Today I am excited to begin a series of posts in conversation with Martha Eddy. Martha's career in dance, somatics, and writing is expansive and varied.

What is a recent somatic article, book, or video link you would recommend to check out?

Gosh, that is a tricky one to pick. My book Mindful Movement: The Evolution of the Somatic Arts and Conscious Action came out in paperback this year, and it’s been fun for me to re-read it. I’ve been enjoying the various book reviews that are emerging too. On the other hand I’ve had two other writing projects that culminated this year – a chapter on how to use Dynamic Embodiment in clinical practice, and another on the notion that Dynamic Embodiment (and really many somatic movement systems) are a constant apprenticeship.

How do you balance being in front of a computer, sitting, and traveling?

When on planes I get up and walk and stretch more than the average customer. I also have no problem with layovers. I take the time to walk around and get a few phone calls in. 

As for the computer…I do my best to sit with care but also to recline with my laptop with lots of pillows as props. I also do my vision enhancement exercises – like those I teach to 6 year olds and can be found at www.EyeOpenersAreMindOpeners.com.

I like to play with different seating options – I have a pogo stick like perch, a cardboard perch from Adaptive Design Associates, and a large physioball. My basic philosophy is that the body is designed to move and to make changes – so the best way to deal with a sedentary lifestyle is to change up where I sit, what I sit on and whether I sit at all. I like standing stations too. I also have gotten a separate key board for my laptop in order to place the laptop screen higher in space. I just have to remember to use it!

What are your current movement practices and care for the body?

I take a lot of warm baths, I practice the Sun Salutation and let it morph into whatever else my body calls for, and I teach Moving For Life and Bodymind Dancing, each of which truly lubricate my joints and ease my muscles back into flexibility after long car rides and plane trips.

What is a somatic exercise/exploration you would recommend for PreK-12^th grade dance teaching artists….after a full day of teaching and engaging with lots of children, loud music, transitions, and the exertion of teaching?

My suggestion would be to include more for one’s own self-care throughout the day. Incorporating “palming” as one finds on the EyeOpeners DVD, doing Relax-to-Focus (see http://www.wellnesscke.net/cr.htm) or engage in curricular activities outdoors as we do in EcoMoves for Kids. The more movement you build into your day that has its own balance of inner and outer focus (a primary somatic principle) the more likely you are to feel less exhausted at the end of the work day. Of course, contemplative movement and awareness in nature or going to your favorite dance or movement class is another great way to shift into self-care.

What is on your calendar for the next few months (Dec, Jan, Feb)?

I am fundraising for Moving For Life – our non-profit that provides free dance fitness classes for older adults and people of all ages who are affected by cancer. We have a fun evening on Dec 4^th  and an end of the year campaign. Then I take off to New Zealand to meet with family there. It’s been years in the planning, and we are all quite excited to both tour the two islands and spend days in Nelson sharing with family. On my way home I will be back in the Bay Area teaching at Saint Mary’s College from Jan 13- 20 and hopefully teaching a short BodyMind Dancing workshop. I’m excited to say that I will be back in Berkeley in early May to teach with Moving On Center. In February I was going to go to Lebanon to help set up some arts programming for Syrian refugees there but that is being postponed for a few months, which means I can land at home in NYC for a while and enjoy teaching BodyMind Dancing and preparing for the visit of my students of Dynamic Embodiment who will be convening in the Greater NYC area from around the world. Lastly, I am about to launch DrMarthaEddy.com - you can browse the new site right now!

Working with EyeOpeners at PS 3 in Manhattan

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Related posts:

Somatic Education/Somatic Influence: Six Perspectives

Artist Profile: Rosana Barragan, a Dynamic Embodiment educator

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