Circles. Life is full of them. The earth we live upon is a sphere. The beginnings of our earthly life began inside an egg (ovum), one of the largest human cells. Through circular cycles of love and unity and the miracle of life we grew inside our mother's womb. The pupils and colors in our eyes reflect the emotions we feel, Circles are found in the spherical shape of raindrops, and within the miraculous shapes of snowflakes, various circular shapes in rocks,trees, tree rings. Cycles and orbits within our universe bring bring order and rhythm to our beautiful planet. The sun daily gives life and energy to all of earth's inhabitants. The moon shines her gentle light to all the world each night as stars glitter and shine through the "darkened" skies. Much of our associations and relationships can be see as circular, as patterns of reactive habits and as what we know and perceive effects how we interact each day. Our lives weave and dance together close as we open and allow love to flow, then circle out farther away in times of conflict and uncertainty.. then again we circle back together in unity and love.
Countless creations of round shapes and energetic "circles" are part of the past and the NOW. They will continue onward forever through time. We see them in visual creations, in the way our bodies move, in the patterns of music which bring deeper layers of meaning to emotion, in the motion of our hands at work work** and play. The curve of our smiles or frowns in a half circle, the size of our pupils, the changing shape of our mouths.. reveal what is beneath the surface, whether or not the words we say are sincere or in pretense. I believe energy flows in and through me and through you, travels to those we feel positive or negative emotions toward, then "circles" back again to our bodies. I wonder if our positive or negative energies flow to greater reaches than we can even imagine.
When I run, I visualize my legs as wheels turning, naturally propelling me forward, sailing around streets, floating around corners, moving gracefully through routes I am well familiar with. This is another happy place where free thoughts and ideas flow.
Wheels. Everywhere we depend upon the amazing creation of the wheel which gets us from "here to there." There is a rhythm and flow to the sounds and sights in busy city streets, as different vehicles, controlled by a variety of humans make different sounds. Wheels bring convenience. Wheels bring enjoyment! As I participate in a very free-ing sport called rollerblading with my family at our local "Fun Park," I find a new kind of delight. Not only do I ride upon the top of several small "wheels, but I swirl around curves with other riders as music plays, and as lights cast colorful splashes of circular light upon the ground. The repetetive circular path i take is soothing in a sense, and when the "right song" plays in the surrounding speakers,my hands start to roll and lift, my shoulders lift and sway, my head moves and my wheeled feet tap with the blades in rhythm as I glide around and around to the beat of the bass and drums.
The process of wakefulnes and sleep is yet another wondrous reality we were born with, which i believe can be seen as circular. When our sleep cylce is well balanced, it enables us to re-energize and restore our muscles, organs and cells, after the wear and tear of each day.
During our R.E.M. stage of sleep we dream. In dreaming we can see shapes, colors, hear sounds, feel strong emotions, see peope and places we may or may not recognize. As we vacillate between being asleep and awake we discover ideas, impressions and insights. For me musical ideas sometimes flow here. Images or ideas may emerge which relate to processing difficult emotions or working throught concerns I feel regarding a loved one. Sometimes, there is the gift of spiritual insights and guidance as my mind is not consciously focused by all the clutter of the present, past and worries of the future.
As a musical artist, performer and teacher - movement within me and surrounding me is a very important part of my life. As a songwriter, patterns of melody and harmony,notes and chords, structure and patterns, and mind-swirling thoughts and ideas flow and circle around and through me. As I walk or run among a beautiful field of flowers, or even in a crowded building or street, or catch the eye of a "stranger".. sometimes I hear the beginnings of a pattern, poem, story or song. On occasion, for a few precious moments I can look outside of myself, as if I'm another entity looking down into a new world, making a new discovery. Everywhere I go, I seek to explore and discover in a playful sort of way. (Click here for some exploratory moments during a recent family trip to Arizona: https://youtu.be/hWhGPoctTsE)
Over the last couple of years, I have launched into the adenture of being an elementary school music specialist. (K-5) Prior to working for the Logan School District, I worked with preschool age children in experiemental movement and music classes I created and named "Music for Little Monkeys. (You will find a short video link, to the "circle motion" in this moment here: https://fb.watch/ild0XXGX2F/ )
I also have taught several private piano and violin lessons, and group theory classes. I played for and still occasionally provide interactive entertainment for family, children and community events in Utah and Idaho. I teach at a week long music and art camp (MAT camp) in Evantston, Wyoming each June. Last summer I was able to participate in and complete Level one training in Orff-Schulwerk music and movement education at Utah State Univeristy. Taking part in these events has been very rewarding and has helped me discover new ways to expose children to the love and understanding of music. The training I have recieved very much is in alignment with how I love to learn as an individual - through kinesthetic and sensory exploration.
My husband and I have been blessed with six beautiful biological children. Through the years I have taken them along to events and classes with the hope at a young age they learned to apprecate the beauty and joy of music. Each of them have moved on to working primarily with other private teachers in their various musical and artistic aspirations. They are using those skills today at various levels of ability and interest. On occasion, we will perform together for a church or community event. Some are more interested in other pursuits, hobbies. One of my jobs now as momma is to suport them in their interests, and"taxi" them to lessons, concerts, recitals and other pursuits.
Reader, please now click on this link if you wish to enjoy a more sensory-immersive reading experience. LISTEN to this beautiful piece of music I just discovered as you continue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao11wqXm2d4)
Now, circling back to "circles..." I share a recent class experience with 5th graders. The song I chose to start our class with was one that popped up on a youtube music song playlist. I loved it the first time I heard it. I loved the way it made me feel and made me want to move, and I knew it would be beneficial for my students to hear this moving piece from Ola Gjeilo (a very gifted Norwegian composer) and to be able to improvise movement with their bodies. Come with me now and join us in this exploration if you wish.*
Friends, begin in child pose. Breathe quietly, deeply. Close your eyes and just hear and feel the music for a moment. Let images flow your mind that want to flow. Then , slowly rise up into circular motions. Explore all the different ways you can think of with your body that are circular. Feel and move in circles with your arms, fingers, legs, hips, head, back. Enjoy the beauty of your body creating these movements as you immerse your mind and heart witht the music.
A change in mood and tempo comes. (1:30) Gradually with the piano and voices let your body move in slow, low motions. Stretch , bend, enjoy the space around you. Move with the images that come to mind as you hear the violin, and the free flowing pulse and thoughtful moods.
Again, a change comes, It is moving more again. (3:13) Find a way to walk and sway that is different than you've tried before. Different than anyone else around you. Walk different directions, different ways with your feet, walk on your knees, Sway as you walk. Find your very own way. Find multiple ways.Move with someone else if you wish. When you feel a building and growing in the music, let your movements grow and expand. Alone or with a partner.
The music has been circling back to what we've heard in the beginning. (around 4:00) You will hear similar patterns of melody and harmony. Somewhere in the music allow yourself to go back to circles - new circles or similar to the ones you did before. You may want to circle with a partner. Find ways to merge with someone else and make new circles with them. Allow yourself to feel freedom in moving your body. You are unique. No one else creates the same as you, as you create your very own movement with the amazing body you have been given.
Soon the music is coming to an end.. as you start to hear the conclusion, circle down again into child pose or another restful postition that is comfortable to you. Breathe and listen to the dance of the piano and the guitar, how they weave musically and comfortable with and around each other. Breathe, listen, relax and feel. And alow yourself to find that magical place that is all your own.
Perhaps some of you fell in love with this beautiful piece of music as I did as you listened and moved your body with the strings, piano and voices. But if you didn't connect with it as I did, I'm sure there are other songs that resonate and penetrate deep inside your heart and spirit and bring feelings of motivation, movement, happiness or peace. Truly as I create music, as I teach music, as i share music I have created or have discovered from someone else, I hope to bring this upliftment to the dear friends and associates who reside in my circle, and beyond.
https://fb.watch/ilgYGZvjk9/ (video)
Life is full of circles, twists and turns, obstacles, highs and lows, dips and even dives. And sometimes, stillness and rest. But always as our heart beats and as our soul lives there are opportunities daily to see something new. Or even, to see the same thing, a new way. There are opportunities to make our lives and the lives of those around us more meaningful. (click on "New Day" at the to of this page, for a short, meditative song: https://annawanawaltmusic.wixsite.com/mysite.
Some days it feels as if the stars aligned and we are in a peaceful or even joyful state. Some moments it feels as if there are dark clouds surrounding our vision and hope feels far away. When I feel closer to the True source of power from my Creator, I feel a glimpse of the Divinity within me and within all those around me. I feel the pure joy that comes from the gifts I've been been blessed with and the longing to share those gifts burns within. There is a scripture I have found comfort in from 2nd Nephi 2:25 - Adam feel that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." To me that means men and women were created by our God to be able to experience JOY. To know what joy is, we must know pain. We must know and have felt opposition. Part of having a body on this earth means beginning as a babe coming into a huge world of light, sound, dark, light and imperfect people who are all trying to understand who they are and what life is about. Multiple influences effect our "earthly dance" starting from day one. It is difficult. It is colorful. It is bright and glorious. When we do find those little moments of joy, perhaps it brings a remembrance and a hope that life every day is a gift and a blessing.
In conclusion, I share just a tiny "sneek peak" of a song in the making. A song that will be shared in a full album, hopefully by June 2023. It is about one minute of who I feel when I'm experiencing the greatest joy, gratitude and happiness that I consciously know - in the process of "creating" and living life. I hope you will feel even just a speck of what I have felt as I have created this song, with the help of my friend and producer, John Carter. The song is called "I'm Free."
May the Lord bless you as you continue your "circles," navigating upon your personal journey of living, learning and creating.
SPECIAL NOTES to Reader:
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*The script shared above for following along with Ola Gjeilo's composition is not specifically what I shared with the class. In reality, I was trying to find the right balance between dancing and moving with the children, occasionally talking as we transitioned in our movement, and dealing with various disruptions among a handful of energetic 10-11 year olds.
**For a delightful video discovery of music and motion that is circular, and also historical learning about "sea shantys" you can view this video that I have been showing to 2nd graders in school over the last few days of this January. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk4YU2JIdYA