21 October 2013

Tribal Combinations, pre {fireside chATS}

 I'm working up a {fireside chATS} dealing with the inevitability of adding mini-choreographies and combos into the ATS® lexicon. It should only be a few days before I publish the post here on the Director's Cut Blog, bu in the meantime I shaved off this description of our Level Two class, Tribal Combinations:

For the Tribal Combinations class, we select 4 or 5 steps from the repertoire and put them into a combo decided by popular opinion; say we have Shimmy, Arabic Hip Twist, Egyptian+1/2 Turn, Reach and Sit. We look at the attributes of each step-do they present in place, turn to face in, or can you travel with them. The chart would look like this:

Shimmy-presents in place, turns around and travels forward, back and in a circle
Arabic Hip Twist-presents in place, 1/2 turns and travels forward, back and in a circle
Egyptian+1/2 Turn-presents in place and 1/2 turns and the Basic E travels forward, back and in a circle
Reach and Sit-presents in place and turns around

Then we decide how to combine them, based on whether they are vertical or horizontal in nature.

Shimmy-horizontal
Arabic Hip Twist-horizontal
Egyptian-vertical
Reach and Sit-horizontal

Based on this collection of attributes we decide on a combo that looks like this:

Shimmy around in a circle, pull into the lead with Egyptian and add the 1/2 Turn, end the 1/2 Turn with Arabic Hip Twist (w/o turning it) and switch into Reach and Sit. Pivot with Reach and Sit to meet your partners in the circle and travel in a Shimmy. Lather, rinse, repeat.

The number of times you do each step depends on the phrasing of the music, so that's a "wild card" but the combo just gets repeated until the song is over. It's lots of fun and teaches you how to choose complimentary steps on the fly. The logic gets into your muscle memory and soon you can Improv successfully without having to think...Flow has begun.

Stay tuned for ATS® Mini-choreographies!

Week Two L1L2 and on-going L3



07 October 2013

just wanted to pass this along

 I receive updates each week from the Prayer Circle for Animals. I always take a moment to read them and meditate for a moment on the plight of animals. Sometimes they can be hard to read.

This one, however, is a joy and I wanted to share it with you. The part that I will take away today is this: We must remind ourselves that every single act and thought of love is never lost.  It becomes a permanent part of the blossoming world of peace we are creating.

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Prayer Circle for Animals Weekly Update
Please share with friends!!
Our prayers for all animals continue to circle the earth, to
uplift humanity's consciousness, and to bless the animals themselves.
 Thank you for joining people around the world who are praying this
prayer in many different languages but all with the same love:
"COMPASSION ENCIRCLES THE EARTH FOR ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE

More evidence that our prayers and actions are working to liberate animals--San Diego, California, elementary schools began serving Meatless Monday meals to all students this fall.  While they had been offering vegetarian options in previous years, they decided to go completely meatless (though not vegan) on every Monday.

On our watch, we continue to see horrific violence against animals.  At the same time, we are witnessing amazing progress.  Part of our work involves caring for ourselves so that we do not burn out and give up in despair.  I have seen this happen to numerous people who cared so much that they could no longer deal with the endless reports of animal suffering.

We must remind ourselves that every single act and thought of love is never lost.  It becomes a permanent part of the blossoming world of peace we are creating.  So let us celebrate this great news of Meatless Mondays in San Diego.  Find some ways this week to celebrate: 1. who you are; 2. the great love you are bringing to this world; and 3. all the beauty and freedom that has come from your actions and prayers and those of the many people who embrace all beings with compassion and love.

Thank you, as always, for your prayers, your vision, and your faithful lovingkindness.  

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy; and from Will, Madeleine, and the Circle of Compassion team.

If you haven't already done so, please join us at the Prayer Circle for Animals Facebook page.  Here we can share prayer requests and ideas for general prayers and various actions to take.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayercircleforanimals

To support our work and help us expand this ministry, please go to http://circleofcompassion.org/donations.html


May all beings be happy.  May all beings be free.


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Please visit the website www.circleofcompassion.org often to see updates and special prayers, and also to join in our "A prayer a day for animals" which features a prayer for a different group of animals each day of the week.  Please forward this widely so that we may continue to add more people to our ever-expanding circle of compassion.