1. Q. What is Contact Improvisation? (CI)
A. CI is a dance form created in the 70’s that at its simplest is two people following a contact point between their bodies. It can be as smooth and gentle as a rolling hug, or athletic, dynamic and flying. Each dance is informed by the skills, moods and connection of the dancers in that moment..
2. Q. I have two left feet – is CI for me?
A. Good news! CI’s not about doing specific steps, so it usually appeals to those who have trouble with more ‘organized’ dance forms.
3. Q. I have no rhythm – is CI for me?
A. You’re in luck – this form is usually practiced without music, so you can tune into your internal impulses. In fact, it’s a challenge to dance CI to music that has a strong beat. A bit like patting your head and rubbing your stomach.
4. Q. I’ve been doing ballet/jazz/hiphop/salsa since I was four years old – do I need to take classes?
A. Although any kind of dance training is helpful when learning another, they often have different qualities. Some parts of your training will be useful. In CI, the important thing is keeping an open, curious mind, and allowing the body to follow.
5. Q. I’ve done lots of classes and workshops in CI. Will this one be too beginner for me?
A. The place you’ll practice CI most often is in jams, which are populated by dancers of all levels. Just like in our yoga practice, we try to keep a beginners mind, to stay interested, alert and aware. There’s plenty of learning in every dance, no matter what the level.
6. Q. I’ve never done CI before. Will this workshop be too advanced for me?
A. See the answer to question 5.
7. Q. What do I wear?
A. Well, you can leave your spandex tights at home… and your new skinny jeans. You can do CI in anything, but the best clothes are comfortable, not too baggy or slippery and easy to move in. Long sleeves and pants keep you from skinning knees and elbows on the floor. We usually dance barefoot, and kneepads are nice, but not mandatory.
8. Q. I’m not sure I’ll feel comfortable dancing in close contact with someone else, especially of the same/opposite sex.
A. Although sexual feelings do occasionally arise in close contact, we keep our relationships platonic while dancing. If you’d like to get to know your partner in the other way, take it off the dance floor. If uncomfortable feelings arise, you can always thank your partner and go find another.
9. Q. I feel like I’m too heavy to be lifted by someone else.
A. CI class/jam/community is the perfectl place to let go of feelings of inadequacy due to body image. All sizes, shapes, ages and genders of dancers play together, in all combinations. Lightness is not about actual size, but connection from the limbs to the centre.
10. Q. I don’t think I’m strong enough to lift someone else.
A. See the answer to question 9. Lifting in CI is not about strength, but how you organize your body. With experience, you’ll learn to lift effortlessly.
Conclusion: Contact Improvisation is a delightful way to cultivate an open mind, awareness of the present moment, and compassion for each other. It celebrates the primitive joys of giving weight, and experiencing compression. It lets us practice trust, letting go, and sharing joy with a playful, fun community. Why should kids and puppies have all the fun?
Usually in contact improv classes no one will be turned away due to lack of financial funds… so come dance with us!
