Testimonial

My experience with the Ashley Wint Movement Co. has been inspiring, insightful, and spiritual.
Every day we wake up in our bodies, use our bodies throughout the day, and go to sleep with them at night, but rarely pay attention to them, really listen and notice. When we do pay attention to our body it is in an almost cruel way, at the gym we push ourselves through the pain, repeat mantras in our head like “push harder” and “don’t be weak.” We don’t notice or forgive our bodies for just being.

In Ashley Wint’s class I was allowed to take the time to notice and expand my understanding of how my body moves and how it reflects who I am. Now, to the untrained eye, it may have looked as if we were just rolling around on the floor, and at first that is how I felt, but the way that Wint guides her students, I was able to allow myself to relax and let go with focusing on the conversation that was happening between the space of the room and my body. Besides her obvious knowledge and passion of movement, her ability to recognize the different levels of her students is what made the time in class that much more comfortable—I feel as if I received a one on one.

As a theatre professional, I have seen the lack of importance given to the training of the body. The voice, which is important, is given more focus. However, without the body and only the voice, actors are nothing more than talking heads. As a director who has worked with actors ages 7 to 56, movement is one of the hardest things to address in a constructive and successful way. Even if you tell actors to walk across the stage a certain way, if they are not strongly connected to their bodies they have not hope of truly manipulating it.

Wint’s movement company has a strong mission that you start to feel a part of the moment you leave class. I am excited to continue my study about how my body moves and how I can utilize that understanding in the theatre.

Whitney Hershberger
Theatre Teaching Artist and Director
MFA in Arts Administration, Southern Utah University

Last Class of October

Last class of October is this Saturday, 10/29 at 2pm. Come move around before celebrating Halloween!

Also, classes will be on hiatus for the rest of the year due to the holidays. However, if you are interested in private lessons, coaching, or organizing a group class/workshop, please contact Ashley at wint.ash@gmail.com

Thanks for your support!

Graduation Speech

As part of my graduation ceremony from the GL-CMA program at Columbia College Chicago, I was asked to speak on behalf of my classmates about our experience in the program. I wanted to share it here.  The reference to Rudolf Laban and his quotes came from Evelyn Doerr's "Rudolf Laban: The Dancer of the Crystal." Thanks for reading!


Good morning. For those of you I have not met, my name is Ashley Wint, and I'm honored to be standing here as a GL-CMA Graduate and speaking on behalf of my classmates about our experience in this program.

In all honesty, I had a difficult time just sitting down to reflect and prepare this speech. I realized that I still have not completely processed the experience our group went through in the past 14 months because it was so profound.

I actually took out my notebook and looked back at the notes I first took, and remembered how foreign but exciting all of this information was. And then remembering when a concept all of a sudden "clicked" to the extent I could actually feel neurons in my brain igniting. Then I knew, we are privy to some incredible information.

Yes, we have gained "knowledge," however, I believe we did more than that. I felt us start to grow together, question not only what we were learning, but also how it fit into our lives. We depended on each other for guidance and security as we traveled deeper into uncharted waters, and I believe we have transformed. I know I have.

In fact exactly one year ago, I wrote in my journal for class:

"I feel like right now I'm absorbing all of this information but anxious as to how it will play out in the future. I see glimpses of its infusion in my life eventually. Right now I'm along for the ride."

And now? Yes, Laban is infused in my life. But I've come to realize this "along for the ride" mentality will be an ongoing process with this kind of knowledge.

But even now, the FUTURE, post- program, out in the world with this certificate, what is that supposed to be?! This question is something we as a class have struggled with in the final months of our program. Well, I would like to turn to Rudolf Laban himself for some understanding. In 1912, directly after a "major life crisis" Laban wrote:

"My self-confidence wore away from the top down. Genius, strength, character? No trace! Persistence, talent, practical sense? Nothing, nothing! Can you think, talk? Can you stand, walk, speak, breathe? Feel, wish, want? Not to mention can? Can you do any of these things? No, I have to answer myself. No, you are a living sketch, a shadow. A shadow, that wants to have some kind of effect, that wants to fill space."


I think we can all see that Laban, the man we have come to admire, love, hate, be in awe of, and confused by,had insecurities and doubted his work and talent, but still knew there more out there for him to do and become.

20 years later in Nazi Germany, after a meteoric rise to fame and subsequent crash into failure, Laban reflected on his life up to this point and wrote:

"to the right and left lie the sacrifices, the mistakes, the moments of desperation; instead of friends, opponents  even enemies; instead of love, death. Persons, things, years, myself, shattered, broken...If I had not had my powerful intellect, that understands how to reconcile the most unbelievable things, I would have gone crazy or died long ago. But it is my lot to live, because I am one of those people who have something to accomplish and who stubbornly remain loyal to their ideals."

I wanted to share these sentiments today because I know how often we have expressed uncertainty, fear, and confusion as to how we will proceed with this work after we have left the bubble we created with each other once a month for 14 months. How can we hold this knowledge close, keep it fresh and relevant to ourselves, but also share it with the populations we work with and care for? I share Laban's words with you to remind us that even the man who gave us our foundation of knowledge, he too was human who faced fear and failure (often). But he stuck to his core beliefs and ideals. THAT is hat we need to remember as we begin our journeys as GL-CMAs. 

Thank you for sharing your lives for the past 14 months. Thank you to our incredible professors for also becoming a part of our lives and sharing their experiences with us. All the best of luck to us in our pursuit of education and healing people through movement. 

With my incredible parents who came to visit and support me. 

Thoughts After the First 2 Classes

Well friends, I have now officially taught two movement for actors classes and let me tell you, I absolutely love it. My first class was more of a private session and the second class had three students. Now, I will point out that so far these students have been personal friends who support me and have been interested in my studies during the GL-CMA program. It is so wonderful to be able to share my knowledge with them and I think there is a level of trust there on both ends. It did get me thinking how exciting and different the experience will be once I begin teaching people I don't know personally.

This evening I am musing about what a movement class entails for both the teacher and the student. First and foremost, there is a certain level of vulnerability one may experience in a movement class. I find that my class in particular, because it has the goal of enhancing an actor's personal knowledge of their body, requires a lot of inward reflection, assessment, and letting go of the body. And by letting go, I mean that one is allowed to move in a way without judgment and tapping in to natural responses and connective patterns of the body.

I am currently teaching from Peggy Hackney's book "Making Connections", and introducing the patterns of connectivity in the body which not only make movement efficient, but also emphasize how the more we are connected inwardly to ourselves, the more we can connect outwardly in our world. I find this to be an incredible resource for actors.

To do this kind of body level work, it does take courage on the part of the student participating. I realize that I am in a privileged position to be leading people into uncharted territory with their bodies and I take that seriously. I cannot speak on behalf of the students I have had so far, but by the end of class, the awareness that I see in them, the look on their faces as they assess how their body feels, the changes they went through in the past hour, the way they carry themselves, shows me that I am on the right track. It shows me that they have opened themselves up to a new experience, they have let go of something (whatever that may be on an individual basis), and they are now grounded and in touch with not only themselves, but also have an acute external awareness, as well.

It has been a lovely start to this journey and thank you to the individuals who have kicked this off. I look forward to the upcoming 2 weeks of classes, hopefully with some familiar and some new faces.

just because

a quick note

Hey Readers!
Just a quick note that I welcome any comments or questions you might have for me!
Nothing like a good dialogue on movement to get me excited!


Thanks for reading!
Ashley

Purpose and Inspiration

The big news story this week was the passing of Steve Jobs. His life and work has been in my mind a lot, as it seems it has been for many, many people.  A popular point of reference to his beliefs has been the commencement address in 2005 at Stanford University. A few of his points have been resonating with me as I embark on this adventure of mine. I want to share them with you and how they're shaping  and reinforcing this work in movement I will be teaching.

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

Well, this is pretty straightforward but something I so believe in. Yes, a decent day job is required right now and probably for quite a few years, but this goal of being a movement instructor/coach/choreographer is a major passion. So much so I can feel it pouring out of me at times. I do have this idea, this instinct, of what my life looks like, and I will do what I need to in order to meet that ideal. And I do have to be realistic that it will not be easy and that it will take time and work, but I will not settle into oblivion and not puruse what I know is my purpose.

 Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

  

Growing up, gut instinct got me everywhere. That feeling of certainty about life has diminished quite a bit for various reasons, however, there are things that I know to be true, and this work in the movement field is it. I try to keep an ambitious and open mind about how it will all come together, but I realize I am taking a leap of faith with each move I make. I even look to my future and see a yoga certification, another movement certification through Columbia College, and possibly becoming a movement therapist, because I see all of the dots connecting down the line, but who knows where this will all REALLY take me. That's what the journey is all about!

Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

I don't mean to be dramatic either by adding this quote in it's entirety, but dammit, it's true. I know for a fact I would not have applied for this program on a whim had it not been for personal loss in my life. The journey I have been on through my program and post-program has helped me to cope and helped to give me greater purpose. Life is hard but making your life and your life's work matter become so increasingly important. Once again, not to be too deep and dramatic, but I do believe these things to be true. If there is any way I can help people to find themselves through movement, then that's what I want to do. 

Thanks for listening!

Classes!

WHERE: The Den Theatre
1333 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor
(Off Division Blue Line)

WHEN: Saturdays 2:00pm-3:00pm
10/8
10/15
10/22
10/29


COST: $10/class


ETC: Wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Layering clothes is recommended.
You're also welcome to bring pen and paper for any notes you might want to take. 
Class starts at 2:00 but you're more than welcome to arrive early, warm up, hang out, or chat!

Reading List: Rudolf Laban, The Dancer of the Crystal

After I completed my GL-CMA program, I started reading Rudolf Laban, The Dancer of the Crystal by Evelyn Doerr. This is a very detailed biography of Laban's life and work. His life was absolutely incredible. Getting to know the man behind the movement theory I now affiliate myself with was so enlightening and makes me fills me with excitement knowing that I am now part of his lineage.

The detail that Doerr goes into with each stage of his life was so rich. The overarching theme from his life was a man with brilliance that was truly before his time. His aspirations and ideas seem advanced and ambitious even for today's standards. However, with this brilliance also brought a lot of instability. Periods of reaching great heights only to fall into periods of failure and struggle again. 

The most important lesson I could take from Laban's life, especially as I venture into this field of movement education, coaching, analysis, etc., is that even if I do stumble, fall, or fail from time to time, I mustn't stop pursing this work that is my passion. 

I would like to close with a profound concept from the book that I carry with me and want to share as a teacher:

Knowledge of the laws of dance is the prerequisite for becoming 

"a creator of culture" 

oneself and for creating symbols of dance that bring 

"comprehensive cultural benefits." 

"Dance oriented creation" is, in context,

 not only desire and art but also "serious cultural work." (pg. 61)

Classes Announced!

I'm very happy to announce my teaching schedule for the month of October.

Where: The Den Theatre 
1333 N. Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor

 (Off Division Blue Line)

When: Saturdays 2:00pm-3:00pm
10/8
10/15
10/22
10/29

Cost: $10/class

For more info, check out my Facebook Page here:

http://www.facebook.com/ashleywintmovement

My certification.
It's for real.

One Journey Ends, The Next Adventure Begins...

Welcome to my blog! I'm Ashley Wint and I have recently completed my Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis (GL-CMA) at Columbia College Chicago. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Minor in Theatre from Grand Valley State University and have lived in Chicago for 5 incredible years.

I've been thinking a lot about the journey into the world of Laban starting in June of 2010. Full of anticipation, nervousness and a healthy dose of, "Well, here goes nothing!" I slowly became immersed in the world of movement analysis. I remember so desperately wanting to know everything all at once and ate up information when our class met one weekend a month for 14 months. Before I knew it, I was transformed. I see the world and people differently. I feel and speak differently. I am full of passion and drive to take the knowledge I've been privileged to acquire and DO something with it!

So here I am on, facing my first adventure in Laban. Certificate in hand, and ready to conquer...IT ALL! Ok, not "IT ALL" to start. World domination takes time, you guys. I am very excited to begin by working with actors in the theatre community in Chicago. For years I have had actors ask me where to take dance classes, or that they used to dance but they don't know where to go now, or that they have to dance as part of their musical theatre audition and it always throws them off. And when I began the GL-CMA program, the conversations I would get into with my theatre friends were always full of curiosity and interest on their end and excitement and bursting full of information on my end. I knew that I could share a lot of beneficial information with a number of talented people so that they might realize their artistic potential through movement and connection to their bodies.

I spend a lot of my time lately thinking about my new adventure. I think of what I will teach, how I will teach it, and when. I can't wait to be moving myself in a way that brought me back to my body and reconnected me to movement in a deep way. I want to write about this path I am now on. I want to share my challenges, triumphs, epiphanies, and questions. I want to continue to learn and grow as an artist and educator in the movement field.
It would be my honor for you to join me.