Dance improvisation in Water & Aquatic Bodywork in Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Water is an amazingly transformative element that invites us on an emotional and spiritual journey into a profound state of relaxation and deep love. Somatic explorations, aquatic bodywork and contact improvisation await you in a magical private open-air pool heated to 34°C. You can join short and long formats, focusing on different aspects:
PROPOSALS/ CALENDAR
Aquatic Bodywaves is an in-depth approach to aquatic bodywork, focusing on body sensations and guided improvisation. The giver invites the receiver into waves, spirals, massage and resting postures. Grounding through the feet, we learn to offer soft, clear invitations through touch, allowing movement to emerge.
The 5-day training includes extensive improvisational aquatic dance in solo, duet and group. The Course is in 2 parts, focusing first mainly on Contact Improvisation in Water and then on more Aquatic Bodywork, mixing the two skills. Open to people who feel comfortable with underwater movements, massage & dance. Feb. 26 - March 2
Ecstatic Water Dance s a partner dance form emerging from sharing physical contact in a playful cooperative way. It invites us to soften into flow, surrender and enter spaces of expanded consciousness. We are dancing solo, with partner or as a group, alternating between standing and floating. Combining conscious breathing, floating three-dimensional movement and ecstatic music, we take you on a trance & dance journey. Open to all levels of experience. January 10 (2,5 hours)
Flying Fishes is a one-day Aquatic Contact improvisation workshop, combining sensitive touch, dance meditations and aquatic bodywork. Supported by buoyancy and shaped by gentle currents, the dance unfolds between standing, drifting and gliding. As no one decides where to go, we engage deeply in a non verbal communication, where we listen to which dance wants to grow at the present moment. Through silence and the pleasure of conscious touch, we embark on a unique journey inward. Open to people comfortable in the water. February 21 (5 hours)
GOALS - The warm water (34°C) invites you to let go and to experiment an organic and fluid way of moving, which is very relaxing - In water dancing, 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 - to gain better understanding of body alignment, coordination of movement, taking care of your body and the one of your partner - to develop an intuitive awareness of appropriate response to the needs of the client in term of movement and quality of presence
Teaching approach We will focus more on movement principles rather than on precise patterns. You will learn moves with the aim to adapt them to the receiver’s body, as well as how to develop your own style of bodywork. We create a safe frame, by trusting the healing field of the water, and by supporting the resources of the person. A lot of guided improvised dances will open doors for your intuition to grow in a playful and lively way.
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).