Improvisation toolbox & Somatic awareness

This training is open for dancers of all levels, actors, bodywork practitioners, movement/art therapists, and curious individuals looking to deepen their experience of movement, improvisation and performance. The training is rooted in the practice of somatic movement, guided improvisation, contact dance and release technique as a tool for deepening kinesthetic awareness of the body while preparing for more dynamic movement in space and time.

Somatic movement opens our curiosity and playfulness while learning to differentiate the functional body systems through movement, gesture, voice and touch. This practice promotes our cognitive abilities such as awareness, thinking, feeling , sensing and intuition. Furthermore each somatic module is approached dynamically into a comprehensive study of movement, anatomy, functional structure and energy in order to integrate it within our dance.

Some modules include:

• Tensegrity* principles, from muscles to fascia (*tension/integrity).
• Body fluids, resonance and vibration.
• Skeletal system , direction , mass and proprioception.
• Skin/Nervous system, sensation , impulse and responsiveness .
• Breathing, centering and intention.
• Cellular communication and co-creative intelligence.

 

Contact improvisation focuses on the connection and awareness of touch, partnering and experiential anatomy. We learn to support, listen, mobilize, engage through various partnering skills (giving/receiving weight, following points of contact, rolling, etc). The emphasis is on connecting, tuning in and clarifying direction and intention in space rather than acrobatic ability. We also explore the dimension of touch in relation to sensitivity, intimacy and imagination. Shiatsu and other bodywork modalities are often employed to discover the possibilities of contact as a creative movement form.

 

Guided improvisation

Instant composition of body, space and time.

Improvisation is the playing ground of our curious senses where we practice dancing with spontaneity while integrating our technique and skills in space and time. As a group we learn to flow with coincidental events, making choice in real time, and appreciate the creation of instant moments. We will practice focusing the improvisation into basic themes such as observation, intention in action , contact, phrasing, dynamic, mediation and timing. At other times, we just let the bodies dance freely and see what constellations emerge. Often we will spend time reflecting through feedback sessions in order to integrate more fully our moving experience into aspects of composition and dramaturgy.

 

More on somatic inquiry…

Deepen kinesthetic awareness of our bodies

Improve cognitive function and emotional intelligence

Deepen self-esteem, trust and internal guidance

Somatic inquiry is an open-ended,experiential questioning of our embodied reality and human evolution.

Inspired by the rich tradition in the somatics and psycho-therapeutic field, we learn to perceive the body as “innate intelligence in action” carrying within the knowledge necessary for self-realization and holistic health . This empowered approach invites a new attitude of openness and curiosity to develop towards our nature. As the process deepens we come to realize that the true intelligence is not external to us but manifests as us through our DNA, cells, organs, ect… Appreciating this fact and learning to listen deeply to what the body says becomes our intrinsic guidance system. We recognize what is disbalanced through direct introspection and self-reflection. As soon as we stop interfering with our bodies ,resistance and defense softens, blockages start moving again, and insights pertaining to our individual process arise spontaneously. In other words, innate intelligence starts doing its work more efficiently.

“Presencing” or  “sensing” our bodies is the most important aspect of this inquiry. We become more present while sensing the body to increasing levels of depth, texture and qualities of perception. In addition we use breath, movement, touch and voice to support this process as well as visualization. By creatively and dynamically inquiring with our bodies in direct bio-feedback, we learn in time to let go of destructive beliefs and addictive behaviors, while giving attention to what uplifts our experience and empower our sense of self with renewed energy and vitality.