Contact Improvisation

Contact Improvisation and meditation entered my life at the same time - in the early 90s.

To my pleasant surprise I found in contact improvisation something that was very similar to meditation.

Meditation is based on the progression from concentration to contemplation and eventually meditation as a state of being. In this state "not knowing" is a key ingredient.

In contact improvisation I see that it takes a great deal - but not too much - concentration to be fully present with what is. After being able to concentrate on this - which includes practicing and applying the numerous techniques of this dance form, which focuses strongly on what is now and here including once own and once dance partner's limitations and possibilities, acceptance, a deeply peaceful attitude, alertness of a special degree, physical skills, and a great deal of simultaneous control and abandon - one eventually starts to slip into a state of contemplation where a sense of detachment and connectedness happen simultaneously specially if both partners are at a equal physio-mental point of evolution. It may feel like being in a movie or watching the whole motion from above as it happens. The more one doesn't know and is at peace with not knowing the deeper the contemplation. When a third element starts to feel present between the two, one is very close to a state of meditation. And sometimes it happens that way.

Wanting it to happen will be of great hindrance at this point since once wanting will be the very trap that keeps you caught and not connected to the present moment in your dance. It is rather a byproduct of this keen state of concentration/contemplation.

Meditation I found is something that happens everywhere if the meditator is keenly attuned to this task. In once daily life standing in line for groceries or when dancing contact improvisation or just simply paying attention to the breath moving in and out.

I find the latter harder to attain than in a situation where my body is so completely engaged that thoughts and wanting something else than what is, have no room.

About Teaching

I teach contact improvisation on a regular basis and attempt to train the student's physical abilities first and foremost. The highly esoteric classes you won't be able to find with me - at least not without a strong connection to a well prepared body.

The body has to be very well prepared to be able to be at ease and not be frozen from fear when it gets into unknown situations. Extensive focus on breathing while practicing all the techniques is of utmost importance. As soon as we hold our breath as a (unconscious) reaction to a situation, we are immediately in a state of non acceptance, trying to control instead and we do lose our feeling for the natural and appropriate action.

This, of course, can be applied to our every day life outside of CI. :)

Furthermore, when teaching I am looking for ways to inspire the students to uncover their habits and to help them find ways unusual or challenging in constructive ways for them and expand their available choices.

Classes

Advanced CI Intensive

June 30st - July 2nd at the WCCIF - West Coast Contact Improv Festival in Berkeley, CA

Contact Improv 105 Acrobatic Series - Intermediate/ advanced level

August 16th - September 13th; 5 week series from 8.45 - 10.45 PM in Culver City