Contact Improvisation
Contact Improvisation is often categorized as a form of dance, but it barely fits there, in the conventional understandings of that word; there aren’t steps, right/wrong, or even rhythmic music to follow.
I enjoy it as an awareness practice that challenges and celebrates all my many layers, parts and aspects of Self, of Being. Presence, being present, is rewarded instantaneously with sublime sweeps of body through space, and at it’s most glorious, that sublimity is shared with a partner. And the partner can be known to you as a person, or a total stranger; the magic works at levels beyond the mundane, so that doesn’t need to matter. Just presence and awareness matter, and the desires to connect with that one river that runs so deep through us all, and to share that connection with another. Presence and awareness, connection and communion ~ that’s bliss.
Some quotes on CI:
“Contact improvisation is a movement practice where two or more people move together, dancing in and out of physical contact. Movement can be fast and dynamic or softer and more subtle. In this dance we may roll, spiral, spring, support and fall, learning how to do so safely in relation to the ground and to each other. It is suitable for anyone who likes to move, and can be equally accessible and challenging to those with no previous movement experience, as it can be to the experienced dancer. It is sometimes a dancing form of clowning! Sensitivity, awareness, playfulness and presence are encouraged and enhanced, while the level of physical workout can be chosen by the mover.” (Author unknown)
More on “What is Contact Improvisation?”
“Contact Improvisation is a moving massage. It is a dance that fine tunes your senses and wakes up your ability to listen and respond to what is happening in the moment. If you could do Aikido, surf, wrestle and dance at the same time, you would have an idea of what Contact Improvisation feels like. What makes Contact different from other dance is that partners are often moving in and out of physical contact while rolling, spiraling, springing and falling. They find ways to “enjoy the ride” and improvise while mutually supporting and following each others movements. The dancing is unpredictable and inspired by the physical and energetic contact the partners share.” (Ernie Adams, teacher and performer)
Private classes for individuals or partners always available; if interested in group classes, please contact me. For a visual intro, please follow this link:
video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2365094610814514426&q=contact+improvisation
We also have a Contact Jam in Corvallis, currently held at Cedar & Fir Studio, every Sunday afternoon, 4-6 pm. That may change, so please be in touch before coming. Beginners and experienced welcome!