Contact Improvisation

Contact Improvisation (CI) is a dance form that involves physical contact and spontaneous movement between two or more partners. The interplay of gravity, momentum, and dynamics is at the heart of the practice. Dancers use their bodies and the forces of gravity to interact with each other, creating a flow of movement that emerges spontaneously and is influenced by the moment-to-moment choices and physical responses of both partners, resulting in a fluid and ever-changing dance that is spontaneous, responsive, and connected.

CI combines elements of contemporary dance, improvisation, and acrobatics and encourages the dancers to develop a sense of trust, communication, and playfulness with each other. It is practiced in dance studios, outdoor spaces, festivals and Jams around the world and has been embraced by a diverse community of dancers, including those with and without formal dance training. CI jams open a space for exploration, creativity, and connection between people and the environment around them. It is a great way to explore movement and creativity and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Maayan is a passionate and experienced Contact Improvisation teacher who has been dancing CI for 13 years and teaching for 7 years. She believes that dance is a powerful form of communication and energy flow between people, and that Contact Improvisation emphasizes the importance of listening to oneself and others.

Her experience as a Contact Improvisation teacher extends to various contexts, including dancers and non-dancers alike. She has been teaching CI classes open-level in Tanzfaktur Cologne, occasionally teaching Profitraining for dancers in Cologne and Freiburg, was invited to teach open workshops, and to train modern-dance ensembles. She finds Contact improvisation to be a great tool for team-building as CI encourages the participants to develop a sense of trust, communication, and liveliness with each other.

In Maayan’s classes, she creates an atmosphere of openness and encourages exploration, self-awareness, playfulness, and letting go of expectations. Her exercises draw inspiration from a range of movement forms, such as different Martial Arts techniques, games, daily life routines, and contemporary dance, in addition to Contact Improvisation. She is a dedicated practitioner of the form and continuously hones her skills through attending festivals, participating in jams, and incorporating strategies from Contact Improvisation into her personal life, art, and work.

Photos (from left to right)

Credit:
Zina Vaessen, Enid Valu, Maayan Reiter, Paul Trinker

Appearnces:
Katarzyna Brzezińska & Maayan, Jaroslav Ondruš & Maayan, Roni Sagi & Maayan, Yana Novotorova, Bryce Kasson, Karoline Strys & Maayan