Winter 2017 Toronto Axis Syllabus Week

OVERVIEW
Axis Syllabus (AS) teacher Kira Kirsch is leading a week of Axis Syllabus studies along with AS teachers Ruth Douthwright, Daniel Bear Davis and Kevin O'Connor. The week includes open classes, labs and workshops open to the public, as well as an afternoon teacher's lab group for AS teachers and teacher candidates.

LOCATION
805 Dovercourt Road, Toronto, Ontario

SCHEDULE

WORKSHOP - Monday afternoon Axis Syllabus with Kevin O'Connor and Ruth Douthwright 
Access: Open to the public
Date: Monday January 2, 2017
Time:2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Description:   
Ruth and Kevin have been dancing together and separately since they were born. We will start the class with a “becoming tender” score. The entomology of the word tender is to grow soft. The term can be traced to the Latin “tender”, derived from the Sanskrit “tan”- “to stretch” or to reach.  We will propose scores and material exploring tone and tension. We are interested in finding ways of moving that allow for a multiplicity of tonal and tensional qualities to emerge.  How might thinking with tone and tension shift our sensorium?
Cost: $50

CLASS SERIES – Tuesday to Saturday morning Axis Syllabus Class
Access: Open to the public
Date: Tuesday January 3 to Saturday January 7, 2017
Time: Daily 9:30 am to 12-noon
Description:   
MOVEMENT CARTOGRAPHY - How many maps can we write of the body? Which map gets me safely to the floor or propels me effortless through space? Is there a cartography for supportive architecture, body topographies, sequential-logic or energy harnessing passages towards the floor? Can we map the body experiencing itself while moving? What kind of tracking tools do we have? Come and yield into this blend of extra-ordinary somato-cognitive resources useful for the dancer and anyone interested in movement development. These questions emanate from my ongoing practice and research and are particular to the orienting processes articulated in the Axis Syllabus. 
Cost: Series (all five classes) $150  /  Drop-in $35 per class

LAB SERIES - Early afternoon Axis Syllabus Lab Classes Series
Access: Open to the public
Date: Tuesday January 3 to Saturday January 7, 2017
Time: Daily 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Description:   
Axis Syllabus teachers and teacher candidates test out teaching practices. 
Schedule of teachers: TBA
Cost: Series (all five classes) $50  /  Drop-in $12 per class

TEACHER’S LAB SERIES - Late Afternoon Axis Syllabus Teacher’s Lab lead by Kira Kirsch
Access: *Exclusive to Axis Syllabus teachers and Axis Syllabus Teacher Candidates and select auditors*
Date: Tuesday January 3 to Saturday January 7, 2017
Time: 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Cost: $100

WORKSHOP - Contact Dance Improvisation workshop with Axis Syllabus teacher Daniel Bear Davis
Access: Open to the public
Date: Sunday January 8, 2017
Time: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Description:   
In this workshop we will explore kinetic chains and force transmission in partnering. Daniel will offer specific physical tools to increase dynamic possibilities in your contact dance while cultivating patterns for resiliency and safety. Participation in the other workshops is not required but certainly recommended.

 WHAT IS AXIS SYLLABUS? 
The Axis Syllabus, founded by Frey Faust, is a collection (encyclopedia) of anatomical attributes and ways of moving that are basically safe and energy conservative. The Axis Syllabus seeks to provide accessible information on body alignment and movement practices using physics, anatomy and relevant scientific data from various fields as a guide. In classes led by teachers of the Axis Syllabus, spiral and wave-like movements are often used to create kinetic energy and minimize excess tension. Exercises can prompt internal discoveries that people can transfer into their daily life or any activity with a movement focus such as horseback riding, dance, running etc. The Axis Syllabus is practiced worldwide. The international community is a dynamic and interactive group of teachers, researchers and students. For more info see: http://axissyllabus.org