The Joy of Movement:
Being in the Body

with Keith Urban
at Stanford Continuing Studies

Nov 2007 - Stanford Website Description/Registration
registration begins Aug. 20, 2007
Just a few spaces left, as of 10/15/07.

  



November-December 2007 

5 Thursday evening classes on the Stanford campus... devoted to discovering the natural grace of the body, and developing an honest, friendly, delightful relationship between mind, body, and spirit.

Thursdays, Nov 1 - Dec 6, 2007 (No class 11/22)
7:00 - 9:00 PM

Tuition: $230
Location: Stanford Dance Division Studios

— Article: "Movement Class Gives Body a Chance to Speak Up," Los Altos Town Crier, 7/19/06

About this course...
About the instructor...
More information, Registration, other classes...
What students and colleagues say...

In this course you're invited to explore and experience the Joy of Movement:

• Learn gentle stretches from Yoga and Dance.
• Move to inspiring music;
• Consider readings from authors such as:
  Eckhart Tolle, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Deepak Chopra, Thomas Moore, and the poet Rumi;
• Explore surprising and satisfying connections between body, mind and spirit;
• Practice effective relaxation techniques;
• Experience more comfort and flexibility, joy and creativity in mind and body;

Trusting the intelligence that forms, maintains, and renews our bodies, we let our own body/mind/spirit guide us in how to move. Throughout the process, we stay mindful of any habitual judgments that might inhibit us, finding a new dimension of freedom.

It's a great way to get yourself moving in a safe and supportive environment. (What students and colleagues say...)
  

About Keith Urban

Keith Urban, a celebrated modern dancer, choreographer and teacher, was a founding member of Toronto Dance Theatre, and was Chair of the Dance Department at York University in Toronto.

His own award-winning dance company, Urban and Formolo dance, toured internationally and was the first Canadian-based troupe to teach and perform in the People's Republic of China.

Since moving to the Bay Area from New York City in 2000, Keith has been teaching in the Dance Division at Stanford University's Drama Department (Modern Dance Technique, Improvisation, Choreography), at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (Joy of Movement, Restorative Yoga), and at Foothill College (Ballet, Yoga, Pilates). He has also teaches Mindful Yoga at several Bay area hospitals, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the City of Mountain View Senior Center.

Keith began his study of Yoga with H. H. Sri Swami Satchidananda (Integral Yoga) over thirty years ago, and over the years continued to study with other preeminent teachers such as Pir Vilayat Khan (The Sufi Order of the West), and Yogi Bhajan (Kundalini Yoga), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Keith has been applying the principles of Yoga, meditation, and mindful movement, with healing movement and expressive movment, throughout his career.

Download Keith Urban's resume (150k PDF)
 

For additional information

For the Continuing Studies course description, or to register, visit
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Summer 07, 1-day course
• Stanford Continuing Studies: 5-week course (next offered: Fall 2007)

To contact the instructor, Call 1-888-633-8480 or send an Email message.

For information about other "Joy of Movement" and mindful movment classes and workshops, and about Yoga, Pilates, and Ballet classes taught by Keith Urban, visit the UrbanChi home page.
 
 

What students and colleagues are saying about Keith Urban's classes:

"Keith is a wonderful, thoughtful and caring instructor with great taste in music. His class opened my mind, body and spirit. It was an inspiring and moving experience."
(BD, Stanford Continuing Studies student, age 27)

"Keith is a delight to have as one of our colleagues. I have seen his classes and the extraordinary excitement he creates with his students. The projects his beginning students perform demonstrate the depth of the content in Keith's classes. He brings so much experience so generously to his teaching."
Tony Kramer
Director,
Dance Division, Department of Drama,
Stanford University
 
"Keith is a talented and highly experienced teacher with a gift for engaging students in the process of their own physical, creative and spiritual development. He is able to focus on what students need, and provide guidance that speeds their progress. I recommend his classes most enthusiastically."
Angelia Leung
Assistant Chair & Associate Professor,
Dept. of World Arts and Culture,
UCLA

"Thank you so much for your gracious accommodation at the Embodied Mind conference this weekend.  Your noontime introduction to "The Joy of Movement" was really an awakening experience for me. The impact of the movements was far greater than mere stretching exercises. Possibly, the context of the conference contributed. However, the freedom of the movements and the understanding guidance you shared as each movement was introduced gave me a feeling of being free in space.  
      As a child, I dreamed of being a ballet dancer and could watch dance and feel myself in the bodies of the dancers spinning in the universe with energy, grace, precision, and flow.  My fundamental religious family was bound to eradicate such wanton and evil desires from me.  I rarely danced in any way.  During your session today, my head rang with admonitions to, "Sit still!", "Stop fidgeting!", "Act like a lady!"  So I mentally thanked the images and let them pass on.      Here I am at age 62 feeling that I finally sense what being a nurtured child might feel like.
     I wish that you had even the simplest of videos or DVDs of your work to carry it beyond your geographic confines.  Thank you for sharing your work with us. The experience was lovely!!"
(-- JM, participant in "The Embodied Mind" conference in Los Angeles, 3/06)

"I'm a huge fan of Keith Urban's "Joy of Movement" classes and I believe that they have contributed to a transformation in my life.
     I look forward to Wednesday evenings, knowing that there is a place where I can be completely free and joyful. It is hard to explain, but in some way, his classes make me feel "at one" with my own spirit.
     Keith creates a comfortable environment where my body, mind and spirit are relaxed and refreshed. The classes leave me with energy and a sense of well-being. A deep calm seems to stay with me throughout the week.
     Keith is a wise teacher and his spirit of acceptance and loving kindness touches his students in unexpected ways."
(WL, Public Relations Consultant, age 30)

"I was surprised and delighted to experience my imagination coming more alive along with my body, as we learned to trust our own movement and the wonderful relaxation techniques. I heartily recommend Keith's courses!"
(Stanford Continuing Studies student, age 60)

"Keith's class is a mind- and body-liberating experience. After class, I always feel relaxed and satisfied!"
(CW, Stanford University graduate student, age 24)

Keith is the best mindufl movement instructor I have had. He creates a comfortable, safe space on all levels - physical, emotional, and spiritual. The atmosphere in Keith's classes is a calming one that allows self consciousness to drop away naturally.
(DP, Mechanical Engineer, age 52)

The class lived up to the name "Joy of Movement." I have been looking for a class like this for years. I do not have an extensive dance background. But, Keith seemed to effortlessly create an environment where I could dance with the freedom, joy and abandon I experienced as a child. This class was an unexpected gift and definitely went beyond my expectations. After five weeks, I wanted more classes.
(LA, Stanford Continuing Studies Student, age 48)

This class helped me feel that my body was my friend again. Thanks so much!
(LA, Stanford Continuing Studies Student, age 33)

"Keith's class allows me to experience the body and dance in a totally new way, and my overall ability to dance has changed dramatically for the better.
     We have so much fun in class. I really can't recommend it enough.
     Everyone should try this style of dancing at least once in their life. You feel free from the burdens of life during the class. It's just you and the uninhibited dancing."
(Stanford University student, age 19)
 
Gradually I have become much more agile, have better posture and know more about the proper way to breathe. My knees are almost pain-free now, as are my shoulders, and I am thrilled to be able to ride a bike again. I am convinced that Keith's class has been a major factor in my amazing recovery.
(KC, Retired teacher, age 68)

After a long day in a stressful work environment I found this class a great way to unwind and turn my head around, as well as being a fun way to exercise. And Keith Urban makes that easy because he really loves what he does!
(JG, Retail Store Manager, age 60)

"Keith nurtures intuition, helping both experienced and inexperienced dancers to discover their own authentic movement and original 'voice'.
     I especially recommend his class to those who have never danced before, but have been curious to explore movement; Keith's warmth and individual approach provide a safe and vitalizing environment.
     It is rare to find a teacher who can harmonize so much into one class with such sensitivity and wisdom."
(ET, Stanford University student, age 20)