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Are you drawn to any of the following 90 minute sessions? …
1. CIRCLE DANCE ‘Day Trip to Eden’. Dances, short visualisation + discussion 2. SONGS WHICH GO DEEP. Share feelings, memories & reflections on one of Stefan’s poetic songs 3. THE HERO’S JOURNEY How our lives mirror archetypal hero myths, and how this can strengthen us. 4. CREATIVE MOVEMENT Exploring music/movement exercises from the book Dance Wise Stefan would like your opinion, to help him prioritise. RSVP BOOK LAUNCH VIDEO Stefan reveals all (almost!) in this heart-warming intro to his book Dance Wise, with poetry, song, artwork and readings. Special guest readers: 98 year old poet (Stefan's aunt) Evelyn Chenkin, international teacher & choreographer June Watts, multimedia artist Lois Cordelia, author/interviewer Jennifer Lynch, globally adored colourful dancer Bethan Freedman and others from around the world. Watch the Dance Wise book launch and blessing on YouTube. DANCE WISE PAPERBACK: Now available from Amazon.co.uk – or from outside of UK, from Amazon.com Your REVIEW on Amazon will be very much appreciated  We are delighted to report that Stefan's new groundbreaking book, DANCE WISE, is now on Amazon in paperback and eBook (Kindle) form. Paperback is £9.99 / eBook is £5.99 Please leave an honest review on Amazon as this will enable the book to become visible and reach more readers. Stefan was recently interviewed by BBC Suffolk Radio's Jon Wright. Mentioning the launch of 'Dance Wise' the dialogue covered dance, music and wellbeing.
Listen here. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
4 Lockdown Problems & Solutions <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Musings by Stefan Freedman. 1. HOME LIKE A GARBAGE DUMP <> First you felt unwell. This left you feeling exhausted. Then there was so much mess you couldn't face it and said 'Bugger it!' Anyway it;s the government's bloody fault, so let THEM clear it all up! <> Well it's a luxury to not have to clear up. Nobody coming round, so why even get dressed?! But when it's not fun any more, like the morning after the party when the place looks trashed and sad, there's your motivation. <> Here's the plan. Take one small area. A corner of a room or a work surface. You are not 'clearing up' but CREATING a new look. Attractive, spacious, well organised. <> Make each area a small project - a work or art - and there's no need to attack it all in one day. The pleasure of seeing a new home emerging will spur you on. 2. COMFORT EATING (or drinking) <> Be curious about what is niggling - why you want comforting. Take a few moments to notice the underlying feelings. Feeling lost? Lonely? Frustrated? Resentful? Pissed off?! <> Hope you know that these are healthy normal responses. They arise when things change beyond our control, especially if there is fear and constraint. So, no need for self-blame or any shame. Comfort eating/drinking is quite a sensible response for a short term crisis! But it's not sustainable over time. <> A realistic solution is to meet more emotional needs. What would be the first step? If you're not sure, think of one or two people you could talk this over with (online/phone) to identify a starting point. <> Sometimes taking a caring interest in someone else has a 2-way benefit and YOU will end up feeling a warm glow. 3. POINTLESSNESS (or despair) <> Does it feel strange not having a daily role, or a time structure? Do you sometimes wonder, 'What's the point?' - 'What use am I?' You want things to go back to normal but there's no knowing if or when that will be. It feels like being in prison. But everyone else is also in prison, so there are no visitors! What now? <> The issues here are wanting a sense of purpose, wanting a structure to your days, and wanting friendship, love and community life. These are vital building blocks for our human identities. What is the most essential to you of the things you long for? <> With house-clearing I suggested looking at one corner of one room and making a start. Same with building a structure and new purpose in a locked-down world. Identify just ONE of the things that has meaning for you. Music, science, nature, novels, psychology, peace, talking openly? Look online for a group you like who communicate about that subject. <> You might initially get involved simply by reading what others post, then by joining a discussion. If you like being active you could support or start a discussion, a fundraiser, a project ... in other words find a point of connection with people who share your passion. When you have made your first connection you have 'broken the spell'. That feeling of numb paralysis will leave you and you can get as involved as you wish to. 4. FEAR (panic/confusion/sleeplessness) <> Most likely the news contributes to this. Who in their right mind would NOT feel deep chronic anxiety?! A plague we can't control, predict or even agree on about the facts. Environmental problems which desperately need addressing - but no international concerted effort. Major powers with bully-boy leaders with as much empathy as a crocodile. It's only natural to feel concerned. <> And yet we don't help anyone if we go into overwhelm, lose sleep and become ill. A part of the 'dance' is finding a way to live with crisis and uncertainty. To rebalance. Not only to live but to relish life and thrive. Why waste it? This is a big topic, so just a few starter suggestions: a - OASIS: 'The News' goes over and over the same ground. Meanwhile there are wonderful human initiatives happening everywhere all the time which mostly go unreported. Whatever makes your heart sing, find the positive news in that area of life. It's just as real and just as important. If you're addicted to the national news, I suggest having an 'oasis' and checking it out maximum once a day, so that news of the rest of life can filter through. b - INNER LIFE: There is an alternative Universe just as physical and real, which is inside you. It's a miraculous realm equipped with imagination (travel anywhere), emotions (a symphony of feelings), understanding (complex, subtle, interconnected) and mysteries still to be explored. Usually we are too busy to really inhabit our other Universe but you have a chance now to go exploring, either solo, through meditation, books or in discussion with others online. Take a small exploratory trip within and you could be happily surprised. c - BODY WISDOM: The body has a mind of its own, which is in direct communication with your glands, circulation, lymph system and brain chemistry. When the body stretches, breathes deeply, sways, dances or does any movement, the entire system feels better. There is flow instead of stagnation. adrenaline decreases, fear is discharged and positive endorphins create a feelgood sensation. This boosts health and aids sleep. Just walking is a therapy. Dancing is dynamite! d - H.P: Scientists agree that whether we look at the microcosm or the vast Universe beyond, we are looking at an incredibly coherent system. There is now a growing research-based belief that the essential building block from which all of creation emanates is not 'matter' (which is hardly there at all when you look closely) but 'consciousness'. If things are incredibly complex and coherent, how much more amazing is the realm of conscious awareness? So whether we think in terms of an implicit order (congruence) or a Unifying Force, Source, Higher Power (HP) or God, these are just words pointing to an experience greater than we can name or fathom. When times are tough, that's sometimes when people report finding their connection with HP (by whatever name). We don't have to do this 'alone' when we notice that our separate personalities are simultaneously linked - like Quantum waves - with every other manifestation of life. Hope these musings are interesting. Please respond or add your own. X Stefan We are delighted to report that Stefan's new groundbreaking book, DANCE WISE, is now on Amazon in paperback and eBook (Kindle) form. Paperback is £9.99 / eBook is £5.99 Please leave an honest review on Amazon as this will enable the book to become visible and reach more readers. DANCE WISE is a wide ranging book about Life, and an unusual vocation prompted by the love of Circle Dance.
Topics include time and timelessness, navigating the emotional labyrinth, understanding ‘wild’ impulses (harnessing and integrating them), and how to contribute to a better world. Many dance teachers working in the wider society are quoted. There are beautiful illustrations and stories illustrating the therapeutic uses of dance, and insights gained from 38 years of international group-work. The formatting process is going really well - after a few glitches -with good tech support. We are going through the whole book carefully together (via Zoom) page by page till the layout of words, illustrations, poetry and spaces all looks just right. The companion website is gradually taking shape and you can take a look at www.dancewise.net I don't want to make predictions - but publication should be soon. We'll keep you posted. Dance Wise We are happy to announce the birth of a ground-breaking dance book. We hope that this is the ‘missing link’ – the credible story and scientific description you have been waiting for. See www.dancewise.net for updates and book reviews. 
​Stefan's poetry has a streak of humor and mischief. Within the play of words and imagery, there are insights, human foibles, and universal themes.
We hope you enjoyed dancing with us over the last few weeks. You can continue to do so when you access the Heartstrings library to revisit your favourite videos. For details of additional dances on video please contact Stefan on stefanandbethan@gmail.com.  Unfortunately we have had to cancel all our events until November.
We thank all of our friends and dance network for your understanding and support, and wish you well during this difficult time. Listen to a recording of Stefan being interviewed by Elene Marsden on icrfm on Facebook.
The Sacred Dance event of the 21st March in Ipswich has had to be postponed due to the public health measures currently in place. We hope to be able to run this event in mid July. Watch this space for updates.
The following events this year have unfortunately had to be cancelled:
April 17th - 19th Ontario, Canada April 24th - 26th Neskaya, New Hampshire, USA April 27th - 28th Neskaya, New Hampshire, USA We are sorry for the dissappointment caused. Unfortunately this class is on hold until further notice.
Apologies for any dissappointment caused. Stefan + guest teachers are now offering a Tuesday night weekly Salsa class. Gosbeck village hall, 5 miles N of Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. 7.15 pm Bookings/details: stefanandbethan@gmail.com Sat Feb 8 at 2pm Stefan warmly invites you to the debut screening of his new film, follow-on to Malka, LAND OF NO TODAY. There'll be a nice fingerfood buffet, a little interactive talk, live music, art by Lois Cordelia and a friendly welcome. Book with Stefan stefanandbethan@gmail.com Address Quakers, 39 Fonnereau Rd, Ipswich, IP1 3JH, UK A message of hope and unity in a ... 'LAND OF NO TODAY' We are happy to announce the latest dance DVD. Half of the dances are recent choreographies. Several have meaningful lyrics in English. The range is from 'epic' through sizzling to serene.
 Ravishing dances: new gems + familiar favourites, with music + festivity.
Spacious wooden-floored hall opening onto fields. Sunday 22nd Sept 2019 Hassocks near Brighton Book with Kath: kathrynpenny1@gmail.com
Celebrating the global circle dance linkup at Ross-on-Wye with Bethan's dance, Tread Gently: If you click on the photo you MAY (I hope) access the video taken by Pat Adams. X
Paros Circle Dance week June 2020 is now full.
We were taken by surprise as it's the first time we have filled up over a year ahead of the date. We apologise to all those disappointed. There are still places left for early Sept 2020 in S France, a larger venue (bi-annual event). We suggest booking very early for Paros 2021. We are pleased to announce 2020 dates for Harmony Magic on Paros. Helen Yeomans will return 22nd - 29th May. Contact Hannah on harmonymagicparos@gmail.com if you would like to book.
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