Yoga for Performers by Korina Kontaxaki (Actress - Yoga teacher)
SATURDAYS 11.30AM-1.30PMAt our new venue: Polycratous 1, Mimoza Court, Flat 401 – Just off Kennedy avenue, behind poplife
First session: Saturday 14th September
Cost: €15/session or special reduced price €40/month
Yoga for Performers is a specialized program, which was initially launched in August 2012 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as part of the official Fringe Central programs. It is now being offered to performers in Cyprus every Saturday.
The sessions are run by Korina Kontaxaki.
Yoga is a method of organization and empowerment of the human system, while theatre is a method of expression and release; in ancient Greece this ‘release’ was labeled ‘catharsis’.
Can the one complete the other?
If yoga is applied in the classical way and not in the ‘westernised’ way, it provides a tool for activating and organizing Prana – vitality. Prana is that which gives us the energy to act, but also that which relaxes us – if we choose. Prana can awaken introversion or extroversion, depending on how we choose to use it.
Special Yoga training is designed with the purpose:
In the ‘Yoga for Performers’ classes, we use a specifically devised ‘warm-up’ for performing program, which can be used on three separate levels, depending on the time available to the actor before each performance:
Yoga is an ancient method of physical, mental and emotional empowerment. An actor with the ability to balance all three of these bodies is a strong median who can bring about catharsis to both himself and the audience during the performance.
First session: Saturday 14th September
Cost: €15/session or special reduced price €40/month
Yoga for Performers is a specialized program, which was initially launched in August 2012 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as part of the official Fringe Central programs. It is now being offered to performers in Cyprus every Saturday.
The sessions are run by Korina Kontaxaki.
Yoga is a method of organization and empowerment of the human system, while theatre is a method of expression and release; in ancient Greece this ‘release’ was labeled ‘catharsis’.
Can the one complete the other?
If yoga is applied in the classical way and not in the ‘westernised’ way, it provides a tool for activating and organizing Prana – vitality. Prana is that which gives us the energy to act, but also that which relaxes us – if we choose. Prana can awaken introversion or extroversion, depending on how we choose to use it.
Special Yoga training is designed with the purpose:
- To unlock the whole body with selected positions – asanas, for improving our expressive skills.
- To increase the lung capacity with specialised breathing exercises – Pranayama for increased strength and vocal endurance.
- To empower our energy and presence onstage, with special control exercises which increase the prana – vitality using meditative breathing (pranayama)
- To learn how to relax quickly and effectively, and more generally how to control our emotional body. For this we use a combination of physical, mental and breathing techniques.
- To empower our mental body to become more productive in rehearsals but also to achieve our goals, using specialised visualisations.
- To direct ourselves morally through the teachings of the moral laws of yoga, named Yamas and Niyamas. These laws can offer creative and useful reasons and ways of acting onstage.
- To coordinate ourselves with our partners or group members through specialised meditations and breathing exercises.
In the ‘Yoga for Performers’ classes, we use a specifically devised ‘warm-up’ for performing program, which can be used on three separate levels, depending on the time available to the actor before each performance:
- Short program, for limited time, without intense or loud sounds.
- Extended program (30 mins) with a medium intensity of sound.
- Full actor’s training program for body, voice, breath and concentration (1-3 hours)
Yoga is an ancient method of physical, mental and emotional empowerment. An actor with the ability to balance all three of these bodies is a strong median who can bring about catharsis to both himself and the audience during the performance.