Movement Practice & Philosophy with Leilah Kirsten
In this episode, Firdose Moonda sits down with Leilah Kirsten, movement coach and dancer at Movement practice.
Together they discuss philosophy of movement, aesthetics in our practice, overcoming fear and the importance of community. Firdose brings in her Philosophy knowledge and applies her understandings to Leilah's view points on movement, not just yoga.
** An acknowledgement from Leilah "Near the end of the podcast, I mention that "we can all move"/ I would like to acknowledge those bodies that are not able bodies and have limited movement or require assisted movement by able-bodied . person / people. I still subscribe to this idea that . movement is healing for every . human, able-bodied or disabled."
Music produced by Dan Schultz https://soundcloud.com/itsdanschultz / dan@fragmentsdc.com. Vocals: Tarryn James
About Leilah
Leilah offers a unique physical conditioning practice that provides students with strong foundations of physical, mental and emotional awareness. The practice is based off three pillars; Play, Dynamics, Curiosity. These pillars are explored through movement games and exercises that develop adaptability and encourage investigation into basic movement pathways which allow for new movement opportunities and expression.
Leilah started her dance training in 1998 and graduated from the Cape Academy of Performing Arts in 2007. She went on to participate in Jazzart Dance Theatre’s Young Adult Training and Job Creation Programme (2009 – 2011) under the directorship of Alfred Hinkel where she fell in love with the release technique and experienced a variety of contemporary dance, improvisation and musical training.
Training and performing with the circus and Chinese martial arts-based company, Yaotl Physical Art Company from 2015 to 2017, opened her mind to the endless possibilities that exist in the body, mind and spirit and the methods of the company’s founders continue to influence her journey as a physical theatre artist, dancer, and teacher of movement. She has completed certificates in Personal Training (ACE) and Pilates (Prime Movement) and has freelanced as a movement artist and coach since 2012.