What is a My Body Rocks Storytelling/ Performance Workshop?
This workshop has three intentions:
1 - for you to discover your true self through storytelling, movement and deep relaxation.
2- to create a performance piece that raises awareness on the impact of cesareans and VBAC in women's lives.
3 - to raise money for a DC-area organization that believes women's bodies rock and works to educate the public on cesareans and VBACs and support mothers who have had these experiences.
You will be asked to tell your cesarean and/ or VBAC experience in a variety of ways. For example. you could be asked to write a letter to someone you love telling them about your cesarean/VBAC or you might be asked to tell your story through an improvisational dance you create. In the workshop you will share your writing and embody it. "Embody" simply means to sense it in your body.This helps you find your "My Body Rocks" point - the place inside of you that knows you rock. At the end of the workshop you will create a 10-15 minute piece with Karen’s guidance and perform it on stage. The final class will be the performance!
1 - for you to discover your true self through storytelling, movement and deep relaxation.
2- to create a performance piece that raises awareness on the impact of cesareans and VBAC in women's lives.
3 - to raise money for a DC-area organization that believes women's bodies rock and works to educate the public on cesareans and VBACs and support mothers who have had these experiences.
You will be asked to tell your cesarean and/ or VBAC experience in a variety of ways. For example. you could be asked to write a letter to someone you love telling them about your cesarean/VBAC or you might be asked to tell your story through an improvisational dance you create. In the workshop you will share your writing and embody it. "Embody" simply means to sense it in your body.This helps you find your "My Body Rocks" point - the place inside of you that knows you rock. At the end of the workshop you will create a 10-15 minute piece with Karen’s guidance and perform it on stage. The final class will be the performance!
What is Embodied Storytelling?
Embodied storytelling is you telling your story both verbally and through your body. This may include using movement, engaging your voice, and generally being open to feeling your story in your body. The goal is to take you out of your analytical mind and into your conscious body so you can connect to your intuition and innate trust in yourself and your deep knowing. The soul of your story centers not just on “what happened” on the outside, but also on the transformations occurring within. This embodied work helps you both remember what happened and realize what is happening within.
What does a typical Workshop session look like?
Arrival
Women's dance
Movement
Embodied storytelling
yoga nidra (guided meditation/ rest)
Why Cesareans and VBACs?
One in four births in the United States is a cesarean today, with some hospitals reporting as high as one in two. This represents a 400% increase in less than 15 years. According to the World Health Organization, "Countries with some of the lowest perinatal mortality rates in the world have cesarean rates of less than 10%. There is no justification for any region to have a rate higher than 10-15%." A mother's access to having a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) in the United States has recently been the topic of a National Institute of Health conference because of worrying data suggesting more and more hospitals have official policies against VBAC despite little medical evidence to support this approach. As a result of the NIH conference, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently revised their VBAC guidelines stating that VBAC is a safe and reasonable option for most women.
What do mothers who have had this experience want to tell us? This workshop and performance will give voice to these mothers.
What do mothers who have had this experience want to tell us? This workshop and performance will give voice to these mothers.
I am not a writer. Can I do this?
Absolutely! Journaling will be assigned, but previous writing experience is not required. In fact, it helps to not think you're a writer. Just write!
Do I have to perform?
No. Each participant will be guided through a series of exercises in class that will result in a prepared piece for performing. If you chose not to perform, we will find an actor to do your piece on stage. But we encourage you to stay open to performing. You might discover your inner "Meryl Streep" is waiting to emerge!
When and where is the workshop taught?
Classes meet for nine session every Monday night 5.30-7.30pm in Northwest DC. The ninth session will be our performance at a local DC venue.
How many attend?
Workshops are limited to a maximum of twelve women.
Who benefits from the performance?
Ticket sales from the performance will benefit local ICAN chapters.
What does a Workshop include?
Teaching instruction, performance prep and snacks.
How much does it cost?
9-week workshop: $300(early registration); $325 (late registration)
When and where is the Workshop held?
Click here!
My Body Rocks Cesarean and VBAC Storytelling/ Performance Workshop
We don't all have the ability to sing out over a racing train, but we do have the power to speak up—and out. A voice can get a party started, shout down opponents, or lead a country. Vocal cords are like any other part of your body. They are there to be worked.
Anna Deveare Smith
Actor and Playwright
