them and an opportunity to become a keeper of his art. I went through and found a Holly Markoff that complimented a work of hers I have and was about to walk out the door when something told me to walk to a corner of the gallery that I have not been to before. As I turned I could feel the calling of the beautiful work on that wall.

Not only was I standing in front of a wall of David Cressman, but my eye immediately was drawn to a work which consisted of a beautiful landscape with none other than the Eiffel Tower and the wonderful bridges of the Seine. The light in this work is glorious. As a matter of fact the piece is titled Golden Light of Paris. How perfect. And so, without question, the time was now to fold this new work into my sacred abode and add it to the ever expanding collection of incredible work. It was time.

And so I sit here writing as it hangs just over my left shoulder on a wall of work that brings my heart joy. Many of the works are from and/or are about the places that steel my heart. Paris, Tuscany and Santa Fe. There are also landscapes that honor Virginia and all of its beauty. The paintings remind me of the beauty that surrounds me at home to anchor me while I have the privilege of experiencing the magic of the city of light and the birthplace of the renaissance. Light speaks to me. Light speaks to my heart.

I am grateful I am able to listen. I am thankful that I have been able to create the space to listen. At first I was overwhelmed by what I could hear and see, but learned how to quiet the added noise that often times surrounds the song and focus in on listening to what was being shared. So much is given to us about the magic of this world and universe. So much truth is before our eyes on a daily basis and I am just thankful that I have opened my heart to tune into those truths and find peace in doing so.

When I look at my students, their bodies speak to me. Their truths of who they are and the desires for where they want to be whisper clearly. Their bodies reach out and ask for health and wellness. Their spirits are open. Even if they do not know they speak this, their spirits are speaking loud and clear. And for this, I have to listen. I am so thankful I am able to listen. I am so honored to be in this place of healing and well being.

You know I don’t really consider myself a teacher. I do not consider myself a choreographer. I don’t consider myself an artist either. I long ago claimed what I am and have been doing my work from that space for some time now. When I realized that what I was was different than what I was hoping to be, I was able to admit to myself that my spirit is actually a healer. From the moment of that acceptance of fate, I let go of needing to be good at what I do or respected for what I made. I stepped into myself and began to listen to bodies and how they wanted to live and live in the space.

I sing dances into being by listening to the voices of the bodies in front of me. I carve space with illuminating bodies in which vibrant with the soul of the work. When all forms are tuned to the essence of the work, I know the work is satisfied and it can be itself in this world. The same is true when the body vibrates openly so that the pathways are aligned and open to carry the body to well being to be able to physicalize work. There are layers to the making and creating of bodies and bodies of light in space. It all starts with the healing of these bodies through the reeducation of the physical self to align with the spiritual self.

And for this I am grateful. I am grateful I can celebrate knowing who I am. Thankful that I have accepted my deepest self and that I have not run away from myself out of fear. How glorious it is to walk the stillness of knowing oneself and celebrating with humility that this life has been a beautiful choice of grace and light. I celebrate the very essence of who I am and recognize, as well as honor, this amazingly beautiful life I have been graciously allowed to live.

And so I walk into my 48th year knowing that with an open heart magic will reveal itself to me always. There will be light laid beneath my feet so I will know where to step. The will be instructions given if I continue to listen. There will be blessings beyond imagining simply by being. May I continue to be as I circle the sun once again.

Thirty Day’s of Thoughts: Day One

Tags

bliss, chasing dreams, dogs, dreams, enchanted life, enchantment, faith, humanity, inspiration, realities, travel, Writing

My head rests on a mountain of pillows

My body flanked by silky fur breathing me to sleep

My dreams float in a sea of phantasmic imagery

My voice vacillates between English, French and Italian

I sleep in an ecstasy of unimaginable bliss

I wake to the weight of love laying across my chest

I cannot move for the ritual that must ensue

I am content as I transfer from one reality to the next

This is a cycle that keeps my heart full of bliss

This is a life careening on the edge of creative joy

This is a body secure in its own beauty

This is a soul at peace

These Beautiful Legs

Tags

dancing, health, inspiration, legs, life, me, observations, path, Running, thoughts, travel, walking, work

As I was running today after being away from it for almost a month again, I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my legs. As I cooled down and walked my way back I could not stop thinking about how grateful I am for these beautiful legs of mine and all they have been through, seen and have provided for me.

I look back to my youth and realize how much a part of my legs were in my sports participation. And although I was never really that great at any sport per se, I realize how beneficial my legs were in allowing me to do things such as the Presidential Physical Fitness tests we had to take and how many of those awards I was able to accumulate. I was a fast little one in my day and if it weren’t for these legs, I could not have traveled like the wind.

And then I think to football, wrestling, gymnastics. And yes, cheerleading. All of those wonderful experiences they allowed for me. In addition to all of the wonderful people I was able to meet and to get to know simply because I was fortunate enough to participate in such activities. How lovely to have had these legs carry me to so many wonderful people in my teens.

And then there was that time I fell in love with this thing called dance. Yes that awkward moment when I realized that I really loved a body in motion and that my legs were going to have to learn how to refine their movements and articulate in ways that they have never been asked before. And yet because of my previous life in sports my knees were somehow not having it at all. But, my legs decided that they were not going to listen to my knees and overcome the deteriorating cartilage issue that the doctor warned me about and suggested I find another passion. We clearly know where that went.

And after all these years dancing, at the age of 47, my legs still care for me and carry me to so many magical places. My legs are my life. They do so many beautiful things for me. They have provided so many experiences and adventures I could never have imagined possible. They have walked me in and out of cities all over the world. They have touched the backs of horses and elephants. They have danced on some amazing stages in the world and have been submerged in many oceans. They have given me so much.

And for this I am so appreciative. Grateful that I have these beautiful legs in which continue to allow me to purse my dreams, share my knowledge, share their knowledge and share their grace. I am so fortunate to be able to take myself for a run and move through the woods along the river of this beautiful city on such a beautiful day. Thank you legs for the amazing gifts you have given and continue to give to me. May I honor you and cherish you for all of your goodness.

Walk on!

The Magic of Merging with the White Horse

Tags

acceptance, allowing, artist, becoming, beleif, Believing, choreographer, Conscious Living, Courageous Vulnerability, craetivity, development, discovery, Dream, journey, light, merging, soul, spirit, time, travel, white horse, writer

I have welcomed the merging with the white horse. This is a journey of deep discovery and boundless creativity. I give way to the becoming of one leaving behind all that is unnecessary while embracing all possibilities. By weaving the tapestry of our spirits we do not lose ourselves but transform our being through the enhanced senses of one another’s hearts and dreams.

We ride to discover the endless blanket of ever expand light that reaches across unfathomable planes. The travel of eternity moves both forward and backwards in time. There is no fear direction as love moves in all dimensions.

We soar the oceans depths of spirit; immersing ourselves in the deepest states of creativity by releasing to the vacuum of the internal. We breathe water like air while swimming with the expansive wings of Pegasus. There is no fear of what is right when love knows no wrong.

This journey has no steps and yet we will travel distances only measured by the soul. There will be no quantifiable or empirical. There needs no measure when what is experienced is immeasurable. All that will be will be understood by the absorbing of all that there is.

And So It Begins

Tags

art, athens, Ballet, Believing, bliss, body, body knowledge, conscious body, Conscious Living, contemporary ballet, Creative Flow, creative process, Creativity, Dance, development, dreams, EBAS, Energy, faith, modern dance, Paris, research, travel, VCU Dance

As I finish up my last day here in RIC for a while, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities that are opening up before me. Thankful for the freedom to move about the world and share my work and passions with people from all over the globe. I marvel at what dance has done for my life and for how it has carried me to places that I could have never dreamed of as a young man.

As a matter of fact, I had no clue I was a dancer. No clue that I would end up where I am creating three dimensional visceral landscapes, teaching how to create internal space and design external realities or bringing consciousness to the energetic pathways of our technique. I often wonder how I turned down this road.

Yet, I am on this journey. Happily and gratefully on this journey.

This trip to Athens is to present my perspective on teaching by sharing my  research, Training a Conscious Body: Redefining Pedagogy Practices in Contemporary Dance Technique for Increased Architectural Support and Physical Integrity. I am excited to share these examinations and talk about learning through sensation rather than imitation and the reexamining of time within the classroom.

The travel that follows will be to teach and to collaborate on the Paris Semester Abroad program for our students at VCU to take part in Spring 2016. I am excited to meet up with Michael Foley as well as Colleen Thomas-Young to share and organize all of this goodness. What amazing people to walk that journey with. Very grateful to Michael for his brilliance.

In addition, I will be meeting up with my dear friends Keith Bell and Josh Sessions to have a writing retreat. Both myself and Keith are working on books and we are going to spend our time writing in the cafes for even greater inspiration. A little fantasy come true I guess.

And one of the most synchronistic events will be having breakfast with Linda Kohanov. I have long admired her research and work with horses and had the luxury of participating in one of her leadership workshops this spring. She is an inspiration to me and I am tickled to be able to meet with her and hear her stories of the wonderful sharing she is doing with her work and the release of her book Power of the Herd in French.

I am truly grateful!!

And so, this begins the journey.

Returning “Home”

Tags

Conscious Living, Courageous Vulnerability, heart path, journey, patience, Soul to Soul, spirit, travel, Understanding, universal heart, Vulnerable, well being, Wonder

I have traveled many a place wandering far from home. As a child I dreamed of exploring this world to experience places and wonders unimaginable. The work I have chosen has provided that opportunity. Yet, when I started down that road I had no idea the magnitude of what the choice to make a decision to follow a heart fulfilled by movement would be. In fact, most people discouraged that thought as I threw caution to the wind and decided I must choose that which I knew nothing about but that fulfilled my heart.

It has been a journey. Full of both highs and lows, it has been a tumultuous ride. A ride I would not choose to do any differently. It has not been what I had dreamed, but it has been more than I could have possibly imagined. Yet, I realize my actual dreams are still ahead of me since all that has been happening in life has only been the preparation for what is to come. I have not always been ready for my dreams and therefor my life has been teaching me, training me in the ways in which I will be well prepared to handle the success of what is to come.

I realize this as I return to “home”. You see in all my travels and friendships on this journey I have landed in several places where my work has allowed a space of comfort and connection I could have never imagined. Yes, my original home is with my family in the suburbs of Chicago with family and friends who were incredible to me throughout my time growing up as a young adult. This allowed me the courage and confidence to make decisions to move myself along a path of following my dreams. My mother and my friends, my dear loving friends, held my hand with their love and their belief in me even when I had no belief in myself.

This love is home. And now I have found myself in a second home here in Denver. This place has become a space of creativity, love and light. It has become a place where I find comfort and support, graciousness and gratitude as well as love and admiration. In the creative space of the studio students give their all to us allowing an expression of the human condition through movement while being vulnerable and trusting enough to let us expand their movement vocabulary and understanding of what is possible in dance. This is a sacred space of returning that allows us to feel as if we are “home” when we return to the space of DSA.

And once the work is done in the studio, we return “home” to a space where we are loved and cared for for all of who we are and all of who we want to be. We are embraced with laughter and light, with warmth and with friendship, with food and with care. We return “home” to people who embrace us with their arms and with their hearts opening their home to us and sharing their stories with ours furthering the understanding of relationships full of love. This the ultimate humane condition. I am always amazed and honored when returning with some of the same people and some of the new people who have been gathered in the creative net of my life.

For this, I am grateful. For this I send an appreciation of love and light and most importantly, laughter. Laughter has always been the one thing that made me realize how much I love life and love the people in my life. If we have shared through laughter, we have shared through love. This is the way I prefer to show love I guess; the way in which I do love and express love. The loving light of laughter through humility and vulnerability to laugh at myself and at the experiences that bring a better understanding of humanity.

I am reminded of this as I return “home”. I am reminded to reach for more when I return “home”. I am encouraged and inspired when I return “home”. And this time, I realize it is time to reach further and to have the courage to make new pathways and perhaps leave “home” once again for even more fantastic journey’s and explorations. I understand that through this loving laughter it is time to take off to place unknown once again. It is time to “Depart from Platform Unknown” to places unknown with the courage and faith that life will be unfolding underneath my feet, guiding the way under the light of the waning moon.

Coming “home” after building a home has reminded me of my humble beginnings. And so I begin again for another shift in life to move forward into the direction of my actions, and the actions moving me forward into directions of the unfathomable. Thank you family and friends from Chicago. Thank you “family” and friends of Denver. Thank you for being the platform from which to catapult a whole new way of being.

Back to the Air

Tags

dance amaranth, friends, love, new family, tour, travel

I sit here waiting to board a flight through Chicago en route to Denver. As I wait I realize I am once again on the road with dance. I also breathe in gratitude for that ability and that abundance.

I have been on the road with move t in the heart of my bones many times this year. More gratitude. And even better, I have the honor of fulfilling a dream rounding all this travel out with the grand finally of China. Life is wonderful!

The other beautiful thing about all of this is the fact that I get to be with “family”. This family is a non-traditional family made of beautiful spirits full of magic, talent, grace and love. It is a managerie of brilliance that I get to share the enchanted world of dance with.

Because dance is a community activity, one must be careful to walk with those that believe in the power and wonderment of movement and who understand that it is through movement that we understand our humanity. And Amaranth is humanity in motion.

So once again the sky calls for kinetic majesty. I am honored that I get to respond with a resounding yes! I hear you majestic mystery of energy and I shall listen as I create and ride the river of the dances that you wish to share to our humble hearts.

Move by by movement we shape the energy of space to sculpt ephemeral bliss.

Traveling Into the Sun

Tags

long days, returning home, travel

I am just about home after an adventurous day of travel. I have been en route for 18 hours now and am on my final leg. In about 3 hours I should be touching down in Richmond and happily heading home to my boys.

It has been a wonderful trip and an absolutely wonderful week. The course and students were a delight and of course, Arezzo was spectacular as usual. Even so, I am happy to be headed home.

This research leave has been quite remarkable. So much has taken place, moved forward and deepened I not sure I could have imagined a better time. It has been theist traveling I have ever done and on one hand amazed an in the other exhausted.

I am looking forward to normalcy and a sense of place that VCU offers. That and being around some lovely students. It will be nice to be back.

Anyway, while I have been busy this summery time of sharing here has fallen off track. I am looking forward to morning writing and paying more attention to mg blog. I look forward to connecting once again.

Phew!!

Tags

Amaranth, bliss, EBAS, gratitude, research leave, Scott Putman, travel

It has been quite some time since I last sat down and typed at these keys. It feels great to have a little bit of space in my life to be able to sit here and face the screen looking out into the vast internet hoping to connect with all of you. It is lovely to be back and I am looking forward to sharing with you all the lovely time I have been having and the insights that have passed through me during my time away from this blog.

First off, let me say how grateful I am to have had the luxury of a research leave that has been graciously supported by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the beautiful VCU Dance Department. I am so thankful for everyone who absorbed some of my work load, shared in covering for me, and just the energy it took to allow me the freedom to stretch my wings. I feel air again and I am so thankful I am able to once again fly with the wind rather than against it. Thank you!

Second, I have had the incredible opportunity to fly around the globe sharing my work both in choreography and in the Elemental Body Alignment System (EBAS). It has been such a joy to be opening my work up to a large audience and seeing how that work and that energy is being accepted and absorbed into the many practices we have shared it in. I can’t express the joy I feel when I see the work in action and the immediacy of the work in the hearts and bodies of those who are experiencing it. Thank you for your trust and your faith, not only in the work, but also in me. I am humbled and honored.

Finally, I have so much to share that I would like to spend some time allowing it to fall into all of the right places. There are so many thoughts and ideas that they all need the right time and the right space to enter this blog space. That said, stay tuned to the blog and all that will be revealing itself on these pages. I have missed the practice of writing and expressing myself through the written form and can’t wait to get back to the regular expression of my heart.

Thank you again to all of you who continue to follow, support, share and believe. I can feel your energy and I am so grateful to you for sharing in the bliss of this life. May you feel my gratitude coming back to you not only directly through me, but through all of those that get to experience the joy of Amaranth, EBAS and VCU.

My energy fill your body, may light fill your soul, and may love radiate from your heart!!