Late Bloomer
As someone who was taught from an early age that the world was a dangerous place, I learned the “best” way to survive was to stay small, obedient and dependent on the attention and approval of others to feel safe. Feeding this environment was a push-pull message of distrust (and, conversely, adulation) of the outspoken, the self-confident and charismatic. Another brick in the wall: being the smallest (and “cutest”) kid in class. I came to distrust my masculinity, and hid out in my protected and predictable world of books and music.
Dance found me along the way, its portal (early on) usually lubricated with various substances and romantic aspirations. In time, though, I discovered more intentional practice using the body and soul as North Star(s), and was fortunate to be guided by master teachers of embodied presence like Zuza Engler, Vincent Martinez-Grieco, Kathy Altman and Andrea Juhan. I felt, for the first time in all its bittersweetness, that place of longing to be seen, included, appreciated. And when Vincent (“Vinn,” then), designer of Soul Motion, in the beginning of a 5-day Soul Motion workshop at Esalen in 2005, slid over and whispered in my ear, “hey, Mikey! Go heat up that corner of the room!” I felt what it’s like to be seen, appreciated, necessary. My presence mattered. I entered the first formal teacher training for Soul Motion in 2007, was certified to teach the practice in 2009, and have been leading classes, workshops and other events since 2010. I continue to learn Soul Motion’s lessons of using the Pause to slow down and return to home base; the opportunities that an expanded view of my place in the world (and of what’s happening on the dance and journey floor) provides (Orbit Orientation); and to be open to receiving and responding to everything around me (Echo Inspiration). My stake, as revealed to me early on in my Soul Motion path: “to encourage students to discover and share their gifts with the world.”
These same principles inform my work with non-ordinary states of consciousness: finding and guiding from my center as I keep clients safe to explore what emerges. I summon lovingkindness as I accompany you on your journeys. I am honored and humbled to bring integrity, presence and care to all those I work and play with.
As well as engaging in lots of personal work using Holotropic Breathwork and other advanced meditation techniques, I’ve trained with the Hanuman cohort in 2023-24, to guide sessions using non-ordinary states of awareness as activators of truth and soul. Intrigued? Send me an email at everwideningcircles@proton.me and we’ll set up a time to continue the conversation.