Q&A
with Balnarring Hub Facilitator Simon!
Q: What do you facilitate at Balnarring Hub?
A: I teach Salsa dancing and run weekly classes in Balnarring. But I also teach meditation that’s actually been the main thing that I do. Sometimes I can’t help but cross pollinate the two a bit. For instance at the start of a dance class I often say “The first thing is that it’s all about joy! The steps and moves come with practice but as long as you’re having some joy you’re doing it right” I can’t help but bring some of the basic principles of meditation like being present, self expression and simply being yourself into dance classes. We have so much fun in the classes. There’s a lot of learning, a lot of dancing a lot of laughter and a lot of joy! (after all it is all about joy)
Q: How did you first get started with salsa and meditation?
A: I was teaching meditation for years and then one day got into dancing. It was through a series of serendipitous circumstances but basically a great friend suggested we go check a
dance class in the city. I’m also a musician so music, rhythm and in some way dancing was something I’d always kind of been interested in. I’d see certain dances on the internet or whatever and think ‘wow that’s amazing’, but I’d never just gone for it and taken any steps to learn any proper dance until then.
When I did finally go along to my first salsa event not knowing at all what it was going to be like l absolutely loved loved loved it! So much! After that I’d actually go to dance events at least three times a week from then on.
Over time I guess I got better and better and more advanced and then I became more and more interested in technique and some of the deeper aspects of dance, studying it but all the while maintaining that basic principle of… you guessed it joy!! Then again through a series of circumstances I got asked to teach at a dance school in Rye and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Holding a space for people to come and have the best time dancing. Not to mention to develop in confidence and expression. There’s really nothing like seeing people be themselves more and more in those ways. Of cause I see that teaching meditation too. I’m so lucky!
Q: What is your favourite part about living/working in the Balnarring area?
A: It’s hard to say what my favorite part about living and working in the Balnarring area is because there’s so many wonderful things. I do love this area and there’s something truly magical about it. One of my favorite things is definitely the people. This area seems to have the most amazing, fun, kind, generous and authentic people and I feel so blessed to know/interact/work with and call some of them absolute dear friends.
Q: What is your signature recipe and how did it become your signature recipe?
A: Well cooking is a real joy for me(something else that’s all about joy) and I love cooking lots of things but the first thing I thought of was actually pumpkin soup! the way my Dad showed me that is. And because of that when I make it and enjoy it I also think of my Dad who is such a wonderful Dad not to mention a super fun, funny and really inspirational person. I feel like I gave way more then was asked for in this question just like the secret to Dads pumpkin soup which is to add more then you think of… oh I can’t give away all the secrets
Q: What is your top song of the week?
A: Well I love music so much and absolutely so many genres. But this week I’ve had a song by Melody Gardot on repeat. It’s called “You Never Ask,” that’s from a documentary series relating to Sean Connery. I haven’t seen the documentary series but the song has a touch of a James bond flavor to it which seems quite fitting. Melody has the most beautiful velvety voice. If you want to wrap yourself in a audio velvet cuddle then go ahead and have a listen or two!!
