HOW THE BODY WORKS. From somatic experience to contact improvisation – Agata Romankiewicz, Damian Oterman

We invite you to our Wednesday Contact Improvisation practices, during which we plan to slow down for a moment and create a space where, starting with conscious bodywork, we will move on to the practice of contact improvisation.

Our meetings will be divided into two parts:

⏰️ CONTACT WEDNESDAYS
Workshop: from 7:15 PM [Contact PRICE LIST] Jam from 9:00 PM [Admission: PLN 20]

No registration required, just show up.

The level is open – we will focus not only on the technical aspects but also on the qualities of Contact Improvisation practice, providing space for exploration and learning from each other.

We see Contact Improvisation as a dialogue shared on the floor and in the space – a practice that develops the ability to listen deeply and respectfully, addressing both our own needs and our partner’s boundaries.

Inspired by bodywork, Thai massage, Body Mind Centering, Axis Syllabus, the Feldencrisea method, as well as Aikido and NVC, we want this practice to be safer, more in tune with our psychophysical state, effortless, and less taxing on our joints – so we can enjoy this dialogue on the floor for longer 🙂

During this workshop:

You will develop awareness of muscle tension, learning when to engage and when to release them for smoother and more fluid movement.

Use active and passive movement roles, balancing support, sharing body weight, and developing fluidity.

Build trust through touch and giving and receiving weight, communicating, providing support, and sensitively accepting your partner’s body language.

To learn more about CI, we recommend reading here:
https://contactquarterly.com/contact-improvisation/about/

HOW TO PREPARE?

Please bring comfortable clothing that won’t restrict your movement – ​​a long-sleeved T-shirt and pants that cover your legs are recommended (to make the practice more enjoyable and less invasive for the skin during floor exercises). We will practice barefoot or in socks. If possible, don’t eat for at least an hour before the workout so you can truly enjoy your body’s flexibility 😉

See you on the dance floor!

FACILITATOR INFORMATION:

AGATA ROMANKIEWICZ

She loves dance as a form of dialogue – carefully listening to her own needs and those of her partner, and exploring the soft yet dynamic movement of bodies in contact. For over 10 years, she has been exploring various dance languages ​​– blues, folk, balfolk, tango, and Lindy-hop. She has been practicing Contact Improvisation for about five years, having had the opportunity to explore the subject at international Contact Improvisation festivals in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria, Germany, and Poland at the Flow festival and Cyrkulacje. She also practiced in Thailand during the month-long InSpiral – Towards Contact Center workshop, prepared by teachers Sasha Dodo and Dolores Dewhurst-Marks (https://towards.contact/). She also incorporates Aikido teachings into her Contact Improvisation practice.

A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University of Gdańsk,
she strives to combine the worlds of science and art and expand her knowledge of preventative health and broadly defined psychophysical well-being.

DAMIAN OTERMAN

He studied Sport at the Academy of Physical Education (AWF) in Katowice and Nutrition at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW). An educator passionate about intergenerational work with children, adolescents, 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 Academic Yoga style (jogaakademicka.pl), he is a certified Acro Yoga Montreal teacher (acroyoga.com); he has completed numerous courses and workshops in Thai Massage and Contact Improvisation (CI). He is certified in Autogenic Training (AT) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). He is trained in Nonviolent Communication (NVC). Inspired by his participation in Conscious Cuddling Experience (CCE) workshops. Licensed, but no longer teaching regularly, snowboarding, skiing, swimming, tennis, and personal training. He has organized “Kids Space” multiple times at the “Acronia” and “Acroschwanchen” festivals. He is a participant in the GeRaBu social project in Rostock. He cultivates the Contact Improvisation and Acro Yoga community around Rostock. He strives to co-organize Community Supported Agriculture (CSAS), plant a forest, and co-organize the Skin-to-Skin Festival.

Inventor of the “Medytaton,” a unique musical instrument (www.medytaton.com).

Hobbyist and alternative rapper.

Deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from wonderful teachers in various fields. Their teachings and wisdom have had a profound impact on his personal and professional development.
In Contact Improvisation and Dance, he has studied with, among others:

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, Christopher Arndt

CONTACT the Leaders:

agata.romankiewicz@gmail.com

posteo@skin-to-skin.com

https://www.skin-to-skin.com/contact-improvisation

https://www.instagram.com/agataromankiewicz?igsh=MWFsOThtc29vY2dzaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr