Para Shakti Flow

Para Shakti Flow is a daily mat practice developed by Mark James Hamilton and Daneil P Cunningham. Informed by their combined forty-eight years of studio experience, the practice is rooted in the modality of hatha yoga —aligning breath, posture and awareness through flow. Uniquely, the practice integrates aspects of bharata natyam (South Indian temple dance), kalaripayattu (Kerala’s ancient martial art) and Tai chi chen. Para Shakti Flow (or The practice) is dynamic and meditative. It especially nurtures a creative engagement with the surrounding space and can readily be practiced outdoors. There are six phases to the practice, each using precise actions to initiate energetic changes: pranama – embrace the Earth through namaskar (salutations); pranayama – develop ekagrata (one pointed focus); kriya – activate kundalini (life force); payattu – awaken shakti (inner power); nada – resonate your chakra (energy centres); nritta – embody Nataraja (Siva as Lord of the Dance).

The practice helps to improve health, wellbeing and tranquility, as well as accessing pathways to creativity. Para ShaktiFlow can help you to release and relax, stretch and strengthen, focus and energise. Mark and Dan lead especially tailored workshops for individuals and groups that integrate aspects of the elements below.

Pranama ground your body & breath in ritual postures that embrace the Earth through Namaskar (salutations).

Pranayama interlink your breath, body & mind in hand and eye movements that develop Ekagrata (one pointed focus)

Kriya deepen your breath through gentle spine articulations that begin to activate Kundalini (life force)

Payattu energize & strengthen your body through dynamic flowing movements that awaken Shakti (inner power)

Nada free your voice through movement & breath sequences that ressonate your Chakra (energy centres)

Nritta develop balance & flexibility through the elegant postures of Nataraja (Siva as Lord of the Dance)

They welcome all levels of experience.

Mark James and Daneil Peter arrived in Aotearoa in August 2020 from London, it is Dan’s first time in New Zealand and Mark returned after 9 years teaching intercultural arts. They began collaborating together in 2015, creating innovative theatrical performance work using movement and vocal practices: touring London, Ireland and Iceland. Mark began yoga as a child and has danced bharata natyam (South Indian temple dance) for 34 years. He is also trained in kalaripayattu, Kerala’s ancient martial art. Daneil began yoga at acting school in London aged 18 and has practiced various forms of yoga and movement since graduating in 2011.

This movement session helps an actor to prepare for working in a disciplined and imaginative way using movement and their body as an entry point for the creation of a dramatic character. My practice works with the relationship between the mind and the body and develops the actor’s conscious awareness of their self as an expressive whole.