Rolando Toro – Memories and legacies as told by Gita Sootarsing

In the build up to International Biodanza day 2024, we thank Gita for sharing her memories and recollections, Gita says….

I’ve had the honour and privilege not only of meeting but also of being taught by Rolando.
It was around 2003/4. The encounter was in a chateau in Belgium (first one in that country) was first time I met him; then Rio de Janeiro in 2004 for the Encounter celebrating his 80^th birthday. A small group of UK students headed off for the adventure of a lifetime, so excited at the prospect of the Corcovado, Copacabana, Ipanema etc. Other meetings followed with the first pan-European Encounter at Canterbury University in the UK, attended by all the Toros, and many other events. More meetings ensued after I qualified and went to Milan for Didactic Training by him; he sadly passed away between the third and fourth weekends.

He was always so warm, open, compassionate, loving, fun with a twinkle in his eyes, profoundly wise and of course so knowledgeable. What surprised me was his diminutive size, and I expected someone of bigger physical stature; he was so light on his feet, like a butterfly flitting about. I gave my first Congress vivencia in Venice, 2008, with Claire Lewis and Richard Golsworthy; Rolando was there and I demonstrated ‘Listening to the heart’ with him, what an unforgettable experience! That’s where Rolando’s wife presented me with my official IBF Diploma. Such a miracle that this year’s Congress in Venice will be a bookend.

His legacy, through my Euston Group 2006 onwards, is a string of qualified Biodanza teachers: Sue James, Kavina Pound, Miriam Bromnick, Claire Pierce, Emily Davis and Michael Morgan. Those teachers all taught classes in England and Wales. Chris Eastment completed the school syllabus and has unfortunately passed away: Jenny Ellson is now under supervision (Jenny started with me in Milton Keynes, and came to the 6 weekly workshops in Euston).
The most successful of these students is the one many considered was least likely to even qualify, let alone succeed, because of her challenges of dyspraxia (co-ordination) and arthritis.

In 2007 Rolando came to the world-famous Oxford University to give a lecture on anthropology. Claire Lewis organised a separate gathering there for whichever biodanzeros could get there. I went and took Kavina with me.

She-Kavina was in a school and asked Rolando’s advice if she should continue, as she was finding it challenging.

She took his advice that the school Director needed the challenge and experience and not only went on and qualified but built on that knowledge and experience into Social Action, creating opportunities for accessible and inclusive dance. She started her class 13 years ago and its still continuing. Her commitment included organising for Guida Gama, (a wheelchair-user Biodanza teacher from Portugal who she met at the Congress in Lisbon) to present a workshop in London. Guida’s death 2 years ago was a devastating blow as she had inspired Kavina so much. Kavina continued her development and increasing confidence by joining a performing inclusive dance group, Freewheelers. She was invited to be a motivational speaker at a major annual London exhibition, Best You EXPO, 2 years ago (2022) as Inspired Woman, and has since appeared at a the prestigious South Bank national arts centre as part of the Freewheelers group.

Recently a high-profile dance organisation, Siobhan Davies Studio in London, honoured her with a special evening as part of their Live Archive programme.

She presented her journey, parts of her monograph, answered questions and gave a short dance of mediumnity; she shared how Biodanza had developed her co-ordination and given her confidence, wonderful evidence of the power of Biodanza and fantastic publicity. Several videos of her dancing as part of the Freewheelers group were running all evening on another floor. A large group gathered on February 24th 2024 at this event, people she’d taught, people she’d supported and or inspired. Her children were there to celebrate with her as was I and several other teachers. Here’s a quote from a review  of that evening by Lucy Bennett .
“I began my evening in the Library, which had been transformed into a small, cosy, silent space, where a selection of films from Kavina’s career were screening – including Freestyler’s ‘Everybody With Me, Always’ (2022) and community projects ‘LANGUAGE’ (2022) and ‘POWER’ (2023). I watched actively it in its entirety and saw evidence and echoes of community and collectivity, sharing and relating…”
https://www.siobhandavies.com/lucy-bennett-reflection-kavina/

Kavina’s brand, Danzability, is now established in the world of inclusive dance, and she regularly receives invitations to speak at events, the Biodanza ambassador. She will be at the Congress in Venice, come and meet the inspired woman, biocentricity in action.

Written by Gita Sootarsing April 2024