Expressive Arts - What is a Movement Coach?

Below is an interview with John Weiss, RSMT, adirection that I would like to assist the world to
Movement Coach and Registered Somatic Movementmove towards ~ a more enlightened and
Therapist in Vancouver, BC Canada. He can be foundcompassionate collective energy.
at BodySpeak: Moving into Awareness.GJC: Do you work with individuals? Groups?
GJC: What do you do?Workshops? Conventions? Conferences?
JW: I offer classes, workshops and individual sessionsJW:As I stated in #1, I work with groups and
in the movement-based expressive arts. I reallyindividuals from the general public and I am looking at
focus on resource building with the clients. My hope isstarting to offer my work to companies and
for them to increase their movement awareness andcorporations in the future.
authenticity. I do this through different exercises andGJC: Will you travel?
activities like body part mythology. That is aJW: Yes, I will travel, but currently I offer my work
wonderful to enter into the body by allowing theonly in the Vancouver, BC metro area.
different parts to have their individual time in theGJC: Now the following questions are fun questions
spotlight. We look at the myths and metaphors heldfor the readers to get to know you better. What is
within as a way to see how they relate to ouryour favorite color?
individual and collective stories. I also use drawing andJW:Navy blue
writing to look at these stories from different pointsGJC: If you were an instrument, which would you
of view.be?
Recently, I begin to take an interest in bringing myJW:I would be a piano ~ deep and mysterious at
focus to men's work. I am currently offering a classtimes, but also fun and playful at other times.
for men only in Authentic Movement. A great wayGJC: What is your favorite style of dance to watch
for men to enter into the expressive arts becauseor do?
the movement is done with eyes closed, noJW:I love dance and movement as you probably
judgment, just following the impulses.inferred. I love to do the 5 Rhythms work. I can just
GJC: How have you prepared for your career?be and don't have to teach. I also love to just put on
JW: I have always been transformed when I dancedsome music and allow my body to respond to it.
and/or moved with an awareness of my body andBeing as authentic with it as possible.
it's needs and desires. That was taken to anotherGJC: Favorite play or movie?
level when I went to the Tamalpa Institute inWow, there are so many to choose from. I like so
Kentfield, California (Bay Area). That is where Imany genres that I would probably pick a couple. I
learned more about the transformational healingloved Brokeback Mountain, Torch Song Trilogy and
properties of the expressive arts. I knew this is whatany of the wonderful animation movies made
I wanted to offer as my life's work. I have been arecently.
sponge ever since taking in everything I can aboutGJC: Favorite sculpture?
movement, healing and the arts.JW:I don't have one, but I love many.
GJC: Why are you called to this work?GJC: Favorite song?
JW: I am called because we are movers. We can'tAlmost anything by Sarah McLachlan, Sinead O'Connor
avoid it. So, why not bring more awareness andor U2
insight into what we are doing and see how it canGJC: Name one book that is inspiring to you
move us in the direction of our dreams and desires! IJW:The Hidden Spirituality of Men- Ten Metaphors to
am so excited about this work. I drives me in theAwaken the Sacred Masculine by Matthew Fox.