Autumn 5Rhythms classes in Quw'utsun 🌻

Come in, connect, co-create : Mondays 7 pm, Tuesdays noon

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'Aa siem na siiye’yu (honoured friends and relations), huy tsaap qu' (thank you all) for a third summer of outdoor practice.

Here's a view from my gazebo teaching spot. I spent all day each Sunday in May, June, August and September working here, with diverse groups of human beings, through attentive, creative movement in 5Rhythms. I'm grateful for the presence of those who chose to show up in good heart and awareness.

It felt important to return, with the best presence we can bring at this time, to Providence Farm. I've held dances there for years. Coming back with more awareness of the history it holds–– and the way our whole community continues to be affected and limited by undigested, uncorrected colonial harms–– feels like good, honest practice.

Dancing on the former grounds of the valley's colonial day school, where Indigenous children of this community and land suffered cultural genocide, under the sacred mountain Pi'paam (colonially called "Tzouhalem"), and between Quw'utsun village sites that have been beating hearts of community since before time was counted, holds layers of meaning that can grow us as people in community. I have witnessed this happening, in real time, this summer.

Lately I've felt fruits of our dances falling among us, juicy as September apples plopping onto the dance green. I will share half the monetary harvest of these classes after rental costs, divided equally between Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society and Orange Shirt Society: $220 each. If you attended class between May and yesterday, you are party to this gesture of respect to Hwulmuhw (Indigenous) people. Both organizations are open to donations.

I did my best to bring Hul'q'umi'num' names for all our relations into classes this summer. Some of you have expressed a desire to learn more words, place names, and cultural knowledge. If that's you, please feel free to reach out. I will share the growing collection of vocabulary and resources I've been gathering over the last few years.

Please read on for details about indoor 5Rhythms classes for fall and winter. Monday nights start in one week! I would be very happy to see you on either weekly dance floor, anytime. If questions arise, please let me know.

My best wishes to you in all seasons,
Chantell

chantellfoss.com

I create classes and workshops with people across and between cultures, colours, creeds, genders and sexualities, sizes, life stages, (dis)abilities, and health situations in mind and in respect.

I hold practice with justice and equity intent and with a commitment to continually learn.
Chairs and mats available for seated and reclining dance. All 15 + welcome.

A class offering 5Rhythms method and medicines.
Healing is movement. Disease is inertia.
If you put the body in motion, you will change. ~ Gabrielle Roth

let's just put it in motion

Mondays 7 - 9 pm : The HUB at Cowichan Station

I offer 5Rhythms in acknowledgement of our human condition in unstable times.
We can be simultaneously bruised and capable of restoring, inundated and insightful,
in need and generative, in tension and peace-building.
Carrying potential for positive movement.

I use practice to support our capacities to know ourselves, to be basically well,
and to deliberately direct our attention in good ways.

I practice to invest in deepening responsiveness and balance in our communal life.

I know that broadened, discerning engagement is preceded by care directed inward.
We can show up, decompress, relate, and leave sparkled and strengthened.

class details

Come take a breather and dance.
Let's shake out our worries and our wonders midway through Tuesdays.

With a foundation of good music and grounded guidance,
anyone who can breathe can land for a while in their own skin: aware, alive, and available to life.
This is a workday mid-day embodiment break.

We use silent disco headsets in this class.

Tuedsays 12 - 1 pm : North Cowichan Aquatic Centre

No extra cost beyond facility admission

class details