The traveling rings in Santa Monica offer great exercise and a chance to feel like Spiderman or Tarzan. But some regulars say the rings offer a unique spiritual practice that brings together their minds and bodies.
Fellowship of the Rings
Finding spiritual release through mental exertion
By Jessica Roberts, November 20, 2007
A slideshow from a typical day at the rings, photos by Shirley Shin
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Comments
Trent Gilliss, 2007-08-10 10:22:57 -- Flag for review
I absolutely dig the content and expression of this piece. The voices are authentic and revealing. And, most importantly, the video conveys an elegant aesthetic of the rings. In spots, I would've liked to hear the bedded music fade out and the sound of the rings and the hands capturing and releasing them fade in -- energy and peace. Lovely film.
Rhonda Morton, 2007-09-07 17:30:37 -- Flag for review
I watched this once, and sent it to a dozen people. i watched it a second time, and had to stop working and go dance in my studio. I could watch it over and over and over again. I do improvisational performance and this captures the essence of improv to me. Being fully present to what's happening in the moment. Thank you for producing it.
Heather Mohan, 2007-09-14 09:34:50 -- Flag for review
Wow. Lovely. I had no idea people swinging on rings could be so artistic! Very inspiring. Makes me wonder how to get something like this in my community!
Sharon Lantz, 2007-09-17 09:01:25 -- Flag for review
i am almost 60 and watching this little treasure made me remember an elementary school gym with the same rings spanning the gym. I so clearly remember the feeling of freedom and "animal likeness" that I yearn to do it again. I never felt less human and it was a joy!
Jan Pitman, 2007-09-18 04:05:07 -- Flag for review
Very artistic and great way to show that meditation could be in an utmost active form. Great to see young people using these rings as a way to release their anger and frustrations!! I probably need to work on my arm muscles before seeing myself attempting such activity.
Zoe, 2007-09-18 18:13:13 -- Flag for review
Oh so lovely! Inspiring film. Can life be a series of travelling rings? My parents met at "muscle beach", I have fond memories of swinging here, too. Thanks for sharing beautiful moments!
Larry Dittberner, 2007-09-19 03:42:06 -- Flag for review
beautiful dance in the air against a soothing backdrop of oceanwater, sand and humanity at play. blessings on all. Namaste'. larry
raine, 2007-09-22 10:03:57 -- Flag for review
Great!! -love the real alternatives to the box
Anonymous, 2007-09-27 05:27:21 -- Flag for review
To practice religion and emptying meditation without proper direction is a dangerous thing. While this looks like excellent exercise and could potentially be lots of fun with like-minded individuals, "Bodily training is beneficial for a little; but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.” — 1 Tim. 4:8. As for clearing one's mind for meditation the following is worth considering: “When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through parched places in search of a resting-place, and finds none. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house out of which I moved’; and on arriving it finds it unoccupied but swept clean and adorned. Then it goes its way and takes along with it seven different spirits more wicked than itself, and, after getting inside, they dwell there; and the final circumstances of that man become worse than the first.” — Matthew 12:43-45.
brad, 2008-01-08 09:35:19 -- Flag for review
Great work! Beautiful!
Ray Ferrer, 2008-02-22 18:13:02 -- Flag for review
I really enjoyed this!!
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