Tripsichore Yoga Theatre
Performance
Tripsichore began in 1979 as a company devoted to creating full length dance narratives. They explored a variety of stylistic forms including punk ballet, conventional modern dance and strict neo-classical technique. They used masks, performed with rock bands and did pop videos. While yoga was always a part of our training, it wasn’t until 1992 that they realised the expressive potential and choreographic viability of yoga postures. Once they began to devise works using yoga asanas, their extraordinary artistic logic became evident. Surprisingly, it would seem that there has been no orthodox tradition for using yoga technique to create dances in the 5000 year history of the discipline. The postures intrinsically possess a sumptuous beauty and fluidity. They are the ideal vehicle to express the themes of harmony, balance, spirituality, ecstasy, bliss and mysticism because they are exactly about these subjects in and of themselves
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Practice
You're little Brooklyn Yoga Star produced a sweet spring tour including a stop at the Broward Centers Amaturo Theatre.
I was also invited to studying with these guys in a 4 week intensive. Take a look at the 7 minute video below and my account of my studies. This is a mini mini mini version of the full Tripsichore sequence that lasts an hour and a half or more. This practice is extremely challenging. You'll notice the variations of the sequence Edward and Nikki demonstrate ie; flowing into inversions and deep vs straight spine back bends. |
My time with Tripsichore...
Edward and the revolving cast in Tripsichore used the full spectrum of life experience and what they know of yoga to create this and other sequences. Incorporating variations of sun salutations and honoring common practices from sivananda, ashtanga, dharma mitra, modern/classical dance and many other respected practices. Edward has created a standard in a style of yoga that has become subject to interpretation. The names of each section of the full length Tripsichore sequence are even derived from the company members other jobs and details of thier lives at the time or by literal inspiration.
In our training we studied yoga philosophy from a very anthropological point of view. We deconstructed yoga the way a dance student might debate classical ballet vs Martha Grahm.
In our training we studied yoga philosophy from a very anthropological point of view. We deconstructed yoga the way a dance student might debate classical ballet vs Martha Grahm.
Edward was an actor, dancer and choreographer first, and a yogi second. He is a proper professor of yoga and it's history from my perspective. Tripsichore seems like circus tricks in performance but in practice you're main focus is on the how the breath moves the body. For example on each inhale the hips tend to move forward and on exhales the breath pushes your pubic bone and what's behind it back. Add the shoulders to that and you're on your way to you're first attempt at a handstand. It seems very simple, but when these ideas are relied on strongly in your practice (especially flowing with control in and out of inversions) it makes a remarkable difference.
Overall Tripsichore demads a higher standard not only of our Vinyasa but of us. According to Edward it's not good practice to fling yourself about to attempt a handstand, it's more productive to put your hands on the ground and try to lift your legs with your inhale and push the pubic bone back on the exhale, even if not much happens. It's the work that is important, not the result.
Oh don't worry, you'll see results no doubt about it! This practice when done religiously will literally transform your body, mind and soul. Edward and Nikki (Edward's humble assistant and Tripsichore company member) as a team push you to the edge of your comfort zone and call you out when you're being lazy. They care enough about the integrity of the practice they share to keep you working at a level that is productive and true to your breath. This summer is the first time in my life I could say "I have developed my personal yoga practice"
I was confronted by my reaction to panic, fear, frustration, laziness and judgment and began to understand how to push past my weak spots, stop making excuses and just work.
Do I teach Tripsichore??? I sure do try... The bar has been raised for me and I will hold myself and students up to that same standard. But I am no master, no guru. Just a red head with an attitude, who likes to play funky music and challenge everyone to keep doing their best.
I'm changed forever and look forward to inspiring the change in you.
www.tripsichore.com
Overall Tripsichore demads a higher standard not only of our Vinyasa but of us. According to Edward it's not good practice to fling yourself about to attempt a handstand, it's more productive to put your hands on the ground and try to lift your legs with your inhale and push the pubic bone back on the exhale, even if not much happens. It's the work that is important, not the result.
Oh don't worry, you'll see results no doubt about it! This practice when done religiously will literally transform your body, mind and soul. Edward and Nikki (Edward's humble assistant and Tripsichore company member) as a team push you to the edge of your comfort zone and call you out when you're being lazy. They care enough about the integrity of the practice they share to keep you working at a level that is productive and true to your breath. This summer is the first time in my life I could say "I have developed my personal yoga practice"
I was confronted by my reaction to panic, fear, frustration, laziness and judgment and began to understand how to push past my weak spots, stop making excuses and just work.
Do I teach Tripsichore??? I sure do try... The bar has been raised for me and I will hold myself and students up to that same standard. But I am no master, no guru. Just a red head with an attitude, who likes to play funky music and challenge everyone to keep doing their best.
I'm changed forever and look forward to inspiring the change in you.
www.tripsichore.com
