Temenos Dance Collective Podcast

Alex Forster

Alex Forster is an audiovisual adventurer and a creative communicator who produces deep, soulful soundscapes and evocative, heartfelt films.
His career began at the legendary Abbey Road studios, and has lead him across the globe to work in European mountains, Indian beaches, African deserts and beyond. He has collaborated with artists from iconic bands such as Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and Faithless, and worked for renowned organisations such as the BBC, Oxfam, and the Sonar Festival.
Alex's unique blend of talents brings a bespoke, immersive experience to every project. His ability to speak several languages and connect with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures has enabled him to contribute to inter-cultural and often socially and environmentally conscious projects around the world. Whether through music or film, Alex's creations serve as a bridge, connecting cultures and ideas in a symphony of sonic and visual harmony.
Fluent in both music composition and video production, Alex excels in projects that combine the two, creating a seamless blend of audio and visual storytelling. His expertise in digital audio workstations, coupled with his passion for organic sounds, live looping and improvisation, allows for a uniquely flexible and personal approach to music production. As a filmmaker, Alex's style harnesses the beauty and majesty of nature, crafting moving images that not only capture the eye but also touch the soul.
His music creations and live performances range from meditative soundscapes to ecstatic dance-floor grooves, drawing inspiration from the sights and sounds he has gathered on his global journeys as well as decades exploring movement practices on the dance floor. As a multi-instrumentalist skilled in both improvisation and music technology, Alex is able to craft bespoke soundscapes and immersive sound journeys that deeply resonate with participants at his events, offering a uniquely personal and profoundly memorable experience.
"Music that moves, images that inspire" encapsulates Alex's approach: creating audiovisual narratives that are not just experienced but deeply felt. His contributions to social and environmental causes through his art demonstrate a dedication to making a meaningful impact. With awards and accolades affirming his influence, Alex Forster remains a beacon of inspiration in the intersection of music and film, inviting audiences to explore the depth of human emotion and the beauty of our world.To find out more about Alex's work visit his website:www.alexforster.net Buy his music on BandCampListen on Spotify Follow him on Instagram

Mackenzie Amara

For this episode we sat down with Mackenzie Amara. To find out more about her work visit her website, follow her on Instagram, or check out her Linktree. Here is a list of some of her upcoming workshops: Black Tent WildApocalypseMackenzie Amara Bio: Mackenzie is a writer, researcher, consultant, & 5Rhythms® teacher. By vocation she is a Jungian analyst-in-training & Clinical Psychology doctoral student. By design she is a collection of fractal, holographic cells dancing around some strange attractor for the sake of who knows what to live an insignificant, mythic life reflective of the mysterious vital spark within her. She identifies as a series of memories & unverifiable subjective experiences of self-hood to which she is rather fondly attached. She has a penchant for scholarship, the occult, pedantic erudition, morbid humor, grandiosity, nihilism, & semi-responsible hedonism. Born in the shadow of New Age culture into a fractured family system & the subjective experiencer of (arguably) extreme early childhood trauma, her life’s work is to heal psychic wounds — her’s & other’s — to ensure that she & others become strong enough to contend with the unconscious quicksands & transpersonal abysses which lap at the periphery of developing consciousness.
She is an emergent property of Being playing at becoming sovereign.
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Educational Background:
Mackenzie is a Diploma Candidate at the International School of Analytical Psychology in Zurich, training to become a Jungian analyst. She is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Saybrook University in Oakland, CA. Her research interests include psychedelic psychotherapy, psychedelic integration, dream analysis, mythology & symbolism in clinical practice, and the application of nondual teachings to human growth. 
 
She holds a Master's degree in Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Columbia University & a Bachelor's degree in Psychology & Spiritual Experience with a minor in Child & Adolescent Psychology from New York University. She is certified in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (The New School & Center for Optimal Living), 5Rhythms® (The Moving Center), and Holistic Psychology (The Open Center). 

Tasha Blank

For this episode I had the privilege of sitting down with Tasha Blank. Tasha is a celebrated international DJ, somatic practitioner, teacher and founder of The Get Down, The Drop, BODY LVNGUAGE and global leadership academy Powerhouse DJ School (PhDJ).
A student of somatic healing, shadow work, story and ceremony, her nervous system-based approach to transformation through movement is a wild invitation into your most powerful expression.
She’s known for liberating hips in New York City’s most legendary clubs (Cielo, Output, Verboten, House of YES), the world’s wildest festivals (Envision, Lightning in a Bottle, Burning Man, Wanderlust, Beloved), and museums, churches, helipads, boats, roving desert ships, forests and mountaintops everywhere. 
She kicks off each set with a moment of silence and invocation. "Even for folks who've never seen a giant club get totally quiet and take a pause, it's an important part of the experience. When a crowd trusts each other enough to be still together for a few minutes, you can take them anywhere." 
From there, Tasha's sets are richly varied. Rooted in house music and invariably uptempo and uplifting, they include everything from garage, R&B, soul, hip-hop, amapiano, pop, techno and plenty more.To find out more visit https://www.tashablank.com/https://www.phdj.dance/https://www.instagram.com/tashablank/
 

Felix Oram (Temenos founder) interviewed by Dan Levin

Turning the tables somewhat on the usual format, Temenos founder Felix Oram becomes the interviewee and relinquishes control of the microphone to the capable Daniel Levin. Daniel thought it would be nice to offer Temenos Dance Collective listeners the chance to learn more about the man behind the project. It's been over a year since the very first episode in which Felix talked about his vision and concept for the project and much has happened in that time, so this is a refreshing update. Enjoy.

Unbound Moving Arts

For this episode I had the pleasure of sitting down with the founders of the Unbound Moving Arts CIC: Nikki AshleyRichard WiltshireMorag DonnellyUnfortunately due to connection issues Morag dropped off the call so most of the interview is with Nikki & Rich, but rest assured I will get Morag back on for a one to one interview in the Autumn. Unbound Moving Arts are a social enterprise offering creative and healing meditative explorations in the form of movement, dance, art, sound and yoga - nurturing strong mental and physical health within the local community, and those online. To attend any of their events visit https://bookwhen.com/unboundmovingartsTo learn more about Unbound including to view our videos - visit their website: https://www.unboundmovingarts.com/To follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unboundmovingarts/To sign up to their Monthly newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/hyiVTb
Some Upcoming events: I n t i m a t e || P a t h w a y s - 5Rhythms & L i f e s e n s i n g Workshop 26 & 27 July - The art of dancing toward the intimate with Nikki and Morag 
Simply Being Garden Sessions in Brockwell Park - Mon 5 Aug; Mon 12 Aug; Mon 19 Aug; Tues 3 Sept; Tues 10 Sept
Check out the Bookwhen schedule for a full rundown of all their events!
 

Katie Lusby (Nos Danza)

Based in Cornwall, Katie is a freelance performer, teacher and facilitator with over 15 years’ experience in contemporary dance and physical theatre.
She has worked with companies such as Gecko, Punchdrunk, and VOXED, and with choreographers such as Akram Khan (London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony), Tom Jackson Greaves, Fin Walker, Aletta Collins, James Cousins and Dam Van Huynh.
Alongside performing, Katie has also worked extensively as a teacher and facilitator in various educational, professional and community settings. She has taught in primary and secondary schools, been a guest lecturer for vocational dance institutions and universities such as London Contemporary Dance School, The Royal Ballet School and Falmouth University as well as teaching professional dancers in company and open classes.
Whatever the setting, Katie loves to share her expertise and passion for dance and theatre, and hopes to inspire and enable people to discover a love for their own movement, creativity and expression.
In 2023 she founded Nos Danza Presents, a project dedicated to sharing the joy and transformative power of dance with people from all walks of life.
www.katielusby.com
IG: @nosdanza

Nico Allen (5Rhythms NYC)

For this episode we sat down with Nico Allen. Nico is a certified 5Rhythms teacher based in New York City. He began his 5Rhythms journey back in 2016 and finished his training in 2021. He runs a weekly Monday night class in NYC called Body Werk and describes himself as a 'movement catalyst'. To connect with Nico check out his Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/bodyw_rk/

Richard Batts (EDUK)

In this episode we sat down with Richard Batts, the co-founder of Ecstatic Dance UK, the organization responsible for hosting the legendary Sunday morning dances at the Baths in Hackney Wick, London as well as Evening Sessions on Wednesday nights, plus regular retreats and events. We talked about Richard's journey and discuss the state of the Ecstatic Dance scene in general. Here all Richard's links to check out his mixes, follow him on Insta or buy tickets to EDUK events: Instagram: @ecstaticlifer & @ecstaticdance.ukSoundCloud: Taoro MusicEDUK: Linktree

Julie Stuart (Atlanta 5Rhythms)

In this episode I sat down with Julie Stuart from Atlanta, Georgia (USA) to talk about her work as a 5Rhythms teacher in the south east of America.
Julie has over two decades of experience as a facilitator supporting organizations and individuals to navigate complex change using deep dialogue, large-scale visual mapping and embodiment practices.
She is a certified teacher of the 5Rhythms and of the Non-linear Movement method created by Michaela Boehm
She designs and guides transformative workshops which explore the intersection of sensuality, intuition, art and movement and has been dancing the 5Rhythms since 2010.
To find out more about Julie's work visit her website - www.juliestuart5rhythms.com

Dominik Schnell (Heart Wave)

Dominik Schnell is the founder and developer of the HeartWave, a practice that supports us to connect to the deepest parts of ourselves through dance. Each session taps in to our collective wisdom as we journey in and out of relating, in and out of shadow, in and out of our fear. Above all HeartWave is a deeply liberating exploration of our inert yearning for belonging, connection and togetherness. Dominik has been passionately engaged in dance for two decades, exploring performance, contemporary, contact dance as well as many forms of expressive dance workshop styles. He draws from his experience as a facilitator, combining dance, tantra and process work. It was a pleasure to sit down with him and learn more about his process and his work. Dom is based in Forest Row, East Sussex and holds monthly HeartWave sessions there. To find out more when they are happening you can join the WhatsApp group - https://chat.whatsapp.com/HVAn4y7geSWHRdP1wHJKSn
or visit the Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HeartWaveDance/