A great place to start to get an overview of the 3 main branches of tree movement, and how important moving and interacting with trees is for me. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced mover, there will be something for you!
WHEN: 2nd November, 10am to 1pm
WHERE: Hampstead Heath, London
COST: £50
THE WORKSHOP IS LIMITED TO 10 SPOTS
During this workshop, we will be exploring my 3 branches of tree movement; tree climbing, tree dance and tree parkour. These three branches (or lenses as it were) will allow us to navigate trees in new and inventive ways and see the green spaces around you differently.
Whether you're a seasoned tree climber or a complete newbie, there's something for everyone at MOVE WITH THE TREES.
All levels of experience are welcome to participate in this practice. We use trees with low branches at ground-level to ensure everyone can engage with them. There will be guidance and tasks designed to accommodate everyone, no matter where you are starting from.
The 3 Branches of Movement in Trees
Tree Climbing
Hone your skills in navigating trees with techniques inspired by rock climbing. We’ll explore how to find routes that match your desired challenge level, making each climb a new adventure.
Tree Dancing
Discover the art of partnering with trees through dance. Through simple feel-good movement language and ideas that anyone can do, cool imagary and metaphors - you’ll be given a map to have your imagination sparked to truly guide you into enjoying finding freedom as you search for expression and flow. Improvisation need not be scary when you have a map of moves and ideas to connect in a unique way with these magnificent beings.
Tree Parkour
Move with power and grace with tree parkour! From vaulting over branches to swinging and landing techniques, we’ll draw inspiration from parkour to create fluid and exciting tree runs just right for you, no matter your experirence.
Videos
Collection of people moving with trees
Me moving with the trees
Our 2 Day Tree Movement workshop
More about Move with the trees
Movement inspired by trees
This workshop is an opportunity for participants to explore movement co-created between our bodies and the environment. I aim to show different ways of seeing our bodies and the space around us, as inseparable and in constant conversation. Participants will engage with the landscape, interact with trees, and find new and playful ways of moving through the space. The approach will also help us reconnect with our ancient arboreal heritage and movement patterns that were once innate if we were indeed tree-dwellers in the past. We will explore the evolutionary and biomechanical story of the 5 forms of arboreal locomotion (see below) and various movement styles inspired by trees. Open to all levels of experience, whether you are not sure you are ready to climb to those looking for one of the most diverse ways to challenge and nourish your body.
Creating a safe space is a priority, as is showing there is as much depth to climbing and interacting with with trees as you would like. Playful at it’s heart yes, but there is certainly scope for ‘serious play’ too. The trees we will use can accommodate anyone (unique close-to-the-ground trees that everyone can interact with) but there are also plenty of ways to challenge even the most experienced mover.
From the problem-solving and athleticism of rock climbing/bouldering to parkour-like approaches and technique, to developing mobility, strength and awareness in an intrinsically rewarding and playful way. Arboreal Locomotion, came before these 2 examples and connection to the trees is ‘in our DNA’ whether you want to take that from an evolutionary perspective or simply childhood nostalgia. Those that climbed trees when they were younger (or now) can often attest to how they found tree climbing before the started climbing rocks or jumping between walls. Tree climbing can add another dimension and diversity that perhaps might be missing if you rock climb or practice parkour whilst also complimenting each other as all 3 a very closely related or if neither resonated with you, tree climbing can serve as a gateway or alternative. Either way moving and interacting with the trees can help reconnect to our past, whether as far back as our ancient arboreal heritage as great apes’, or the joy of our childhood and bring it into the present as a sustainable and engaging way for self discovery.
This workshop is open to to all levels of experience, whether you are not sure you are ready to climb to those looking for one of the most diverse ways to challenge and nourish your
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I will cover how we look at trees/the environment and will suggest the spectrum of effectiveness and expression to explore different choices and qualities when moving in the trees (but not limited to). With a balance of specific techniques and broad principles to help you climb and flow safely, smoothly and creatively.
Including;
Arboreal Locomotion (the evolutionary and biomechanical story of the 5 forms of arboreal locomotion: Quadrupedal, Quadrumanus, Bipedal, Brachiation and Clinging/Leaping).
Traditional Tree climbing (All things climbing up and in, with specific techniques unique to trees)
Tree-parkour (Using Parkour techniques and mindset in the trees)
Tree-dancing (Leaning more towards the expressive elements of flow and emotive impulse)
Tree strength (building CONTEXT specific and transferable whole-body strength)
Treehab (The diversity of moving in the trees can help rehab under-moved sedentary bodies and provide long-term movement nutrition)
...and yes - many tree puns (Treeflexology, Troga and Treelates were very close to making this list, but don't worry they will feature in my poor sense of humor).
Of course some of the above are just convenient (or even silly labels). Tree-dancing/parkour/climbing/strength are used to help describe certain qualities and contexts when interacting with the environment - a certain lens if you will. There is a lot of crossover and a lot of the time no clear distinction, but it serves its purpose in framing explorations and stimulus for creativity.
There sometimes will also be the use of partner games on the ground to help with movement vocabulary and imagination and maybe even taken to the trees (ones that are close to the ground) to open up your creativity and adaptability. And the discussion and exploration of fear and calculated risk and the benefits and strategies to explore overcoming them.
THE WORKSHOP IS LIMITED TO 10 SPACES
WHEN: 2nd November, 10am to 1pm
WHERE: Hampstead Heath, London
COST: £50
For a more in-depth 2 day workshop, contact me regarding the next TREEVERSE workshop.