I have never thought that skin could take such an important role when dancing. I know that core and legs muscles have to be exercised almost every day, but what about skin? Personally, I have never paid attention to that. I have never even counted my skin as a part of my dancing body! But then, I found myself into Contact Improvisation class…
For starters, since I know that “Contact Improvisation is communication communication by touch, both by touching and by being touched, in the course of which a wide range of information is exchanged through the skin” (Heitkamp, 2003), I found out that I need to knead my skin as a dough! I need to make sure that every single little bone and vein finds the right place on/under/inside my skin (which depends how and where I place my body). Also, that made me think that I HAVE to feel safe and comfortable ”wearing” skin, because if not, the other dancer would not be able to lean on me as well.
When environment (in this case studio floor) touched my skin, I found that through the repetitive moments on the floor my skin really started to feel softer and softer each time! But on the other hand, I have not figured that out weather I should thank to repetitive movements or Somatic classes??? Definitely, I was thinking how to engage the breathing, how to connect the floor and find pushing and pulling moments without overthinking that, but as much information I know, the more questions I have.
Talking about working in pairs – I really enjoyed that. I feel so safe in someone’s hands. And my first partner Clair is very nice. I enjoyed her feedback she gave to me. However, later on, when we were changing partners and/or working in a group, I noticed one thing: WHAT ABOUT EYE CONTACT? Why do the people try to avoid that? After all, it is still a contact! And that was the reason I did not like the ”Ninja Jabs”. What is the point to do the exercise with a partner, but keep your eyes somewhere far away? But I believe we will go there…at some point…
Also, working with Ashna was a pleasure as well! And I am glad that while working with her I figured out that I was using only my hands when ”skinning”. I had forgotten that I have other body parts and I can use them for the ”initiation exercise”.
To sum up, I have realized that different partners brings you very different experience. Which is good (I guess).
Heitkamp, D. (2003) Moving from the Skin: An Exploratorium. Contact Quarterly/Contact Improvisation Sourcebook II, 28:2, 256-264.