Life is a continuous improvisation, a constant negotiation with the unknown. Improvisation is the art of instantaneous synthesis, a dialectical mirror that the individual develops using both conscious and unconscious data, in time and space, thus describing the unique course through history which distinguishes him as a part in relation to the whole.

The Awareness through movement and Improvisation classes constitute a dance workshop which has as its aim the re-education and re-patterning of movement and the liberation of expression. Group members exercise the whole body in harmony, using techniques that restore the balance of the muscular-skeletal systems. They learn how to listen to and read their movements at any given moment and awaken the senses cultivating attention and perception; they also deepen their breathing and develop a kinesthetic vocabulary characterized by increased flow and naturalness.

An important part of the work is the awareness of body posture and alignment. Participants recognize excess stress and dysfunctional habits through movement patterns and free up and reconnect the spinal column with the head and limbs (the centre with the periphery) calming the mind and relaxing the body. Energy flows unimpeded resulting in the gradual improvement in the plasticity of movement, suppleness and strength. Thus control is achieved through change in and awareness and enjoyment of movement.

The aim of these classes is:

• The redirection of information to the muscular-skeletal and nervous systems and achieving a balance between relaxation and strengthening, between action and receptivity of the individual, improving the connection between the left and right sides and movement with the least effort.
• The learning of kinesiological patterns based on developmental movement, yoga and contemporary dance, starting off on the floor and culminating in leaping, bouncing and the cultivation of spiral movement, rolling, sliding, gliding, falling, flying, with slow or fast speeds, using the force of gravity, levity, momentum and inertia.
• Alternation between active and passive movement, in which the participant experiences his/her center of gravity by experimenting with balance, rising, falling and recovering.
• Recognition of support methods in movement that permit the individual to improve everyday movements, such as walking or sitting, and to express in dance a wide variety of his/her qualities and specialties.
• Contact with our selves and others, communication with a broadened perception through feeling and attention, letting go of the unnecessary, the cultivation of reception, trust and imagination. The awakening of the child within: play and inquisitiveness about the different suggestions for improvisation.
• The cultivation of the rhythm and musicality in our bodies experiencing small inner movements such as pulsations, vibrations as well as exploring larger movements extending and traveling through space with free flow or with controlled sustained qualities.
• A wide range of sensory experiences based on various approaches to touch moving in contact with a partner or working with hands-on in duets doing bodywork to relax and awaken the sensitivity of our body perception and release our energy.
• Awareness and subtlety in our responsiveness of compositional choice-making and inventiveness exploring improvisation scores.
• Engaging in the process of movement as a whole being.

Each session is unique and cannot be repeated. The synthesis of the exercises and themes that we investigate is based on material provided by the participants. Thus the direction of the workshop is evolutionary. The work is developed through the group dynamic, the initiative and responsibility of the individuals, and through ‘sharing’, which constitutes an important part of the session: verbal communication offers greater self knowledge and makes the experience whole for the participants. The session, which lasts 2 hours 15 minutes, gives us the opportunity to combine the experience with the change which occurs within us in our everyday lives.

The tools-approaches used are based on the principles of the Alexander (release) technique and Body-Mind Centering, on Contact Improvisation, contemporary dance, meditative movement/exercise (yoga, Tai Chi) and on Authentic movement. We suggest stretching exercises and use visualization in movement originating in the anatomy and physiology of the body, together with images that symbolically bring the participant to a higher level of alertness and into closer contact with his/her sensations and feelings.

We frequently work in pairs using techniques based on touch and contact, in order to awaken parts of the body of the receiver during dance (e.g. pelvis or nape of the neck). We also apply Shiatsu-bodywork techniques in positions of relaxation which permit the body to open in a gentle and safe way and the mind to empty, preparing the receiver to move with greater ease, presence and dynamism in dance.

The workshop is aimed at amateur and professional people from the world of dance and creative movement who are curious and interested in exploring their potential committed to the group, giving themselves time to deepen their understanding of the work and evolve in their process of learning for the agreed period of time. It is open to all levels.