Two separate but related workshops exploring the evolutionary anatomy of the human body and the implications for life in the modern world. You can come for either day, or both.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13: SERPENT SPINE

Exploring the serpent spine at the centre of the human body as the central axis of movement, of breath, of internal sensing and external expression. The centre of our felt, physical connection to the living world, and to our shared ancestry with all creatures back through deep time.

We will practice simple effective exercises to gain precise awareness and movement of every tiny segment of the spine, ribcage, abdomen, the pelvic floor, the throat and the skull, finding our "blank spots": areas of deeply held unconscious tension and learning to produce waves of smooth, powerful and pleasant muscle contraction through all of these forgotten spaces.

To precisely direct the breath through these same areas, using the breath to massage the centre of the body from the inside out and feeling clearly the links between different patterns of breathing, movement, chronic tension and our shifting emotional and mental states.

Practices to develop flowing, spontaneous movement through space, training the spine and torso to work effortlessly with the eyes and the limbs, developing serious leg strength and powerful, intelligent hips.

Sunday: ANIMAL BODY

A second full day linking the spinal intelligence work from the previous day with explorations of various qualities of the animal body: softness, strength, elasticity, balance, agility, coordination, reflexes.

Ancestral movement patterns shared with fish, lizards, mammals and other primates. Movement patterns and abilities that are wonderfully adapted to the complex, irregular and unpredictable shapes of the natural world, which are under-utilised and even suppressed in the civilised, modern, urban environment.

The workshop is open to anyone who is interested. The practices are safe and can be scaled according to individual needs and abilities.

All of the work is very physical, but always with an emphasis on intelligence and sensitivity, kindness, and the deliberate cultivation of joy in physical practice as the main qualities we are trying to develop.

Signup link is via the Praksis website: https://www.praksis.com.au/ancestral-movement