An Introduction

The aim of biodanza is expansion through pleasure in dance. These are the natural pleasures of moving one's body, of holding a hand, of looking into the eyes of another, of feeling connected to oneself and the world.

While biodanza is experienced as a practice of the body and soul, its theory and development are strongly grounded in rational thought. Its founder: Rolando Toro was a professor and clinical anthropologist who initially worked in mental health institutions in Chile during the Pinoche regime. He saw a society that was a long way from health. The conditions on the wards where he worked were tough and dehumanised. Yet one day there was a party. He saw to his surprise how something as simple as music and dancing utterly changed the conditions on the ward. Barriers between patients and staff were dissolved and the mood of the ward changed for days. This was enough to trigger an important line of thought:

Rolando asked himself why should it be that a simple party had a better effect than all of the therapeutic interventions that were, after all, supposed to make people feel better? Could there be a different way to change the conditions of life - not framed around patients and problems, failings and limitations, but rather around health and humanity, ease and naturalness? What happens if we nourish and grow all that is healthy in us? Does everything else follow? After much careful thought, observation, trial and development, the result was biodanza. It feels like a great party, but one leaves with the knowledge that something magical has gone on behind the scenes.

Feeling Good

The hallmark of health is feeling good. It is the source and the product, the signpost and the destination.

To feel good is nature's way of showing the right path collectively, uniquely and individually for us. To feel good is the sign that we have asked for. Biodanza recreates an environment, a garden of Eden if you like, where we re-practice and relearn simple pleasures. The pleasure of walking, the pleasure of holding a hand, the pleasure of seeing another and of being seen. We do this because it changes us: In a deep and cellular way we become more at ease in the world; more at ease with ourselves and others; more expecting of good feeling and of good things. The whiskers of simple pleasure come to guide us, yes to this, no to that.

Deepening Comfort

Biodanza is unashamedly transgressive. We create in the dance (the vivencia) a space that is uncontracted. In this way a fully lived and felt embrace or dance of sensuality does not obligate or bind us outside of the vivencia. This suspension is important for rediscovering our own space and place in the world. It allows us to find our own way back to self and self-actualisation.

Biodanza Cornwall runs two levels of class:

Rupert Meese

Biodanza Cornwall classes are mostly taught by Rupert with occasional guest teachers.

Rupert trained as a biodanza teacher for four years at the Dorset School of Biodanza. Prior to this Rupert trained and practiced as a metaphor therapist using a process called Symbolic Modelling or Clean Language to facilitate change for clients. He is also a master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming and a certified hypnotherapist.

Rupert has made a prolonged study of the nature of the human condition and the structures underlying health as well as mental and physical ill-health. He runs therapeutic and developmental workshops informed by the wisdom of the client.

Rupert is also a poet and writer, he teaches improvised comedy and likes to invent small things.

He has lots of fun.