Physical Prowess is about exploring the edges of your physicality as an individual and in relationship with others. To do so takes relationships. In Moving Rasa we are not confined to relationships that status quo forces upon us. We can support marginalized groups to cultivate empowerment and self-determination through affinity groups and shared resources and when in integrated spaces be sure to center non-dominant experience with the full support of our nervous system and resource. This is something anyone across abilities and age can explore in connecting with their Rasa.
Physical prowess can be explored alone and with a partner.
Alone, my favorite edge to play with the Lenses to music.
The 6 Lenses are Body, Touch, Mobilize, Place, Connect, and Imagine
In the Moving Rasa framework one’s body can join or be in relationship with another object/device, person or greater power to explore the Lenses. Relational somatics and sensing into how we can organize our collective body to fulfil and develop the callings we hear is part of our Rasa.
For example, check out this video on Stick Stroll to see different possibilities for improvisation with a stick.
I committed to open classes being Mixed Abilities classes after 2017 when Parcon transitioned into Parcon Resilience. Every week the core group met at Nelson A Rockefellar Park: Colleen Roche, Jazalee Sirus, Kimberly Tate, and Ione Lewis along with 3-5 folks passing through. In these classes everyone explored the edges of their physical prowess in solo movement with or without devices through how their body tipped and gestured, how they engaged in touch with the environment around them, and how they mobilized through space to explore place in novel ways. Once we began partnering we became attuned to each other’s constraints, objects/devices, and movements to discover what was possible.
Colleen and Ione and I also taught with me weekly at the Axis Project for a summer in East Harlem solely for people with disabilities.
Through Su Casa grants via the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council I worked with seniors in two senior centers in East Harlem eventually contracting with Union Settlement to work their permanently until COVID- 19.
Seniors develop their physical prowess together and across generations!
