FAQ

We start with centering and relaxing our bodies by deep breathing and attending to each part of our body. The LRM provider then leads the class in a guided meditation, poem, or target emotion and gives opportunity for each attendee to express through movement. This may be done simultaneously with or without eye coverings, or one at a time with the class engaging. Then there is time for journaling and possibly discussion. Each class strives to be a safe place with something new to learn each week!

We believe all movement can be qualified as dance, whether it's breathing, taking a drink from a glass or walking in a meadow. Pre-made steps have been used to critique our bodies and exclude us from each other for too long. We believe the best way to actually sense our bodies emotions and release them has nothing to do with dance technique. In fact, oftentimes technique hinders students from feeling free to express their emotions in the way their body needs. We are all unique, why should our expressions be the same? Let's reclaim dance and movement for its best purposes: expression and connection!

Our western society has been steeped in shame, competition and critique. Many adults have trouble accepting their own bodies as good. Dance has been used as a tool to measure. To build safety, rapport and freedom of expression in class we may include eye-coverings in the first few weeks. Eventually, many students feel confident to share their movements with the whole class. We delight in seeing this progression!

1. Journal and pen

2. Water bottle

3. Yoga mat (If you aren't comfortable sitting/laying on a hard floor)

4. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in

5. Self-compassion

In our classes, we ask that everyone refrain from using their cameras to take videos of our movement practices. While taking video of finished dances is a very common thing in a dance class, we have noticed that when the camera comes out, unconsciously the need to perform takes prominence.

In our movement classes we want to eliminate the need to perform and invite all participants to be as they are without a lens to critique. If you would like to be on camera for marketing purposes, periodically we do demo classes and we are always looking for participants to be included in these classes.

For our 6-week workshop you are invited to do a drop-in class for our first two sessions. In these sessions we begin exploring what sensations, emotions, or traumas are living in the body as we learn our S.A.F.E. Movement Practice together. During this point, if you would like to drop-in you are invited to do so, but by week 3, we no longer accept drop-ins as our workshop curriculum builds with each week.

If you would like to try one class without committing to a 6-week series try our online classes. These classes are designed as drop-in classes that allow you to slowly begin engaging with our movement practices in the comfort of your home.

We recommended all participants go through our 101 class first, as it is designed to lay the framework for engaging with our movement practices that help you listen and to respond to the body. In our 101 workshop we develop language around the practices and together we begin exploring our body-mind-heart relationship.

Yes, all our classes are designed for people who want to explore their body-mind-heart relationship through movement.  At Express & Release our motto is, All Movement is Good, as we redefine dance as purely everyday movements connected together. Defining movements as sitting, breathing, standing still, swaying, eating, cooking, and truly just living.

In our definition of dance all people are able to identify as movers and ultimately dancers, giving space for all people to engage with our practices just as they are without any need to change.

In our classes, we follow the 4R's in creating a trauma-informed space. 

We Realize the widespread impact of trauma.

We Recognize how it is impacting you.

We Respond in a way to allow you to feel heard and facilitate healing from trauma.

We Resist re-traumatization.

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In our first class together, we create safe space covenants to create group guidelines to ensure our space stays safe for everyone involved. At this point participants are invited to address to the group what they need to help us follow the 4R's.

Yes, we are Healthy at Every Size (HAES) Aligned because we believe that all bodies are good bodies, and do not need to be changed or modified.

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In many spaces in our culture, we are told how to move and use our body. In our classes, you are invited to move through our movement practices as your body desires, as you become an active listener to your body.