POETRY OF MOVEMENT
- a School of Perceptiveness through Dance
The true healer is the artist
because he has direct access to the human soul
"I discovered Sofia and her dance in exactly the right time and space, what a blessing. I was needing that type of body moment and exactly how she was offering it (which I didn’t think existed). Teaching in small groups, she keeps an eye on our personal process and guides us in that, and at the same time offers and manages a group flow and process. She offers a frame, so freely it allows us unhibited personal expression and at the same time with some structure and containment that allows us to go deeper, in observing, in feeling and then in expressing. She is truly eye-catching as she walks her talk and shows with her own body what it is about."
Merel van den Broucke, Belgium
Merel van den Broucke, Belgium
About the Work...
Having the consciousness that is our perception of things that shapes the world around us and also that movement is our first language - the most authentic-, I gathered tools to develop our physical possibilities, without loosing spontaneity, and to become more aware: in dance as in life. Perception, according to Aristotle in De Anima, can be already a result of something that moves us, a form of affection; and I like this hypothesis...
One of the intentions of this methodology is to be a creative-healing training that can be very effective for anyone regardless age or condition. Dancers, actors, musicians and artists in general, can specially benefit from it, not just because it helps them to connect more easily to the fountain of creativity inside the subtlety of the body but also to be more authentic, expressive and have less injuries.
Elements used in this Methodology:
. Amálgama's Dance Company language, inspired by Tai Chi and Qi Gong flow -that unleashes the body's energetic resources by openning the blocked channels-, and also, sometimes, it's ritualistic character
. Danis Bois Method of Fasciatherapy applied to performative arts through gentle fascia release touch, bodywork and Somatic proprioceptive knowledge
. Butoh meditative walking and moving techniques (mainly "Body-Weather" inspired), and eye work
. Martial arts general approach with its focus on lower gravity center, groundness and centeredness
. Animal and evolutionary movement awareness and its organicity
. Contact Improvisation exercises and free partnering explorations balance and lighten the intensity of the constantly required listening to breathing, alignment and somatic information
Basic paradigms:
- We direct the “attention resource” to the body in movement gaining precious subtle information - otherwise lost-, unifying and integrating our fragmented parts,
- We learn how to answer to an external call to action without our body losing communication with inner truth…again feeling more integrated in and out of the studio,
- We (physically), understand that, to have a better “command” of the body, we need the minimum of muscular tension, thus our movement becomes extremely efficient and without injuries, It's never too much to underline how much a relaxed body becomes an empty vessel for creation to happen!
- We learn a universal language that structures our personal movement and supports its freedom: like a re-setting,
- We use conscious breathing to enhance physical performance,
- We challenge ourselves to use the same continuous flow transformed into actions with different qualities,
- We develop the capacity of imagery as a “focusing device”, avoiding the drifting of the mind,
- The enjoyment of experimentation, surprise and playfullness opens spaces where our energy can flow free and we can feel fulfilled by it,
- We Integrate our contradictions and paradoxes through the dialectic between order and chaos: a non-dualistic mode of awareness
What to expect?
Some of the most usual changes we can notest after some time of regular practice are: the feeling of physical freedom and fluidity, the body becoming more sensible, flexible and connected and the mind more focused, sharp and able to adapt in any conditions of life, besides a heightened sensitivity.
We become better and better in listening to our needs in present moment. In general it takes time to reach slow minimum movement "level": when time comes there is a kind of confrontation with habits but eventually we recognize how much effort we spend without actual need. Then we will be able to better respond when true impulse and reaction is necessary.
For performers, the intensity of presence and truth on stage will naturally take the audiences attention.
Why Travelling Between Dimensions?
One of the things that Inspires me in Butoh dance is the fact that it´s probably the only form of contemporary dance that truly explores the process of metamorphosis itself. It’s not the form or shape the dancer achieves but the state of inbetweeness he travels to and expresses through his movements. It touches a liminal space that can open new perspectives in the rational mind and consequently new ways of moving.
This methodology can give birth to this state in a specific framework that sustains and supports our continuous transformation, offering internal stability and constant capacity of adaptation.
One of the things that Inspires me in Butoh dance is the fact that it´s probably the only form of contemporary dance that truly explores the process of metamorphosis itself. It’s not the form or shape the dancer achieves but the state of inbetweeness he travels to and expresses through his movements. It touches a liminal space that can open new perspectives in the rational mind and consequently new ways of moving.
This methodology can give birth to this state in a specific framework that sustains and supports our continuous transformation, offering internal stability and constant capacity of adaptation.
What Poetry of Movement is not…
- It’s not an event- may it take some hours or days-, it is not a social meeting but rather a deep commitment to our own proccess. The motivation to move is to feel oneself first and only then the other,
- You won’t find here strict choreographies or steps, unless maybe if we get to the point of presenting the result of the work,
- For sure it’s not a psychological approach to movement, with very defined moments or emotions all participants have to go through,
- It's the proccess itself (and not the end), that counts: it's not what you do or where you get, but rather the way you do it and how much you offer yourself to the present moment.
For Whom?
For any Being (performer or not), who wishes to connect the inner with the outer landscape, of his/her primary tool which is the body, into a more authentic communication and presence on the stage of life.
Regularity?
I totally encourage a weekly practice of 2hours minimum.
For any Being (performer or not), who wishes to connect the inner with the outer landscape, of his/her primary tool which is the body, into a more authentic communication and presence on the stage of life.
Regularity?
I totally encourage a weekly practice of 2hours minimum.
Other Testimonials
"All her work complements in the most holistic way, which helped me to unite the many aspects of life. I made a period of dance classes and also work with the elixirs, and I could see immediate and profound effects at all levels of my being. Nowaday's, lots of exercises i've learned in her movement classes, come in the most natural way. And i also totally recommend Fasciatherapy sessions with her!"
Marisa, Sagres
"Sofia´s classes of dance have taught me a lot about myself, about the consciousness of body and its inner movement. I have learned about going inside and accepting whatever I find, through a union between a deep internal stillness and movement expression. I have learned to come home to myself, to listen to my body, and again, to accept. Actually this part of Sofia´s work is incredibly healing and empowering, bringing up lots of natural knowledge stored inside ourselves."
Anni Katajamaki, Finland
Drawing by Anni Katajamaki
"Since our first class we all loved the way she guided us: so enthusiastic, passioned and open-minded. Thank you!"
Irene Berger, Holland
Irene Berger, Holland
“It was beautiful the poetic warm up of our Sofia Ferreira! Wow!! We are very grateful♥ Sofia is a teacher of dance and poetry in motion! We were almost 200 people dancing in a journey that its still very present in our bodies and in our souls ♥”
Virgílio Beatriz, Ecstatic Dance (October 2019)
Virgílio Beatriz, Ecstatic Dance (October 2019)
