Dance Film To Be Screened During September Artwalk At Kula Movement

"Harnessed" is a dance film inspired by hanging and moving in harnesses, and, being bound with ropes. The artists brought their life experience and their bodies to the work of interpreting what it means to be harnessed by relationships, work, life, and simply being women in the world. 

Choreographed/Directed by: Annalisa Peterson; Filmed/Photographed by: Joseph Lambert; Sound Design by: Ryan Crump; Dancers: Rachel Green, Maia Erickson, Belle Wolfe, Trace Mazzoncini, Annalisa Peterson.

Kula Movement
5340 Ballard Ave NW

Artful Movement on Ballard Avenue

Strolling Ballard Avenue on a Saturday evening always takes a bit of choreography.  The swarms of people – musicians rolling their instruments along the sidewalk and into bars to set up for their gigs; foodies shifting from foot to foot while they wait for tables outside of popular restaurants; families shuffling little kids towards the gelato shop – all have their own sense of movement, pace and rhythm.  And on the second Saturday of the month, the Ballard ArtWalk brings another element into this lively sidewalk dance. 

It was during the last ArtWalk that I stumbled upon another amazing demonstration of maneuvering at Kula Movement. This yoga and health studio on Ballard Avenue features classes in acro-yoga – a practice that “blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts,” according to the organization AcroYoga. For ArtWalk, Kula welcomes visitors into their sunny shoe-free studio for a show of agility, strength and cooperation by some of their acro-yoga practitioners. Intrigued, I removed my shoes and took a seat inside to watch the performance.

For fifteen minutes without pausing, the acro-yoga duo began their spontaneous and fluid sequence of handstands, twists, and arches, one balanced on the other. Later, the female acrobat launched from the floor onto the shoulders of the tall male acrobat, and was suddenly inverted with her toes nearly touching the ceiling. Soon a crowd gathered on the sidewalk outside, watching through the window with open mouths and wide eyes.  Agro-yoga is part yoga, part circus – all mesmerizing.  

I tied my shoes to leave and tip-toed through the crowd outside to wind my way through the rest of the shops and galleries of the ArtWalk. As I made my return loop about an hour later, a new crowd stood outside of Kula, amazed by the artful movement in the window. 

You can try your hand at acro-yoga at Kula Movement, 5340 Ballard Avenue, http://kulamovement.com    

Diedre

Music, Spring Remedies & Yoga for Mothers

Kula Movement

5340 Ballard Avenue NW

In the studio is Kiri Sparks, with Music as Art. Sparks plays a range of music similar to Fleet Foxes and James Taylor. Check out a sample of her music here.

Plus in-house acupuncturist, Ashely Schiavone, discussing simple pressure points and easy ways to deal with Spring allergies.

And don't miss their Yoga Special for Mother's Day. Kula invites ALL MOTHERS for FREE yoga the following day, Sunday, May 13th, at 9-10:30 am and 4:30-6 pm.



 

Coming in October

Two Ballard Ave businesses join the ArtWalk this month!

VAIN Ballard
5401 Ballard Avenue NW

Featuring the jewelry collection of Zerosept, a mix of natural wooden elements that have been shaped into delicate industrial shapes. Born in France in a very industrial town, Audrey Lou of ZeroSept settled in Seattle and fell in love with the natural beauty of the Great Northwest. An industrial designer by profession, she has taken her knowledge and creativity into a more emotional, down to earth and feminine adventure. Lou's recipe for creating jewelry is a mix of natural and industrial steps. Using the noble and unpredictable material of exotic wood, she creates contrast and modernity by drawing geometric shapes which will randomly fall onto the ever changing wood patterns. Utilizing laser cutting technology to create some precision as well as an industrial twist to her work, the finishing touches are put together by adding silver and metal components to compliment the stunning raw beauty of the wood and all of the magic (assembly) happens by hand.

Kula Movement
Center for Yoga & Health
5340 Ballard Avenue NW

Check out their performance art: AcroYoga.
Show times: 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 pm