April / May Schedule

Somatic Meditation
Mondays on Zoom, 11-11:45am
5-week Class Series
April 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9
$45 (save by signing up for the whole series!)

*Drop-ins welcome in all classes

Class Descriptions

Somatic Meditation & Repatterning

Somatic practices encourage intentionally experiencing our physical bodies, our emotions, our minds, and how we relate to the world outside us. Through these practice we can study our patterning in each of these "layers" of ourselves and how the different layers overlap. This work can be incredibly useful for getting to know ourselves better, shifting our habitual patterns, and creating a healing path. It is also a powerful tool for understanding how and why we relate to others and the world around us, and how societal power structures impact our choices. Each class will offer different areas of exploration and different exercises.

We will move mindfully, sometimes working in stillness and sometimes working with intuitive movement.

All levels of experience, all bodies, all people are welcome! Please wear clothes you can move freely in and bring a journal and pen to each session.

Somatic Explorations and Art for Culture Shift Workshop

In this 2-hour workshop, we will explore the overlap of somatic practice and art for culture shift. We will begin by looking at how oppression / oppressive systems live in the body and, in turn, how our bodies create our collective culture. Through embodied exercises we will move through a gentle process of how we can learn to identify these patterns within our own bodies, and then start to shift them. The second hour will be a guided creative session on how we can use our art for culture shift. Art creates culture, and culture drives legislation. So as artists, we have a potent role in shifting our society towards justice, wellbeing, and reverence for life. In this portion of the workshop, we will explore how the art we make impacts culture, and practice expressing ourselves in ways that move towards individual and collective healing. We will each create, share our work, and have discussion about the pieces.

For: Artists who are interested in embodiment. Embodiment practitioners who are interested in art. Anyone looking to walk an embodied, creative path towards individual and collective freedom.

Adult Contemporary Dance (Beginner/Intermediate) 

Looking for a longer class, more time to get into your dance practice? This 90 minute, 4-week series will leave you feeling creative, healthy, and inspired! And best of all, it fits in your living room (or another 6x6 foot space). Class begins with a technique based warm-up with an emphasis on strength, flexibility, and balance. Next, we'll do a series of exercises to build specific contemporary dance skills and an ability to move freely with grace. We'll end by learning a contemporary phrase, practicing full-body movement within a small space (a good skill to have!). We will be moving up and down from the floor, taking some weight on the hands, and learning a phrase. This series is ideal if you've been wanting to get back into moving, used to dance but haven't in a while, or just want a good blend of technique, strength, choreography, and stretch.

Catalyst: Movement Training and Practice

A unique fusion of free movement, cardio, strength training, yoga, and breathwork. It's a hugely body positive, life affirming workout, spiritual experience, and infusion of joy. 

I developed this workshop based on the blend of practices that have trained and healed my body over and over (most recently after birth!)...I start resting, I dance to music, work my cardio ability and my strength, stretch and lengthen my muscles, connect to my emotions, shake my body, be still and quiet, and breathe....so I created Catalyst. 

“My experience of Catalyst Training with Neva was a full mind, body, spirit nourishing and full contact experience. Neva’s shared wild vibrant energy is truly contagious.”
—Maria Pilar Pina, Alexandria, Virginia

A Important Note on Open Level Classes and Caring for Yourself

Unless otherwise noted, all classes are Open Level. I give options throughout the class to help you find more support or more of a challenge, depending on what you're looking for. Open Level classes are appropriate for Beginner or Intermediate level and are not meant as introductory classes. Some previous experience with the form will be helpful, though is not required if you are excited to jump in and try something new.

You are responsible for your own health and safety. By signing up for these classes, you agree to take full responsibility for your own health and well being, and agree to NOT hold Neva Cockrell accountable for any injuries you may incur during class. Especially in an online format, the teacher cannot help with specific alignment and corrections, so you must take extra care for yourself. You know your body more than anyone else, and you are responsible and able to choose what is best for you today!

People of all ages are welcome to join the classes.

Bio

Neva Cockrell is a professional dancer and interdisciplinary artist. She joined Pilobolus in 2016 and began serving as Dance Captain in 2017. With Pilobolus she has toured to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, China, Mexico, Israel, Dubai, and within the US. She is also a writer and director who uses dance-theater as a tool for social change. In 2010 she co-founded her own interdisciplinary company, Loom Ensemble, based in NYC which has toured across the US, Europe, and UAE. She is passionate about using Loom Ensemble performances to open difficult conversations, and then facilitate community discussion to unpack the emotional vulnerability and cultural taboos of each show.

She has been teaching dance, theater, and embodiment practices for over a decade, including opening Physique 57’s first international studio in Dubai and developing her own movement technique, Catalyst. Her diverse background in gymnastics, partner acrobatics, contact improvisation, Capoeira Angola, and Yoga inspire her unique style of Contemporary Dance in both her choreography and her classes. She is yoga teacher certified through Simple Yoga with Eric Stewart, and is deeply passionate about the overlap of somatic work and breaking down systems of oppression.

In 2012, she joined the Art Monastery Project, and currently serves as a co-director of Art Monastery Vermont, where she lives and creates work when she isn’t on tour. She has been practicing meditation for the past 12 years, and has found beautiful overlap in her artistic creations and her meditation practice. Her life path is deeply grounded in communal living, body-based activities, art-making, being outside, and contemplative practice.

______________________________________________________________________

Started with COVID, has become a community. Thank you.

• JOIN MY MAILING LIST HERE (it's the best way to stay updated and receive tips on living an embodied life!)
• Private Session: $45 / hour (click link for more information!)

*By signing up for class, you agree to take full responsibility for your own health and safety, and will not hold Neva liable for any injuries incurred during class.

*All classes are Open Level unless other wise noted. All times are EST. Drop-ins welcome!

*Zoom passcode 111222 (the link will be in your ticket)

*Class recordings: If you'd like to join a class, but can't make it, register and email me BEFORE the class, and I'll send you a recording