A Budapest local - making a world of difference

Every now and again you come across some inspiring people.  I have been privileged in my life that this happens with astonishing regularity (and it’s also helped by the fact I live with one on a fairly regular basis).  It never ceases to give me a fresh perspective on things.  This trip so far has been no exception. 

One such person I have met in Budapest is Agi Gyulavari.

A Budapest local, Agi trained in London and Edinburgh in dance movement therapy and movement analysis.  She also has a masters in psychology from Budapest.  She combines these skills in working with people with intellectual and physical disability to teach them movement and dance. 

She moves with the style and grace of a dancer that her students may never feel.  Her working principle is that the way you move and physically feel has a direct bearing on how you feel mentally.  She works with people with Asperger’s and with those in wheelchairs.  She gives them their bodies back in some small though very meaningful way. 

If they can unlock their physical burden and see the beauty in themselves then she is happy.  And it looks like she has achieved that through her association that she seems to be the manager, practitioner and spirit of-Artman Egyesület

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-dotp1eu5s
http://tudattanc.hu/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leNdBdh7rg4

She is a little distracted at the moment – the flat needs to be boxed up as she moves from the Pest side of town (district VIII) to the Buda side of the river (“I miss wide open spaces and greenery,” she observes).  Her current flat is at the top of an old turn-of-the-century apartment building.  In the foyer outside she has a small raised bed in which she has planted grass – the only piece of greenery I’ve seen this side of town.  On the stair railings next to it are Tibetan prayer flags – a reminder of her 6 months  living in india and local travel thereabouts. 

We talk some more about her work.  It’s hard doing this and earning much money to live.  She subsidises the work occasionally through solo and duet dance performances and she has a contemporary piece she is working on at the moment – practicing for weeks if not months in the lead up – Agi strikes me as a perfectionist in her field.  “It can be tiring,” She has a smile on her face and a gentle way about her. 

She combines her work with the disabled with managing the administration and funding for the association and trying to subsidise the meagre funding they do have with enough dance production to pay the bills.  “We’re getting some recognition.  We recently have been asked to develop a post grad course in this work for the University.” 

“Who’s developing the curriculum?” I ask.  She shrugs, while free in spirit, the workload is telling.  “Me” she says. 

As if to think of some other avenues for her work I venture “Have you ever worked with any sports people?”  She is well ahead of me there.  “Many sports people don’t necessarily think of dance as a form of body work for balance.  However, some do and I have run some workshops for some Olympic athletes.” 

There aren’t enough Agi’s in this world and those that are do not really get the recognition, funding and freedom they need and deserve to make a positive change in people’s lives. 

Best wishes with it all Agi and remember, please, to look after yourself in addition to those you give wings to!