WHAT IS THE AXIS SYLLABUS?
The Axis Syllabus is a resource manual for complex human movement. Miranda uses the Axis Syllabus in dance while applying anatomy and biomechanics to harness kinetic energy for dancing with ease and exhilaration. She aims to harness the sensory apparatus to garner awareness and movement principles for safe daily use that can lead up to high-performance physicality. For more information go to:
SPARKLING SPINES: THE DaNciNg MoSaiC BoDy
Taught by Miranda Janeschild
A Six-Week Series: Fridays 12 Noon – 1:30 PM, Feb 14 — March 21, 2025
Using tools from the Axis Syllabus, we will sense and consider the spine’s architectural design to protect and increase its movement potential. Our practice is to cultivate awareness of the subtle articulations where kinetic energy may be recycled through the spine, pelvis, and extremities while using the floor and gravity as an organizing force. We will experiment with rolling, crawling, and walking as pathways that lead into dancing. All movers welcome.
Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center, Studio #111, 1060 River St. Santa Cruz, CA
$100 for six-week series or $20.00 Drop-in
Check: Send to 111 Seton Way CA 95060, Venmo: @Miranda-Janeschild or Cash
Join Sebastian Grubb and Miranda Janeschild for a weekend of dance, anatomy studies, movement flow and more. We're excited to lead a deep dive into principles and material from the Axis Syllabus, inspired by Frey Faust and our international community of teachers. Expect a focus on biomechanics, self-sensing & somatics, movement meditations, flow-based dancing and partnering work.Suitable for those with a movement, dance or exercise practice. Open to all levels.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb 8-9, 10am-5pm
The Alchemy of Walking
Using tools from the Axis Syllabus, we will investigate, break down, and describe movement with a strong orientation toward sustainable walking patterns that support dancing. We will explore the adaptability of the feet, legs, and spine floor in various ways while locomoting across the. Through embodied learning, sensations will deepen our inquiry to understand anatomy and biomechanics. Specific topics covered include:
* Spinal patterns for walking
* Undulatory coordinations
* Contralateral movement
* Receptive and prolusory phases in the gait cycle
* Mapping the foot
Build Ramps Not Walls
Ramping is the technique of creating smooth pathways for your body down to the floor and back up again. In this class we'll detail the anatomical framework that supports these pathways, especially the hips and spine. We'll also cover specific uses of the head as a motor, sequential spinal waves, and expanded variations on how feet and hands meet the ground. This class includes: ground navigation, quadrupedal tech, the serpentine spine, dynamic elevation.
Social Situations
In this class we’ll use contact partnering to set up physical puzzles and games, while transforming our movement environment into a dynamic three-dimensional space. We’ll practice mutual climbing, refine ancestral postures, and explore the human body as a load-bearing, polymorphic architecture.
TICKETS
Early Bird: $165 by January 8
Normal Pricing: $195 by February 7
Day-Of Pricing: $225 total
Angel Supporter: $295 total (support two low-income participants)
Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kinesphere-axis-syllabus-deep-dive-tickets-1093575737469
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1288083759041334/
Contact: info@sebastian.fit
PAST CLASSES
Registration
BAASE: Bay Area Axis Syllabus Exchange
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
“Arcs in Parts. Arcs in Pathways” with Nuria Bowart and Sam Stone
“Polyaxial Hinges: Dance in Three Dimensions” with Sebastian Grubb
“The iNNer & OuTer LaNdsCaPe of the BoDY” with Miranda Janeschild
“Spheroidal Senses” with Emily Jones
”Pivotal Power-Small Steps to Structure and Restructure” with Phoenicia Pettyjohn
”Linger Longer - Sequential Spines for Flying” with Sam Stone
“You are your own amusement ride” with Nuria Bowart
Winter Axis Syllabus Class Series
The BoDY's LaTeRaL LaNdsCaPe & RoTaTioNaL MoVeMeNt
A six-week series: 1/19/24 - 2/23/2024
12 Noon - 1:30 pm ~ Motion Pacific, 131 Front St E., Santa Cruz
This dance class series is open to all dancers. Each class is a personal laboratory to research and sense into one's own body structures that support movement and are applied to proposed dance motifs. There are opportunities to learn about bones, muscles, facia, and the nervous system. Please wear comfortable long sleeves and pants as well as socks. Please join us!
COST for 6-Week Series:
Pre-Pay: $100.00;
1st Day of Class: $115.00
Drop-In: $20.00 per class
Venmo: @Miranda-Janeschild
Check: 111 Seton Way, Santa Cruz
Questions: I am happy to answer any questions, 831-234-4870
WINTER 2023 6-week Axis Syllabus Learning Modules
Module One ~ Sculpting First Steps
*FUNdaMeNtaLs: Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 ~ Jan 4 - Feb 2
*FaMiLiAR DaNciNg: Fridays 12 noon - 1:30 pm ~ Jan 6 - Feb 4
We will sense into the feet as articulators & supports while the daily movements of walking, turning, standing, and crouching turn into dancing. Embracing oscillations, de-segmentation and unification of body masses over a small base of support will be some principles explored while we hone our awareness during locomotion & dancing across the floor.
Module Two ~ The Dancing Spine
The spine acts as a wave, an engine, and a spring. The spine’s shape and structure reveal the potential for tri-directional motion that supports contra-lateral limb movements, skeletal undulations along with compression, and rebound for receiving and launching weight. These notions will drive our inquiry as we sense into, explore and study the details of the dancing spine.
*FUNdaMeNtaLs: Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 ~ Feb 15 - March 22
*FaMiLiAR Dancing: Fridays 12 noon - 1:30 pm ~ Feb 17 - March 24
*FUNdaMeNtaL Class is ideal for those NEW to or WANT to deepen their knowledge of: concepts presented in the Axis Syllabus, transitional movement to & from the floor, as well as those who have limited movement choices because of aches and discomfort in the body.
*FaMiLiAR DaNciNg is ideal for those who have a movement practice(s), a dance background, exposed to some concepts presented in the Axis Syllabus.
Transitioning with Articulate Limbs
A Four Week Series: ~ August 19 - September 9, 2022
Fridays 12 noon - 1:30 pm
The 418 Project, The Large Theater, 155 S River St. Santa Cruz CA
A Dance Class where we'll sense into and explore the dynamic geometry of limbs as the body transitions to & from the floor under different dynamic scenarios. Ideas highlighted will be:
Biomechanics of limbs concerning axial skeleton
Identifying landing pads for receiving, pivoting, and transferring weight
Understanding how to use support structures in dance
Control of momentum for circular falls
Axis Syllabus: Movement & Dance In the Park
Sept 3, 4, & 5, 2022 @ University Terrace Park, Santa Cruz
12:00 - 2:00 Arms as Wings & Supports ♦ Miranda Janeschild
From the hand to the torso, we'll explore the arm's interconnections to our bones, myofascial lines while sharpening our senses to the biomechanics of movement. Dance motifs will highlight the arm’s delicate articulations, supports, and use for directing & controlling momentum.
3:00 - 5:00 Flamingo Meets Rhino:
Honing Legs for Balance and Power ♦ Sebastian Grubb
Legs are multi-joint complexes woven together by the myofascial web from toes-to-pelvis, and then into the spine and beyond. We'll review leg anatomy and then integrate the full system via balance challenges, partner exercises, movement games, and even...dancing!
THE AXIS SYLLABUS & CONTACT IMPROVISATION
FiNdiNg SoFt & FLuiD ReLaTioNsHipS to Body & Floor Surfaces
Friday 8/6, Saturday 8/7, Sunday 8/8, 2021
♦ 12:30 — 2:30 pm Axis Syllabus ♦ 3:30 - 5:30 Contact Improvisation
Miranda Janeschild & Brandon Stewart team up
Our inquiry:
-Explore & find dynamic use of anatomy for landing, pivoting, and launching.
-Play with ways to grade movement for comfortable entry, support & exiting of human-to-human plus human-to-floor contact.
-Research ways to disassemble and reassemble masses for sequential movement
-Investigate ways to control momentum trajectories.
This workshop is open to all levels and will include both skill-based exercises as well as personal explorations of the concepts presented.
Spinal Mechanics:
Fridays 12 noon — 1:30 pm ♦ The 418 Project, 418 Front St., Santa Cruz CA
Module One: January 31 — March 6, 2020
6-Week Axis Syllabus* Modules
The class series covers spinal movement in dance while considering anatomy, spinal mechanics and kinetic energy that influence a body in motion. Dancers research their sensory experiences as clues to the science presented and practice ways of moving that offer skeletal support which leads to highly dynamic and enjoyable dancing.
We will also cover:
Spinal waves
The Use of Proximal Movement to Locomote a 3-Dimensional Body
Torsions
Coordination of limbs based on spinal dynamics
Pelvis and Leg Relationships
Module Two: March 13-April 24, 2020 (No Class April 10)
What you’ll discover/learn:
Walking, crawling, rolling principles
Conserving, harnessing, and recycling energy
Sequential movement
Anatomy of the pelvis and lower extremity
Fluid dancing from the floor to standing
The Axis Syllabus Feldenkrais® Dance Convergence
Santa Cruz / Berkeley Summer / Fall 2019
Classes meld the sensory attributes of small refined body motions to larger movements in highly satisfying dances. Mimicking the teacher or visually following choreography is not necessary. *Feldenkrais® ATMs reveal sensory details of movement while the lens of The Axis Syllabus* offers a way to look at skeletal biomechanics and the physics of an articulating body in motion. We will converge into highly exhilarating dances.
The Spinal Engine
October 26, 27, 28, 2018
Motion Pacific, 131 Front St., Santa Cruz CA.
Feldenkrais® ATM Dance: Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00-3:00
The Axis Syllabus Dance: Saturday & Sunday: 3:15 - 5:15
The spine acts as a wave, an engine, and a spring. The spine’s shape and structure reveal the potential for tri-directional motion that supports contra-lateral limb movements, skeletal undulations along with compression and rebound for receiving and launching weight. These notions will drive our inquiry as we sense into, explore, and study the details of the dancing spine.
*Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement (ATM)’s employs a collection of small movements through sensory tactics to discover a larger movement whole. The aim is to gain body control by utilizing the sensory system and eliminating excessive will or effort. Priority is given to noticing ease and comfort while learning simple to complex movements.
Sculpting First Steps
February 22, 23, 24, 2019
Feldenkrais® ATM Dance: Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00-3:00
The Axis Syllabus Dance: Saturday & Sunday: 3:15 - 5:15
Motion Pacific, 131 Front St., Santa Cruz CA
We will sense into the feet as articulators and supports while the body participates in the everyday actions of walking, turning, standing, and crouching. Embracing oscillations, de-segmentation and unification of body masses over a small base of support will be some principles explored while we hone our awareness to locomote and dance across the floor.
Arms as Wings & Supports
May 3, 4, 5, 2019
Motion Pacific, 131 Front St., Santa Cruz CA.
Feldenkrais® ATM Dance: Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00-3:00 ♦ The Axis Syllabus Dance: Saturday & Sunday: 3:15 - 5:15
There is potential for arms to offer buoyancy, delicate articulations, and sound skeletal support while moving through space. In this class, we will slow down to explore and harvest sensory details of arm use for dancing while reaching, supporting, and accelerating or decelerating our body in motion.
