PROSE ON CONTACT IMPROVISATION
Tenderness, body listening, moments of pure presence, and moments I wish I could film.
On the warm amber floorboards, I lazily turn my head, and at exactly the same time, you do too. Our eyes meet, framed by a ray of sunlight streaming through the window, warming and holding this moment. The beauty is delicate and serendipitous.
I-N-S-I-D-E
Dancing with you is so fun. You’re strong and wild, and we go places together that are big because we feel into the small.
Dancing with you is like a warm bath— slow and tender.
Dancing with you is so awkward. I can’t feel you. Where are you?
Dancing with you is like being taken by a strong river— full, calm, and encompassing. Harnessed wildness.
Dancing with you is so lovely. It’s your first class. You feel awkward, but you’re listening, and we are together.
Dancing with you makes me feel nervous because I might like you outside of this dance. It feels so intimate, like a first date.
Dancing with you helped me slow down so I could fly.
O-U-T-S-I-D-E
The tangible: weight exchange, counterbalance, falling, rolling, physical listening, managing momentum.
H-I-S-T-O-R-Y
Contact improvisation is a form of improvised dancing that has been developing internationally since 1972. It involves the exploration of one's body in relation to others by using the fundamentals of sharing weight, touch, and movement awareness.
R-E-A-D M-O-R-E
Fundamentals of Contact Improvisation
