Classes & Workshops

Body & Soul 
Therapeutic Movement & Dance Workshops

A moment of joy and divine silliness in your week

These workshops are designed to work on lifting energy levels and elevating your mood.

We will be using the breath, rhythm, somatic work, coordination, repetition and some fooling around to shrug off stress, enhance concentration, address stuck tension patterns, allow feelings to surface and let the relief of laughter enhance your week.

All my sessions are designed for able and less able people, people with mental health difficulties, all sizes and ages from 18 to 98, with movements that are adaptable. You have permission at all times to pause and rest, sit or lie down. Many of these moves can be modified to be done seated or with walking aids. They can be practised more vigorously for the able-bodied. Some are designed to address mental as well as physical tension.

Jo says:

I have been a dancer, teacher and events’ organiser since 1978. I have worked with all ages, abilities and circumstances, including as a dance therapist in psychiatric hospitals. I have worked extensively with womens’ groups in the UK and Europe.

I have trained in: Contemporary Dance, Middle Eastern Dance, Flamenco, Alexander Technique, Pilates, Tai Chi, Somatic work, Breath work and a lot, lot more. I am very old and have been around learning things for absolutely ever. I’m also a singer, songwriter, writer and all-round smart-arse.

I live with complex PTSD, the symptoms of which include anxiety and depression, and EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome), the symptoms of which include daily physical paid and brain fog, giving me an insight into the problems of living with mental health issues and physical disability. This is now known as being an ‘Expert by Experience’. I have developed my own ways of working through these disorders, owning them and thriving in spite of them. I have developed a method of teaching that creates a non-judgemental and anxiety-free experience. My workshops are nurturing and uplifting. Oh, and fun!

 

Jo’s Johara Choreo Club
Learn Fabulous Dances Created for Johara Dance Company

Jo Wise has been the artistic director and choreographer of Johara Dance Company for over fifteen years. Johara Dance is a unique dance company of highly skilled dancers who love to dance together as a group, as well as all performing around the UK as soloists. Some are also well-known teachers on the UK scene.

In Jo’s Johara Choreo Club she is offering the opportunity to learn dances from Johara shows past and present. New choreography is created every year and you can sometimes learn Johara dance alongside members of the company. 

Various styles include Egyptian Oriental, Baladi and Jo’s unique East/West Fusion.

At present JJCC workshops are available in London and at the International Bellydance Summer School every August. You can also book workshops in your home town.

 

Dance for Mobility
Dance classes for those with EDS and related disabilities

EDS is a genetic disorder, a disability that affects interconnective tissues, making them weak and easy to overstretch. This can lead to joint laxity and dislocation and problems in various internal organs, depending on which tissues are affected in each individual. It can also to other symptoms including fatigue and chronic inflammatory pain, especially when muscle spasm and tendonitis become more prominent.

Those with EDS and related conditions can become isolated, become anxious about moving, lose confidence in their physical abilities and suffer from depression. These classes are designed to be gentle and  non-repetitive, to build up confidence and relieve many of the physical and mental problems associated with the condition. This is not a cure, but it is an improvement in many aspects of life with a disability. 

For more information or to book Jo for a Body & Soul, Jo’s Johara Choreo Club or dance for Mobility workshop in your town, fill in the contact form here.