APPROACH Contact improvisation in Water is a partner dance form emerging from sharing physical contact in a playful cooperative way. The movers let the physical forces such as friction, buoyancy or inertia lead them into the unknown, standing, floating or underwater. As no one decides where to go, they engage deeply in a non verbal communication, where they listen to which dance wants to grow at the present moment.
GOALS - The warm water (34°C) invites you to let go and to experiment an organic and fluid way of moving - You learn how to play with its resistance and dynamic, how to transition between following the waves and making soft and clear propositions. - In the subaquatic explorations, you learn to relax and expand your breathing and and experience an expansion of your consciousness - On land you also learn how to let yourself fall, how to stay in graceful flow or dynamic stillness, falling into motion.
VIDEOS "Deep Blue" with Manuela Blanchard and Sabine Sonnenschein (Film: Manuela Blanchard) Aquatic Group Dance: with Manuela Blanchard and an Aquatic Bodywaves group - "Silkies"with Manuela Blanchard and Collin Leach in a lake, Berlin (Film: Dan Farberoff) - Waterdances at Magic Water, during a workshop with Manou in Auroville "Liquids in Motion": Duet with Manou Blanchard and Guillaume Laplane
REFERENCE I am a WATSU® practitioner and WaterDance®, Contact- and New Dance teacher. From synchronized swimming to "Healing Dance", I explored my fascination for water in many ways from an early age. I developed my own aquatic dance in 2007, bringing together the playful and interactive language of Contact Improvisation with the sensitive and relaxing gentleness of Aquatic Bodywork.
WORKSHOPS/ TRAINING Dance improvisation in solo, duets and group > Dance Yourself Deep If you would like to learn aquatic bodywork in a creative and playful way with lots of dance in the water > Aquatic Bodywaves
CONTEXT In Europe we practice it mainly in private therapy pools with 34°C water with few chemical treatments. In festivals abroad, it also takes place in a natural environment (sea, beach, hot streams).