Life ~ Moves
Moving into Freedom
with Mala Sikka and Terry Hagan
August 14-16
“The essence of movement is not only expression but a form of transformation. This could be a movement from the state of being unaware to being aware . . .” Suprapto Suryodharmo founder of Joged Amerta, The Jakarta Post.
A child meets the world through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, greeting each moment with alert curiosity. Children express themselves spontaneously, naturally with their body. As adults we often lose this freshness, yet we can experience it again by awakening our senses with movement and meditation that clear the habitual patterns and encourage joyful open awareness.
'Life-Moves' is an Amerta movement practice* with no set patterns to 'master'. We explore natural bodily movements which develop fluidity and authentic expression as we learn to trust subtle responses rather than habitual reactions. This builds confidence and understanding that helps us embrace refuge, vitality, and heightened awareness in our daily lives, enabling us to see ourselves as we are, without blame, judgment, false humility, pride or needing approval. With this work we can accept our limitations and potentials, and also be able to perceive others and our surroundings more clearly. It soon becomes clear that our attitude in movement is as important as the movement.
For more information about Amerta movement practice: https://www.triarchypress.net/uploads/1/4/0/0/14002490/glimpses_final.pdf
This workshop offers the following opportunities:
Explore guided movement in a supportive atmosphere, with the group, in small groups and one to one, using the natural mind and environment as our teachers.
Learn about the structure of our body and how our body moves in space.
Develop a new inner attitude towards our life and situations; accepting what is, so we can receive our condition and learn to rest
Free life-energy that is otherwise seized in self-doubt and self-criticism, and redirect this energy to new possibilities and vocabulary in our bodies and minds.
Increase vitality, joy of living. and appreciation for authentic caring expression that enables us to let go of old, tired habits.
Learn to be present in our daily movements and to become aware of the movement around us, opening the potential of “reading” and “writing” while moving.
*** No previous movement training is necessary; only an interest to explore. Wear loose comfortable clothing **
A life~moves review article extract from last year’s course
….We do not produce art but become art, a place of play that opens the mind…..This subtle dialogue, this watching, this following, makes my body want to curl like a question mark around everything! Like the excitement of finding the hidden riddle and unwrapping it in a dance where the walls and everything else comes to meet you…..Terry’s subtle suggestions and prompts help us discover the language of movement, while offering support for rest….. A whole vocabulary of becoming, being and passing away. It feels like a fine vibration and we look very closely to see it and to feel it express itself... A surge of gratitude bursts for this fine old body….clarity and insight surfaces and momentarily we see the truth….Terry’s indefatigable support equally giving fortification and brace when needed. It is remarkable to witness the vulnerabilities wash away. How has this unfolding happened so effortlessly? A sense of deep gratitude for the continuous and extraordinary energy, generosity and kindness. Anne Christianson
Mala Sikka is a movement artist. Mala spent years making and performing with larger than life puppet theatre which led her study Kathakali, a form of Indian dance theatre, and recently Charya dance from Nepal. Wanting to go deeper into the healing qualities of movement and meditation she received a diploma in Healing-Shiatsu which she has practiced since 1991. At this time, she also started studying with her Javanese movement teacher Suprapto Suryodharmo, and now is qualified by him to teach Amerta movement (river/nectar of life). Mala is the co-resident teacher with her husband Terry at the Dharma Centre of Canada. In 2011 she entered meditation retreat for 3 years in India, staying there until she returned in 2016. She has over 25 years of experience working with others, through body movement, meditation and healing, and especially enjoys working with those who are at cross roads in their lives and in times of change.
Terry Hagan has been studying meditation and movement practices for over 40 years. He began his studies with his main teacher Namgyal Rinpoche, a gifted meditation master who was able bridge eastern and western approaches to the study of mind and body through meditation and movement. Terry was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be his assistant for over 27 years, witnessing the evolvement of multiple forms of body awareness practices. Terry met Suprapto Suryodharmo in India in 2005 and began to study Amerta Movement under his guidance in India, Indonesia and Europe, and is qualified by Suprapto to teach.
Terry and his wife Mala continue to teach and evolve their practice of expressive meditation movement ‘Life Moves’ They have deep gratitude for their teachers the late Namgyal Rinpoche, thr late Suprapto Suryodarmo, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche.
Important Details:
When: Friday, August 14th to Sunday August 16th. Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish at 4:30pm on Sunday.
Rates: Non-members: $220, Members: $190.00
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Mala and Terry are sharing their experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana?: Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 7 days before the commencement of the course. For cancellations less than 7 days prior to course begin, a $100 administrative fee will be charged.