Movement Playground: Creative Movement for Various Populations

Class Structure: Series of 1-5 Workshops, 60 -90 Minutes Each

Levels: Open to All, And geared towards populations with cognitive, physical, or developmental challenges.

Description: Movement Playground consists of a series of creative movement classes for various populations, including but not limited to youth, older adults and those that are differently abled. Green leads participants through dance based warm up exercises that are physically appropriate for a range of abilities, including those in wheelchairs. She then leads guided processes in which participants create their own movement. The students enjoy dance based exercises and movement creation while working on cognitive and physical skills; creativity is fostered through the use of imagery, music, stories, and props, and fun is had by all!

A multi-workshop series has the option of a culminating performance, in which participants’ own creative movement developed during the workshops are choreographed into a group routine and presented in a performance format.

Green has provided these workshops to older adults through the New York City Department of Cultural Affair’s SU-CASA program, at local Queens public schools, and for other populations in need both onsite at Green Space and offsite at partner organizations locations.

 “At Green Space, Ms. Valerie Green continues to welcome our individuals with open arms, despite their race, gender, ethnicity, and diagnoses. All individuals, regardless of his/her ability, deserve the opportunity to be full members of their community where they can live, learn, work and play through all stages of life; and at Green Space, Ms. Green continues to put our individuals first by supporting them by any means necessary.”

Tamar Chokhonelidze, Program Director at Brooklyn Gateway Counseling Center, Inc.