Template Breakdown

To download the template click HERE.

Theme of the Workshop: 

This section is for the instructor to list the theme of the workshop.  This is completely up to the instructor.  They can use one of the monthly Whole Souul and Seven Principle themes that are outlined on the Divine Theater and Dance website or any that they would like.

Materials Needed:

This section is for the instructor to list any materials listed in the activities on the Divine Theater and Dance website or any that they have found while creating an activity.

Warmup and Prelude

  1. Check In:

    Take time to check in with the class or group. Use this area of the template to write a question that relates to the theme of the workshop.

  2. Chalice Lighting Passage:

    Choose a short passage, poem or quote that relates to the theme of the workshop. I have found that with younger groups shorter passages or quotes seem to work better and longer for older groups.

  3. Physical Warmup / Warm up game:

    This is an import part of the workshop. Both for spiritual embodiment and for theater and dance itself an open and flexible body is required. The format of this is completely up to the instructor. You can choose to use the basic warmup provided on the website or create your own based on your experience with your body. A yoga, exercise, or Pilates warmup would work here. There are also body warm up games listed on the website.

  4. Center and Practice:

    Choose one of the following, as you gain experience or if you have a full workshop time (i.e. One or two hours) you may feel comfortable doing both. However, in the beginning, it is best to choose one to focus fully on the practice and gain experience in the method.

Divine Dance

  1. Teach movement:

    In this section you have several options. Remember the goal here is to use this as an embodied practice. NOT TO PREFORM! That is to say, the focus should be on the process and experience rather than the finished product. To alleviate stress surrounding “teaching a dance” here are some tips:

    1. Choose movements that you can do and feel comfortable with. You can see videos of basic movements on the website, but don’t feel as though you have to use just those. Use any movement that you know and can teach.

    2. Only do as many specific movements as you could learn. By this I mean, don’t worry about creating a full dance you might see a professional choreographer make. Try using say three or four movements, combining them together and repeating them.

    3. Try not to do the dance in a circle. There is a wonderful and beautiful practice called Dances of Universal Peace that already incorporates that. Can the students do the moves facing each other? While walking? Facing away from each other? Alone facing forward or back?

    4. Choose music that you can do the dance to and that you like. This is huge. There are several songs listed for each theme on the website, but choose one that you want to use. I have found that people tend to respond to songs that they know or are from their era. Younger children tend to like music that they have heard recently, while older participants may like from their history.

    5. Practice the movement before you teach. Don’t go in cold. If you are experienced in dance or movement you could improvise, but preparation always takes stress away.

  2. Repeat movement:

    Much of the spiritual practice surrounding the movement is in repetition. As we repeat, we lose embarrassment or fear of doing the movement incorrectly. Use this as a way to get the most out of the dance. Also, as you get more comfortable, what can be changed to change the spiritual experience? Does going faster or slower change it? How about where you are? The position of the dance.

Divine Theater

  1. Teach exercise/s:

    There are several exercises listed on the website for each theme. To alleviate stress surrounding these use these tips:

    1. Choose two or three that work the best for the theme and that you understand. For older groups you can spend much more time on each exercise. For younger groups make sure you know the modifications that will keep them interested.

    2. Make sure you know what you want to get out of the exercise. Keep this in mind while you are doing the exercises.

    3. Be prepared to change your expectations. What I mean by this is that often these exercises are imagination based. If you expect participants to do a certain thing they might or something totally new may come out of it. That is the beauty of this.

    4. If it isn’t working, don’t be afraid to move to another exercise. One exercise make take your whole time or you may have to do all three that you planned. That is so dependent on the group.

    5. Again, practice before you go in there. Knowing the exercises will make everything run smoother.

  2. Participate in the exercise/s:

    I say this because as an instructor we often stand on the outside. This is an experience for you as well. Divine Theater and Dance believes in co-learning, we are both instructors and learners along with our students.

Reverence and Benediction

This is an import element to the template.  When you end the movement or exercise do make sure that you clap or give reverence or thanks in some way.  This gratitude can be shown in a clap or even a bow by the whole group.  This will lead you right into the discussion.

  1. Wrap up and discussion:

    Think of some questions about the experience. I always like to prepare some ahead of time. For younger groups this helps them to take away something from the experience. Older groups may just like to discuss what the experience was like for them.

 Extinguishing passage

Choose a short passage, poem or quote that relates to the theme of the workshop.  I have found that with younger groups shorter passages or quotes seem to work better and longer for older groups.