An introduction to the Tamalpa Life-Art Practice

Near the end of her live, Samas had the unparalleled honor to work with Anna Halprin, archiving her beautiful visual scores for dance. From her he learned her unique scoring practice for collaborative improvisation which he uses to this day as a musician with Pet the Tiger Instrument Inventors’ Collective.  

She pioneered creative arts therapy in the Life-Art process, blending movement, visual art and writing with partner reflection in way that help the individual feel profoundly seen and understood. 

When we practice creative arts integration we begin by stretching and getting comfortable in our bodies, beginning in the feet and slowly moving to the top of the head. Then we dance with the gifts that we have received in ceremony before dancing AS the gifts themselves, bringing them into our bodies. We transition to drawing or painting that dance, laying shape and color and movement onto paper. At this point we may write ourselves a letter from the perspective of the drawing- what does the drawing want to tell us? We may write a poem or simply write as elements in the drawing before finding a partner or a small reflection group. In that group someone shows their drawing and their partner(s) dance the drawing back to them. The artist is invited to speak the words from the drawing and no advice or chit chat is needed. When everyone has had a turn to see their drawing danced we return to the circle for a gallery showing and perhaps the sharing of a word, phrase movement or sound. 

The effect is similar to the mandalas we make with Holotropic Breathwork (Samas also studied with Groff) and anchors the gifts into the body. The experience of being reflections is deeply moving for many people. While the process can be used on its own, as a way of completing the ceremony cycle, the Tamalpa Life-Art Process is a unique and powerfully effective tool for integration.