Underscore Jam – Damian Oterman / July 5

Embark on a unique, transformative experience with Underscore Jam—a systematic yet free-form approach to Contact Improvisation. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, Underscore offers a profound opportunity to explore the subtle details of each Contact Improvisation Jam (and probably each group process) where you can immerse yourself in movement, connection, and creativity in a supportive, structured space.

What is Underscore Jam?
Underscore Jam is a structured improvisational practice that guides participants through the various stages of a Contact Improvisation Jam—from silence and pause through movement to reflection and harvest—increasing awareness, trust, and connection. Developed by Nancy Stark Smith, this practice offers a great framework for exploring physicality, sensory awareness, and the art of being and moving with others.

What to expect at the workshop:

Exploring the phases: The Underscore unfolds in several stages, including energetic and physical arrival, wandering, expanding and overlapping kinospheres, engagement, development, collection, resolution, recirculation, reflection, sharing, silence, and closure. Understanding these inherent phases, in any Jam, develops a sense of self-awareness in the context of Contact Improvisation, elevating your solo and contact dance practice to the highest level.

Honest communication: Share thoughts, feelings, and information openly and truthfully, without hiding or distorting the message. Explore moments of verbal communication based on transparency and honesty and how they enrich the nonverbal process of the Dance.

Heightened awareness and connection: Focus on sensory experiences and refine your nonverbal communication, deepening your connection to both your body and your partner.

Long, mindful, and quiet jam: Engage in a session with the intention (seed) that will grow and develop in the space. At the same time, this structured, free-flowing session will support your understanding of the Contact Improvisation process forever, deepening your perception of the process, your confidence, and your awareness of communication.

All levels: Whether you are a novice or experienced movement practitioner, Underscore offers something for everyone—allowing you to deepen your practice and discover new dimensions of dance and life.

Why join Underscore?

Deepen your practice with a structured yet creative framework to explore.

Build deep understanding, trust, and connection within a structured framework.

Enjoy the conscious presence that unfolds in the Contact Improvisation space through the understanding of Underscore.

Explore and communicate your boundaries in a supportive, sensitive space.

Step into the space of the universe with intention and purpose, while staying present in the moment.

Join us on this enriching journey of movement, trust, and creative expression. “Underscore – Step into the Deep” offers a space to connect, explore, and move with intention—whether you are a novice or seasoned dancer and explorer of the body and connection.

Daily schedule:

Part I
9:30 – 10:00: Energetic and physical arrival,
10:00 – 13:00: Understanding Underscore – Workshop
13:00 – 14:30: Break (bring vegetarian treats for a shared
picnic)

Part II
14:30 – 16:00: “Talk-Through” – Interactive introduction*

* Talk-Through: Interactive introduction for participants who did not receive a theoretical introduction before Underscore is mandatory.

However, you can also come if you know the rules and want to refresh
your memory or simply if you like the ritual of going through the phases
and rules.

16:00 – 16:30: Break
16:30 – 19:30: Underscore Jam – Go Deep
19:30 – 20:00: Reflection / Circle
20:00 – …: Time for community, tea, possibly sauna

PRICE:
All

90* | 150* | 210* PLN | *Low Budget | *Standard | *Supporting

Part I or II

45* | 75* | 105* PLN | *Low Budget | *Standard | *Supporting

This pricing system allows you to choose an amount that suits your financial situation. If you can pay more, your contribution will help those who can pay less. Choose an amount that is fair and comfortable for you.
If money is an issue, please contact us. Please bring cash or make a bank transfer as agreed.

Please be punctual and ready to stay for the entire Underscore Jam.

The workshop will be conducted in Polish and English, depending on the needs of the participants.

Where?

Contact Space of Movement, Dance and Music
ul. Szpitalna 40, 1st floor Krakow

Registration and information:
Damian a.k.a. Touchable
posteo@skin-to-skin.com

More info:

www.skin-to-skin.com (coming soon)

More info about UNDERSCORE:

ABOUT THE LEADERS:

Damian Oterman

He studied Sports at the Academy of Physical Education (AWF) in Katowice

and Nutrition Science at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

A teacher passionate about intergenerational work with children, teenagers,

adults and seniors.

He has been practicing yoga for 17 years, Acro Yoga and Thai Massage for 12 years, and

Dance Improvisation for 8 years. Trained in the style of academic Yoga

(jogaakademicka.pl), certified teacher of Acro Yoga Montreal

(acroyoga.com) and has completed numerous courses and workshops in Thai Massage

and Contact Improvisation (CI). Certified in Autogenic Training

(AT) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). Trained in Nonviolent Communication

(NVC). Inspired by participation in the Conscious

Cuddling Experience (CCE) workshops.

Licensed, but no longer conducting regular classes: snowboarding,

skiing, swimming, tennis and personal training.

Multiple organizer of “Kids Space” at the “Acronia” and

“Acroschwanchen” festivals. Participant of the social project GeRaBu in Rostock.

Cultivates the Contact Improvisation and Acro Yoga community

around Rostock.

Aims to co-organize Community Supported Agriculture

(RWS), plant a forest and co-organize the Skin-to-Skin Festival.

Inventor of the “Medytaton”, a unique musical instrument.

(www.medytaton.com)

Hobbyist Alternative rapper.

Deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from great teachers in

various fields. Their teachings and wisdom had a huge impact on his

personal and professional development.

In Contact Improvisation and Dance, he learned, among other things, From:

Jörg Hassmann, Anjelika Doniy, Vega Gisela, Iiris Raipala, Angela Mara,

Reimar Wen Shen, Natascha Golubtsova, Dörte Barss, Angelika Mizińska,

Corinna Stache, Katja Scholz, Christos Listios, Katja Fiedler, Christoph

Arndt