Body Love Circle

Body Love Circle

Hey there! I'm Dani Tonks; somatic coach and performance artist  and I'm thrilled to extend a warm invitation to join me in the "Body Love Circle" -  an  online sanctuary for women and those who identify as women.

It's no secret that the dawn of a new year often brings with it the unwelcome pressures of diet culture, especially targeted at women. This societal push can lead many of us to believe we need to change or learn to dislike our bodies.

This workshop is my response to that cultural noise. This will be a welcoming sanctuary where we can come together and remind one another that our bodies are deserving of love and acceptance exactly as they are. 

All parts of you are welcome here, be it your joy, grief or all the feelings in between.

A bit about my journey and why I'm hosting this workshop:

I have been navigating the challenging landscape of eating disorders since I was just 8 years old and have been standing strong and proud (with many falls in between) after starting my recovery in 2013.

Over the past four years I felt a significant (and very challenging) shift through somatic and expressive art therapy and performance art. I've not just overcome my struggles but have found a deep well of strength, contentment, and love for my body - most of the time. I still experience days where my inner critic wants to bring me down. The difference now is it's lot quieter than it use to be and I'm able to manage those moments, and navigate myself out of them safely.

The summer of 2023 marked the 10th anniversary of my journey toward recovery. To celebrate this milestone, I decided to immerse myself in the captivating world of burlesque—an art form I had long yearned to pursue. Years of experiencing  stage fright, eating disorders, depression and body dysmorphia acted as formidable barriers, hindering me from embracing my power and freedom of expression.

 I want to share my knowledge, practice and experience with you from somatic coaching, acting training and burlesque and how it's supported me along the way.  I'll also share a bitesize history about burlesque to honour the folks who paved the way for many.

What to Expect

Somatic Coaching Techniques:

• Guided Body Scans: A gentle exploration of sensations and emotions in different parts of the body, promoting awareness and connection.
• Breathwork: Harnessing the power of breath to release tension, promote relaxation, and cultivate a sense of presence.
• Gentle Movement: Incorporating mindful movement practices to reconnect with and appreciate the body's capabilities without judgement.

Expressive Arts:

• Burlesque Taster: No stripping involved. This will be a fully clothed intro to playful sensual movement and gestures to connect to your body and melt inhibitions. You will also get a bitesize history of the art form to honour and draw inspiration from its origins.
• Creative Journaling: Tapping into the therapeutic benefits of writing to explore emotions, challenges, and victories in our body love journey.
• Visualisation: Utilising the power of visualisation to promote positive self-image and envision a future of self-love.

Interactive Circle:

• Sharing Circles: A safe and supportive space for participants to share their experiences, insights, and challenges, fostering a sense of community.
• Guided Discussions: Exploring topics related to body image, self-love, and resilience, encouraging open dialogue and connection.
   

This workshop may be of benefit if you are:

• Feeling disconnected from your body
• Are tired of the New Years diet expectations
• Wanting to find a relaxing and creative circle with like minded women & people
• Perhapes feeling a little alone in your experience and wanting a space to share and listen

Is this workshop for you? Please Read:

• This workshop is fully inclusive and valuable regardless of  age (18+), ethnicity, sexual orientation and experience, religious beliefs, income and otherwise.
• Although this workshop can be therapeutic, it is not therapy. Whilst we set up a container that enables trust and honesty, we ask everyone to take responsibility for their experience. Please speak to your therapist or health professional if you have experienced abuse or trauma with eating disorders or otherwise before you decide to attend.

Refunds

Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges.
 

Disclaimer

Kindly be advised that the purchase of a ticket implies your acknowledgment that the well-being of your body and mind remains your personal responsibility. Thank you.

About Your Facilitator: Dani Tonks

www.danitonks.co.uk 

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Dani is an accredited trauma informed Somatic Coach, trained actor, burlesque artist and workshop facilitator. With over 12 years of practical experience within somatic and embodiment work she has developed a playful and sensitive approach, combining a range of disciplines including acting, contemporary dance, somatic therapy, alexander technique, ritual, meditation and clowning.

Dani has formed collaborations as a coach and facilitator across the UK, some organisatons include; The Psychedelic Society, Medicine Festival, The Collective, CraigbeRoach Business Declerator, I Am Resting, Bristol Council, House of Togetherness, Antidote, Shine Charity, Beat Eating Disorder Charity and Shape History.

Dani has worked as an international performer, director and workshop facilitator for over 12 years. She has worked extensively in film, theatre, radio and TV, and has toured internationally with self devised shows.

Organisations she has worked with include:

The BBC, The British Youth Filming Academy, Contact Youth Actors Company at Contact Theatre (Manchester), The Royal Exchange Youth Company (Manchester), CYAC (Contact Young Actors Company) and Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company.

Education & Training:

The Somatic School -  (Accredited Somatic Coaching)

East 15 Acting School (BA Acting; Somatic & embodiment work, animal studies, archetypal work and Jungian Psychology, contemporary dance, clown, Meisner technique) 

Alexander Technique with Trish Baillie 1 yr (Manchester School Of Theatre)

Bootstrap Charity 6 month mentoring programme

Tough Cookie Mental Resilience Training 

The British Youth Filming Academy (2 Years; movement/embodiment & voice training and acting for screen)

Jon Davis Clowning School

Teatr Pieśń Kozła / Song of the Goat Theatre (Poland, voice and prose,biomechanics, classical acting training)

Over 15 years of professional training, teaching & performance within embodiment, movement & somatics

Testimonials:

"Absolutely incredible, life changing session. Dani is an amazing facilitator who really helps you to embrace your inner child, be silly and play. She transports you to another world and I will be implementing the things she taught us into my everyday life." Maggie.

“What a blessing to have discovered Dani’s work! I have done one wild play workshop before joining the 6 weeks course because I was totally immersed in the first experience. I signed up out of curiosity, not knowing what to expect, and now I am amazed by the after-glow effect it left on my life. I feel much safer in my body because it’s so much easier now to just be silly and intrigued by whatever arises. Everyone on the course holds space for you—you will find respect, appreciation, love, honesty, vulnerability with different beautiful beings. Whether you consider yourself a wallflower or a wild animal, this is an open environment for everyone! You show up as who you are and be reminded that there is your facilitator’s guidance but also your body’s, so just do whatever you feel. This course was my weekly joy-dose. Thank you, Dani. Much love. ” - Maram.

“It felt like a really natural way of being, of playing, allowing the child self that always sits inside the freedom to unfold without judgment. Dani's sensitivity to the whole, and the way she guided us and nudged us softly in different directions felt really natural and balanced." - Asher Sai B’Hahn

"Dani's facilitation was magical. I felt like I was softly guided into the world of play without even realising that she was taking me there, and then she held me there so gently and unobtrusively that a whole world could develop around me that was beautifully expansive, but also completely safe!" - Maddy Li

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Investment

I offer three payment options to support people on a lower wage. If you consider yourself to be a high earner then paying an abundant option helps to subsidise places for people on lower incomes. We really appreciate your support.

If you feel strongly called to come but cannot afford the low income option, please get in touch and we can discuss a payment plan to supprt you.

Low income - £12

Standard - £16

Abundant - £20

EVENT DETAILS

You’ll need to create a free zoom account which you can set up here: zoom.us

DATE: Mon 15 Jan 2024
TICKET PRICES: £12-20
DOORS OPEN: 18: 55
NO ENTRY AFTER: 19:00 To avoid disruption to the event, latecomers may not be admitted.

ENQUIRIES: hello.dani.tonks@gmail.com

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

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