BMC® with pav

class descriptions + materials

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(2024-03-23)

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introduction message

i thought we’d start slow, with a bit of an introduction to BMC® proper and somatics (outside of the dance context).

this would be followed by some “basic” nervous system anatomy; incl. what is proprioception (reflex), what is consciousness (thinking), i.e. what is the range betwen lower and higher cognitive processes, as they are traditionally known.

we’ll definitely do a movement exploration. best case scenario, we’ll also have time for a hands-on exploration.

we’ll close the session with time for questions and integration. ideally, we’ll have time to discuss the future; i’m curious to learn what would be the frequency of our meetings and what themes we’d like to explore. assuming, of course, there will be interest for something like a study group to emerge from this.

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protocol

(written from memory)

1. back and front of the spinal chord;
2. structure of the nerve cell + myelin sheath;
3. incoming sensory outgoing motor, in movement through movement;
4. perception not as internalised verbal acknowledgement but perception as evidenced by tonal etc changes in and by my body (that my heart rate changed pace [motor response] is, in this case, itself registered as perception);
5. meditation in the synapse (this was inspired by the question of what happens when too much stuff comes in);
6. hands on (hand to shoulder) tracing the sensory pathway, tracing the motor pathway, calibrating the two pathways, followed by kneading of the myelin along the arm; observing the difference;
7. touch from the perspective of sensory-motor; perception of touch not as internalised verbal acknowledgement but perception of touch as evidenced by tonal etc changes in and by my body (that my heart rate changed pace [motor response] is, in this case, itself registered as perception) and the body of my partner.

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visual material

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nerve cells (types included in the sensory motor protocol)

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sensory motor

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spinal chord, cross-section

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the synapse

themes:

i will keep the exploration revolving around two themes. one is sensing/feeling/thinking (senses + nervous system), and the other is topical, starting with the heart+blood and then maybe going into hormones, because it’s spring. the endocrine system and the nervous system are intertwined communication systems, we may look into some embryology, depending on how much time we’ll have.

generally speaking, as a result of this work you may develop the capacity to distinguish between sensations, thoughts, emotions with more precision, become able to orient yourself better in relation to your experience of the world, and find it easier to organise yourself, within and without: emotionally, intellectually, spiritually; psycho-physically.

dates:

• April 6, 9AM-11AM at Folkungagatan 124
• April 13, 10AM—noon (place TBA)
• May 4, 10AM—noon at Fokungagatan 124
• May 25, 10AM—noon (place TBA)
• June 1, 10AM—noon at Fokungagatan 124
• June 8, 10AM—noon at Fokungagatan 124
• June 16, 10AM—noon at Fokungagatan 124
• June 22, 10AM—noon at Fokungagatan 124

housekeeping:

0. if drawing, painting, or playing music is a part of your creative, embodied practice, please bring your intstruments to the session. this may include other instruments and mediators, like your favourite (?) pillow or your favourite t-shirt.
1. children—and whoever you may have to take care of in this life—are welcome to these sessions.
2. if you decide you’d like to bring someone with you to the session, please let me know.
3. if ever you sign up for a session then decide you’ll have to miss it, please let me know. this will help me organise myself.
4. please, never apologise for changing your mind, like when you decide to miss a session you previously signed up for. these sessions are here to help us learn how to respect our boundaries... amongst other things. ❤️ sometimes the best way to learn how to do this is to change your mind. again, i only ask this to be able to organise myself.