Bernhard Wosien was a German Ballet master, choreographer and professor of expression, education and dance. He is the founder of the modern form of Sacred Circle Dance, assisted by his daughter, Maria-Gabriele Wosien.
Born 19th September 1908, in Pasym, Poland, Bernhard died 29th April 1986 in Munich, Germany.
Bernhard’s professional and artistic development included working as a dancer, assistant director, ballet master, dance educator, choreographer, dance scholar and draftsman. He began his career as a stage dancer, moving on to become a dance teacher, using dance and aspects of dancing in spiritual and curative contexts. Wosien ended his career as a Professor without a doctorate at the University of Marburg/Lahn teaching expression education and dance. He was also a staff member at the Friedrich Meinertz Institute (Special needs teacher training) and at the Heckscher Clinic in Munich, contributing to the development of movement and expression therapy methods for behaviourally and cerebrally damaged children.
From 1976, Wosien introduced Circle Dance at the Findhorn Foundation, an ecological and spiritual community in Scotland. He used both traditional dances and his own choreography to develop ‘group awareness’. Wosien's approach was taken up by Anna Barton, both at Findhorn and across Europe in the 1980s, and this style of Sacred Circle Dance spread around the world.
Further biographical details can be found in the chapter ‘Digging Up Roots’ in the book ‘Dance Wise’, and in greater detail in the book ‘Journey of a Dancer’.
Born 19th September 1908, in Pasym, Poland, Bernhard died 29th April 1986 in Munich, Germany.
Bernhard’s professional and artistic development included working as a dancer, assistant director, ballet master, dance educator, choreographer, dance scholar and draftsman. He began his career as a stage dancer, moving on to become a dance teacher, using dance and aspects of dancing in spiritual and curative contexts. Wosien ended his career as a Professor without a doctorate at the University of Marburg/Lahn teaching expression education and dance. He was also a staff member at the Friedrich Meinertz Institute (Special needs teacher training) and at the Heckscher Clinic in Munich, contributing to the development of movement and expression therapy methods for behaviourally and cerebrally damaged children.
From 1976, Wosien introduced Circle Dance at the Findhorn Foundation, an ecological and spiritual community in Scotland. He used both traditional dances and his own choreography to develop ‘group awareness’. Wosien's approach was taken up by Anna Barton, both at Findhorn and across Europe in the 1980s, and this style of Sacred Circle Dance spread around the world.
Further biographical details can be found in the chapter ‘Digging Up Roots’ in the book ‘Dance Wise’, and in greater detail in the book ‘Journey of a Dancer’.
Left is a photo of Bernhard Wosien and Freidl Kloke-Eibl teaching in Uruguay. In the early 1980s. Bernhard found a spiritual home at Findhorn in Scotland, and was equally welcomed in South America, particularly Brazil.
Stefan’s description below is adapted from insights in Anna Barton's book, ‘Circle Dance: Dancing The Sacred Way.’ www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Dance-Dancing-Sacred-Way-ebook/dp/B009MP87OU
Stefan’s description below is adapted from insights in Anna Barton's book, ‘Circle Dance: Dancing The Sacred Way.’ www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Dance-Dancing-Sacred-Way-ebook/dp/B009MP87OU
“It is clear that Bernhard regarded the dance as being spiritual in essence, and that he embodied and radiated this experience when transmitting
circle dances. He saw that an oasis of congruence and unity is available to all, not as an opinion or theory, but as an experiential truth which arises through dancing.”
circle dances. He saw that an oasis of congruence and unity is available to all, not as an opinion or theory, but as an experiential truth which arises through dancing.”
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Excerpts from the writings of Bernhard Wosien: “I have attempted to rediscover the streams of memory and realization of cosmic laws in the art of dance. Since ancient times, the human being has been described as a worshipper with wings. In dancing we rediscover our wings, the wings of the emerging era. Our dance should therefore be our prayer, not only in the silent stepping of the andante, but also in the joyful leaps of the allegro vivo. I have been assiduous in teaching at Findhorn those dances which reveal and express this sense of worship through form and symbol. Many of the dances are done in circle, and the symbol of the circle is an important one. Every point in the circle revolves around the centre and is equally far from it. We dance counter clockwise towards the sun, towards the light. Through attunement to sacred dances, we follow a subtle path which in Greek is called ‘esoteros hodos’, the inner path — the path of the human being in search of the meaning of life. Through working with our instruments, our bodies, dancers work—from within—on experiencing Divinity, according to the esoteric saying |
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'as above, so below.' And in the dances we walk a path which leads to experience both of our own individual selves and also of the life of the group, the community. It has a naturally therapeutic effect, and so these dances lead to healing and wholeness. What I have come to realize after a lifetime with dance is that dance is a meditation in movement, a walking into silence where every movement becomes a spontaneous prayer.”
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The following rare and historic DVD gives a sense of the many dimensions of Bernhard through photographs, film clips and music. We witness his love of tradition, his playfulness, his commitment to the environment and his deep feeling for dances that engender inner peace:
Findhorn Sacred Dance History DVD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGAZo8ZjkuI Journey of a Dancer: collected writings by Bernhard Wosien https://judyking.co.uk/shop/books/journeyofadancer.htm Dance Choreographed By Bernhard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu4F1dPNJvs |
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