SWISS ARTISTS PERFORM “SOUL GYMNASTICS” ON OCT. 12

Tuburan Institute, Inc. (TBI) the Steiner Waldorf inspired school in Blissful Village, Sitio Sagrada Familia, Brgy. Indangan, Davao City is proudly presenting ArteNova Institut Eurythmy Youth Ensemble’s eurythmy performance, “Transitions” to be held on Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Davao Convention and Trade Center, F. Torres St., Davao City. On that day, Davaoeños will have the opportunity to witness this expressive art movement twice 1) Matinee at 3:00 in the afternoon (P100/ticket) and, 2) Gala at 7:00 in the evening (P200/ticket and P400/ticket).

Moniela dela Cruz, a volunteer of TBI describes eurythmy as a beautiful or harmonious rhythm. “It’s a form of dance, speech, song, creative expression and body language combined,” she says. For the first time, Davaoenos can enjoy this performance of eurythmy with acrobatics, jazz, tango, and other styles. Katherine E. Estember, Head Teacher of TB says it’s not every day that ArteNova Institut Eurythmy Youth Ensemble from Switzerland is going on a Philippine tour and passing by Davao following their recent debut at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland.

Joining the excitement are schools, entrepreneurs, government workers, non-government organizations and people’s organizations engaged in green businesses, environment advocacies, children, conflict-mediation and concerned with total human development. The University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), the Davao Doctor’s College (DDC), the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), the University of the Southeastern Philippines (USEP), South Point School Davao (SPSD), Tender Years Early Childhood Center (TYECC), and the Philippine Women’s College – Davao (PWCD) are all sending their faculty, staff, and students majoring in Education, Psychology, Sociology, Occupational Therapy, Liberal Arts, Physical Education, and so on, to learn and experience about eurythmy also known as “soul gymnastics.” “This is a once in a lifetime experience for Education Majors!”  explains Dr. Lyndon Devero, OSA Director of the PWC – Davao.

Eurythmy is widely used pedagogically in more than 1,000 Steiner Waldorf schools in over 65 countries to draw out students’ creativity. Athena Masilungan, mother, early childhood teacher, and dancer says, “In my experience with children, I’ve found that eurythmy helps them be attuned with their bodies and find connections and oneness with everything around them. I’ve seen them develop stronger physical bodies, better coordination and a deeper connection to nature.” The result for adults is the same according to Hindy Weber Tantoco – mother, wife, teacher, fashion designer, owner of Holy Carabao Holistic Farms. “I find most use for it in healing, cleansing, and strengthening. The curative aspect of eurythmy is what speaks to me more because of my needs,” she says. Joy Romualdez Kawpeng, mother, wife, teacher, classical pianist, and music educator will be joining the Swiss artists in Davao City and says, “Eurythmy is nothing short of magic for me. But it’s not for free. Like a skill we’ve taught ourselves to learn – as an athlete, artist, or musician – we have to put in effort to see results.”

The three women are part of the first Eurythmy Basics Training Group in Manila that has been training with Tanja Baumgarter, the star of “Transitions.” Ms. Baumgarter is a mother of three children who got her training from the Zuccoli Eurythmy School in Dornach. She is the founder of Eurythmy Massage that works on the living forces of the body and has been doing extensive eurythmy research on plants and water. She now travels abroad to give practical trainings in eurythmy. For this year’s celebration of 100 years of eurythmy, Ms. Baumgarter is going on a Philippine Tour with ArteNova Institut. Davaoenos interested to watch Transitions can contact these numbers 09228938370 (sun), 09177174668 (globe), and 09081535326 (smart) for tickets.

All proceeds of Transitions will help Tuburan Institute, Inc. get off the ground as it embarks on its first school year developing balanced willing, thinking, and feeling. Inspired by the international Steiner Waldorf movement spanning more than 1,000 schools in over 65 countries two (2) college educators, founded Tuburan Institute, Inc. in June 2011. Its doors opened to the first students last June 13, 2012. Each year one more level will be added until Class 12 on a proposed 10-hectare campus with children coming from families with different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.