Grace Minnesota Events and Updates

Sundays @ 4:30pm

2012-01-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

Join Grace Minnesota on select Sundays from 4:30-6:30pm. In a casual setting, we discuss spirituality, art, and other big ideas after listening to recorded lectures and interviews. Programs are grouped by theme and are drawn from Krista Tippett's On Being, TED Talks, Aspen Ideas Festival, and other sources. Upcoming themes for 2012: happiness, play, Islam, China, the brain, technology, parenting, and nature. For a list of past topics, click here.

Unless otherwise noted, all discussions will be held at Clouds in Water Zen Center (308 Prince St., #120, St. Paul - map). Street parking in the neighborhood is free on Sundays, but due to construction in the area, please allow extra time to find parking. It's also free to attend the discussions, but please consider a small donation to support the use of the space.

MEDITATION
January 22: "Pure Meditation" with Pema Chodron pt 1 http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Pure-Meditation/923.productdetails?gclid=CO_aib-F2asCFSwEQAodlRjySg
January 29: "Pure Meditation" with Pema Chodron pt 2 http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Pure-Meditation/923.productdetails?gclid=CO_aib-F2asCFSwEQAodlRjySg

PARENTING
February 5: Sylvia Boorstein discusses nourishing our children's inner lives and our own. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/what-we-nurture/
February 12: Rabbi Sandy Sasso on the spiritual moorings of children and adults. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/spirituality-of-parenting/
February 19: Child psychiatrist Robert Coles on the spirituality of children. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2009/robert-coles/
February 26: No discussion this week.

CHINA
March 4: Anchee Min on the human spirit in Communist China.
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/ancheemin/
March 11: Historian Joseph Nye and economist Martin Jacques discuss the shift of power from the West to China and what it means for the world. http://www.ted.com/talks/martin_jacques_understanding_the_rise_of_china.html http://www.ted.com/talks/joseph_nye_on_global_power_shifts.html
March 18: Mayfair Yang on Chinese religious and political thought and practice.
http://being.publicradio.org/programs/chinese_religiosities/

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
March 25: Ellen Davis and Wendell Berry on paying an exquisite attention to the land. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/land-life-poetry/
April 1: Author Barbara Kingsolver describes an adventure her family undertook to spend one year eating primarily what they could grow or raise themselves. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/ethics-of-eating/
April 8: Majora Carter and Calvin DeWitt on the sustainability in their communities. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/discoveringwherewelive/
April 15: No discussion this week.
April 22: No discussion this week.

[in rare instances, program topics change.]

www.graceminnesota.org

Past Saturday Mornings at 10

2012-01-19T07:40:00.000-08:00

June 26, 2010: Seane Corn on yoga, activism, and meditation in motion. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2008/yoga/

July 3, 2010: Buddhist Nun Pema Chodren's talk "From Fear to Fearlessness"

July 10, 2010: Interview on science, education, and spirituality with cognitive developmental neuroscientist Adele Diamond
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/learning-doing-being/

July 17, 2010: the New Monastics with leading spirit Shane Claiborne and young Evangelical Christians create a new movement to serve the poor. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/monastic-revolution/

July 24, 2010: Mattieu Riccard dubbed "the happiest man in the world," Tibetan Buddhist and scientist
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/ricard/

July 31, 2010: Mystic and activist Abraham Joshua Heschel discussed by Arnold Eisen of Jewish Theological Seminary
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/heschel/

Aug 7, 2010: Thich Nhat Hanh's "Teachings on Love" Part 1

Aug 14, 2010: Sherwin Nuland, former surgeon discusses the human spirit as an evolutionary accomplishment of the brain
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/biologyofthespirit/

Aug 21, 2010: Rachel Naomi Remen, the art of listening, and the difference between curing and healing
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/listening-generously/

Aug 28, 2010: What is prayer with musician Anoushka Shankar, translator of sacred texts Stephen Mitchell, and professor of church history Roberta Bondi
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/approaching-prayer

Sept 4, 2010: Thich Nhat Hanh's "Teachings on Love" Part 2

Sept 11, 2010: Thich Nhat Hanh's "Teachings on Love" Part 3

Sept 25, 2010: Irish poet John O'Donahue on beauty as a defining aspect of God http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/john_odonohue/

Oct 2, 2010: Rheumatologist Esther Sternberg on stress, the body, and the mind http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2008/stress/

Oct 9, 2010: New York Times' David Brooks on emotions, the cognitive revolution, and public policy http://www.aifestival.org/audio-video-library.php?menu=3&title=602&action=full_info

Oct 23, 2010: Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality (Part 1 of 3)

Oct 30, 2010: Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality (Part 2 of 3)

Nov 6, 2010: Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality (Part 3 of 3)

Nov 13, 2010: Depression and the human soul with Parker Palmer, Anita Barrows, and Andrew Solomon http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/depression/

Nov 27, 2010: Steven Johnson: "Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation," http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/10/26/midday2/

Dec 18, 2010: Joanna Macy is a philosopher of ecology, a Buddhist scholar, and translator of the poetry of Rilke. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/wild-love-for-world/

Jan 29, 2011: Arthur Zajonc, physicist discussing "cognitively-oriented contemplative spirituality." http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/holding-life-consciously/

Feb 5, 2011: Pema Chodron's From Fear to Fearlessness, part 1 of 2

Feb 12, 2011: Pema Chodron's From Fear to Fearlessness, part 2 of 2

Feb 19, 2011: David Kirkpatrick on "The Facebook Effect."

Feb 26, 2011: Jacqueline Novogratz introduces the notion of "patient capitalism"--charting a third way between investment for profit and aid for free. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/different-kind-of-capitalism-2/

March 5, 2011: Enstein's God http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/einsteins-god/

April 2, 2011: The ecstatic faith of Rumi. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/rumi/

April 23, 2011: Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai discusses links between ecology, human flourishing, war and peace, and democracy. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2009/plantingthefuture/

May 2, 2011: Doris Taylor takes us beyond lightning rod issues and into an unfolding frontier where science is learning how stem cells work reparatively in every body at every age. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/stem-cells/

May 14, 2011: Inter-faith discussion with the Dalai Lama on "pursuing happiness." http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/pursuing-happiness/

May 21, 2011: Reflections of former Islamist extremest Ed Husain. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/former-islamist-extremist/

May 28, 2011: "Alive Enough?" - Sherry Turkle from MIT challenges us to lead examined lives with our digital objects. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/alive-enough/

June 11, 2011: Encounter Point - a documentary that follows a group of Israelis and Palestinians that are striving to make steps towards peace. (This film is 88 minutes long.) http://www.justvision.org/encounterpoint

June 25, 2011: A stimulating conversation with Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks--one of the world's great thinkers on the promise and perils of religion. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/dignity-of-difference/

July 2, 2011: Acoustic biologist Katy Payne reflects on the songs of humpback whales. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/whale-songs/

July 23, 2011: Theologian Marcus Borg discusses the language of Christianity. http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=23239

July 30, 2011: 14 Muslims offer thoughtful stories and reflections on Ramadan. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/ramadan/

August 6, 2011: A discussion on Einstein's passionate engagement around issues of war and race, and modern extensions of his ethical and scientific perspectives. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/einstein/index.shtml

August 13, 2011: Neuroscientist Richard Davidson explores how the mind can be rewired by life-enriching behaviors. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/healthy-minds/

September 3, 2011: Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh's talk and guided meditation, Touching the Earth, will help empty your body of resentment while opening it to compassion. http://www.soundstrue.com/shop/Touching-the-Earth/370.productdetails

September 10, 2011: Conversations with Muslims from all walks of life in the first five years following the attacks of 9/11. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/hearingmuslims/

October 1, 2011: Richard Mouw challenges his fellow conservative Christians to civility in public discourse. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/ccp-mouw/

October 8, 2011: Elizabeth Alexander shares her sense of what poetry works in us and in our children. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/ccp-alexander/

October 15, 2011: The quiet cycles of everyday life from within inside Aida refugee camp with three Palestinians. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/pleasure-more-than-hope/

THICH NHAT HANH

October 30, 2011: The Art of Mindful Living with Thich Nhat Hanh - pt. 1 http://www.learnoutloud.com/Audio-Books/Religion-and-Spirituality/Prayer-and-Meditation/The-Art-of-Mindful-Living/1647

November 6, 2011: The Art of Mindful Living with Thich Nhat Hanh - pt. 2 http://www.learnoutloud.com/Audio-Books/Religion-and-Spirituality/Prayer-and-Meditation/The-Art-of-Mindful-Living/1647

NURTURING CREATIVITY

November 20, 2011: Elizabeth Gilbert discusses a new way of thinking about creative genius, and Sir Ken Robinson claims that our schools are killing creativity. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

November 27, 2011: Neuroscientist Adele Diamond tells us why things like play, sports, and music are crucial parts of education. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2010/learning-doing-being/

NEW EVANGELICAL LEADERS

December 11, 2011: A conversation with Jim Wallis. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/jimwallis/

December 18, 2011: A conversation with Rick and Kay Warren. http://being.publicradio.org/programs/warren/

"Don't you feel it too?" at Art Shanty Projects on January 15

2012-01-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Time: 2pm, Sunday, January 15, 2012

Location: Meet outside the Dance Shanty

With: Rae Eden, Diane Hellekson, Theresa Madaus, Tamara Statz, Kate Wolfe, Marcus Young

Free your spirit by dancing your inner life in public! Bring an open mind, headphones or earbuds, and an iPod or other music player loaded with your most beloved music (and tucked near a warm place on your body). Dress in warm, non-constrictive clothing; avoid backpacks, bags and anything that occupies your hands. For about an hour we will explore body, soul, music and place by dancing alone and together.

After a brief (5 to 10 minute) introduction and group warm-up we will move into our surroundings, however the spirits move us. We will dance for 30 minutes or more (depending on weather and group preference), and then take time for reflection and discussion.

"Don't you feel it too?" Summer Schedule

2011-07-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

Open to everyone. Free. Instructions given at the start of each session. Don’t you feel it too? is the practice of freeing our spirit through dancing our inner lives in public places.

Here's the Don't you feel it too? schedule for August through early October.

Tuesday, August 2, 5-7pm--The roof of the downtown Mpls YWCA, 1130 Nicollet Mall--This session is special because we'll be dancing with 15+ art students from China. Can you please email us at info@graceminnesota.org if you can come? You can also just show up. With a big group and lots of new folks, this will be FUN!
Wednesday, August 10, 5-7pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Monday, August 15, 5-7pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Thursday, August 18, 5-7pm--Rice Park, Saint Paul.
Tuesday, August 23, 5-7pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Thursday, August 25, 5-7pm--Rice Park, Saint Paul (North Washington St. @ West Fourth St.).
Tuesday, August 30, 5-7pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Thursday, September 8, 5-7pm--Rice Park, Saint Paul (North Washington St. @ West Fourth St.).
Thursday, September 15, 5-7pm--Rice Park, Saint Paul (North Washington St. @ West Fourth St.).
Wednesday, September 21, 5:30-7:30pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Tuesday, September 27, 5:30-7:30pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Wednesday, September 28, 5:30-7:30pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Tuesday, October 4, 5:30-7:30pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Wednesday, October 5, 5:30-7:30pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis.
Thursday, October 6, 5:30-7:30pm--Peavey Plaza, Minneapolis--this session will be our season finale. Feel free to join us for a post-dance meal to celebrate! (Meal is usually $10 to $12)

Remember, everyone is always welcome to dance with us! Don't hesitate to send us a question.

How to Participate:

Bring a portable music player that can clip on or fit in your pocket, head/earphones, and your most beloved music on a playlist (3-7 songs is good).
Wear comfortable street-dancing shoes/clothes. Don’t wear sunglasses.
Don't bring anything you can't put in your pocket so that you can dance freely. Leave stuff in your car or at home.
More instructions will be given before we dance.
Free

How the Session Works
The first 30 minutes is introduction to the project, instructions, and warm-up. The next 30-60 minutes is dancing in public space with cool-down. The final 30 minutes is discussion and learning from one another. Like yoga, the practice is the individual’s and what he or she brings to it. At all times the individual controls the practice.

More about Don't you feel it too?
Don’t you feel it too? is experimental public art and a new mind-body practice of liberating the spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. It is purposeful self-embarrassment, dancing where dancing does not usually belong. Don’t you feel it too? uses the body to create unexpected joy, for performers and witnesses, kindly challenging our standardized public lives. Practiced since 2008, it is an aspiring spiritual technology based in “do-it-yourself” public performance.

The Lullaby Experiment

2011-04-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

When: 10.30pm to 6am, June 4-5, 2011
Where: Walker Art Center as part of the Northern Spark Festival
How Much: FREE
Featured Singers: Leslie Ball, Diane Jarvi, Aimee Bryant, and Thomasina Petrus

A pianissimo concert. A lullaby experience.

Bring your sleeping gear, leave your daytime self,

and explore the soft mystery of slumber.

The Lullaby Experiment (for 35 sleepers, 10 attendants, 4 singers, and solo viewers) invites people to sleep at the Walker Art Center to experience giving up their daytime selves and being sung to lovingly throughout their nightlong stay. Participants bring their sleeping gear and supplies to create personal comfort within this rare opportunity to explore the museum, the public night, and the soft mystery of slumber. This work of participatory art is gentle and creative misbehavior with fellow sleepers where sleeping does not belong. Within a live pianissimo concert of love, The Lullaby Experiment is a struggle for peace and rest, a remembrance of affection, and a succumbing to one’s inner nature.

There will be limited spots for this activity, so participants are encouraged to sign up ahead of time. Walk-ins are welcome as space is available. Non-sleepers are welcome to view the work any time.

Created by Marcus Young and Grace Minnesota collaborating with Leslie Ball, CITYDESKSTUDIO, and others with support from Northern Lights.mn and presented by the Walker Art Center. Northern Spark is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

"Don't you feel it too?" Winter Sessions

2011-02-24T13:11:00.000-08:00

DON'T YOU FEEL IT TOO?
Free Sessions in Dance and Inner-Life Exploration

What: Freeing the spirit through dancing our inner lives. A developing spiritual practice and form of public art called Don't you feel it too? This is the winter/indoor version of the summer/outdoor practice.

Who: For anyone, any age, expecially daring inner-life explorers--artists and non-artists, yoga practitioners, meditators, other spiritualists, etc.

Where:
Ivy = Studio 206 in the Ivy Building, Mpls. - map
Mac = Macalester College, Old Main 4th Fl., St. Paul - map
Rondo = Rondo Library, St. Paul - map

How to Prepare:

Bring a pocket music player, head/earphones, and your most beloved music on a playlist (3-7 songs is good). If you don't have a music player, we'll lend you one.
Wear comfortable dancing shoes and clothes.
More instructions will be given before we dance.
Free. Just show up. Send questions: info@graceminnesota.org

Like yoga, the practice is the individual's and what he or she brings to it. This is not a dance technique or choreography class in the traditional sense. Observing is welcome; participating is more welcome.

Saturday, Jan 15, 10am-12pm (Location: Ivy)
Saturday, Jan 22, 10am-12pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Jan 25, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Feb 1, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Feb 8, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Feb 15, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Feb 22, 5:30-7:30pm (Rondo)
Tuesday, Mar 1, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Mar 8, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Mar 15, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Mar 22, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)
Tuesday, Mar 29, 5:30-7:30pm (Ivy)

Don’t you feel it too? is experimental public art and a new mind-body practice of liberating the spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. It is purposeful self-embarrassment, dancing where dancing does not usually belong. Don’t you feel it too? uses the body to create unexpected joy, for performers and witnesses, kindly challenging our standardized public lives. It is an aspiring spiritual technology based in “do-it-yourself” public performance.

Double your gift to Grace Minnesota!

2010-11-14T18:29:00.000-08:00

Help us access $7000 by raising only $600! AND your gift will be worth DOUBLE due to generous donors matching your donations. Simply click here to make a donation!

"Don't you feel it too?" FINALE and Celebration Dinner

2010-09-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

Daring dancers, and inner-life explorers! Our final and 27th dance session of the year is today, September 23, 5:00-6:30pm.

SCHEDULE
At 5:00pm do your warm-up, and start dancing at your own pace and place. If you want to start with me, I'll be at Peavey Plaza.
At 6:00pm we dance together along Nicollet Mall anywhere from 3rd to 11th Streets.
At 6:30pm do your cool-down and final sivasana or resting.

Please dress appropriately for rain and cold, and be careful of the slippery surfaces. Maybe bring a towel to dry off. The rain will be a big part of your trepidation and your breaking through. It'll feel very different, but we've done it before in the rain. Stay present, watch out for umbrellas, and be smart out there. Remember, this is your practice, and you can adjust it to suit your needs, and take care.

DINNER
The celebration dinner starts at 7:00pm at Evergreen Restaurant, 2424 Nicollet Ave. S. RSVP at dyfit@graceminnesota.org. Remember to bring $10 cash for dinner and your stories to share! I'll end my session at Peavey Plaza for anyone who wants a ride to dinner.

Practicing happiness, marcus

“…love like your heart has never been broken, and dance like no one is watching." -Aurora Greenway

2010-09-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

WORKSHOP in SAN JOSE, CA

Marcus leads Don't you feel it too? at the San Jose Biennial--Friday, Sept 17, 5:30-7:30pm

http://01sj.org/2010/attend/workshops/dont-you-feel-it-too-workshop/

DANCE, MINNEAPOLIS

Last 3 chances to experience Don't you feel it too? this season. We invite daring dancers and inner-life explorers. Unexpected freedom, purposeful self-embarrassment, and the practice of dancing our inner lives in public places. Everyone is welcome--artists and non-artists.

Thursday, Sept 16, 5:30-7:30pm. Meet at Peavey Plaza at 5:30pm.

Monday, Sept 20, 5:30-7:30pm. Meet at Peavey Plaza at 5:30pm.

FINALE: Thursday, Sept 23, 5:00-6:30pm. Meet at Peavey Plaza at 5:00pm.

Celebration Dinner-Evergreen Restaurant, 2424 Nicollet, 7pm, $10.

To participate:

Bring your portable music player, headphones, and your most beloved music on a playlist.
Wear comfortable street-dancing shoes and clothes.
Don't bring anything you can't put in your pocket so that you can dance freely. Leave stuff in your car or at home.
More instructions are given before you dance. Free. Just show up.

SATURDAY MORNING SPIRITUALITY, ST. PAUL

Saturday 10am-12noon spirituality discussions. We spend quiet and thoughtful Saturday mornings together. We listen to recorded lectures and interviews, and discuss. No preparation is required. NEW LOCATION: MACALESTER COLLEGE. Check back for exact room.

Sept 25: Irish poet John O'Donahue on beauty as a defining aspect of God

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/john_odonohue/

Oct 2: Rheumatologist Esther Sternberg on stress, the body, and the mind

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2008/stress/

Oct 9: New York Times' David Brooks on emotions, the cognitive revolution, and public policy.

http://www.aifestival.org/audio-video-library.php?menu=3&title=602&action=full_info

Oct 23: Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality (Part 1 of 3)

Oct 30: Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality (Part 2 of 3)

Nov 6: Buddhist nun Pema Chodron, Getting Unstuck: Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality (Part 3 of 3)

Nov 13: Depression and the human soul with Parker Palmer, Anita Barrows, and Andrew Solomon

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/depression/

Nov 20: Technology journalist David Kirkpatrick talks about The Facebook Effect

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/08/10/midday2/

Practicing happiness,

Marcus Young and Grace MN

Upcoming Summer Activities

2010-08-06T03:13:00.001-07:00

NEW TIME for our dance sessions: 5:30-7:30pm. We’re pushing back the time by 30 minutes so more people can attend. Meet at 5:30pm at the same place—Peavey Plaza—every Monday and Thursday.

Mark your calendars! The Don't you feel it too? Nicollet Mall season will end Thursday, September 23. A celebration dinner follows the big dance, just $10 per person. It's a time to share experiences and hear how the practice has advanced. Details forthcoming.

Upcoming Saturday morning 10am-12noon spirituality discussions. We listen together to recorded lectures and interviews, and discuss, so no preparation required. TEMPORARY LOCATION: 209 8th St. E. #410, St. Paul, 55101

Sept 4: Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Teachings on Love”

(Part 2, but we will review Part 1, so everyone can attend)

Sept 11: New York Times’ David Brooks on the emotions, the cognitive revolution, and public policy.

http://www.aifestival.org/audio-video-library.php?menu=3&title=602&action=full_info

For the details of how to participate in any of this, see the previous posting below. Thank you!

Grace Minnesota Summer Activities at Art of This

2010-06-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

A NEW ART, A NEW SPIRITUALITY!
Grace Minnesota is offering a whole bunch of great activities this summer, all in the name of a new art, a new spirituality! Are you ready?

It's our third year of "Don't you feel it too?"--freeing our spirit through dancing our inner lives in public places. Crazy, huh? Open to everyone, regular Monday and Thursday sessions start June 21, 5-7pm on Nicollet Mall. To find out more, see below.
We're also offering free yoga classes led by the inspiring Helena Raghubir of the Center for Happiness. Classes on select Monday and Thursday mornings will be at Art of This Gallery as part of the Open Summer program. Again, more details below.
We'll hold 10 Saturday morning spirituality discussions based on recorded lectures or MPR Speaking of Faith podcasts that we listen to together. Open to everyone, sessions are Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon. More details below.

If you're interested in any of this, just show up. If you have questions, send email to dyfit@graceminnesota.org.

Art of This Gallery is located at 3506 Nicollet Ave, Mpls 55408.

Yoga is 5000 years old. "Don't you feel it too?" is just 3 years old. Help us create it. Thank you!

With practiced happiness,

Marcus Young and Grace MN

Now, the details...

1. DON'T YOU FEEL IT TOO? DANCE SESSIONS

For daring dancers and inner-life explorers! "Don't you feel it too?" is the practice of freeing our spirit through dancing our inner lives in public places. A courageous and joyful act of purposeful self-embarrassment, the work is also mind-body study, gentle social protest, participatory public art, and physical exercise. An aspiring spiritual technology, it's free, and everyone is welcome to come for one or more sessions.

Sessions are every Monday and Thursday, 5-7pm, starting June 21 and going through the summer. Meet at Peavy Plaza on Nicollet Mall at 5pm. For up-to-date information, follow us on Facebook

To participate:

Bring your portable music player, headphones, and your most beloved music on a playlist.
Wear comfortable street-dancing shoes and maybe sunscreen.
Don't bring anything you can't put in your pocket so that you can dance freely. We discourage backpacks. Leave stuff in your car or at home. Bring a donation if you want. We appreciate it!

2. FREE YOGA CLASSES

We are learning some basics in Kundalini Yoga, and you are invited to join us for one or more classes. We're using this opportunity to understand how an established spiritual practice can inform our developing practice of "Don't you feel it too?" Thank you Helena Raghubir, our teacher, and Art of This Gallery for the Open Summer residency program.

Yoga classes are 9.45am - 11.00am at Art of This Gallery, 3506 Nicollet Ave, Mpls 55408 on these dates: Monday, June 21; Monday, July 5; Thursday, July 22; Thursday, Aug 5; and Thursday, Aug 19.

To participate:

Please dress for movement and bring a yoga mat, an extra mat if you have one to share, water, and optional items for relaxation like a pillow and blanket.
The tradition of yoga encompasses the concept of "when you come empty-handed, you leave empty-handed." To receive the most out of a yoga class, the student is asked to find something to give. Since we are not assessing a formal fee for this class, we suggest that you consider giving a free-will donation. This could be a monetary donation to the teacher, a donation to the charity of your choice in any amount, or an offering such as fruit, flowers from your garden, or incense to the teacher or to other students. Your donation could also be giving your time as a volunteer to the cause of your choice. It is suggested that you make this donation as feels best to you within a week of receiving the class.

Helena Raghubir has been practicing yoga and studying holistic healing since 1993. She is a certified Kundalini Yoga Professional Teacher Trainer, Level III Sat Nam Rasayan Practitioner, Neurolinguistic Psychology Practitioner, Reiki Master Usui and Karuna, CMT, and Reflexologist. She is the director of the Center for Happiness.

3. DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SPIRITUALITY AND DON'T YOU FEEL IT TOO?

Let's talk about spirituality...after we listen to people who really know the stuff. Some examples of what we'll listen to include recorded lectures by Pema Chodren and Speaking of Faith radio interviews on topics of play, beauty, science, social activism, etc. One hour of listening together, then one hour of talking together. We'll also explore how these ideas connect to our developing practice "Don't you feel it too?"

Every Saturday, 10am - 12 noon, from June 26 to August 28. Everyone is welcome. Bring a cushion or mat if you have one. Upcoming Saturday morning spirituality discussions at Art of This gallery will be these topics:

Aug 7: Thich Nhat Hanh’s “Teachings on Love”

Aug 14: Sherwin Nuland, former surgeon discusses the human spirit as an evolutionary accomplishment of the brain
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2009/biologyofthespirit/

Aug 21: Rachel Naomi Remen, the art of listening, and the difference between curing and healing
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/listening-generously/

For questions about any of the above, contact: dyfit@graceminnesota.org.

Next Dyfit?--Wednesday, 3/31, 5.00-7.30pm, Hamline Midway Library

2010-03-30T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Dyfiters,

Our final session of the "winter" season will be tomorrow Wednesday, March 31, 5:00-7:30pm, at the Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave. We don't know yet what the topic will be, but if it's anything like last time, we'll be out in the sun and fresh air and grass. Also, we'll do some planning for our outdoor season which will start in May.

Always wanting to see what other practices are out there to help us better figure out what we're doing, I've come across these two:

www.laughteryoga.org/
www.danceanywhere.org/index.htm

With practiced happiness, marcus

*****
Inviting artists and non-artists interested in PUBLIC DANCE, MISCHIEF, AND JOY--"Don't you feel it too?"

We're looking for daring dancers and inner-life explorers! “Don’t you feel it too?” is a newly-discovered mind-body practice of freeing the spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. A generous and courageous act of self-embarrassment and joy, the work is also emotional study, gentle protest, performance, and physical exercise. It premiered during the RNC in Saint Paul in 2008. Currently, over the winter, we are developing this form in indoor settings in preparation for our practice season outdoors on Nicollet Mall. Free, no obligation, and everyone is welcome to come for one or more sessions.

If you're interested, contact Tamara at Dyfit@graceminnesota.org, or just drop in. **Important: Bring your mp3 player with your favorite music on a playlist and street-dancing shoes.** www.graceminnesota.org

Final session of the indoor season:
Wed March 31, 5.00-7.30pm, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.

Next Dyfit?--Monday 3/15, 5.00-7.30pm, St. Anthony Park Library

2010-03-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

Our next session will be tomorrow Monday, March 15, 5:00-7:30pm, and the topic will be: "The Physical Spaces: Center, Fringe, Audience, Interaction." We're at the St. Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.

We learned a lot from our last session when we worked on "Endurance and Meeting Ourselves at the Limits" including:

1. When we work on endurance, we may get an out-of-body experience and feel the hilarity and wonder of the practice. You laugh and love it so much, feeling clarity with exhaustion.

2. We didn't have to stay inside the whole endurance session. We could go back and forth, outside and inside, to feel the differences in temperature, interaction, environment, etc.

3. Serving each other simple refreshments at the end of a long endurance session was a nice ritual. It nurtured the group and created another way to be together.

Hope to see you at Dyfit? for last two sessions of our winter indoor season. With practiced happiness, marcus

*****
Inviting artists and non-artists interested in PUBLIC DANCE, MISCHIEF, AND JOY--"Don't you feel it too?"

We're looking for daring dancers and inner-life explorers! “Don’t you feel it too?” is a newly-discovered mind-body practice of freeing the spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. A generous and courageous act of self-embarrassment and joy, the work is also emotional study, gentle protest, performance, and physical exercise. It premiered during the RNC in Saint Paul in 2008. Currently, over the winter, we are developing this form in indoor settings in preparation for our practice season outdoors on Nicollet Mall. Free, no obligation, and everyone is welcome to come for one or more sessions.

If you're interested, contact Tamara at Dyfit@graceminnesota.org, or just drop in. **Important: Bring your mp3 player with your favorite music on a playlist and street-dancing shoes.** www.graceminnesota.org

Final sessions of the indoor season:
Mon March 15, 5.00-7.30pm, Saint Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.
Wed March 31, 5.00-7.30pm, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.

Next Dyfit?--Monday 3/1, 5.00-7.30pm, St. Anthony Park Library

2010-02-26T16:06:00.000-08:00

Our next session will be Monday, March 1, 5:00-7:30pm, and the topic is a good one: "Endurance and Meeting Ourselves at the Limits." We're at the St. Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.

Theresa and Julia will be our fearless leaders. Also, don't forget Theresa and Mad King Thomas this weekend at the Southern!

With practiced happiness, marcus

*****
Inviting artists and non-artists interested in PUBLIC DANCE, MISCHIEF, AND JOY--"Don't you feel it too?"

We're looking for daring dancers and inner-life explorers! “Don’t you feel it too?” is a newly-discovered mind-body practice of freeing the spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. A generous and courageous act of self-embarrassment and joy, the work is also emotional study, gentle protest, performance, and physical exercise. It premiered during the RNC in Saint Paul in 2008. Currently, over the winter, we are developing this form in indoor settings in preparation for our practice season outdoors on Nicollet Mall. Free, no obligation, and everyone is welcome to come for one or more sessions.

If you're interested, contact Tamara at Dyfit@graceminnesota.org, or just drop in. **Important: Bring your mp3 player with your favorite music on a playlist and street-dancing shoes.** www.graceminnesota.org

Mon March 1, 5.00-7.30pm, Saint Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.
Mon March 15, 5.00-7.30pm, Saint Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.
Wed March 31, 5.00-7.30pm, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.

Next Dyfit? dance: Wed Feb 17, 5.00-7.30pm

2010-02-15T20:05:00.000-08:00

At "Don't you feel it too?" winter session #3, our theme was "Get Intimate with Your Music."
Here's some of what we found:

1. We were pleasantly surprised we could hear our own well-known music in
new and deeper ways.
2. We found that it can be good to perform as if in our own personal, bad,
imaginary musical.
3. We observed our minds unable to focus on a song for its entire
duration, with many visual and mental stimuli occupying the same space.

The next practice session is this Wednesday. You can forward the below
message to friends. This week's theme is dancing in pairs or groups and
will be led by Julia and Theresa.

Since we worked on "Dyfit as prayer" two sessions ago, I heard recently a
new way of thinking about prayer: "Prayer is falling in love with life." I
think that describes how I feel when I dance this dance.

With practiced happiness, marcus

*****
Inviting artists and non-artists interested in PUBLIC DANCE, MISCHIEF, AND
JOY--"Don't you feel it too?"

We're looking for daring dancers and inner-life explorers! “Don’t you
feel it too?” is a newly-discovered mind-body practice of freeing the
spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. A generous and
courageous act of self-embarrassment and joy, the work is also emotional
study, gentle protest, performance, and physical exercise. It premiered
during the RNC in Saint Paul in 2008. Currently, over the winter, we are
developing this form in indoor settings in preparation for our practice
season outdoors on Nicollet Mall. Free, no obligation, and everyone is
welcome to come for one or more sessions.

If you're interested, contact Tamara at Dyfit@graceminnesota.org, or just
drop in. **Important: Bring your mp3 player with your favorite music on a
playlist and street-dancing shoes.** www.graceminnesota.org

Wed Feb 17, 5.00-7.30pm, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.
Mon March 1, 5.00-7.30pm, Saint Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.
Mon March 15, 5.00-7.30pm, Saint Anthony Park Library, 2245 Como Ave.
Wed March 31, 5.00-7.30pm, Hamline Midway Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave.

Dyfit? winter indoor practice starts Jan. 13, 6-8pm

2010-01-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Dyfit?-ers,

We don't know enough about the mysterious and crazy "Don't you feel it too?" so we continue our exploration indoors this winter. Come dance with us and develop this practice of mind, body, and meeting ourselves and each other. Here is some of what we know:

*We're meeting on Wed, Jan 13, 6-8pm at Saint Anthony Park Library (2245 Como Avenue St. Paul, MN 55108) meeting room.

*Please RSVP to Kathleen at kathleen@graceminnesota.org

*We will do some dancing, maybe meditating, talking, planning, etc.

*Bring your mp3 player with your favorite music on a playlist and normal street-dancing shoes. The floor surface is tile.

*Bring friends, anyone is welcome, yet we are not advertising this to the general public at this time.

*We want to embark on a 1000-year journey of exploration, and this is year 2.

*We are tentatively holding the next session on Wed, Jan 27, at 5 or 6pm, so put that on your calendars.

*If you can't come Wed nights, and you really want to join us, email Kathleen your February availability.

I saw on PBS last night that science is proving your happiness affects people up to 3 degrees of separation away from you, like my friends' friends' friends...hmmm...more dancing!

Hope to see you Wednesday, marcus

2009-11-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

The City Behavior of Grace MN

October 30 – December 11, 2009

Metropolitan State University

Third Floor Gallery

645 East Seventh Street

(In the Library and Learning Center, St. Paul Campus)

Opening Reception: November 5 from 4-7 p.m.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m

This exhibition is a look back at some of the works created by behavioral artist Marcus Young, individually and in collaboration, since 2004 when he first began creating for public and semi-public spaces. The work explores rituals, systems, and institutions of our daily lives or imagined daily lives. Many of the works have been realized in Saint Paul, where he serves as the current City Artist in Residence, a program of Public Art Saint Paul.

Young founded Grace MN, a behavioral art studio whose work attends to the inner, natural, and civic life, creating personal practice and collective experience. Grace MN is also a conceptual place that promotes artistic unorthodoxy, spiritual experimentation, and Midwestern sensibility. Played out practically in public spaces, within institutions, or across systems of the city, their work invites individual commitment, public involvement, and transdisciplinary collaboration. Grace MN members are Marcus Young, Kathleen Maloney, Aki Shibata, and Travis Spangler.

Public Performance/Mind-Body Workshops NYC

2009-09-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Contact: www.naatf.org or hillary@naatf.org

What: A workshop to introduce a new form of public performance and mind-body experiment called “Don’t you feel it too?”

For: Artists, non-artists, meditators, yoga folks, experimentalists, dancers, people looking for happiness or mischief, etc.

Why: To expand the discourse on performance practice: How does this practice relate to theater, to disruptive realism or pranksterism? Where does work like this belong?

When: Take one or more of the following sessions. Sessions will be indoors if it rains.
-Saturday, Oct 10, 12.00-3.00pm
-Tuesday, Oct 13, 10.30am-1.30pm
-Friday, Oct 16, 10.30am-1.30pm

Where: Theater for the New City, 155 1st Avenue at 10th St.

Cost: $5/session cash at the door, or FREE with purchase of a mainstage ticket of the National Asian American Theater Festival

How: Participants must bring an mp3 player with some of their most beloved music on a playlist, approximately 30 minutes. We will dance in public, so wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Bring water.

Contact: For sign-up or questions, visit www.naatf.org or email: hillary@naatf.org. Sign-up for the workshop is recommended. If you drop in without signing up, just be sure to bring an mp3 player.

Info: "Don’t you feel it too?" is the practice of freeing your spirit through dancing your inner life in public places. A generous and courageous act of self-embarrassment and joy, the work is also emotional study, gentle protest, social interaction, performance, and physical exercise. While other more venerable forms of mind-body practice have developed over millennia, this new practice premiered on the streets of the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul in 2008. We invite artists and non-artists to learn and expand this playful form.

Grace MN is a behavioral art studio whose work attends to the inner, natural, and civic life, creating personal practice and collective experience. The group is founded by behavioral artist Marcus Young, currently public artist in residence for the City of Saint Paul, a program of Public Art Saint Paul. This activity is made possible by funds from Jerome Foundation and is a parallel project of the National Asian American Theater Festival. www.graceminnesota.org

Rain Dancing

2009-09-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

OK, the dance is on for Friday, Sept. 25. It may not be a bright sunshiney day but the weather may take you to a new, quieter place in your DYFIT practice. Do not think that you have to come out in this grey-ness. If you do chose to dance with us maybe the rain will be transformative.

Meet at the Library at 4PM. Questions? Call 651-336-4202

Weather Update

2009-09-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

As of right now we are on for today, Friday Sept. 25. In the case of passing rain or drizzle we will still dance. If there is a dangerous storm we will cancel.

At 3:30 we will make the final call. You can check back here on this site, on http://twitter.com/DontUFeelItToo or call 651-336-4202 for a voice mail message.

Today's Activity

2009-09-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

We meet today, September 23 and Friday, September 25 at 4PM on the steps of the downtown Minneapolis Central Library.

If you are dancing with us, by now you should have signed up and are getting the participant updates. If you are not on the update list yet please contact kathleen.

Confirmation from DYFIT-ers Requested

2009-09-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Message from Marcus Young

Dear daring DYFIT-ers!

Last year, dancing on Nicollet Mall and at the RNC was a transformative experience. I think we all felt it!...even if we weren't exactly sure what it was. For the past two months we have continued to explore this new practice, and again we come to a culmination--a worthy test of ourselves. We know it can be joyful, open, embarrassing, scary, freeing, spiritual, and like offering a service to the public. The form is simple, so how is it the experience is so rich? If you haven't joined us this year, there is still time to give it a try. If you are already an experimentalist, or you already know this work, please consider dancing with us. I will be at the remaining practice sessions. Then, there are two "performances." You can dance with us as few or as many times as you wish, even if you can't make the "performances." Go to this Survey Monkey link
and tell us if you'd like to attend. We are starting to share music, so getting some advanced notice that you're coming is helpful. We also celebrate with a really yummy dinner (my treat) where we tell stories, reflect, and create the path for the following year, so RSVP for that as well. I hope to dance with you on the streets. If you have any questions, please ask.

My thanks and luv, marcus

Calling Joyful Performers

2009-09-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

Photo by Avye Alexander, see more DYFIT 2008 on Flickr

So long summer. Goodbye State Fair. Now is a great time for outdoor fall frolic with the intrepid DYFIT crew. Only 6 practice sessions left so join us ASAP!

Practice Schedule: Final Two Weeks

Wednesday, Sept. 9 and 16, 5PM to 7:30PM, leader Marcus Young/Aki Shibata, meet at Mears Park music stage, lowertown Saint Paul
Saturday, Sept 12 and 19, 1-3:30 PM, leader Kathleen Maloney, Minneapolis Central Library, Room N-202, 300 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis
Monday, Sept 14 and 21, 5:30-8PM (note: new start time), leader Theresa Madaus/Julia Kouneski, meet at Peavey Plaza, downtown Minneapolis

In “Don’t you feel it too?” (DYFIT) participants dance their inner lives in public places, confronting personal awkwardness and practicing physical joy. But the investigation is an outward one too: DYFIT functions as gentle disobedience, as dialogue between strangers, and as ethnographic research. This summer, we build on lessons learned dancing last year at the Republican National Convention and on Nicollet Mall. We invite you to develop this form of play and nurture braver, more open spirits.

Performances will take place

Wednesday and Friday, September 23 and 25, in the late afternoon to early evening.

You may dance in one or both performances. To participate, try to attend at least 3 practice sessions. (If you danced with us last year please attend at least one practice.) Sessions are free, guided, and open to anyone. You need only bring yourself and a set of headphones with music you love.

To sign up contact: mailto:kathleen@maloco.com. And for up to the minute updates follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DontUFeelItToo

Call For More Don't You Feel It Too? Participants

2009-08-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

We are 20 people who have been practicing a form of public dancing called and we are looking for 20 more to join us.

Performances will take place Wednesday and Friday, September 23 and 25, in the late afternoon to early evening. You may dance in one or both performances. A big feast after the performances will be our thanks for your participation. To take part in performance, you first attend at least 3 practice sessions, which are held on Mondays 6.00-8.30pm and Saturdays 1.00-3.30pm in Minneapolis and Wednesdays 5.00-7.30pm in St. Paul. Sessions are free, guided, and open to anyone. You need only bring yourself and a set of headphones with music you love.

If this sounds a little scary and a little exciting, perfect! We hope it’s both. Contact: kathleen@maloco.com. And for up to the minute updates follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DontUFeelItToo

DYFIT 2009 open practice sessions coming up....

Saturday, Aug 29, 1-3:30 PM Minneapolis Central Library, Room N-202, 300 Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis

Monday, Aug 31, 6PM to 8:30 PM. Meet at Nicollet Ave. side of Peavey Plaza, downtown Minneapolis.

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 5PM to 7:30PM Meet at Mears Park music stage, lowertown Saint Paul