It has been a wild few weeks here in the US with the inauguration of our new President as well as the powerful woman’s march on Washington, where over a million people took to the streets in our nations capital and around the country to support woman’s rights.
The protests were peaceful and unifying and offered an outlet for woman and minorities to express their concerns around issues relating to our new president and his agenda.
“We just want to make sure that we’re heard,” said Mona Osuchukwu, 27, a D.C. native. “I want her to know that she has a voice,” she said of her 3-year-old daughter, Chioma, who was with her at the march. “No matter what anyone tells her, especially as a black woman in America.”
Whatever your political views, it is clear to see that we are living in a country and a world that is divided. You may be feeling afraid, disheartened, hopeful, inspired, angry or alone. You may have felt the need to separate yourself from friends and family members (on social media and in ‘real’ life) after discovering that you did not share the same values. Marching, protesting, donating to worthy causes, petitioning the government and promoting positive change are all incredibly valuable, noble and actionable ways that you can express yourself, serve others and contribute to the forward momentum of the civil rights movement.
There is another powerful and personal way that you can allow your ‘voice’ to be heard, as well as to truly understand the fears and desires of others:
“Only through art can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees.” – Marcel Proust
As aerial artists we are all fortunate to have discovered a vehicle for our self-expression. It is a gift and a privilege. Whether you are just starting out on your aerial journey or are a seasoned professional and/or aerial instructor, you have something unique and beautiful to say.
Our challenge for you this week is to spend some conscience time in the air expressing and communicating your emotions. This may sound unusual, a little silly and maybe even a bit scary (“I need to concentrate on the tricks!”) but trust us, it is a really helpful and powerful exercise for those challenging days when emotions are running high and it all seems just a little bit too much.
W&B’s Five Minutes to Empowerment
(An aerial-therapy exercise)
- Find a song that resonates with how you are feeling, or if you are not inspired by music, try a recording of a poem or (ugh-hem) a political or protest speech that gets you fired up!
- Identify 3 or 4 tricks/combinations that you are super comfortable with on your favorite apparatus. Write them down and/or memorize them.
- Book some open workout time at your studio or rig and/or a private lesson with an aerial instructor if you are in a position to do so.
- Begin to play. Try not to focus too much on the perfect execution of your tricks (remember, you should already be extremely comfortable with them); this exercise is not about your technique or your lines (there is plenty of time for that later). Focus on your feelings, close your eyes if possible, listen to your music and move only when you are inspired to.
- Perform all of your tricks/combinations, even if the music has ended, continue on. Stay focused on your breath, on your pulse, on your inspiration for moving. This is your story that you are creating, carving it out with your limbs, your feet your hands and your sweat. When you have finished, return to the ground and take stock. The dance may be over but you remain, strong and defined by its truth.
Although this exercise is an excellent way to begin the creation of a new aerial act through the exploration of authentic intention this is not the purpose here. What is important to focus on is what is going on internally and how those emotions and feelings influence your movement. There is no need to record yourself, (unless you feel you can refrain from self-judgment and criticism), as this is a personal journey of vulnerability and self-discovery. The exploration is the purpose.
We hope you make time to experiment with this exercise some time this week or in the near future. Remember; your voice, your body, your thoughts, your ideas and feelings matter and along with all human beings, deserve to be expressed and understood! Lets make art that heals and unifies the world, that celebrates diversity and identifies our similarities and that comes from a place of truth, self-exploration and love.
Begin within….
Aerial Art, Aerial Dance, Aerial Performance, Aerial Silks, Dance Therapy, Movement Therapy, Womack and Bowman
