[OSList] Circus Open Space

[Lisa Heft]

Matilda -

What lovely images I have from your description - both of your coming  
down to the ground and your wonderfully diverse and nutritious Open  
Space.
Congratulations / brava - they were lucky to have you.

It sounds like you did some thoughtful invitation work there, as well...

And the space...between the space...
...your breathing and being and taking your time.

As much
time
as
it
takes.


...oh snail....


Lisa


Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Opening Space
lisaheft at openingspace.net


On Apr 5, 2011, at 4:54 PM, Matilda Leyser wrote:

> Hello all, and a bow to Harold.
>
> I wanted to let the list know that I facilitated my first large open  
> space on Saturday - for Circus! I have done several little ones (and  
> many involving just me and Phelim and some
> Monkeys!) but this was the first one I had held for a big group.  
> About 130 people.
>
> Before I met Phelim I worked as an aerialist (trapeze artist) for  
> ten years. Meeting Phelim and encountering Open Space all formed  
> part of my climbing back down to the ground- it made earth seem more  
> appealing. I have been earthbound now for 3-4 years so it was a  
> wonderful and big thing for me to bring my learning since leaving  
> the circus world back to that community.
>
> There was a fantastically diverse turn out: students and elders,  
> traditional and contemporary circus were all represented.
>
> A sample of session titles for you:
>
> -Circus can't tell a story?
> -What's the best trick you've ever seen?
> -Why do we never feel good enough?
> -The space between 10 minutes and 1 hour
> -If circus gets well funded and organised where will all the freaks  
> and weirdos go to play?
> - corporate whore v serious artist?
>
> And many others....
>
> People asked 'can we do this again?' in closing circle. My first  
> ever aerial teacher who must surely be approaching 70 said he felt  
> re-inspired and I had to hold it together.
>
> Lastly I would like to share what helped me at the start when I felt  
> most terrified. Phelim told me to walk the circle ten times slower  
> than I thought was slow and that reminded me of the last aerial  
> piece I made: it was on a cloud swing (a rope swing) and I spoke  
> during it and described what it felt like. It began with a haiku  
> that went like this:
>
> Oh snail,
> Climb Mount Fuji
> But slowly.
>
> After reciting that to the group and walking a slow circle, it  
> turned out it was a smooth downhill slide all the way as everyone  
> got on with it - seasons, marketplace, work....
>
> Thank you
> Matilda  x

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