A class where the teacher improvises with unknown and unprepared music is fondly called a Blue Monkey Class. Helen Terry began using this term over 25 years ago when developing this fun, inspiring, community, movement experience.
We have developed a theme as part of our Monthly 30 Day Soma Movement Challenge called Fun Fridays. These special 30 minute end of the week classes have a special pizazz to them; a blast of fun and inspiration that often includes the opportunity for the community to select the music and the teacher to teach somewhat “on the fly”, bringing a very LIVE “improvisational” experience for the entire collective (teacher, attending teachers, participants and pets in the zoom room!)
This past Friday one of our Soma “rock star” teachers, Natasha Villenerve taught her first Blue Monkey class. Helen Terry selected the music, Paul Duff converted to Spotify, Elaine Dunphy added her listening ears to confirm the song selections were a gentle step in for Natasha’s “debut” as an improvisational Soma teacher.
We all wanted to set Natasha up for success on this maiden voyage.
The class was AMAZING. Please enjoy this clip that provides the before and after conversations and feedback around the class.
To create the playlist Helen focused on a theme of “grounded heart” with the intent to select songs that would help ground Natasha, let her shine and provide a heart filled expressive experience for all.
The first song, Rescue by Lauren Daigle was a song that Natasha had danced to at Soma Ranch with Helen Terry. Natasha had experienced a deep connection to music, and likely had played it often since. Helen hoped by beginning with this song Natasha would be encouraged to breath, ground, open her heart and step into a beautiful river of unknown with flow. The fun spin was that originally Helen had used this song as an early get moving song (a different cycle in the class experience) there by help Natasha step into “tweaking” exploring on the fly a way to adapt movement to familiar music. Like being with someone you know well yet meeting them in a different place/space.
Each song was selected in a similar process, if you’re curious let Helen know and she’ll expand with a paragraph for each song selection!
Here’s the playlist, hope you enjoy the music as much as us.