LAB Workshop

Over 3 sessions I had a lovely experience doing a workshop with 7 women from LAB (Leben Aktiv Bereichern). It was a dance workshop where I could actively explore ideas and movement with women over 65 years old. We called the workshop “Dancing Away The Corona Blues” referring to the return to group physical activity after the limitations of the past years.  Due to the uncertainty surrounding the Corona virus I held the workshops outdoors in a park.  

I’ve always been curious as to how to work with this age group most effectively. It’s not the first time I have given a workshop for this age group, yet every time I do I am positively surprised and fulfilled by what I get out of the time spent. There is so much life experience there to tap into.   The gift of working with people of this age is that they are open to try things out with everyone moving in their own way.  They know their limitations physically, yet there is a willingness to take things as far as they possibly can. We all have the same inner lust and desire to move and dance and the passion in this age group is very present and real.  They have a freedom that, however they move, it’s authentic and a gift.

The thoughts behind my ideas in the tasks and exercises were on themes of physical awareness, moving in different (dynamic) ways, expressing oneself and ones emotions and interpersonal connection in movement. The tasks were set and the execution was left free for each participant.

It was surprising and beautiful to see them dance and how they passionately engaged themselves.  There was a genuine care and respect there in the group and the way their eyes opened up as they moved and came to themselves in the time was very special.  We had 2 hours in each session, and 2 hours of movement even with breaks is a lot especially at that age.  But there was no stopping them!

I am very thankful for the experience and am thinking of ways that I can continue to expand this in a choreographic setting.