The Zen Center of New York City, Fire Lotus Temple

Butoh: The Crucible of Body and Mind

With Vangeline

May 14, 2016
Prices

$75.00 – Program Price
$65.00 – MRO Student Price

Date and Time Details: Saturday, May 14th from 10am to 4pm.

To register:

call the Temple at (718) 875-8229, email zcnyc@mro.org

Zen Center of New York City: Fire Lotus Temple
500 State Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 875-8229

How comfortable can we allow ourselves to be in our body? How deeply are we willing to plumb our own depths, to reveal our true face in the mirror?

Developed in post-World War II Japan, butoh is a performance form characterized by the deep investigation of impermanence, authentic expression, and letting go. Butoh as a body practice is about “revealing” rather than “showing.” In the same way that we reveal the mind to ourself through single-pointed concentration in zazen, in butoh, we reveal our mind through mindful repetition and physical engagement, transforming our shadow and unveiling our most authentic selves. So we can take this practice as a wonderful opportunity to practice concentration, regardless of our surrounding circumstances.

Zen practitioners often feel a real sense of support by sitting together in the zendo. We can also understand that Butoh is born from exchange and communal work. Because butoh is not about “showing,” it is also not about judging what we’ve been shown. Together in movement led by acclaimed butoh performer Vangeline, you’ll experience a unique chance to explore new territory.

Vangeline’s Butoh classes incorporate Japanese Butoh, Bio-energetics, core energetics, elements of Noguchi gymnastics, and guided imagery to offer a high-energy workshop adapted to each group’s level of physical fitness.