Contact improvisation (CI) is a dance form developed in 1970s by dancer/choreographer, Steve Paxton, as a way of exploring spontaneous movements and playful body mechanics with a partner.   It has since grown into both an important component of contemporary dance training as well as a recreational dance form world wide.

In this workshop we will have a taste of how CI and AT can work together.  We will start by exploring some simple games and body puzzles that challenge one to improvise while maintaining AT principles. For example, can you walk with a partner through the room while slightly leaning on each other?  Can you then change the leaning point smoothly without losing contact and without tightening or collapsing?  How does this change your AT experience of walking?  We’ll apply these kinds of games to semi squats and squats, lunges, and other familiar movements.

After playing with some simple exercises, we will open things up a bit for some more free form improvised movement.  This will allow for some deeper exploration of the roles inhibition and direction can play in improvisation.  I’ll be drawing on my experiences from 18 years of teaching CI and AT together on a regular basis.

The movements will be lightweight and easy for anyone with or without CI experience.  We will include lots of warming up and there will be lots of flexibility in the level to which you want to take the movement. It should be fine for any body type or fitness level and useful for anyone looking for a new experience, or for new ideas for games that could be used in any group AT setting.  You should wear fairly soft and flexible clothing if possible, though we can also adapt to your needs.

I hope you will join us for a little fun!