S O M A T I C P E R F O R M E R
PROJECTS & WORKSHOPS
Wendell Beavers ~ Erika Berland
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~SOMATICPERFORMER~
PROJECTS & WORKSHOPS
Wendell Beavers ~ Erika Berland
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Overview Statement of Our Current Work
We are investigating the integration, translations, common ground among:
- Mindfulness-awareness meditation and nature of mind teachings that we have received primarily through Tibetan Buddhist Lineages.
- Somatic movement studies with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and the Body-Mind Centering ® approach she founded, and our own 40 yrs. of applications of this information and approach to artistic process and expression in both theater and dance.
- The Viewpoints work of Mary Overlie and Wendell Beavers as it was grown and applied at New York University’s Experimental Theater Wing 1978-2003, and in Naropa University’s MFA Theater: Contemporary Performance Program from 2004-2020.
UPCOMING IN-PERSON 2023
~for current online courses pls scroll down~
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~SOMATIC PERFORMER ANNUAL INTENSIVE~
North Adams MA
--In Two Parts: Come for One or Both--
June 3-8~Somatic Training: Cultivating the Inner Viewpoints
This session is filled and we have begun a waitlist.
Bringing together two groundbreaking pedagogies: Mary Overlie's Six Viewpoints and Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen's Body-Mind Centering(R). We will explore the direct correspondence of the experiential anatomy systems and the Viewpoint's SSTEMS.
with
Erika Berland & Wendell Beavers
&
June 9-11~Facilitated Six Viewpoints Research
The Reification and Piano Laboratories of Mary Overlie
An intensive designed to support research into generating new work, pedagogy, and providing a basis for certification through 'The Mary Overlie Legacy Project'
with
Sophia Treanor & Deborah Black
The Mary Overlie Legacy Project
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Eclipse Mill
243 Union Street
North Adams MA
For Registration & Content Information Contact: somaticperformer@gmail.com or training@sixviewpoints.com
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JULY 31--AUGUST 5 ~ THE ORGANS AND GLANDS AND THEIR ROLE IN MOVEMENT AND PSYCHOPHYSICAL TRANSFORMATION
North Adams MA
with
Erika Berland & Wendell Beavers
We will identify and locate selected organs and glands through visualization, breath/sound, and touch/movement--the tools of somatic accessing--and explore their role in creating original movement, psychophysical gesture and presence.
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Sessions are 10-5 Monday July 31 through Saturday August 5 (Wed. afternoon is off).
Please contact us through somaticperformer@gmail.com if you are considering this workshop and we will send you registration, fees and housing information.
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ONGOING ONLINE FALL-WINTER 2022-2023
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR ONLINE EXPERIENTIAL ANATOMY WORKSHOP SERIES; SOMATIC MEDITATION PRACTICE SERIES & DEVELOPMENTAL TECHNIQUE. THESE ARE ALL ONGOING FALL CLASSES.
Online Experiential Anatomy Workshop Series
With Erika Berland
One Session per Month for 10 months
Saturday Oct 1—Saturday June 18
Noon-3:00 Pacific/1:00-4:00 Mountain/2:00-5:00 Central/3:00-6:00 Eastern
Email somaticperformer@gmail.com
for Registration Information
Statement by Erika:
I am excited to be able to offer this series of monthly workshops over the period from Sept. 2022- June 2023 for a total of 10 workshops. Each workshop is three hours long and will be recorded for future use by participants. If you are unable to attend a particular workshop you will have access to the recording soon after the event.
You can register for the complete series or for individual workshops. Each workshop will offer a window into a particular body system and aspect of experiential anatomy with the focus on application of the anatomical structures into mind-body experiences through movement, visualization, and mindfulness/awareness principles. Individual workshops are $60. Or the full series can be purchased for a discount at $500. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Erika at somaticperformer@gmail.com
These workshops are designed as an introduction to accessing the major body systems based on the experiential anatomy of Body-Mind Centering® while also serving as a review and touch-in for those familiar with the basic material. Some resource materials will be available and each session will include discussion on integrating the material into one’s practice and research.
Here are brief descriptions of each workshop with more details to follow as each workshop comes up.
*Erika will be available for an additional 1/2 hour after each 3hr session for questions and discussion*
# 1 10/01/22 Anatomy of the Breath- pt.1
# 2 10/22/2022Anatomy of the Breath- pt. 2
This 2-part series refers to the experience and understanding of the role of external and internal breathing. We will cover the basic physiology as well as the breath as a primary somatic focus in accessing and re-patterning movement and presence.
#3 11/19/2022 Nervous System
Every change that occurs to the body-mind is registered and coordinated through some aspect of the nervous system. Exquisitely sensitive it organizes and works through all the other body systems to integrate the body-mind into a whole. We will focus on the basic organization of the N.S. with special attention to the “sensory-motor loop” as it supports a somatic, experiential approach.
#4 12/17/22 Endocrine System
The neuroendocrine or glandular system is the main chemical controlling system of the body working together in close harmony with the nervous system. Closely aligned through experiential research with the chakra’s or subtle body systems, we will explore the main glands through visualization, movement, and a special emphasis on sounding as a way to enliven the endocrine system.
#5 1/14/23 Skeletal System
Our skeletal system provides us with structural and psychophysical support, clarity in movement and along with the ligaments; precision and articulation. We will explore the bones through bone tracing, levering, compression/suspension and the major joints through counter-rotation.
# 6 2/18/23 Primary Tone and Related Reflexes
Our primary tone is developed in-utero and is the underlying basis and support for our movement throughout life. Early reflexes also play a role in the ease of the developmental patterns as they develop in the first year of life and set a baseline for complex movement. Exploring these aspects of our development will lend ease to our study and practice of the muscles in our following workshop.
#7 3/18/23 Muscle
The over 700 muscles of the body comprise an incredible tensile 3-dimensional grid both for support, movement of the bones through space and vitality, strength and power. A complex topic, we will touch on the basic functions and more efficient use of the muscles related to the previous workshop’s understanding of primary tone and basic reflexes.
#8 4/15/23 Organs
While the organs carry on the functions of our basic survival, they also support our movement from the inside out, lending organic fullness, presence and a connection to our deep emotional core. We will explore the physical aspect of “core support” that the organs lend to our movement as well as the psychophysical connections of the organs for authenticity and genuine response.
# 9 5/13/23 The Fluids
The body fluids and channels reflect the qualities and rhythms inherent in the circulation of the earth’s fluids; the ocean, rivers and streams, eddies, pools and waterfalls. They are the circulatory system of the body, the ability to “go with the flow.” We will identify the different fluids and resonate with their qualities and rhythms through movement explorations.
#10 6/17/23 The Elemental Body
Our bodies and the body of the earth are interdependent and made out of the same materials and substances. As our bodies resonate with our natural world, we can experience a deeper sense of our own self-care as well as concern for the health of our planet in this crucial time. Having deepened our sense and experience of all the body systems, we will use this time to integrate our somatic experiences through connecting and reflecting on their relationship to the natural world.
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Online Developmental Technique™
with
Wendell Beavers
Saturday Mornings @ 9:00 Pacific/10:00 Mountain/11:00 Central/12:00 Eastern
Beginning Saturday Oct. 1 through Dec. 17 (no class Oct. 22 & Nov. 26)
Classes are 1.25hrs
Drop-in or take as a series

Zoom link is the same for all classes:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81451027455?pwd=UDR0V3puelJ6NFR1aEhQNGNsYVV2UT09
For payment, please make a donation of whatever amount feels comfortable. Suggested range for each class is between $10-$20. Feel free to pay what you can. If you would like to pay for a number of classes with one payment, please note that on your payment.

Somatic Meditation Practice: An Online 10 Week Forum
With
Erika Berland
Based on her book:
Sitting: The Physical Art of Meditation
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Mondays beginning February 13-April 17
4:00 PM Pacific/5:00 PM Mountain/6:00 PM Central/7:00 PM Eastern
Cost: $120 for 10 sessions. $15 for drop-ins
Email somaticperformer@gmail.com to register
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Guided Practice Sessions are one hour with additional ½ hour discussion forum offered following each session.
A gathering of a community of meditators focused on integrating deep experiential knowledge of the somatic body into mindfulness/awareness practice. These one hour sessions will include Erika’s guided somatic instructions based on her book “Sitting: The Physical Art of Meditation,” as well as the opportunity to practice together the heart of meditation as embodied presence.
You can pay for the series or drop in by session. The sessions will be recorded and the recordings will be available for the week so that you can use them to deepen your practice and touch back into the material. As an experienced Meditation Instructor, I am also happy to engage with you privately through email or zoom, if questions arise or individual guidance related to basic meditation practice is requested.
Familiarity with Erika’s book is highly recommended since much of the material will be drawn from the book’s information and exercises. Sitting: The Physical Art of Meditation can be purchased online from Amazon. A recording of an in-depth 7 week course based on the book taught by Erika in the Fall of 2020 is also available for purchase directly from Erika.
About the Book: SITTING is a handbook for deepening our experience of the ancient posture of sitting meditation. Drawing on research in somatic education and experiential anatomy, many guided exercises offer imagery we can use to release tension and stress, contemplations to increase body awareness, tips for making gravity work for us rather than against us, physical and energetic methods for relating with the systems in the body, and much more—including ways to bring new awareness into daily life.

Unconditional Healing Podcast
Interview with Erika Berland by Jeff Rubin
https://www.unconditionalhealing.org/podcast/episode/47b28eae/

The Six-Viewpoints: Explorations in Perception and Response with Wendell Beavers
Please contact Wendell directly at somaticperformer@gmail.com for in-person residencies, or facilitation for groups with specific interests.
Wendell's work with the Viewpoints takes many forms: physical training for performers; ensemble building for companies, directors and choreographers; composition and choreographic tools for creators of performance; food for thought for thinkers/pedagogues of performance or social theory; and Viewpoints as a mindfulness/awareness practice in daily life. The Viewpoints work as a field of study and practice is organized in the following areas of focus:
1 All About The Viewpoints: Mind & Creative Process, a Meta-View
2 All About Space
3 All About Time
4 All About Shape, Line and Visual Form
5 All About Kinesthetic Sensation (movement)
6 All About Story, Image, Imagination
7 All About Emotion