Circle dancing, U3A Foster You’ve square danced and line danced, but circle dancing adds a whole new dimension, writes Robin Bunker
By Robin Bunker
SINCE I started ballet lessons in early childhood, I’ve enjoyed dance drama, modern dance, ballroom dancing, square dancing and line dancing. But the discovery of circle dancing has added another dimension to this lifelong love of dance.
Since the start of 2012, I’ve been part of Lois Frankland’s very popular weekly circle dance classes at Foster.
Circle dancing seems to offer something quite unique. It’s performed in a circle, which creates a wonderful sense of communication and community, respect and care. Circle dancing draws on the rich and diverse traditional dances of many countries from around the world. There are also inspiring modern choreographies set to classical and contemporary world music, which makes for a rich experience.
A German, Bernhard Wosein (1906-1986), who had a passion for traditional European dance, developed modern circle dancing at Findhorn in the 1970s and `80s.
There is an interesting and indirect connection from Wosein to Lois’s Foster classes, because Wosein used to dance with Friedel Kloke-Eibl from Holland, who danced with Conny Brandt, who introduced Lois to circle dancing in Melbourne. Conny visited us in Foster last year and taught us a beautiful new dance called `Karewe Yom` which is about giving and receiving.
The dances range from lively to calming and peaceful. One moment you can be doing an exuberant Hungarian dance and the next dance can flow like a moving meditation. Some dances are simple and others a little more intricate, but over the weeks they become familiar. Each dance is taught just before it is done. The aim is to experience the joy of dancing with others and enjoy the ancient spirit of dance.
For many years, I’ve been interested in healing that engages the whole person. In 1986 I trained as a herbalist with an inspiring healer and teacher who incorporated Bach flower essences in her treatments.
In the 1980s and `90s a German woman called Anastasia Geng created circle dances based on these essences. Anastasia was originally from Latvia and had throughout her life been interested in the traditional music and dances of her native country. In Latvia the songs, music and dances have roots that go all the way back to pre-Christian times, to the worship of ancient mothers, and particularly Mara, the Mother of Life. One of the dances she created was Elm Tree, which we dance in a modified form.
In 1992, Joanna Macy, a well-known eco-philosopher and spiritual activist, used this dance as a powerful community healing tool when she and her team worked with the people of Novozybkov, one of the cities most contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Dancing is therapeutic irrespective of the actual form. The latest brain research suggests it’s associated with a lower risk of dementia and age-related memory loss. In the UK, circle dancing is being used with great success with Alzheimers and dementia patients, not surprising given that circle dancers are learning new steps in an enjoyable, supportive and relaxed way.
The main object of circle dancing is not to “get the steps right”. Apart from the sheer enjoyment, when we do a traditional dance we are stepping back into a culture’s history and tasting other people’s lives without pretending to be them.
Whether it is a traditional dance or a modern choreography, it usually evokes something more. It is that quality that we honour at the end of the dance when we stand together silently rather than dropping hands immediately and clapping, talking or rushing into the next dance.
You can approach circle dancing as simply enjoyable physical exercise or as something deeper. Either way, it brings a sense of peace, togetherness and well being.
Robin Bunker will offer circle dancing classes at the Inverloch Community House from October 7. Men and women of all ages are welcome. You don’t require a partner or dance experience. The cost is $5 for members of the community house or $7 for non-members. Inquiries: Inverloch Community House on 5674 2444 or contact Robin, 0434 336 781 or [email protected]
SINCE I started ballet lessons in early childhood, I’ve enjoyed dance drama, modern dance, ballroom dancing, square dancing and line dancing. But the discovery of circle dancing has added another dimension to this lifelong love of dance.
Since the start of 2012, I’ve been part of Lois Frankland’s very popular weekly circle dance classes at Foster.
Circle dancing seems to offer something quite unique. It’s performed in a circle, which creates a wonderful sense of communication and community, respect and care. Circle dancing draws on the rich and diverse traditional dances of many countries from around the world. There are also inspiring modern choreographies set to classical and contemporary world music, which makes for a rich experience.
A German, Bernhard Wosein (1906-1986), who had a passion for traditional European dance, developed modern circle dancing at Findhorn in the 1970s and `80s.
There is an interesting and indirect connection from Wosein to Lois’s Foster classes, because Wosein used to dance with Friedel Kloke-Eibl from Holland, who danced with Conny Brandt, who introduced Lois to circle dancing in Melbourne. Conny visited us in Foster last year and taught us a beautiful new dance called `Karewe Yom` which is about giving and receiving.
The dances range from lively to calming and peaceful. One moment you can be doing an exuberant Hungarian dance and the next dance can flow like a moving meditation. Some dances are simple and others a little more intricate, but over the weeks they become familiar. Each dance is taught just before it is done. The aim is to experience the joy of dancing with others and enjoy the ancient spirit of dance.
For many years, I’ve been interested in healing that engages the whole person. In 1986 I trained as a herbalist with an inspiring healer and teacher who incorporated Bach flower essences in her treatments.
In the 1980s and `90s a German woman called Anastasia Geng created circle dances based on these essences. Anastasia was originally from Latvia and had throughout her life been interested in the traditional music and dances of her native country. In Latvia the songs, music and dances have roots that go all the way back to pre-Christian times, to the worship of ancient mothers, and particularly Mara, the Mother of Life. One of the dances she created was Elm Tree, which we dance in a modified form.
In 1992, Joanna Macy, a well-known eco-philosopher and spiritual activist, used this dance as a powerful community healing tool when she and her team worked with the people of Novozybkov, one of the cities most contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Dancing is therapeutic irrespective of the actual form. The latest brain research suggests it’s associated with a lower risk of dementia and age-related memory loss. In the UK, circle dancing is being used with great success with Alzheimers and dementia patients, not surprising given that circle dancers are learning new steps in an enjoyable, supportive and relaxed way.
The main object of circle dancing is not to “get the steps right”. Apart from the sheer enjoyment, when we do a traditional dance we are stepping back into a culture’s history and tasting other people’s lives without pretending to be them.
Whether it is a traditional dance or a modern choreography, it usually evokes something more. It is that quality that we honour at the end of the dance when we stand together silently rather than dropping hands immediately and clapping, talking or rushing into the next dance.
You can approach circle dancing as simply enjoyable physical exercise or as something deeper. Either way, it brings a sense of peace, togetherness and well being.
Robin Bunker will offer circle dancing classes at the Inverloch Community House from October 7. Men and women of all ages are welcome. You don’t require a partner or dance experience. The cost is $5 for members of the community house or $7 for non-members. Inquiries: Inverloch Community House on 5674 2444 or contact Robin, 0434 336 781 or [email protected]