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Wild Iris Centering

My method incorporates breathing, centering and visualization techniques - all aimed at energizing your overal expression; the way you present yourself. These techniques are part of the process I use to get the best photos possible.

Posture
Breath
Centering
Grounding
Calming
Energizing
Connecting

Not "posing", but authentic expression thru:

Being in your body
Being in your body and connecting to the world around you.

My system draws from my 50 plus years of exposure to a number of disciplines related to the - mind body spirit - experience.

I make no claims to expertise in any of these areas. My length of exposure in these disciplines has ranged from weeks to years. I will not lay claim to certification; nor degrees, ranks or any position of authority in these fields.

I think the centering concept began to really catch on in the 1980s. I've provided a list of examples below to give you a better idea as to the concepts I'm referring to:

The Centered Skier, by Denise McCluggage
- Please note the book's cover art depicting the center.
- The Centered Skier
- Short bio of author Denise McCluggage: RaceLegends.com
The Tao of Skiing, By Rick Medrick
- "One approach to doing this is a process known simply as "tuning in to your senses." This means expanding your awareness of how your body feels and behaves. both in place and when you are moving. Each of us possesses a physical center deep within our bodies from which total body movements originate. You may be more familiar with this if I call it a "balance point." When you are in balance, you feel stable and safe; when you are off balance, your movements tend to be awkward and you seem forever on the verge of falling."
- Outdoor Leadership Training Seminars
THE CENTERED CLIMBER, By Rick Medrick
- "The Centered Climber, which I have named this approach, is not unique. It is a universal process practiced by every athlete who has achieved some degree of skills and accomplishment in a sport. Nor does this climber always reside in a place of unbounded bliss. Inherent in the act of climbing, and living for that matter, is facing those obstacles or challenges which temporarily disrupt our balance and composure. The challenge, on skis, in a kayak on a moving river, on a rock or in a stressful social situation, is regaining one's sense of balance and belief in one's capacities to function effectively."
- Outdoor Leadership Training Seminars
Centered Riding, by Sally Swift
- "Centered Riding is based on a knowledge of human and horse anatomy, balance, movement, and on understanding how the mind affects the body and how both affect the horse. It uses centering and grounding techniques from the oriental martial arts, along with body awareness, mental imagery and sports psychology. Through increasing body awareness, inhibiting old patterns, and replacing them with a more balanced, free, and coordinated use of self, both horse and rider can move more freely and comfortably, and develop their best performance."
- CenteredRiding.org

All this and much, much more; playing, working, living - the principles of being centered can be incorporated into virtually any aspect of life.

In fairness, I think it is important to acknowledge that centering can not be taught in five minutes (and yet, because it is such an innate quality of living - some may catch on quite quickly). It's not unusual for an entire workshop to be devoted to such a study. But, I think I can begin to establish a language that we can use during our photo shoot session that can move us toward our goals: being centered and getting great photos!