Manifesto for actively aging bodies

We will give you proposals, drawn from life experiences. In random order. Suggestions tried and tested. But you will choose. You will be choosing, more suitably, all the time. Guided by your body, every moment.

For starters, never mind what a manifesto is! Listen to your maturing body as you’ve always listened to it, and more. Your body will tell you what it proposes to you to stay active, alive and vibrant, no matter how many years your maturity goes on.

Keep doing the things that have always been giving you life, inspiration, companionship. And challenges. None of that ever stops for as long as we live. That’s what keeps us alive. And, if you need to do them differently, again, keep enjoying the new through your body.

Save time for you and your loved ones.

Teach your body new tricks. In company, and when you prefer, in solitude.

During bad and good times, be with company and dance these times out. As you desire. Even if others don’t expect this of you. It is very likely that you will carry them away into joining ou at some point.

Love your tradition and lead it where your body touches more gently with other bodies.

Take care of your body as you take care of your soul, as you take care of your loved ones.

Every body has its own need to feel love and sex. No shame for your own need, no fear for the needs of others.

It is never too late to draw the curtain behind you and let go of what has hurt your soul and body. Pick your time and keep your body open at all times.

The body sometimes speaks with words. Sometimes with drawings, sometimes with songs, sometimes with dance, sometimes otherwise. Let the body speak in whatever way it wants at any given time, without worrying about being wrong or right. Your body will find what suits it and will lead you to other suitable.

When going through hard times, remember with gratitude the good things your body has experienced and keep celebrating your life’s party.

Freshness is in the soul. And it passes through the body. So does excitement, mental uplift, spiritual growth.

Have respect and admiration for your body yesterday, today, tomorrow.

You are not just your job.

Accept and take pride in the signs of time with gratitude.

Speak to your body. Speak through your body.

Keep on learning new things, keep on having new experiences.

Push yourself, push yourself, cut slack.

Clap and applaud yourself with all your body parts.

If you fall while doing your dance, get up and keep going.

Accept and embrace the changes.

Take your time without being afraid.

Push away the toxic.

Claim your rights. To your health and participation, to your autonomy and dignity.

Travel, read, listen, what you didn’t have time for when you were younger.

Your experience and your life itself is a lesson. Share it and let others choose what to do.

Loss is part of life. Let go of the “why” and claim a better life.

Learn the new, accept help where you need it, share your independence.

Do things with your body.

Emotion exists in and through your body. Give it space to exist, alone and with any other body it wants.

Not everything is idyllic. Accept it.

Keep making your own mistakes.

Enjoy. Even in new ways.

Connect with nature.

Get involved in politics, in social issues.

Let yourself go.

Be emotional without shame.

The body is a language. Speak it alone, speak it in company.

Until the last day.

Notice and love the small changes in your body.

Experience the unusual.

Don’t stop processing life critically.

Let yourself go in life, embrace and celebrate it.

To grow is to become. Don’t stop becoming.

Stay all ages.

Be an example for your loved ones. You are an example for your loved ones.

Meet new realities, people, worlds.

Write your own manifesto in whatever medium you choose and share it. Write a new manifesto together.

Souzy Arkouli, Ntepy Aslanidou, Pia Avdelopoulou, Sofia Kalantzopoulou, Maria Kanellopoulou, Pinelopi Pyrrou, Efrosini Vasilopoulou, Froso Andreou, Christina Pitsillou, Fytoula Georgiou, Danae Elia, Irma Tsikouri, Sofronia Stylianou, Maria Panayiotou Kazepi, Giovanna Alessandrini, Francesca Bonelli, Sabrina Cavestro, Maria Elisa Calderoni, Roberta Crubellati, Katia Di Garbo, Lucia Dorigo, Lina Fortunato, Caterina Mamini, Silvia Petrella, Marilù Paladino, Livia Sguben

Facilitator: Christos Polymenakos
Christos Polymenakos is a creator, performer, researcher and educator, creator of the body/word – Performance Writing method. He is a member of Kinitiras network since 1995 and he works with the Kinitiras Omega group since 2020.