Daily Nourishment for May 12, 2024: Dance Language with Martha Graham
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 45 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 13 minutes
“If anybody asks you, ‘What exactly did Martha Graham do?’ You can say, ‘She took natural gesture, the things we do unconsciously when we’re sad or when we’re happy, euphoric, stressed… She took those gestures and those ways that we embody how we feel, and turned them into a dance language.’” - Janet Eilber
Pause.
Do a few rounds of a breath prayer/meditation using a word that represents something you want to receive during the inhale (peace, rest, freedom, etc.) and a word that represents something you want to let go of during the exhale (anxiety, busyness, oppression, etc.).
Prompt.
“Martha Graham once said, ‘A dancer’s art is built on an attitude of listening, with his whole being.’ That’s probably a good prescription for those of us also in search of creative insight. What does your whole being tell you? What kinds of imagery flit across your imagining mind while reading about Martha Graham – or courting personal inspiration? And how do those images mesh with the demands of your vocation or avocation? A thinker’s art is built on an attitude of listening to the world without and the mind within.”
Practice.
Set a timer for eight minutes and take notes on the quotes above.
—How do you embody how you feel?
—What is your dance language?
—What does your whole being tell you? (Stop right now and listen. What do you hear?)
—What kinds of imagery flit across your imagining mind while reading about Martha Graham?
—How do you listen to the world?
If you like, use your notes to start a new poem, story, essay, or a letter to a friend.
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Upcoming Workshops & Gatherings
—The May Co-Writing Schedule is live. Learn more here.
—SDW Members: Sunday Conversations are happening every Sunday through May 12th from 6:15-7 p.m. CT.
—This month’s Revision Stations Designed by Lauren Winner gathering will be on Saturday, May 25th from 10:15-noon CT.
If you have something that needs revision attention, you will not regret attending. Promise.
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
*Please help us protect our intellectual property, our creative process, and the integrity of our work. Spiritual Direction for Writers® Daily Nourishment is covered under the Spiritual Direction for Writers® trademark. You are welcome to share this link with others, but any other use (written or spoken) is prohibited without written permission from Charlotte Donlon.