Lola Ryan (Seniors Program)

Lola Ryan has used the body and things physical as her lifelong organizing principle. A former champion athlete, she began a career in dance in her twenties, co-founding EDAM [Experimental Dance and Music] and touring nationally. She is one of Canada's foremost practitioners of Contact Improvisation and movement improvisation. She has worked extensively with actors and dancers across Canada and in Europe. Her work with children is an abiding interest; the work she has created encourages links between youthful play and the world of dance. Lola teaches at the Ottawa Theatre School, the University of Ottawa and is a guest teacher at the National Theatre School. For several years she was a dance critic for CBC Radio, and her writing has appeared in books and journals in Canada and the United States. Lola is a founding member of Guerilla Heart Juice, a physical theatre training company. She also serves as chair for Dance Ontario.

Curriculum Links

Dance vocabulary; warm-ups; concentration and focus in movement; balance, harmony, contrast and patterning; problem solving; demonstrate locomotion/travelling, manipulation and stability skills.

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The Elastic Body

These classes use stretching, yoga, breathing and gentle movement activities to encourage participants to open muscles and joints without risk or strain. 

Participants: Seniors	Maximum: 25
Discipline: Dance
Time and Price: One 1 hour workshop $240 + HST Half day: Two 1 hour workshops $280 + HST

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The Quiet Body

This work is ideal for people with limited range of motion, and emphasizes mobility and relaxation. It also invites participants to engage their minds and muscles.

Participants: Seniors	Maximum: 25
Discipline: Dance
Time and Price: One 1 hour workshop $240 + HST Half day: Two 1 hour workshops $280 + HST

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The Expressive and Social Body

Participants experience the joys of dance and athletic movement in a context that extends their abilities but also protects them from strain or over-use. The use of theatre games may be of interest to some groups as well.

Participants: Seniors	Maximum: 25
Discipline: Dance
Time and Price: One 1 hour workshop $240 + HST Half day: Two 1 hour workshops $280 + HST

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The Playful Body

We don't stop playing because we get old; we get old because we stop playing. Lola presents activities using play balls as a catalyst for re-experiencing the game of life.

Participants: Seniors	Maximum: 25
Discipline: Dance
Time and Price: One 1 hour workshop $240 + HST Half day: Two 1 hour workshops $280 + HST