- Discover infinite possibilities that transcend the idea of a right way to move.
- Share a practice of taking care of oneself while dancing with others.
- Treat yourself to a whole-body work-out that leaves you strong, resilient & deeply satisfied.
- Learn tools for creating dance, theatre & dialogue.
- Dance to live music!
Thursday Nights 7:00-9:00p
Next Session will begin in September – TBA
Downtown Kitchener, near Centre in the Square.
Contact improvisation is… a playful meditative dance with gravity, momentum, & whatever is happening in the moment, including the physical & energetic contact the dance partners share. Two or more dancers often share a shifting centre of gravity that can take them into a dynamic dance of lifts and rolls, or a subtle movement conversation.
In these classes we will begin with the fundamentals of contact improvisation:
We will awaken our awareness of our body in relation to the floor, gravity, momentum, and our learning edges, needs and impulses in the moment. From this increased trust in our own experience and ability to care for ourselves, we will discover how we can bring our whole selves to the dance of constantly shifting relationship with others.
We will then build on these fundamentals through explorations of:
- How the physical dynamics of momentum and shared moving support with a partner can lead to ease, flow, lifting and taking flight.
- How images and intention affect our shifting ecosystem of thought, feeling, impulse and choice.
- How we can make room for our wise fool on the dance floor, safely exploring new states or qualities of moving and being.
- How our dances are affected by music, breath, voice, text, time, stillness, and sight.
- How we can “make dances” together using imagery, motivation, improv structures, choreography, and supportive feedback.
- Explore site-specific dance in different environments. There is a beautiful semi-wild green-space next door!
Occasionally we will have jams! Classes offer more instruction and jams offer warm-ups with more time for open dancing.
Sometimes we will have music! We will be joined by musicians who bring the magic of live improvised music and sound-scape to the dance.
No previous experience required! Wear comfortable clothing, and bare feet.
The practice of contact improvisation will awaken your kinesthetic awareness, boost your immune system, increase flexibility, strength, and whole-body coordination. Contact jams are part of an international community and communion in a world beyond words.