Contact
Improvisation
course
Improvisation
course
CI is a free form of contemporary dance that allows partners to engage in spontaneous physical dialogue.
Steve Paxton is the founder of CI. He wanted to combine martial arts and dance, contact, and exploration of the physical abilities of human bodies.
This course offers a structured introduction to the fundamental principles of Contact Improvisation. Designed for both beginners and intermediate movers looking to refine their skills, the course explores key movement concepts that support ease, connection, and responsiveness in dance.
About the Course
Each class focuses on a specific theme:
07.03 Points & Ways of Contact – Discover how to initiate and sustain contact through different body surfaces.
14.03 Rolling & Spirals – Explore organic pathways for fluid movement and shared weight.
21.03 Landing & Falling – Develop confidence in safely descending, yielding, and softening of the body.
28.03 Lifting – Learn fundamental principles of supporting and being supported.
Classes include a warm-up, movement explorations, guided Contact Improvisation practice, and a closing jam.
07.03 Points & Ways of Contact – Discover how to initiate and sustain contact through different body surfaces.
14.03 Rolling & Spirals – Explore organic pathways for fluid movement and shared weight.
21.03 Landing & Falling – Develop confidence in safely descending, yielding, and softening of the body.
28.03 Lifting – Learn fundamental principles of supporting and being supported.
Classes include a warm-up, movement explorations, guided Contact Improvisation practice, and a closing jam.
Timing and Conditions
Location: Belem, 10 minutes from the train station, Rua das Mercês 30.
Cost: €20 per class. If this feels too high but you’d still like to join, please reach out. Discounts are also available for dancers.
Equipment: Comfortable clothes for dancing and lying on the floor. You will need something warm at the beginning. Also, bring a bottle of water and soft knee pads if you have them.
Contact: renata@lllab.eu
Cost: €20 per class. If this feels too high but you’d still like to join, please reach out. Discounts are also available for dancers.
Equipment: Comfortable clothes for dancing and lying on the floor. You will need something warm at the beginning. Also, bring a bottle of water and soft knee pads if you have them.
Contact: renata@lllab.eu
My Experience in Contact Improvisation
For me, CI is a constant exploration of my own body and mind, as well as my relationship with others and the spaces around me.
With a background in rhythmic gymnastics and yoga, contact improvisation was initially shocking to me with its free form. However, I quickly fell in love with it and have been dancing for the past seven years.
I love exploring different perspectives on CI from teachers such as Angelica Donij, Kira Kirsh, Antoine Ragot, Sveta Bird, Kirstie Simson, and many others. I am particularly drawn to movement and somatic approaches, including Axis Syllabus and Body-Mind Centering in CI. I am also a student in Movement Lisboa classes.
I love exploring different perspectives on CI from teachers such as Angelica Donij, Kira Kirsh, Antoine Ragot, Sveta Bird, Kirstie Simson, and many others. I am particularly drawn to movement and somatic approaches, including Axis Syllabus and Body-Mind Centering in CI. I am also a student in Movement Lisboa classes.
I am not a professional dancer, but I work with people as a coach and psychotherapist. I study Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy (a relational and embodied approach) with Helena Kallner, have taken supervision in Body-Mind Gestalt with Arye Birstein, and attended Integral Dance classes with Alexander Girshon.
