Contact Improv in Paradise
Exploring Contact Improv and Site Specific Dance on Sacred Land
Lago Atitlan, Guatemala, February 22 - 28, 2009
3rd Annual - with Mark Moti Zemelman (USA)
Assistant - Camille Renarhd (France)
Assistant coordinator - Bette Van Lunteren (Guatemala/Holland)
Exploring Contact Improv and Site Specific Dance on Sacred Land
Lago Atitlan, Guatemala, February 22 - 28, 2009
3rd Annual - with Mark Moti Zemelman (USA)
Assistant - Camille Renarhd (France)
Assistant coordinator - Bette Van Lunteren (Guatemala/Holland)
For the 3rd year in a row we'll be dancing on Lake Atitlan's sacred mayan land. Explore improvisation and site specific research on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala at Islaverde http://www.islaverdeatitlan.com and nearby studios.
During this week long intensive we will be exploring these movement forms as a way of connecting with self, nature, spirit and community. C.I. Classes and improvisational structures will take place daily in the studios, gardens, lake, and jungles. Holding the intention of reconnecting to the interdependence of all life - our daily practice will be a training of the body's senses, perceptions, imagination, and consciousness opening new pathways to internal and external spaces and intensifying awareness in our connections.
Typical days will begin with "small dance" meditations, improv warm-ups, sun-gazing, and/or sound-yoga. In the evenings jam to live vocal-electronic music. During the week we'll visit, dance and volunteer with local youth arts leadership programs including La Cambalacha and Casa Milagro. We'll have visiting guides educate us about local ecology and culture, and we'll create dance rituals to honor the land. There will also be many opportunities to swim on the shore, hike the volcanoes, and boat across the lake to traditional Mayan villages.
Typical days will begin with "small dance" meditations, improv warm-ups, sun-gazing, and/or sound-yoga. In the evenings jam to live vocal-electronic music. During the week we'll visit, dance and volunteer with local youth arts leadership programs including La Cambalacha and Casa Milagro. We'll have visiting guides educate us about local ecology and culture, and we'll create dance rituals to honor the land. There will also be many opportunities to swim on the shore, hike the volcanoes, and boat across the lake to traditional Mayan villages.
| Retreat Cost (includes workshop, room/board, all meals, & all group bus/boat travel expenses) Airfare not included | Dorm | Double | Single |
| Discount Before November1 | $490 | $590 | $740 |
| Discount Before January 1 | $550 | $650 | $790 |
| After January 1 | $590 | $690 | $840 |
Mark Moti Zemelman, MFA,(USA) began practicing Contact Improv twenty years ago. Over the past thirteen years he has taught and performed across USA, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Europe and Israel. He is currently a Professor of Dance at C.I.C.O. (Centro de Investigación Coreografica) at the Instituto Naciónal de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Moti has served as a board member and regular teacher at Earthdance Retreat Center in Massachusetts, USA. As a musician Moti plays vocal-electronic music for dance and in 2006 released his debut CD,Doorwaves. He was an original member of Wire Monkey Dance Company, (Holyoke, MA, USA). Other training includes yoga, Action Theater, stilt-walking, modern dance, and clowning. He also designs and moderates the new international Contact Improv resource website - www.contactimprov.com.
Contact Improvisation is a partner dance form with safe touch as the foundation for connecting with others in a playful intimate way. Through the physical principles of touch, momentum, and weight sharing, this movement practice explores the skills of falling, rolling, counterbalance, lifting using minimal effort, centering and breathing techniques, and responsiveness to our partners and surroundings. Together we create a safe space to explore these skills and let our curiosity and joy lead the dance. There is a sweet surrendering that happens when our bodies stay faithful to what is happening now, and now... and NOW! In my classes participants learn to recognize and differentiate the subtle impulses in our choices and our partner's choices. We begin to decipher the cues that we give and receive which tell us when to lead or follow, where to touch, how to lift, when to slow down, and when to be still. Learn to stay in integrity with each choice, never forcing, never rushing. When Body, Mind, and Spirit are united in their instinctive wisdom we find our-selves at home in every moment expressing our true nature.
Registeronline at:
www.contactimprov.com
Or e-mail: moti@...
Bienvenidos!
all photos © Mark Moti Zemelman and Camille Renahrd
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