Based in London, England, Tripsichore Yoga Theatre has become one of the most extraordinary innovations to emerge from the yoga discipline. Audiences from Iceland to Indonesia and Tokyo to New York have delighted in watching theatre pieces derived from spectacular yoga movements and philosophy. This contemplative style of movement theatre is a sensual exploration of spirituality that unites the mind and body. The breath guides the body through a fluid flow of postures that creates stunningly spectacular visual poetry.
The company is a group of performers who specialize in a dedication to yoga. Heralded as “yoga’s answer to Cirque du Soleil, Tripsichore is led by artistic director, Edward Clark. Together they synthesize the use of breath, asana, choreography, and philosophy into a demanding, entertaining, and exhilarating amalgam.
Artistic Director Edward Clark says, “Our work is often described as avantgarde and, in some respects, this is true – we do endeavour to create an experience for the audience that is novel – because of the breathing, there is a rhythmic quality to the show that does seem to entrance the audience in a meditative fashion. But, I also think that nothing grows old quite so quickly as what is often termed avantgarde. The sustained appeal of our work suggests that we may, I hope, be tapping into something that is more timeless – something that has to do with the long history and beauty of yoga both as a practice and philosophy.
He also says, “While we are always pleased to have people who do yoga at our shows, we are truly delighted when these people bring along their somewhat reluctant friends or significant others. They are so often the people who are surprised and thrilled to find that yoga can be a sublime experience. I think the worst thing that I suppose people might think (who have never seen Yoga Theatre) is that it is just some people going through the routines they do in class. Our work is usually narrative, but the story is really a device on which to hang the choreography and it appears to us that what yoga choreography is good at is showing what the emotional and spiritual landscape is for a character. It is amusing that the current generation of yogis often prove less adept as audiences than the non-initiate to yoga. They seem to be looking at whether there are some new tricks or posture they can try later or whether or not that’s a most impressive lift into handstand whereas those who don’t “know” yoga are able to evaluate it more in terms of what is going on for the characters.
Youtube Link
Watch Tripsichore in action: https://youtu.be/H1_IGZPtBuk
1. Tripsichore Yoga
https://www.instagram.com/tripsichore?igsh=MWdydHNsZ3kwMWVzNg==
2. Tripsichore Collective [Embodied Theatre]
https://www.instagram.com/embodiedyogatheatre/?__d=1
