Just back from a weeklong Biodanza Encounter in the USA as the Omega Institute for Holisitc Studies. It’s in Rhinebeck, NY, just 90 minutes north of NYC. To think it had been in “my back yard” when I was living in CT all those years! What a fantastic place! From the incredible grounds to the superb workshop offerings, Omega was everything I thought it would be and more.
First off, it was such an honor to be invited to present Biodanza at this prestigious institute, top of the top in the USA. Omega hosts the likes of Thich Nhat Hanh, Caroline Myss, Byron Katie, Eckhardt Tolle...all some of my favorites....and now, BIODANZA and me.
It was “Arts Week” at Omega during my time there and there were 13 workshops being offered. Writing, singing, performing, flowers, trapeze, watercolor, mandalas, comedy improv, photography and DANCE, of course, were part of the repertoire of choices.
Biodanza is definitely an “art”. One of our training weekends is “Ars Magna” , the Great Art of living. For when Rolando created Biodanza, he did so with the hopes that people would learn how to LIVE better and more productive lives with LIFE and LOVE at the center of humanity. In this sense, it was really very appropriate that Biodanza be at the Arts Week program at Omega.
I was just so amazed by all the people I met. People come to Omega to recharge their batteries, so to speak, and to discover the potential that is deep inside them. And indeed, I met so many talented people this week! Brave people who got up on stage to do comedy improv, sing, present their photography for all to see and to dance.
Omega is a no phone zone, for the most part, so it’s a place where you can be present with the space, the people, the work. I loved it. It puts people in the mood to reconnect again with each other and set aside the daily drone.
The Biodanza community that was created at Omega is a pioneering effort since this was the 1st USA Encounter of Biodanza on the East Coast. Yes, indeed, the group should be applauded for its sheer tenacity to show up and be. Be present. Be real. Be.
Our sampler class was HUGE with 50 people +- in the Movement Studio and lots of smiling faces. Young and old alike connected in simple yet profound ways in this session. I was so thrilled to see the interest! But after 3 days, there was a Biodanza Buzz on campus and they just HAD to come check it out! :)
The Biodanza Showcase that same day generated the same wow factor. In front of 200 Omega participants, Biodanceros invited others to come up to the front where we showed a little bit of what Biodanza in all about. Wow! We had so many people up on the dance floor and all were having FUN and moving to the tunes.
I felt joy most of this week as I delved into a full week of vivencia (8 classes in all) and this joy motivates me to keep on keepin’ on as I plant the seeds of Biodanza here on the East Coast USA.
I am pumped up about the NYC classes and Philadelphia seems to be taking off. There is some action to be happening in Virginia Beach, too, and of course, my Maryland classes continue to enrich me weekly.
Ooooo the 2nd USA School of Biodanza in on the horizon! I can just feel it! Fall of 2012 will continue with another gift to humanity given by Rolando Toro....the 1st East Coast USA Biodanza School! yeah!!
Sending you blessing and peace
Michelle
IBF Didactic Facilitator and Director of the IBF Maryland/DC School of Biodanza
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