winter experiences
at the Y downtown
ECSTATIC DANCE
This is a very special, fun, and potentially cathartic experience that only happens once a year.
Saturday Jan 11
9-10am
Here are a few words to prepare for this magical movement journey that is sure to make you feel, laugh, smile, maybe cry and curse a little! It will move you, promise.
We will be working with the 5Rhythms method developed by the late Gabrielle Roth before she died in 2012. Music will move from Flowing to Staccato to Chaos to Lyrical to Stillness embodying the archetypes of Caregiver, Advocate, Visionary, Artist, Healer and will bring much to the surface. I always have SO. MUCH. FUN with this, but some amping up is required.
"The 5Rhythms – Flowing Staccato Chaos Lyrical Stillness – are states of Being. They are a map to everywhere we want to go, on all planes of consciousness – inner and outer, forward and back, physical, emotional and intellectual. They are markers on the way back to a real self, a vulnerable, wild passionate, instinctive self.
In Flowing, we physically practice the art of being fluid in our bodies. Flowing is the pipeline to our inner truth, the impulse to follow the flow of one’s own energy, to be true to oneself—listening and attending to our needs, receptive to our inner and outer worlds. When we open up to the flow of our physical beings, all other pathways open. It is one of the most beautiful and fascinating ways of dancing—to be in, to be around, and to watch. Men and women that embody the Rhythm of Flowing are supple, flexible, surrendered and trust their feet to lead them where they are meant to go.
In Staccato we physically practice the power of masculine energy. It is percussive and strong and promotes connection with the rest of the world. Staccato is the gateway to the heart. It shows us how to step out into the world connected to our feet and our feelings. This rhythm is the ruler of our linear world, the ruler of the warrior part of us, the part of us that shows up as truth and clarity. It is the part of us that stands up for what we care about, who we love, and what we love. Staccato is the fierce teacher of boundaries. And it is the protector and ambassador of our fluid being. Visually, a man or woman fully embodied in the Rhythm of Staccato is defined, clear, connected and not fearful of the transparent expression of their heart. Whether dancing Staccato alone, in partnership, or in groups—it is always a powerful experience.
In Chaos we physically practice the art of fully releasing our bodies - we let go of the head, spine, hips and feet and move faster than we can think. Chaos breaks us free of our illusions and throws us headfirst into the beat. It takes us on the journey from “I can’t” to “I will”. The simple practices of Chaos immediately bring us back to our bodies, to the moment. This rhythm liberates us from all ideas about who we are and gives us a real experience of being total, free, intuitive and creative. Chaos is the gateway to the big mind. Dancing Chaos is the practice of going into the unknown, not fearing what’s on the other side. Visually we look like a big, hot, giant, sweaty mess overflowing with cathartic energy. This is our big dance, our break out dance, our break through dance.
In Lyrical we practice the art of coming out of Chaos. It is the physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual dancing rebirth. The practice of Lyrical teaches us how to break out of destructive patterns and surrender into the depths of the fluid, creative repetitions of our soulful self, bubbling up from the deepest parts of ourselves, to the integrity and dignity that we often forget is within us. Lyrical is expansive and connects us to our humanity, timeless rhythms, repetitions, patterns and cycles. Lyrical is more of a state of being than a Rhythm, as it can be a crystal clear expression of any of the Rhythms in their lightness. We become light in our feet, like birds flying in the air—but make no mistake, in Lyrical we are grounded and fully empowered.
Being Still and doing Nothing are totally different. Stillness moves, both within and all around us. The dance is our vehicle, our destination is the Rhythm of Stillness; our challenge is to be a vessel that keeps moving and changing. Physically, in the dance of Stillness, we move in slow motion—like highly unpredictable meditative Tai Chi masters. Shapes from the past, the present and the future come through us—shapes of the Feminine and the Masculine and the magic dance they do together. Moving in Stillness and being still in motion fuses the accumulation of our bodies’ life experiences into our true wisdom. Eventually we dissolve into sitting meditation, where all the other Rhythms of our journey converge in the vital resonance of Stillness. Each time we dance into Stillness, we practice the art of making humble and mindful endings interpreted by our higher connected self. This carries through to all of our endings in life—the end of this dance, this day, this relationship, or this life cycle. Good endings mean taking responsibility for the whole journey, distilling wisdom from our experience so that we may begin the next wave or cycle clean and not carrying the past with us.”
We start with the creation of a strong and clear space for this experience, so please do your best to arrive 10-15 minutes early. We will not be on our mats, but you can bring your mat for savasana at the end. The music is loud and the movement is free. Please be mindful to take care of yourself especially if you have injuries you are working with. Once the initial container is set and the music begins there will be minimal instruction as this is an experience to connect deeply to your core self. Lastly, please respect the personal space of the fellow participants as this is meant to be a sacred experience. This is not about your dance moves but an invitation to release all that needs releasing.
SOUND HEALING
Saturday Jan 18
9-10am
We flow for about 30 min and then settle into a bath of sound. Sound therapist Elizabeth Pupeter will bring your tools and expertise in using sound to calm the nervous system for profound rest and recovery. This is an otherworldly experience not to be missed.
at Simply Yoga
Group Acupuncture and Restorative Yoga experience
last Wednesday of each month
next session: JAN 29 | 6:45 - 8:00pm
with Megan Bartelt, L.Ac. Dipl. Ac. and Kat Bettger, ERYT YACEP
location: Simply Yoga in Oshkosh
What to Expect:
Balancing Acupuncture: Experience the healing benefits of acupuncture in a group setting, designed to harmonize and restore your body’s natural energy.
Gentle Restorative Yoga: Engage in calming yoga practices that will soothe your nervous system and enhance relaxation.
Visualization and Breathing: Participate in guided techniques to deepen your sense of peace and clarity.
Essential Oils and Herbal Tea: Enjoy added relaxation with the soothing aromas and flavors of essential oils and herbal tea provided during the class.
Why Group Acupuncture and Restorative Yoga (GARY) is a must for you:
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or haven’t experienced complete rest in a while, this experience is for you. The combination of acupuncture and restorative yoga aims to restore harmony and bring joy to your body. Individual acupuncture sessions and private yoga can cost upwards of $100-190 but this series offers an affordable way to receive both treatments and personalized support. The communal nature of this experience will amplify the collective harmony of the group, providing a truly elevated and rejuvenating experience.
This collaboration is a dream come true and aligns perfectly with the mission to offer holistic healing. It promises to be a magical journey for anyone ready to participate and embrace balance. Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot soon. Registration information with be up soon!
Fee: $80/session. We have intentionally crafted a transformative experience and we want it to be personal to you therefore advanced sign up is required. We recommend booking multiple sessions.
Depending on your insurance, FSA funds can be applied. More details will be available when registration is open.