A Dance and Creative Wellbeing session inspired by the technique of Modern Dance pioneer Margaret Morris
Who was Margaret Morris and why is she so important when we talk of creativity, health and wellbeing?
Beginning in 1910 the pioneering Modern Dancer, Margaret Morris set out to design a system of creative movement which not only championed and encouraged the interdependence of the arts, where students were given opportunities to develop a variety of skills through creative self-expression; whilst at the same time being trained in the dance and movement technique which harnessed the most natural of human movements-namely breathing, walking, running, jumping..
As early as 1917, Margaret was seeing remarkable improvements in the health of her students and she began to consider how these dance exercises could be used to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the wider community and society beyond those who were training for careers in the theatre. To this end, the first summer schools began in 1917. Dancing as much as possible took place out of doors in Nature for the added health benefits, along with painting classes taught by Scottish Colourist JD Fergusson, music composition and many other creative pursuits including set design and costume making were part of the summer school experience.
Margaret was passionate about everyone feeling empowered to express themselves creatively and in developing this cross-arts approach to education she dedicated her life to this end and in so doing her legacy is that she enabled others to live creatively too.
Come along to a creative movement workshop and explore the delights of dancing for Wellbeing