it was a powerful weekend – I am so honoured by the creative acts of courage that I witnessed and was able to guide – It’s like riding a wave! Thank you to everyone for all your trust, generosity and inspiration – Until we meet again, keep dancing the moment ***
I’m getting excited about the next Dancing The Moment workshop coming up! There’s ONE MORE WEEK LEFT to register before the journey begins. In the last few weeks I’ve come to realize that you can’t push things or try to control the outcome of your dreams. Life is a DANCE! It requires intention, trust, rhythm, flow and perseverance. I’m learning to get out of my own way and remember that creativity is a mystery that we have no real or apparent control over. If we did it wouldn’t be as magical as it is! So looking forward to meeting everyone in the studio next week!
http://www.tatwerk-berlin.de/index.php/de/programm/workshops/41-dance-moment-18
I’ll be honest with you, after the world events of the last couple of weeks I just want to be here: back to the beloved ocean, nurtured by nature and feeling free, safe and open-hearted. I guess the challenge is to step up and find that inner peace and open-heartedness here in the midst of all the surrounding chaos. This is my wish: to keep dancing, to keep surfing, to keep creating, to keep sharing and to keep bringing more light and healing to my own shadow that I may do my part for humanity and for this beautiful planet that is our home, that belongs to all living creatures. Here’s to healing the deep wounds that we all suffer from in one way or another. Here’s to remembering in this moment that I am alive, fortunate and there are people who suffer on a daily basis from crisis and unimagineable situations. Here is where the ground comes back and clarity to move forward….With Love, Anouk *
Hello Friends!
I want to share something with you about how I started thinking up the concept for my workshop, Dancing The Moment back in 2011: Firstly, it came out of my own need to reconnect with my original passion for movement and dance, as well as get back to that free uninhibited sense of joy and freedom I felt when I first started dancing as a child. As I went further along, I realized that I not only wanted to dance and create that way, but wanted to LIVE that way too.
Life isn’t always easy and can be full of challenges and I truly experienced a transformation by connecting to the present moment through body awareness, conscious breathing and expressing my creativity. It changed my way of perceiving and totally enriched my life. I started to feel alive again in the studio, on stage, throughout my everyday life, as well as experience a positive shift in my relationships and health.
The workshop also grew out of my desire to share all the inspiration I was receiving, because for me inspiration is contagious. It spreads in a magic way when we are open to sharing our gifts as well as our struggles. I wanted to continue to be inspired, help inspire others and also just wanted to have FUN!
You know how great rocking out in your bedroom to your favorite music feels? (I sure do ;)) Or how cool it is jamming in the studio or outside with your friends? Or how dancing in a club until the wee hours to your favourite DJ totally frees your spirit? That’s the kind environment I like to create in my workshops! It’s a safe space where you’re allowed to explore, exchange, take risks and invite creativity to come and play.
I love dancing in a room full of people where the music carries everyone on a journey. I also love the powerful contrast of silence in a space where everyone’s presence is equally valued and the room comes alive with electricity. A real sense of unity and collective energy supports the group while at the same time, each person finds their own unique creative voice and discovers that there is unlimited space in a space of unlimited creativity!
I also see the body as a gateway for us to enter that world of creativity and inspiration. Through our awareness we’re able to make choices that previously didn’t even seem to exist. We see things differently and can step back to view our situation from another perspective. Our thoughts and feelings can be observed from a more compassionate place and that’s when we start playing again, connecting to an inherent joy within ourselves.
You are very welcome to come and join me on this movement journey and dive into the world of Dancing The Moment!
Much love and hope to see you all there,
Anouk ***
LAST 5 DAYS FOR THE EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION UNTIL NOV. 14th!
To register email me at: anouk.froidevaux@gmail.com
http://www.tatwerk-berlin.de/w_dancingthemoment.html
Cross·roads
ˈkrôsˌrōdz/
noun
a point at which a crucial decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences.
“we stand again at a historic crossroads“
a road that crosses a main road or joins two main roads.
noun: crossroad
Hello Friends!
Have you ever been at a crossroads? I think we all have moments in our lives where we arrive to a point and a decision or change of direction must be made without knowing what comes next. It normally signals the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. It’s a scary moment, because we realize we can no longer ignore that inner calling for something new, while at the same time fear of the unknown or attachment to what’s familiar and safe holds us back or in a kind of limbo. The process can take days, months even years, but my experience has been that no matter how terrifying it may seem, the voice pulling us towards that new horizon is the one to listen to. There are different phases the first being a kind of awakening or realization. After the letting go starts by facing our fears, releasing attachment, patterns or ways of being, until finally the choice is made and the leap of faith is taken propelling us into unknown territory as we embark on a new journey.
An important crossroads for me came back in the summer of 2012 at the height of my dance career when I was diagnosed with a hernia in my lumbar spine. It was a huge shift in my life that eventually put me on a path of healing and self-realization. Along the way I learned what it takes to embrace change and face the unknown: bravery and trust, the ability to let go and be vulnerable, open up to support from others and cultivate self-love.
My body and my emotions taught me how they are connected to my state of mind, to the thoughts I tell myself daily or to beliefs about myself based on past events that I’ve carried with me throughout my life (or lifetimes). Following my intuition a series of synchronistic events took me on a journey of powerful transformative experiences. I sat through rituals, around fires, confided in friends, took workshops, received healings, sought counseling, guidance and traveled. I kept performing and at the same time took a distance from the world that had been my life for so long to explore other passions like singing, painting, writing and surfing.
With every experience I overcame my fears, passed through my own limiting beliefs and gained more confidence. As I continued, I discovered there was a teacher inside of me who wanted to serve, share and help inspire others on their journeys. Life became a creative process, challenging and humbling, but beautiful and deeply rewarding.
Now the dancer inside of me is calling and I’m anxious, because I know I’m at another crossroad. I also know when the voice of fear speaks it’s up to me to lean into the discomfort and find the gift that’s on the other side. I realize my life as a dancer isn’t over it’s simply changing form, transforming me as I flow with the times, dancing with the ups and downs and dancing to the tune of my heart. Like a lighthouse, I’m returning to when I first started dancing as a child from a place of joy and uninhibited freedom of expression. I’m hearing the muse again inviting me to dance, but now with more experience, awareness, care and appreciation.
Just like this summer up on those cliffs looking out to the horizon I’m sitting on the edge, ready to let go and jump to the next level, embrace change and surrender to forces beyond my control, while at the same time actively participate and dance along with life’s proposals. This is where I feel most alive, where I tap into my unlimited creativity, surrender to the moment and receive inspiration for the next part of my journey.
This is Dancing The Moment.
With Love,
Anouk
Dear Friends,
Last month I came back from my surf adventure in Portugal full of light, energy, enthusiasm and a feeling of clarity to move forward with my dreams. Immediately upon arriving I was hit with a wave of new challenges and barely had time to put my feet on the ground before I felt called to step into my power and play a part in these shifting times.
Back in Brussels the capitol of Europe and where I teach at a studio private and group Gyrotonic® lessons, I could feel the atmosphere was tense. The light from summer was fading fast as everyone was thrown back into their working lives confronting personal stresses as well as the rapidly shifting climate within Europe and the world at large. With the refugee crisis escalating I wanted to get involved and see for myself, so I jumped in to volunteer at a camp that had popped up in the heart of Brussels. It was a huge learning experience and a powerful reality check, changing my perspective and reminding me just how fortunate I truly am. It also taught me that real human kindness, compassion and decency exists in the world, especially when there is a need to help those suffering and in crisis.
I saw amazing things happening in the most inhumane circumstances, I saw dedication from those who devote their lives to the well being of others and as I moved back and forth between home, the studio and the camp, a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings raced through me. At the same time, I knew how much my help was needed and by taking direct action and staying focused I could feel at peace. When I started getting overwhelmed I looked up, observed my surroundings and made eye contact with the other refugees and volunteers. Something transformative happened when we acknowledged each other by just a look, a smile, a greeting or a thank you and in that moment I felt the power of communicating from the heart and through the language of the body.
There’s a lot to take in and digest these days, but I know that my task is to find my center in all of the commotion. I know that I’m integrating into my daily life what I’m learning in the waves, by taking action, facing fears, letting go, trusting and surrendering to the forces and momentum of life, as well as learning about my boundaries and where my limits are.
I have to continue to anchor myself by coming back to my internal home base through conscious breathing, dancing, exercise and getting outside in nature as much as possible. I take time to visualize those magnificent beaches and the ocean I love so much and as I tap into those memories, I instantly feel a release inside my body and my mind more at ease. I also know the importance of maintaining a strong physical core, so I focus on exercises that keep me grounded.
I become more resilient to the chaos around me the more I anchor into my core, which gives me more freedom to express healthy boundaries that help me while teaching, volunteering and navigating through my life. I’m learning to ride the waves and no matter what, keep on dancing.
Whatever you are facing right now, know that you’re not alone and that there are powerful and concrete ways of coming back to your core and anchoring into your being during these turbulent times. Cultivate your own inner sanctuary and find your “home base”. It is there that you can find your strength, access your unlimited creativity and shine your light in this world.
Keep riding the waves and keep dancing…!
Much love,
Anouk
Dancing The Moment – Nazaré, Portugal August 15′
Busy preparing my next workshop Dancing The Moment that will be held this December in Berlin: I’m excited how this work keeps evolving and how my experiences and passion in the waves teaches me and informs my work in the studio. One may not think at first how surf, creativity and our daily lives are related, but there are many ways that these experiences can overlap and feed into each other! We are alive and dancing the moment when we open up to the possibilities available to us by tuning into our bodies, our breath, the space around us, how we relate to each other and our environment. We tap into our unlimited creativity when we are open to receive, allow ourselves to listen to what the moment asks for, dare to be brave in our actions, stay open and willing to adapt, enjoy the adventure and keep playing!
Join me on this movement journey December 5 & 6 at TATWERK Studio in Berlin and follow the process leading up to the event online at: www.dancingthemoment.com
Earlybird Registration is ON NOW until November 14th so Email me at: anouk.froidevaux@gmail.com
Arrifana, Portugal September 15′
Hey Friends heads up! The Earlybird Fee is ON NOW until November 14th for my next workshop Dancing The Moment coming December 5-6.2015 in Berlin!
It’s a really special offer so make sure you reserve your spot and I look forward to sharing the movement journey with you!!! Let’s connect with our creativity and make magic ***
Hello Friends!
After an amazing 6 week surfing adventure in Portugal, I’ve got a story to share with you:
Playing in the waves also comes with its highs and lows. It’s a wild element and can really test your limits. One evening on a magnificent beach somewhere in Alentejo, after attempting to get out to the lineup (behind where the waves break), I got stuck in huge set and smashed back to shore. Shaken and out of breath, I staggered out of the water, climbed on a rock and sat down looking back at the waves that didn’t want me. I collapsed into a puddle of sadness and an overwhelming feeling of failure and desire to give up came over me. The raw force of nature completely broke me down in that moment and made me feel utterly insignificant in this world. I lost control letting my emotions spill over until I heard a voice inside of me that said, “Get up!” I felt the impulse in my body to move, so I started to run.
As I ran on the endless beach, tears streaming down my face, I found myself in an epic scene with the sun setting like a laser beam over the horizon, the full moon rising up over the cliffs and the sound of the ocean that kept roaring on. I realized that this “stuff”, this built up emotion or stress was moving through me like a lightning bolt of energy and in order to let it out I had to keep running.
Finally out of breath, I stopped and looked up at the moon hanging in the sky like a magnet and the sun radiating in all directions before dipping back into darkness. All of a sudden I was screaming, howling and roaring like an animal at the top of my lungs and the more I howled, the more wild, free, uninhibited and alive I felt! I looked at the beauty that surrounded me and knew that without any judgment, Mother Nature was holding the space for me.
I walked back along the beach feeling changed, like I’d just passed through some kind of initiation or deep purge. I felt raw and vulnerable and at the same time free and ready to start over.
So why am I sharing this experience with you? I want to remind us that we are all wild at heart, that we all have the right to howl at the moon and that it’s time we bring this ritual into our daily lives or at least once a month! It’s a way of honouring our human experience, gaining back our sense of freedom, aliveness and remembering our connection with the forces of nature that created us in the first place.
This is my invitation to you to go outside and get wild, even if it’s in the city that can feel far away from nature and full of distractions. Look up at the sky and let yourself dive into that infinite space. Go sit under a tree and release all your worries. When the sun is out let its rays shine on you soothing your soul. Get close to water. And finally, during the colder months or when you can’t get outside, put on your favourite tunes, crank up the volume and dance for your life! Make it a ritual to remember you’re alive.
Here’s to keeping it wild.
With love,
Anouk ***
Back from 6 weeks of surfing waves in Portugal: My system has been cleaned out, I feel reborn, I found a deeper layer of strength, I got lost, I got clear, I let go of a lot, I remembered a lot, I blessed a lot and birthed a lot. I returned to my wild nature, I got smashed around, I flew high and free. I howled at the full moon like a beast, I cried out for Mother Earth, for humanity and for all living creatures on this planet and asked where I belong in this world and to help find a better way. I screamed my guts out and then some more and then said thank you, Mother Nature you are a blessing. Here’s to staying wild and free. Let’s embark on the next journey…