Lasting / Maireannach ( in Gaelic)

When I visit Canberra it will be the final stop in a wonderful project called Lasting that has given me time with elders of four Taiwanese tribes and the Maoris of Aotearoa. What I would like to share with you is some of the themes that have been offered to me around what it means to be a respected elder in the community and how that translates into dance.

The Lasting workshop will be like an extended informal dance class with a few cultural insights and a tale or two from my three month journey before landing in Canberra.

What will we do? Lets start with a gentle warmup based on the Eight Brocades sequence of Chi Qung then some warming dance that will be enlivening and get those happy endorphins working.

Then we will sample some of the movements inspired by indigenous elders. All from the perspective of a 70 year old Scottish dance teacher!

Cool down will be based on yoga breathing and Pilates stretches.

Music will be varied from tribal songs to Scottish lilts and silence.

Please come and join me for some joyful moving that’s energising and relaxing.