When you detach from awareness of your body and the physical world, you become ungrounded. Although it’s pleasant to float heavenward, your attention and work are needed upon the earth. We’re helping you balance the spiritual and material so that you can enjoy a fulfilling Earthly Life.” – Anonymous
ACTING FROM GROUND AND CENTERED AWARENESS
When an actor is Grounded, Centered and Aware, it is easy to see the bigger picture.
Ground and Centre Awareness is like a clear glass of water that shifts and becomes unclear as parts of our psyche are stirred up. These ‘parts’ of us can be ‘channeled’ through our bodies as we connect to Ground and Centre Awareness.
THE ACTORS CENTRE
The actor’s Centre is that place of awareness inside of you that knows you are safe and present no matter how deep you venture into your psyche or soul. In this state you are dis-identified (separate from ego or personality). In this grounded, centered and aware state, you are an open vessel through which all material from your subconscious and the collective unconscious (feelings, thoughts, impulses and images) can flow, but you are not attached to any of these. You are in your body and connected to the earth.
An actor in one of our Toronto acting classes is being coached on “moment to moment” acting behaviour
In this state you are very clear and present. You are ‘in the moment’ and connected to your creative energy. This is how you channel. The actor maintains a strong awareness keeping focused, centered and grounded in the role, allowing the deepest self, the soul, to create. The actor’s awareness will be there, but not in an intrusive way. It will act as a silent guide, holding the space for you (as the character), to act.
ACTING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
The actor is in the ‘present moment’ when connected to Ground and Centre Awareness. Why is this? It is because the actor is in the body. The mind can travel into the future, the imagination can travel into the future, but the body can only exist in the moment. It cannot move backwards or forwards in time. We use the power of our imaginations in order to achieve this state of being. Your imagination is powerful beyond measure. It is a universe filled with creativity.
Part 3 will discuss the ‘how to’ and give you ways you can land in this state of being and practice Ground and Centre Awareness.
Many of my ideas and exercises for grounding come from 7 years training in bioenergetics through the Southern Ontario Society of Bioenergetics and the Integral Healing Centre.
All characters exist inside of you because you are connected to the “Collective Unconscious”. You are enough! Believe in that…
Cindy Tanas Actors Studio teaches acting classes for Theatre and Film in Toronto and the GTA, Collingwood and Southern Georgian Bay.