Invitations and Interruptions > Gymnasium for the Soul

Gymnasium for the Soul is a process-driven alternative exercise experience currently in development. It is comprised of three main phases: 1) Interviews 2) Workshops 3) Classes.

GFS facilitates workshops focused on empathy-building, using honest personal accounts told by a diverse range of individuals as the starting point. Phase two workshop participants are guided to draw from their own life experiences and work together to craft mindful and physical interpretations of first-hand accounts collected in phase one of the project. The final stage, an alternative “exercise” class, strives to fuse the body and mind, promote vulnerability among strangers, and empathy on the street. It is a foray into owning embodied knowledge.

GFS is currently calling for anyone and everyone with a body to sign up to participate in the interview and workshop process. Seeking individuals of diverse backgrounds, ages, and interests. Workshop participants will be guided to work together to develop movement-based and/or emotive exercises to be incorporated in future GFS empathy-building classes over the coming year. Interviews average about 1 hour time commitment. Workshop (Phase 2) time average 3 hours. Classes (Phase 3) last 1 hour in duration.

All types of physical mobility can participate. Comfortable clothing is encouraged for workshops and classes.

Click on the images below to read selections of transcripts and exercises.

Want to participate? Email ellison (dot) rach (at) gmail (dot) com