FreedomDANCE
FreedomDANCE er skóli í danshugleiðslu og meðvitaðri hreyfingu, stofnaður árið 2009 af Alex Svoboda. Iðkunin sameinar frjálsan dans, skipulagða hreyfingarrannsókn og meðvitundarþjálfun til að styðja við líkamsbyggingu, tilfinningalega samþættingu og persónulegan vöxt.
Skólinn FreedomDANCE samanstendur af um það bil „25 kjarnakennurum og nemendum“ og býður upp á reglulega námskeið, vinnustofur og þjálfun í mörgum löndum, þar á meðal „Austurríki, Hvíta-Rússlandi, Grikklandi, Rússlandi, Spáni, Tyrklandi, Úkraínu og Bretlandi“, sem og á netinu.
FreedomDANCE er skipulagt í kringum endurtekna hreyfingarboga sem kallast FreedomDANCE hringrásin — Opnun → Umbreyting → Frelsi. Þessi uppbygging býður upp á samræmt rými fyrir spuna en forðast fastmótaða danshöfundargerð eða fyrirfram skilgreind skref.
Markmið
Markmið FreedomDANCE er:
- Að gera hugleiðsludans og meðvitaða hreyfingu aðgengilega öllum, sem opnar tækifæri til persónulegs vaxtar og nýting mannlegra möguleika.
- Að safna saman og betrumbæta alþjóðlegar bestu starfsvenjur í kennslu meðvitaðrar hreyfingar og þjóna sem miðstöð fyrir fagmenntun, þróun og gagnkvæman stuðning kennara.
Gildi
FreedomDANCE setur fram eftirfarandi grunngildi:
- Skuldbinding við gæði — í stöðlum fyrir fagmenntun, siðfræði og samstarfsferlum, í samræmi við bestu alþjóðlegu starfsvenjur.
- Virðing fyrir einstaklingshyggju — að heiðra einstakt framlag hvers dansara og kennara og viðurkenna bæði ætterni og komandi kynslóðir.
- Samstarf og sameiginleg ábyrgð — skólinn er í sameiginlegri eigu og stjórn; kennarar starfa ekki undir stigveldisbundnum valdsskipanum, né setja þeir aðra undir sig.
Practice
freedomDANCE is designed as an accessible entry point into embodied awareness and movement-based meditation.
Each session follows a freedomDANCE Cycle:
- Opening — warming up, sensing the body, and gradually building intensity.
- Transformation — sustained activation, exploration of intensity, and change.
- Freedom — settling, integration, and returning to a calmer, more spacious state.
While the structure supports the journey, there is no choreography and no set steps to learn. Movement is spontaneous, guided by sensation, attention, imagery, music, and relational awareness.
The practice emphasises movement as a direct pathway beyond habitual thinking. Physical activation is understood as a means to quiet mental activity, access embodied intelligence, and cultivate presence.
Sessions are generally open to all, regardless of age, body type, or prior experience in dance or meditation. Longer workshops and advanced formats may require prerequisites, which are specified in individual event descriptions.
Curriculum
The freedomDANCE curriculum is organised into three progressive levels, each containing several thematic categories.
Level 1
Level 1 establishes the physical and structural foundation of the practice. Participants learn the freedomDANCE Cycle and ways to refine and detail it.
Core components include:
- freedomDANCE Cycle
- Body Map
- Polarities Map
- Elements Map
Level 2
Level 2 extends the practice into longer formats such as ongoing groups and workshops. These events remain open to the public but typically require deeper engagement and continuity.
Key themes include:
- Unity — exploring levels of relationship through movement.
- Life Lessons from the Dance Floor — integrating insights from practice into everyday life.
- Synthesis — combining freedomDANCE with other disciplines, practices, and personal interests.
Level 3
Level 3 works with more sensitive themes and requires a higher level of trust within the group. Workshops are typically longer (three days or more) and have prerequisites.
Themes include:
- Open Hearts — emotional work, including fear, love, vulnerability, and being witnessed.
- Life Line — exploring personal history through movement.
- Juice — sexuality, relationships, and creativity.
Participation in Here I Am workshops and completion of specific Level 1 curriculum elements are prerequisites for entry into Start Level Teacher Training.
Teacher training and accreditation
freedomDANCE has offered teacher training programmes since 2014.
The school is a full member of the International Conscious Movement Teachers Association (ICMTA). freedomDANCE teacher training programmes are fully accredited by ICMTA, and teachers and trainees are individual members who adhere to the ICMTA Code of Ethics.
Teacher training follows the same three-stage logic as the practice itself:
- Opening (foundational teaching skills)
- Transformation (working with complexity and intensity)
- Freedom (integration, leadership, and professional maturity)
Founded by: Alex Svoboda
Website: https://freedom-dance.com/
