CLASS DESCRIPTIONS WINTERWORKSHOP #2

Yoga with Stéphane Bourhis
The teaching of Yoga following the BKS Iyengar methodology is based on in-depth study and practice of asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (art of breathing), with rigor, intensity, and precision of the body alignments. During the class, we gradually explore the outer and the inner geometry of the body in different groups of postures and movements.

Contemporary Dance Power Sources. Revisiting and Moving Forward with Laura Aris
In this contemporary dance class, we will revisit fundamental technical elements such as weight transfer, spatial awareness, the use of breath, and the diverse qualities and textures of motion. We’ll also explore how the intention behind movement enhances precision, reminding us that even the basics hold both depth and complexity. This is about resetting and advancing our practice to build a solid foundation for future growth. Throughout the class, we’ll maintain a delicate balance between structured dance phrases and opportunities for improvisation within defined tasks and frameworks. This approach creates a space for technical exploration and personal growth, ensuring a dynamic and engaging learning experience that will keep you on your toes.

Payatt INtransit workshop with Rakesh Sukesh
Payatt INtransit is a contemporary movement technique that merges movement principles from the ancient Indian martial art form of Kalaripayattu with yogic practices, pranayama (breath work), and energy work to activate the body’s energy sources. This comprehensive approach trains practitioners in a manner that is safe, organic, and yet rigorous, empowering them to become more confident, relaxed, flexible, and powerful. By incorporating pranayama, this training not only sharpens reflexes but also deepens our connection to our breath, enhancing our ability to cultivate a constant sense of inner calm amidst physical exertion. The class challenges both our physical and mental limits, encouraging us to be quick and energetic in our movements while maintaining a state of mental calmness and relaxation, undisturbed by the intensity of physical activity. Through the practice of pranayama, we learn to control our breath, which in turn helps us to isolate the intense physical aspect of the class from the constant calm within. This empowers us to gain complete control over our movements rather than being controlled by them, enhancing our ability to adapt to unexpected situations and make innovative yet efficient choices. By combining our physical energy with the energy around us, and integrating the power of controlled breathing, we achieve a harmonious balance of body and mind.

Ballet for contemporary dancers with Libby Farr
The ballet class is set up for the dancer to observe and reevaluate their body in the classical structure of a ballet class, with the objective of focusing on strengthening the dancer’s awareness of their own natural alignment and experience. The class is divided into two parts: the barre and the centre work. Exercises at the barre emphasize isolating the joints to find where the movement begins and to wake up the dancer’s awareness to find their own functional alignment and efficiency. The second half of the class, conducted in the centre, continually challenges the dancer to use the newfound experiences when shifting weight, finding flow in transition, momentum, and dynamics when executing the ballet vocabulary, with the goal of finding more freedom and expression.

Composition with Michael Pomero
In these afternoon workshops, we will discuss the notion of composition in the broadest sense, then explore practical tools and choreographic procedures together, paying particular attention to the relationship with sound and music.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS WINTERWORKSHOP #3

Ballet with Lise Vachon
This ballet class provides the opportunity to explore qualitative elements that help develop suspension and volume through breath work. We will focus on using clear spatial directions from within the body and extending outward into the space. Expansion, weight shifting, grounding, and opening the gaze will be emphasized to achieve extension and lightness while jumping. Additionally, we will work with musicality as an active partner to highlight specific technical tools and movement qualities that are present in ballet and transferable to other dance forms.

Contemporary Dance with Youness Khoukhou
In this class, we will begin with a small section of floorwork as a warm-up, focusing on foundational principles of movement. We’ll then transition into short rhythmic phrases and structured movement sequences. Through these exercises, we’ll emphasize key elements such as rhythm, time suspension, and listening, and explore how to incorporate these concepts as essential parts of your movement.

Theatre with Kuno Bakker
The workshop will give you a taste of the theatre workshop taught at PARTS during the first and second years. It playfully explores how to work with text, how to use your body and voice to play with words and meaning, and how to approach a text from content, but also from rhythm and musicality. It is an invitation to find freedom and joy in theatre.

Contemporary Dance with Gabriel Schenker
Based on the work developed by the Brussels-based company ZOO/Thomas Hauert, as well as through my own practice, I will bring to this class a series of practices, tasks, and exercises aimed at challenging symmetric coordination and habitual movement patterns.

Yoga with Niloufar Shahisavandi
This workshop offers an opportunity to revisit the foundations of various asanas and their key actions. The goal is to help participants develop a deeper physical and mental understanding of the asanas and their effects on the body, mind, and soul, especially during the cold and dark winter months. Participants are encouraged to share their interests and questions during the workshop to help adapt the practice to their individual needs.

Music Analysis with Mattijs Van Damme
During the upcoming session, we aim to set up a deep listening practice and to trigger a profound feeling for graphic music notation, which gains personal value and facilitates communication and understanding of diverse musical phenomena and experiences. We focus on works that nourish listeners and dancers, compositions that sharpen the ear and mind, by such composers as Ph. de Vitry, J.S. Bach, Th. De Mey, A. Webern, G. Ligeti, and others.