An invitation to get ready for future projects with the Michigan Movie Cooperative.
Hi, Dan here.
As some of you know, I’ve been training these past few months for film making and stage performance. The goal is to develop a team of men and women who can do convincing stunts, fighting and physical comedy – safely. This begins with a solid foundation of health, agility, flexibility and coordination – which is why I’ve started sharing my knowledge of tai chi and yoga. If you’re new to either discipline I can provide guidance to get started. If you’ve got prior experience, you’ll likely find some new insights. I’m also exploring other frontiers including dance with Mykl Werth’s group and combat mime / parkour.
We can build our common resources and capabilities while keeping costs minimal. Donations might be helpful if we need to rent a venue or incur other expenses.
There are currently three venues for training in Benzie / Manistee. A Traverse City venue is under consideration, stay tuned.
Artist house, Inc. 4077 Crystal Drive, Beulah
Studio on Main, 402 Main Street, Frankfort
Kelly dorm, 7367 Lumley Road, Bear Lake
Tai Chi has a new venue and time – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Artist house. The class teaches both forms and push hands – a practical application of the forms that feels a lot like dance. Dan leads and Patrick assists.
Tai Chi has several benefits. It’s been called the mother of (asian) martial arts, so it’s totally practical for real world self defense. This is important in the context of movie making, because being comfortable with the basics of actual combat adds to the realism (and grace) of stage combat. The practice is based on cultivating “emptiness” which is a sort of perfect calm, slightly tinged with joy when the flow kicks in. Cultivating emptiness helps with all aspects of every day life. Emotional turmoil like disappointment, anger and sorrow is dissipated. Nervousness and panic are more manageable and eventually fade. You’ll find yourself catching objects in midair even before know they even are falling. Tai Chi turns on your awareness.
Cost – if you are a student, single parent, unemployed, under 18 or have to travel more than 20 miles, the cost is $5. Otherwise it’s $10.
Combat Mime has a new time – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30-9:00 pm at Studio on Main. James Weston and I are looking into the possibility of starting a CM workshop in Traverse City on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, before Dance Club at the College.
Combat Mime comes from the title of the book by J.D. Martinez, which we’ll be working from. It’s out of print so I’m looking into converting it to a PDF. Combat Mime basically means simulating violence while staying totally safe. Currently were concentrating on learning how to fall and roll. There is a certain amount of body pounding that happens initially, but we have purchased excellent mats for protection. Along with the book, we’re also planning on having adepts like like Josh Kiel visit and give us some guidance. We also document our progress as we go.
Cost – Combat Mime is a workshop where we all learn together, problem solve and teach each other. Donations to support rental of the space (where applicable) and compensate visiting instructors might occasionally be appropriate.
Yoga continues on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 7:00 – 8:30 am at the Artist house. Mondays at Bear Lake is at maximum capacity.
Yoga is pretty common nowadays but the quality of commercial yoga varies considerably. There are several benefits to the style of the celebrated Yogi Raj Swami Bua, my teacher. First, it’s an immune system booster. You’ll get sick less and if you do get sick, it will be less severe. Old injuries can be healed, permanently. Your body will become armored against injury so it will be easy to stay fit and functional. Generally, you’ll build coordination and use more of your body. Posture will improve and general outlook on life will be more positive and optimistic. I can go on and on, suffice to say that it’s an essential practice for all around health and vigor. Swamiji’s yoga is rigorous, but anyone can learn to do it.
Cost – Yoga is free, but you must show up ON TIME, at least 10 minutes before 7:00 am on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Habitual lateness gets you uninvited. We have room for 3-4 more students.