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By Dave Finnigan

IJA Education Director Edmonds, W A

The quality of workshops at this year's convention was quite high, by all reports.

Now in their fourth year, the workshops were participatory for the most part. Next year in Purchase, NY, we expect to organize them around participation to an even greater degree.

Of special note this year was Alan Tilove' s workshop on health and juggling injuries. With a background in sports medicine, Alan took us through a stretch-out and warm-up period. He discussed and demonstrated the appropriate exercises for loosening tight shoulders and for balancing the stress of the spine that comes from long stationary periods spent practicing one move over and over. He stressed the need for appropriate treatment after strain or injury, including the use of moist towels, massage and ice.

Having supervised workshops for four years, I can say that this relatively impromptu workshop was one of the best ever.

Alan's work prompts me to propose that we begin each day of the 1983 convention at 8 a.m. with a stretching and warm-up period. Those who wish to participate would gather outdoors to sit and attain some feeling of unity, then conduct exercises. It should set a good, relaxed tone for the day's activities and give us a chance to be together as a group at least once every 24 hours.

Another suggestion is for one or two general discussions of the future of juggling, its integration into other activities, issues surrounding juggling as recreation and art form, and any other areas where imagination and innovation could be helpful. This would give everyone a forum to discuss present trends and future plans for the IJA as well.

Back to this year's workshops. I'd like to thank Robert Peck and Robert York, each of whom organized and presented topics such as balance, numbers, story telling and pitching the hat.

Others which stand out as being examples of good preparation and audience participation were cigar boxes with Charlie Brown, devil sticks with Todd Strong and diablo with Larry Kluger. .

Robert Nelson gets an award for filling in because of his impromptu and impeccable handling of club swinging on a moment's notice.

Greg Dean gave workshops on comedy, street performing and ethics, all of which were well prepared and thought provoking.

Mary Wisser discussed collection of juggling paraphernalia, Won Israel taught tight wire and Lester McNeely was always available to demonstrate and teach balloon sculpture.

Gene Jones led a lively discussion of new directions for the IJA.

An education committee was formed this year to put together the 1983 workshop schedule and suggest other IJA educational activities. It is a loosely structured, unofficial group. with plenty of room for new members. So far, we are Alan Eisenhour, Larry Olson, Robert Peck, Mike Vondruska, Dennis Smith, Ruth Nager, Alan Tilove and Roben York. If you want to join, drop me a line.

At this point, the agenda for 1983 is completely open. If you have suggestions, make them. And why don't you offer to organize and lead a session, too?!