Wild Women Rocks & Water
20, 21, 22 March 2026

Spring Tides
18-19 April 2026

Moving Moments
30-31 May 2026

Walk of Life Summer School
13, 14, 15 June 2026

Embodied Landscapes
12, 13, 14 Sept 2026

Autumn in the Woods
24-25 Oct 2026

The Art of Being in Motion with Helen Poynor & Shelagh O'Neill
13-15 Nov 2026

The Walk of Life is an innovative approach to non-stylised movement and creative expression. Established on the beautiful Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in West Dorset/East Devon in 1991 it integrates moving in the studio with moving in response to inspiring natural environments on the coast and in the hills and woodlands nearby.

Simple movement scores arising from the structure of the body are offered as springboards into motion. These serve to heighten awareness and to awaken vitality. Personal explorations are transformed and become the ground for artistic expression.

This approach fosters an embodied sense of self and of presence both in daily life and in performance. In a process which unfolds over time each participant is supported to follow the evolution of their movement practice whatever their level of experience. Participants include experienced movers, emerging practitioners and interested newcomers.

These workshops offer the opportunity to re-connect with the joy, strength, ease and simplicity that our moving being offers us. Grounding ourselves through an embodied encounter with the land which refreshes both body and spirit we rediscover our 'place in the family of things' (Mary Oliver) . As we move in response to rock and water, tree, earth and sky, different experiences and movement qualities are evoked. Working in a receptive and respectful relationship to the environment deepens our awareness of the natural world and our sense of stewardship and of belonging. The Walk of Life was affiliated to the Jurassic Coast Arts Programme for many years.

This approach to the body in motion has been applied in the arts and performance, education, self-development, movement therapy and daily life. It has proved valuable to people from all walks of life.

It's a pleasure to be offering the new Walk of Life workshop programme for 2026. This year there will be two intensive 3 day workshops: Wild Women, Rocks and Water in March and the Walk of Life Summer School in June. There will be three seasonal workshops: Spring Tides in April, Moving Moments in May, as spring turns towards summer, and Autumn in the Woods in October. Helen is delighted to be continuing her ongoing collboration with Feldenkrais practitioner Shelagh O'Neill with the Art of Being in Motion in November. Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned participant you are welcome to join us in The Walk of Life.

Each of these workshops combines movement practice in the studio with moving on site. Between them they encompass a range of environments including wild tidal landscapes, earth sites and ancient woodland.