Our Agreements
As a class we reserve the right to revise and develop these further.
- You are responsible for your own experience.
- As part of our learning process, you will sometimes be asked to share of a personal nature, but you choose the exact content (details) of what you will share.
- When we move, move in a way that feels right for you – everything physical can be done sitting, standing, stationary or ambulatory; and with the degree of exertion that is right for your body. If you are a virtuosic mover, go there. If you are a breath and stillness mover, go there. And so on… be true to yourself, on an hourly and daily basis.
- Use “I” statements. Speak from your own experiences and feelings. Allow others to speak for themselves.
- (This is a new one I will be experimenting with: Before speaking, take one breath for every privilege you hold.)
- Be Curious, Open, and Respectful – call in, not out/throw sunshine, not shade.
- No one knows everything – together we know a lot.
- We can’t be articulate all the time – give the benefit of the doubt and ask questions.
- Take Space/Make Space – if you are usually quiet challenge yourself to take more space, and if you usually talk a lot be mindful to leave room for quieter voices.
- (On that note, if you need some tips, consider this: Imagine that everyone walks into our (meeting, class, session, rehearsal…) with two flowers. When you speak, you place one of your flowers in an imaginary vase. When you have placed your second flower, wait until everyone has put their flowers in the vase before you speak again.
- Practice “Yes, and..” as a response tool in creative practice, discussions and feedback.
- Fall in love with another person’s work so much that you would do anything for them and their work.
- What’s learned here, leaves here. What’s said here, stays here.
- Acknowledge your ancestors, your teachers, your mentors, your peers, your colleagues, and your classmates. Acknowledge where your knowledge comes from. Think of citations as an act of love and respect. Find out about the authors of your readings/viewings, bring them into our circle.
- Be a person! Find joy, love, creativity, play, curiosity, delight….
