Community Involvement
In the San Francisco bay area, Laura Bishop teaches Contact Improv as the dance of presence and relationship. She produces sacred space events such as Global Solstice, and the drug and alcohol free New Years event Timbavati (timbavati.info). These gatherings provide a platform for self-discovery and delight in environments that combine beautiful and conscious surroundings with opportunities for play and expression. To receive information about upcoming events and classes, you may request to be put on Laura's email list at contact.
Laura is also the president of the board of directors of The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, a non-profit organization whose mission statement is, "Moving community and inspiring transformation through performance and dance."
Teachers
It is with great joy that I acknowledge some of my teachers.
Soul Motion's Vinn Marti', who has been teaching spiritual practice through movement for 35 years, has brought me to presence in ways both profound and subtle. His teaching is a bright through-line in my life. soulmotion.com
Anna-Lisa Adelberg and Raina DeLear of Luminous Body each shine in the illumination of my path to healership. Anna-Lisa's inspired teaching vividly and indelibly lifts into perspective the subtleties of energy medicine. Raina's vast heart and presence continue to provide a refuge for me, body and soul. luminousbody.org
Non-violent communication is an essential and fundamental tool to access spaciousness and non-judgment in human relating. I thank Kelly Bryson for his commitment and teaching of this invaluable modality. languageofcompassion.com
The Sufi poetry of Hafiz stood by me in my darkest days, offering pleasure, beauty and humor when I most needed it. Hafiz's delicious and human interpretation of the divine on earth quenches a place in my heart. I especially recommend the classic volume, The Gift.
The tapestry created by my family is a colorful one, full of unexpected lessons and richness. I thank my great-grandmother, who, born in 1898, passed at the age of 104 in 2002. I honor my grandmother, my mother's mother, who I never knew in person, but with whom I feel great kinship. My father's parents were there for me in the truest sense of the word grandparents. My dad is full of curmudgeonly admonitions, and my mother brings incredible sensitivity to her art and to the world. My brother and sister-in-law share their lives with me. I have a special place for my niece and nephew, who enliven even as they teach me. And I honor my ex-husband, with whom I learned so much.
Thank You’s
To Israel Kamakiwiwo’ole for his incredible music. To David Russell, for the slideshow images. To Philips Patton, for his support in creating this website. To RD Bolam, for his guidance in word smithing. To Terry McCants, for the beautiful portraits. To the clients who took the time to share their experiences. And to all my luminous friends, for your support along the way.