Event Workshop Reports

Mask Workshop - Nov 1997 with Samuel Avital

Review by Alessandra

I had the chance to participate in the Mask Workshop held in November, 1997 in Boulder, CO under the direction of Samuel Avital and would like to share with you what I experienced. This was a four day, two weekend intensive study which involved the actual making of a neutral mask (with eye and nostril openings only) and numerous exercises for application of the mask. We also worked with the universal object-"the stick" which was used in story development and learning new ways in which to move our bodies.

What is a mask? A mask is where one can go to meet the essence of oneself. Without the visual expression of the face, one must learn to activate the use of the whole body. Working with the mask helps to shift focus away from auto-mechanical movements, facial movements, the verbal language of the outer world to the inner world behind the mask of conscious body movements and nonverbal communication with the self, others and the invisible space around us.

Because the whole body experiences stillness with use of the neutral mask, new life and meaning are activated in the body through the various exercises Samuel directs.

One discovers ways to release tension through learning to become aware of the breath. One learns of the quiet, still presence within that touches our lives every minute of the day, waiting for us to recognize it and explore it in all dimensions of our being.

Lots of information was given through various exercises with the mask. In one exercise, we were lead through a two hour walking meditation. This exercise began with us finding a spot, getting comfortable and then centering and finding a relaxed state of stillness. We became aware of our breathing and continued to relax our bodies. We then were asked to become acquainted with our mask before placement on the face and before beginning the journey into space. Everything was to be done at an extremely slow motion pace. Everything was to be done as if we were doing it for the very first time. We were to be aware as much as possible of each and every movement we did as we progressed through the story. We explored objects, people and space itself. We explored new ways of greeting, meeting and leaving the space that we occupied and those things we came into contact with. We were guided through a whole dimension of discovering our bodies anew, space, creativity and imagination.

Another exercise we did was becoming aware of the various postures we maintain as humans and the difference when we walk with the "presence" (conscious body movement awareness). We walked with postures of king/queen, warrior/coward, coward who thinks he's a warrior and a warrior who acts like a coward. We also walked with postures of emotions. This was a good way to sense and feel how vertical, expanded and open one is when walking with the presence compared with various personas and emotions (mad, sad, depressed, tense, uptight, coward) one carries with tension, contraction and no breath. It was also a good way to sense how we walk back and forth across the threshold each and every day of our lives. By switching between the presence and personas, one gets a good feel of the threshold.

The "Turn-key Posture" was an interesting exercise in learning to listen to our small inner voice of silence and wisdom. We were to find a comfortable posture that we could hold for a long, long time. We were then asked to visualize being with an element, to be with our presence, ask for an answer to a question, and accept a gift from the presence.

I found a comfortable position facing south with my posture supported by a stick. I first became still among the trees of the earth outside the window. We were then ask to hold this posture for quite some time. I then saw a pillar of fire above my head and from this fire came a phoenix bird. It gave me a beautiful blue light that radiates into my throat to honor me with the gift of communication of truth. I asked about changes occurring in my life and the answer was to let things happen naturally and stay tuned to nature. A very nice experience......

Those are only a few of the exercises we did in the workshop to be experienced alone. We also did group work. Samuel gave us a story that we were to develop, practice and present to the others - our version of the story. Working in a group was a nice opportunity for remembering cooperation, sharing ideas and engaging the use of the imagination. It called for a "listening ear," patience and understanding for the various views and perspectives for presenting a version of the story given.

What did I learn by participating in this workshop? Well, since this was a continuation of my study of BodySpeak™ with Samuel, I was rereminded of many things - To be aware of each and every movement that I do daily, to strive towards being 100% present with each and everything I do, remember to breathe and release tension when its present, and to be open to becoming consciously aware of the masks I still may wear, and dare myself to remove them.....

The work of BodySpeak™ continues to have a "rippling effect" through my body on a daily basis. I want to live consciously, so I practice BodySpeak™. There's nothing else like it for total change in leading productive, happy and satisfying life!