Jaya Härtlein
- Ruth Jaya Härtlein, born 1961 in Germany, I stumbled across Buddhism in my early 20s in the UK, and story-telling and performance in my 30s. Both of those together led me to explore how an ‘inner’ more contemplative practice, being present directly with the ever-moving mind, interacts with more ‘outer’ ways of sharing on stage and interactive teaching. - This led me directly to improvisation, as a performer and later trainer - and those two aspects still feed my practice. 2002-4: Two-year training of Lecoq-based Physical Theatre (Kiklos Scuola, Italy). I discovered the Clown, and since 2005 have run workshops in clowning where I research fallibility and humour as a basis for a broad inclusive path, and apply the teaching of clown to a wide range of clients, be it therapists, the corporate world, or meditators. Since 2002 I encountered improvisation through Stephen Hollins (NZ), Al Wunder (Australia), Andrew Morrish and John Britton. Since 2012 I have taught workshops and retreats entitled ‘Dancing the Unknown’, applying the practice of improvisation, focusing on the necessity to step into the unknown (every) next moment. I draw on the Buddhist teachings on mindfulness, while the atmosphere of the courses is light and full of the spirit of play and joyful experimentation. I teach in volunteer and corporate training, in mental health settings and for therapists, and in various Buddhist contexts. 2011-13 MA Applied Theatre, Central School of Speech and Drama, London. Part of that training was Forum Theatre (Boal) and other direct improvisational methods. Since then in the UK I have worked with ex-offenders and within the prison system, which I continue in Berlin, where I am now based. www.dancingtheunknown.wixsite.com/improvisation www.rednoses-unlimited.co.uk
