In this post, Sharon Blake, a playworker from Bristol, shares her experience of hosting a Biodanza workshop at her local Holiday Playscheme [Photos: drawings made at the end of the session]
Sharon, who also leads a ME/CFS support group, had tried Biodanza for herself when Paula Jardim, a Biodanza facilitator based in Bristol, did a taster session for people with chronic fatigue. They got chatting and found that they both loved working with children. The idea of bringing a children’s story to life through Biodanza arose from this conversation. As it turned out, it was a wonderful experience for all. Here’s what Sharon wrote after the children’s workshop.
“An awesomely amazing positive experience!”
Paula was invited to Avonmouth Holiday Playscheme to run a Biodanza dance workshop.
The session was based upon the children’s storybook ‘Nobody Owns the Sky’.
The story itself is about Elizabeth Coleman better known within the world of aviation as ‘Brave Bessie.’ Bessie was a young black Afro-American woman whose dream was to fly. In 1922 she became the first woman licensed black aviator in the world.
Paula told Bessie’s story a little at a time and after each bit she and her assistant demonstrated that part of Bessie’s story by moving to music before engaging the young people to participate and dance Bessie’s life story.
Paula and her assistant created a vibrant atmosphere to which our young people became enthused within Bessie’s life story.
The energy through music and dance within the playsetting brought the words of Bessie’s story to life.
It was an amazing experience for all who took part. As a playworker who has shared Bessie’s story with numerous young people over the years, this demonstration of bringing Bessie’s story to life in a unique diverse manner was a privilege. I could see her life actively unfolding before my eyes.
I am very grateful to Paula for bringing my all time favourite children’s storybook to life. I look forward to the pleasure of working with her in the future. I hope Paula goes on to deliver this workshop to other youth/playsettings around the City of Bristol, as it was – and is – an awesomely amazing positive experience.
Would your Holiday Scheme like to book a session with a Biodanza Children’s facilitator?
If your school, playgroup, holiday play scheme or home-education group would like to book a Biodanza session, please feel free to contact us. We will let you know if one of our teachers is available in your area.
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