#5 Daria Halprin on having mentors and healing through dance

In this episode, Daria Halprin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daria_Halprin) takes us on a captivating journey through her childhood, filled with nature explorations and dance classes, in a very alternative family. We discussed her life's work, the building of the Tamalpa Institute (https://www.tamalpa.org/), the different teachers she encountered on her way like Fritz Perls the founder of the Gestalt Therapy, growing up in California in the 60s and 70s, and much more.

As a student in the Tamalpa Institute myself, it was a dream to get to meet and interview the founder of this life-changing program. I hope you leave this conversation inspired by the wise words of Daria!

 

Timestamps:

[00:02:47] Childhood spent hiking, collecting plants, dancing, and traveling abroad.
[00:07:43] Adolescence: seeking identity through exploration, contrasting experiences.
[00:12:07] Parents conflicted about unconventional living for their children.
[00:21:38] The importance of mentorship.
[00:23:11] Finding a balance between imitating and differentiating.
[00:27:50] Theater, movement, training, natural, performance, alternative education.
[00:32:37] Self-taught therapy approach.
[00:47:36] Introduced to Fritz and his work, loved Gestalt therapy, experimented with physical theater and narrative material, connections to therapy, healing process.
[00:52:13] Developing the Tamalpa Institute, expressive arts therapy.
[00:56:36] Alternative education empowers lost young dreamers.

Recorded at the Mountain Home Studio in California on the 04.14.23