Tribute to Glenna BatsonOne summer evening at Sweetbriar College in Virginia, Alexander Technique students and teachers gathered for the Talent show and sharing. At one point, a skilled teacher and dancer got up to do an improvisational dance and began a backbend. And we were all transfixed by her movement. It was such a deep and amazing movement, back and back and back—so beautiful. She reminded me of a bridge. Glenna Batson was the dancer, and such a glorious mover she was. And she was a wonderful bridge—an expert in dance, somatics, research, Alexander Technique, and life in general.
Glenna’s generosity as a teacher, whether she was teaching somatics or the Alexander Technique or human origami, is legendary. It is delightful to see many of her former students and colleagues remember her for her laughter, and her reminders not to be too serious! For many years I was very much in awe of her, and couldn’t imagine that I would ever have any bodywork or spiritual work to offer her in return. When she first became ill (over 10 years ago—during which time she managed to serve as a Congress director in Limerick, Ireland!), I was fortunate to get to know her better and do energy work with her. She was as strong in her receptivity as she was in her teaching, and she taught me so much—as all great learners do. I will miss her humor, her strength of character, her willingness to reinvent movement, and her determination to live life on her terms. May we all laugh and move better for having had Glenna in our lives.
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