A guided improvisational movement practice that engages somatic awareness to facilitate personal growth, emotional well-being, and collective healing. Welcoming participants of all experience levels, bodies and identities. We dance to expand and evolve our embodiment. We dance to release stored tension, emotions and patterns. We dance to integrate our experiences and we dance to remember who we really are.
We enter in a cycle of movement that begins slow, builds in intensity, peaks, lightens, and then settles. Through verbal instructions, participants are invited to explore, in their own bodies way – a variety of movement patterns, physical inquiries, and focal points. The journey is curated to an intentional and eclectic world music soundscape.
It is an alive journey where you might sweat (though you are always in control of your rhythm and pace).This class allows you to engage with the wisdom of your own body, to take you on a journey. This is a trauma-informed practice and container. This is a no eye contact practice (unless instructed- and even then, always just an invitation- not required)
There is wild and real wisdom living in our bones- we follow that wisdom.
Soul Dance is a practice, where the more we do it regularly, the more we learn about ourselves, our patterns, our truths and the fluctuations of our minds and emotions. We learn to be with, to surf, to express, to clear the way all while being in Community.
GUIDELINES: Be on time
PREPARATION: Wear clothing you can freely move and sweat in. Have water. Bring earplugs if you are sound sensitive
Cost: $20 (discounts available upon request)
REGISTER HEREWhat is the legacy of the genre/form/style you are teaching?
I curate experiences that draw from over 30 years of deep exploration and immersion in body, mental, spiritual, neuroscience, trauma, dance, theatre and other creative based modalities. Some of which include, improvisational authentic-movement, physical theatre, somatic therapy, dance-movement choreography- highly influenced by Pina Bausch-, ancient practices, shamanic study, yogic, Buddhist and influences from my own artistic and spiritual path of healing. Designed for ALL people who want to move their bodies. I guide the journey with intentional music and cues, in a supportive flow that allows each individual and the collective to drop in and dive into their journey. No experience is required.
What background, training, and or relationship do you have with this style/technique/class subject?
Allison is a somatic therapist and the creator of Soul Dance, formerly known as Emotion in Motion, out of twenty-five years of study, training, and practice in the performing and healing arts. In her role as the National Healing & Wellness Practitioner for the Joyful Heart Foundation, she developed and led programs, workshops, and therapeutic retreats for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse—as well as for the healers working on the frontlines of trauma. She was the Founder of Creative Seeds, a non-profit organization, which focused on working with communities through creative arts immersion projects and initiatives in both South Africa and the United States.
Allison is also a yoga teacher with specialized training in yoga for trauma. She is a certified Historical Trauma Specialist and Certified Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist. She taught at Sonic Yoga in New York City, Bhakti Yoga Shala in Los Angeles, BODY of Santa Fe, and was the resident yoga teacher for the Santa Fe Opera and Align Brooklyn. Certifications include Kundalini Yoga Therapy, Level 1, Trauma Resiliency Model, Yoga for Trauma, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist. She holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre with a focus on addressing Historical Trauma and Collective Healing.
Allison was named one of the 2015 United States Presidential Scholars’ most influential teachers by the United States Secretary Department of Education. She served as the Department Head of Movement, Dance, and Devising, where she also taught movement at the Professional Performing Arts School of New York City. She is a Theater Director and has directed at numerous theaters in New York City, regionally, and internationally. She received mentorship as an Assistant Director at the Steppenwolf Theatre. She was an ongoing Resident Director with New York University’s First Look Theatre Company, a member of the Lincoln Center Theatre Directors’ Lab, and a 2004 SSDC Traube Fellowship nominee.
Allison has studied, trained, certified, practiced, and walked many paths and methodologies in the creative arts, mental health, and spiritual realms.
Finish this statement: I am passionate about teaching this style because…
…it’s one of the most affordable forms of healthcare in America! It is one of the main practices, that has proven essential for me, in maintaining mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The dance invites a field of non-verbal bonding and belonging, while igniting creativity, connection and community. It is my main source of expression, honoring, and integrating—and I wish everyone to experience the joy, freedom, wildness, rawness and deep groove within them.
How can students learn more about this offering?
Website: allisontalis.com
Contact Information
Contact:
allisontalis@gmail.com
