Information for Beginners

What is Contact Improvisation?

Contact Improvisation (CI) is suitable for anyone that is curious about movement and embodied dance through close physical contact and improvisation. It is hard to describe in words as it draws from many inspiring practices, has a wide scope of movement possibilities and is used in many different contexts from social jams to performances.  Even though it has its own unique style and is often practised as a socially interactive dance by people from all walks of life, it is very much left to the individual to interpret its possibilities and context.

It can be described as a dance practice where two or more bodies move together as one in close physical contact. Where the point or place of physical contact between two or more bodies opens up a pathway for embodied listening and a sharing of weight, which creates the possibility and impulse for exploration in co-creative and embodied movement improvisation.

It teaches you about the possibilities of movement within your body and how to listen and communicate through that movement within a spontaneously unfolding improvised dance. There are also many more subtleties that one may discover, explore and experience.  These can include deep human connection, co-creation, trust, awareness, presence and committing to the moment and how through this practice we can embody these principles into our lives.   It can be playful, sensitive, quiet or energetic, where giving and taking weight, rolling across the floor, being suspended in the air and falling together to the ground are all possible ingredients within the spontaneity of the dance.

New Dancers

New dancers have no fear, we offer a super welcoming and supportive dancing environment made up of every level of dancer from complete beginners right through to teachers. We guarantee that you’ll find your feet and make lots of new friends in no time. The structure of the workshops and programme will give you every opportunity to engage in the somatic wonders of these practices.  All the CI workshops are aimed to support newcomers as well as helping more experienced dancers deepen their practice. The programme is designed for you to create your own flow through the workshops & experiences and we are in full support of you following your own needs.

Boundaries

We place great importance on creating a safe container for you to fully engage in this practice, and in which your growth and development can easily occur. We create an understanding of consent and boundaries as a process to support the camp.  We believe that practising healthy boundaries is an important part of this practice and is actively encouraged, with an aim for everyone to be proactive about their boundaries.  To insure that everyone has the best experience possible, please see our page about Community Guidelines & Group Agreements which goes into this in much more detail.  We will also be offering guidance and support with this at the camp.

Workshop Structure

CI workshops are usually structured to explore a specific area of the dance practice.  You will explore physical techniques, movement pathways, embodiment practices, sensitivity training and relational awareness, whilst progressing through a series of solo, partner and group exercises. Each CI workshop includes a guided embodiment warm-up, teaching or exploration of certain principles to learn about how to dance CI and an opportunity to dance and improvise with what you have learnt.

Jamming

Jamming is also a key part of any CI event.  A Jam is a self-regulated dance practice space, with an emphasis on CI. A teacher always holds the space to support a safe and accessible practice, however, there is no teaching.  The possibilities of soloing, partner dances, group ensembles, witnessing, writing and drawing are all welcome.  Often musicians will improvise or recorded music will be played to accompany a jam, however, the practice of CI can be danced both with or without music.

Inspiration

Further below are some short videos that show you a bit more about CI.

Here are some words, from our community who have written about their experiences.  I hope they inspire you.

“CI leads me into the present moment very directly.  When I’m dancing with another and if I’m really in tune and fully there, then there is no space for thoughts and analysis.  This is freedom - expansive, open and timeless.  And because there is another whom I’m in contact with, it is a shared experience where connection flows and infuses the dance.  And because it’s dance, my whole body listens and responds and moves and is moved - fully embodied.”

“I love the intuitive, responsive, intimate nature of this dance, and the way it inspires, challenges and delights me.”

“Having spent 15 years being a team-sport person in my younger days, my body and mind longed to engage in an exercise that requires my body, mind and soul to act together simultaneously to challenge and develop myself whilst connecting with others. I found that exercise in CI.”

“It has taught me the language of the body, both mine and of others.”

“CI allows me to drop into myself, listen to my deepest instincts and urges, and over time I have learnt to trust and follow them. Through regular practice, both technical and creative, and through group and solo reflection I learnt to appreciate my authentic movement and that of others, and to apply this somatic knowledge in my daily life.”