The Bothmer summer intensive was full, rich and very warm.
The experience was comparable to having a bath - not in water, but in space. The high heat contributed to this feeling. While the air was hot, it was not humid on account of low rainfall in Hungary this summer. By the end of the week I was tired but in a sense I felt cleansed and rejuvenated.
Across the full programme there was movement from dawn till dusk. My highlights, as a participant and as a teacher, are briefly described below.
I continued on the dance thread that had begun the year before, teaching dance one evening to a group, 40-strong, of enthusiastic movers. They ranged from experienced dancers to dancing beginners. We engaged five musicians to assist us - three djembe drummers and two flautists. The combination of live music and live dance was very special. A small group contributed to a performance for the open evening on Saturday night, again with live music.
I was also grateful to attend sessions led by a range of very experienced Bothmer teachers on the post graduate programme. We discussed topics such as the role of Bothmer movement in today’s society, what benefit it would bring to the average man or woman. I for one see apathy and disinterest in working-age people around me. These attitudes or ‘moods’ shows up physically, especially in the posture of the shoulders and spine. These physical postures crystalise the disturbed mood and thereby lock in the distress, and it becomes very difficult to return to health. I believe Bothmer can release these movement patterns and allow health to be sought once more. In the healthy body, Bothmer enables a further step to be taken - the orientation of the body in space and towards one’s goal. The aim. The why question. Why are we here. Or phrased slightly differently, what are we working towards? This question is brought back to the fore in Bothmer movement, and it feels possible once again to begin to seek meaning in life.
The latest newsletter from Bothmer Movement International contains many other reports of experiences from the week as well as details of next year’s summer intensive. I have included a link below.
The good news is that next year, the summer intensive will be held at the same venue. I’m already looking forward to it.