READY

READY

The entrances and the exits...especially the entrances seem soooooooo intimidating.

Ready.

What does it mean?

"in a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation; fully prepared"

Breathe!

Contact Improvisation Dance, or Contact Improv as it is affectionately nick-named, is a form of partner movement that's been around for about 40 years.

It evolved from an exploration combining modern dance, Aikdo, gymnastics and the experiential study of human bodies moving in physical contact spontaneously, each dancer following her own movement impulses while maintaining a touch connection with her partner. Two bodies acting as one, sharing one center of gravity, acting in accordance with a kinesthetic and touch based shared language. To an uninitiated onlooker, it can look like a combination of affectionate wrestling, intimate lovemaking, hi speed martial arts moves, and partner acrobatics.

I discovered this 'art sport' almost 20 years ago and have been hooked on it ever since, it and Ecstatic Dance form the cornerstones of my days and weeks.

For me, CI is a form of moving meditation, a practice of connecting with myself, a social skills learning ground, a personal centering practice, an exploration in movement, an opportunity to step into an unstructured social situation and choose confidence, comfort and fun. Practicing Ci gives me opportunities to meet, join and flow with others, without losing myself.

CI requires that I follow my senses. Very precisely. There's no room for slop. No room for sloppy thinking, or any thinking. Thinking interferes with the focus needed to respond precisely moment by moment, to the signals that I sense from my own body and my partner's body. The resulting collaborative movement unfolds in the most gorgeous and engrossing and spontaneous way...

"They merged in a duet

of Being

That became a single note. "

As part of my CI training, a score called the 'Round Robin' was often introduced.

This is where a duet begins in the center of the circle of observers. One by one, in no particular order, a new person enters the circle and joins the duet. After a short trio, the dancer that has been dancing the longest leaves, and the new duet continues. This is repeated again and again. Those in the outer circle watch and 'hold space', while those inside dance. Every pairing is unique, though certain consistent principles inform the dancers' moves.

Even now, after 20 years dancing this form, the 'Round Robin' score can feel intimidating to me, depending on the skill of the dancers involved. No one is required to dance. It's completely voluntary. There is no designated order to follow, so it is up to each person's initiative to enter. Everyone is watching. It's impossible to control the outcome, each duet must discover it's own unique unfolding. It's a little like stepping in front of an audience to create improv theater with a stranger, having only myself to offer. It's a little like life.

ROUND ROBIN!!

Maybe I just won't dance..

I wait, I watch. It's safe here on the sidelines.

Maybe I just won't dance...

Well... I don't HAVE to dance...

But I want to dance...

But it feels so scary...

How to get in...how to enter...WHERE to enter?

I watch, I wait, I watch a few others go in, come out...

Maybe I'll go in there...

Maybe I'll go in...

Maybe I'll go....

NOW!!!

I'm going, my body is moving. I don't know where exactly, or what I'm doing, but I move in- and...

I'm MOVING.
I'm FLOWING.

I'm DANCING!

It's so easy once I'm in...

Once I'm committed.

But then I'm bumped out, and it's over. so soon. sigh!

It's scary to enter again.

But a little easier this time.

There's something thrilling about moving through a limitation.

Next?