WORKSHOPS:
MOVEMENT, SPIRIT, COMMUNITY
MOVEMENT, SPIRIT, COMMUNITY
Afro-Core I: The Common Core
What is it, that empowered Post-African people to survive hundreds of years of horrific physical and psychic conditions? What it is, is that something in African and Post-African dance that attracts the whole world, that creates dance craze after dance craze. Part of the answer is the Afro-Core—how one masters and manipulates their Primal Energy centers.
In this fun and challenging class we will hear music from, and practice steps and movements from the U.S., Cuba, Brazil, the Congo, Mandekan, and more—to engage and empower our Afro-Core!
Afro-Core II: Mindfulness, Movement, and Self-Mastery
Breath is the key to our emotions. Action is the key to manifestation. This class uses African-African-based movement dynamics and sensibilities for an experiential session of breathing, moving, and visualizing—a practicum for engaging the powers of success.
Soft Shoe: Percussive Dance Without Taps
The beauty of tap—as any folk-based art form—is an extension of the lives of its originators. People danced, then added the taps. Let’s dive into some of the primal approaches to physicality that underpin the Post-African percussive dance tradition. We'll learn how and where to hold and shift one's body weight; we do traditional moves, steps, and gestures...and learn a classic routine; fun!
Shout and Juba: Down-Home/Antebellum Rituals of Self-Cleansing
Newly-imported Africans and their African American descendants had a lot to contend with. Others had dominion over their bodies, but they controlled their souls. To survive these stressors, they turned to their deep Spiritual technologies, creating ceremonies to keep them in touch with God and Spirit (Nyame/Olodumare), as well as rituals to expunge the negativity the captives were bombarded with on a daily basis.
In this experiential workshop, we will learn the origins and ritual use of Kumbaya, and Amen; we will Pat Juba to purge our souls; we will experience the power of the R.B. (Not R-AND-B!) and “Old Time Religion” via Ring Shout, and more.
Legend Yoga: Asana, Breath, Sacred Movement, and Story
One of yoga's benefits is the re-alignment of our physical, and our energetic bodies. Súle uses time-honored poses and sequences to warm, loosen, equilibrate and strengthen the body. He then introduces sacred movements from the Post-African tradition, engaging the body's energetic centers with a new modality, and applies these ancient techniques to our day-to-day lives. We then take a closer look at a few famous poses, and hear the stories behind the movements, that they may come to life in our newly stable, energized bodies. It is truly an experience!
Chakra Circle: Self-Centering with Story and Sound
Our energetic body is just as complex as our physical one, if not more. In this class we will discuss the purposes of our seven main Energy Centers, or Chakras. We will learn chants to energize and optimize their functions. We will also become acquainted with these archetypal Energies through myth, music, and dance.
The Rising Road: Mindfulness in Movement
In our Journey of Life, cares and troubles burden us, and take root in our hearts, muscles, and bones. In this gentle workshop we will pair the Buddhist practice of Moving Meditation with ancient music of Earth-based peoples, creating both an internal and external focus to accelerate transformation.
Get Down & Let Go I: Spirit-Cleansing Dances from the African Tradition
Every culture in the world has troubles and stressors. Some relieve it with kneeling prayer; some sit in meditation; some dance it away. In this by-the-hand workshop, Súle Greg Wilson will teach you dance steps and movements from al over the Continent of Africa: North, West, Central, South, and East—he has witnessed and experienced; steps that ground you and open you up to releasing negativity and stepping into your Best Self.
Get Down & Let Go II: Personal Spirit-Cleansing from the African Tradition
Newly-imported Africans and their African American descendants had a lot to contend with. Others had dominion over their bodies, but they controlled their souls. To survive these stressors, they turned to their deep Spiritual technologies, creating ceremonies to keep them in touch with God and Spirit (Nyame/Olodumare), as well as rituals to expunge the negativity the captives were bombarded with on a daily basis.
In this experiential workshop, we will learn and practice the ritual use of song and dance to release and purge accumulated frustration and negativity. Come prepared to move, to shout, and to become fearless.
Sacred Space, and Holy Highs: Go Within and Take to the Sky
Every child works real hard to get high! They swing, they spin, they laugh, they roll, they skip, they sing, they yell. All these activities are natural ways to upgrade your consciousness, increasing oxygen levels and releasing endorphins. In this just-for-fun workshop, we will explore and practice some of these All-Natural, All-Legal, and Reasonably Safe ways people all over the world have developed to make themselves High!
I Ching I: The Oracle System
The Ancients recognized that each circumstance in Life goes through its own cycle of manifestation—from idea, to rough beginnings, to empowerment, to fruition, to decline. That cycle was depicted graphically through eight basic figures: the Trigrams—a binary trio of lines that chart the energy available for something to manifest to completion.
This system was used by China’s first documented dynasty, the Shang, and has been use ever since—an oracle in practice for thousands of years—that charts where in that process the topic of a given question lies.
In this experiential workshop, we will examine the energy and images the Trigrams, the scenarios they can depict, and how to use them to better understand our place in, and impact upon, the world.
I Ching II: Oracles and Vision: Seeing and Seeding Your Life Path with the I Ching
Everyone comes to Earth with the same Primary Mission: Experience the World, and Make a Difference. How that happens, is as different as everyone’s DNA. In exclusive one-on-one sessions, Trained Priest and Oracle Reader Súle Greg Wilson sits with clients to reveal, through the ancient I Ching oracle, their particular Major Life Lesson, and prescribe methods to maximize success!
Rhythm for Inner Peace
Music is a tool, a key to altered consciousness. Learn to use rhythm—alone, or in groups—to change your state of mind. Fifth grade and up.
Facilitation Workshop: Rhythm Community
As tech takes more space in our lives, our need to feel community increases. Newborns die without human contact; older ones wither away. Noted educator and American Griot Súle Greg Wilson shares fun and challenging trust- and community-building activities from the Old and New World to break down barriers, weaken fears, and bolster human connectivity. Age seven (with adult) and above.
DCF and Beyond: The Drummer’s Path
Drum Circle Facilitation provides a safe environment to experience of unbridled creativity, and short-term social cohesion. In DCF and Beyond, folklorist Súle Greg Wilson applies the Twelve Drummer's Path Principles to expand the paradigm beyond the known “Conductor/Orchestra” facilitation model. Participants are provided license and space to curate their own experiences, while serving the needs of the collective. Individuals are empowered, and sticky services provide the container.