In troubled times, turn to beauty in order to refresh your emotions, spirit and soul. Elaine Colandrea, movement artist, somatic Continuum educator, and artistic director of Watermark Arts, talks about how receiving beauty, natural beauty and art can give us the kind of pleasure that can be potent medicine for these unsettled times.

About Elaine: Elaine is a movement artist, Continuum teacher, somatic educator, and bodyworker. Elaine’s primary interests have always been the transformational aspects of moving, sounding and breathing, the connection with the natural world and a belief that an artful, embodied presence creates a more humane society. Based in the Hudson Valley of New York where she maintains a studio shared with other somatic explorers, Elaine also teaches regularly in Italy and has been an invited presenter at ISMETA, the Omega Institute, and Shantigar Foundation. Elaine has a M.A.in dance from Columbia University (1982) and was certified as a massage therapist by the Muscular Therapy Institute (1988.) Her clients and students, as well as health challenges, have also served as teachers. Elaine’s personal artistic and educational goals include: Peaceful, cultural revolution through embodied artistry Supporting the experience of wholeness Incorporating an understanding of interconnection with nature Exploring unitive experiences Dance reviewer Linda Diamond in 2012 called Elaine, “a wizard of new dance forms.” Kate Goldsmith, Northern Dutchess News, and Creative Living wrote in July 2012, “Elaine Colandrea is an alchemist and her medium is the human body.” Elaine is now directing Watermark Arts, an endeavor featuring somatically inspired arts, learning forums, and community engagement.