Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 10 Report)

Report 10

Date: 23 May 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: Hall, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Shahrul
Muaz
Jeniffer
Zahidah
Maryani (Bangi)
Tiara
Syamimi (New participant)
Tasneem (Absent)
Amir (Absent)
Firdaus (Leader - Absent)
Vanee (Sivakangai) (Absent)
Sabariah (Absent – not feeling well)

Jamal (Kuroko) Paul (Kuroko)
Shimada-san (Assisted)
(Weekly lesson at the Spastic Centre, Jalan Barat.)

Details:

We started at about 11:20am.

There was a new participant Syamimi bt. Abdul Razak (Female) aged 21 years old. Disability is cerebral palsy (Sitting using wheelchair; unable to stand or walk.) Her first time to attend this class, she seems to be very alert.

The atmosphere today, was very quiet but the participants seemed to be more focused each doing their own individual movements. Muaz tends to start some movement then becomes very still until he is reminded that the participants need to keep on moving. Zahidah, had to leave a little early (at 12pm).

Class ended at 12:30pm. After the sessions, we checked if there were any questions. Shimada-san informed that Ms. Kim wanted to know if all the participants had watched her on stage. Only 3 had watched Ms. Kim's performance.

Asked if the participants will be comfortable to perform on stage – Sharul (shy); Muaz (ok); Jeniffer (shy); Maryani (ok); Tiara (ok); Shamimi (ok).

Next week (29 May till 9 June, 2006) is the Mid-term school holidays. The next class will be on 13 June, 2006.

Got a message from Maryani regarding the costume that will be used for the performance. (same as the ones used by Taihen performers or a different one for the performance in Malaysia).

Note 1: I could not follow-up on the letter to the center as Ms. Jeya was not in the office when the class ended. Will be meeting on Friday, 25 May at 10am.

Note 2: I think it is important for us to invite parents of the participants to meet up to explain about Taihen and regarding the intensive workshop in July.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (25 May 2006)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 9 Report)

(Weekly lessons at the Music Room, Spastic Centre, Jalan Barat.)
Report 9

Date: 16 May 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: Hall, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Firdaus (Leader)
Shahrul
Muaz
Amir
Jeniffer
Vanee (Sivakangai)
Sabariah
Zahidah
Maryani
Tiara (absent)
Tasneem (New participant)

Jamal (Kuroko) Paul (Kuroko)

Details:

We started at about 11:30am.

There was a new participant Tasneem Bt. Khairuddin (Female) aged 22 years old. Disability is cerebral palsy (Sitting using wheelchair; unable to stand or walk.) She was attending the classes when we first started at the spastic centre. Then unable to attend lessons as her mother was not able to send her.

Amir came in late as he had just come back from horse riding. He also mentioned that the whole of July it might be difficult for him to participate in the workshop conducted by Ms. Kim Manri for he has to go for riding programme which will be held from 9am – 2pm. (Note: Firdaus is also involved in a riding programme but his timing is not effected because he is in a different category).

Today, the participants all tried a little harder to explore their movements. Zahidah, whom has never (during lessons) tried to sit up was sitting up and trying to move. A little more effort from Vanee and Jeniffer but they have to be constantly reminded to keep on moving.

I encouraged Maryani to perhaps walk or do some kind of movement using her legs, but she seemed to feel uncomfortable as she was at a different level.

Class ended at 12:30pm.

Note: I could not follow-up on the letter to the center as Ms. Jeya was not in the office when the class ended. Will meet her next week and talk to her.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (16 May 2006)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 8 Report)

Report 8

Date: 9 May 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: Hall, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Firdaus (Leader - absent)
Shahrul
Muaz
Amir
Jeniffer
Vanee (Sivakangai)
Sabariah
Zahidah
Tiara (absent) Maryani (absent)

Jamal (Kuroko) Paul (Kuroko)

(Pix taken during the first Workshop at Pentas 2, KLPac.)

Details:

Firdaus, called to inform that due to some transportation problem, he was not able to attend school, therefore was not present to lead today's session. He appointed Shahrul to be the leader. Sabariah assisted to give the instructions.

We started at about 11:20am.

Sabariah has some leadership qualities that we might want to tap on. She was able to guide the participants as her voice is strong and clear.

Today, I felt the group was a bit more focused but generally there seems to be no motivation to explore new movement. Will try to keep the momentum of the class going though.

Class ended at 12:30pm.

Note: Prepared a letter to the Spastic Centre regarding Ms. Kim's visit in July asking if the centre would be able to assist us in providing the venue (as per suggested time); also to let us know on how much it would cost to transport the children back to their homes using the centre busses.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (14 May 2006)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 7 Report)

Report 7

Date: 25 April 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: Hall, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Firdaus (Leader)
Shahrul
Muaz
Amir
Jeniffer
Vanee (Sivakangai)
Sabariah (Bangi)
Tiara (absent)
Zahidah (absent)
Maryani (absent – exam)

Details:

Today too, we didn't have the assistance of the Kurokos, so Aunty Chan and myself had to unroll and place the dance mats.

We started at about 11:20am and 3 participants were absent. There were some trainer nurses who observed the lesson for about 10 minutes. Shimada-san came to observe and also discuss with the participant regarding Ms. Kim Manri's next visit.

The lessons went on as usual, lively even though there were few participants. We (Shimada-san and me) realised that we certainly need to get more Kuroko's interested and assisting with the classes. The time factor is one of the reasons whereby it would be difficult to get people to assist.

After the class, Shimada-san checked on the availability of the participant, if we were to have classes everyday during Ms. Kim Manri's visit. All the response has been noted by Shimada-san and compiled in his report. The problem that was evident was timing and transportation.

Class ended at 12:40pm.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (7 May 2006)

(Pix taken during the first Workshop at Pentas 2, KLPac)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 6 Report)

Report 6

Date: 18 April 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: Music Room, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Firdaus (Leader)
Shahrul
Muaz
Amir
Tiara
Vanee (Sivakangai)
Zahidah
Jeniffer
Sabariah (absent)
Maryani (absent)

Jamal (Kuroko) Paul (Kuroko)

Details:

The Spastic Centre had started work at the Hall area and as the dance mats were stored in the Music Room, we (Aunty Chan, Jamal and myself) managed to put the dance mat across the room.

We started lesson at about 11:20 and Paul came in as we were starting the lesson. We went about the lesson as usual, Firdaus getting the group to sit in a circle, doing the breathing exercise, energising and then exploring their individual movements. Sometimes the participants' tend to stop moving to rest for a while and I would encourage them to keep on moving.

(Pix taken during the first ever workshop held at Pentas 2, KLPac)

I felt that having the classes at the music room was conducive as the place was private. The space is a little smaller as compared to the other rooms though.

The lesson ended at 12:30pm. The mats were rolled and stored at one side of the room. Since it was easier to store and roll the mats at the music room, I suggested to Aunty Chan that we hold our classes at the music room in future. (the renovation at the hall will take another week).

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (27 Apr 2006)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 5 Report)

Report 5

Date: 4 April 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: Hall, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Firdaus (Leader)
Shahrul
Muaz
Amir
Tiara
Vanee (Sivakangai)
Zahidah
Jeniffer
Maryani (Bangi)
Sabariah (Bangi)

Details:

Today the participant's used the hall area, lined with dance mat. Unfortunately, the kurokos were not present, hence Shimada San, Anuar San and myself had to put the dance mat and tape them up. It was difficult to put them as the mats were heavy and bulky.

It was a good session as we had time to explore the 3rd part of the lesson. The participants were divided into 2 groups one group was to show us their interpretation of “Sun Rise” and the other group “Sun Set”. Something that the participants have done during the workshop with Ms. Kim Manri.

(Pix by Kelab Shashin Fotografi)

Of all the participants I notice the movements by the participants from Bangi tends to be un-natural. They seem to be thinking about their movements.

The dance mats unfortunately cannot be stored at the hall so were moved to the music room. As they were stuck together, it was more bulkier. Needed some assistance from parents.

11 April is a public holiday therefore there will be no class this week.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (10 Apr 2006)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 4 Report)

(Pix taken by Kelab Shashin Fotografi - during the performance of 'My Mother' by Ms. Kim. Note the 'kuroko' dressed in black, holding the drum.)


Report 4

Date: 28 Mar 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: 1st Floor, New Wing, Spastic Centre

Participants:
Firdaus (Leader)
Shahrul
Muaz
Amir
Salehuddin (Absent)
Maryani (Bangi)
Sabariah (Bangi)
Tiara
Vanee
Zahidah

Details:

This was the week after Ms. Kim Manri's visit to the Spastic Centre on 21 March (Participants who were present on that day were Firdaus, Muaz, Shahrul, Maryani, Sabariah, Tiara, and Jelidah) It was unfortunate that not all the participants from spastic attended the session that day.

During Ms. Kim's visit we also looked at the possibility of holding the sessions at the hall which has parquet flooring and dance mat to be placed on the floor, for participant's confort.

The hall was unfortunately not ready to be used on 28 March, so the room at the 1st floor was used.

We started at 11:35am. Firdaus led the participants. Everyone was a bit more focused. The session ended at 12:35. I informed the participants that it is very important that we start the sessions on time so we can proceed on to the 3rd part of the session whereby the participants will work on a given theme.

I managed to get Sallehudin's mother's number and spoke to her. She informed that her son is keen to participate but only if it doesn't clash with his classes at the new school. She was also concerned about transportation. I assured her that we will assist in anyway, to get Sallehudin to participate in the programme. She said she'll think about it and also check with Salleh and get back to me.

Usage of the hall – the hall will be cleaned up this week and JFKL will be bringing the dance mat to be put there. The management of the building will also be polishing the parquet flooring soon for a function. It will be difficult for us to join and dismantle the dance mat every week; so the mat will be stored at the centre.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (3 Apr 2006)