Shows
Faces Of CIIvan Guryanov - Ci, Butoh, Water Contact + Our Wild Weirdđď¸ New Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationIn this episode, Iâm joined by my longtime friend and fellow Gemini, Ivan Guryanov â a dancer Iâve shared the floor with for years across Thailand and Bali.We sat down in Koh Phangan to speak about:⨠Dancing with possibility â from technical Contact to Water Contact, Butoh, and Tango⨠Letting performance arise from presence⨠Creating in strange and poetic terrains⨠Teaching & traveling with CI⨠Sharing the weird and wonderfulIvan...
2025-09-2349 min
Faces Of CILeilani Weis â The Superpowers of Contact Dancers (Saltspring Contact Festival 2023)Our guest today is the multi-directional being Leilani Weis â Contact Improvisation teacher of 26 years. Originally from Chile, she helped develop CI scenes in Mexico and Italy, and now resides in Barcelona.In this episode, we discuss:⨠Her decades-long mentorship with Martin Keough⨠Dancing into impossible places⨠Preparing the body-mind for Contact⨠The dancer superpowers⨠Our mutual love of fallingđ Recorded during Saltspring Contact Festival 2023, on the unceeded Coast Salish Territory in British Columbia, Canada.𪊠Leilani on Instagr...
2025-08-1035 min
Faces Of CIAalia Hashem - Moving To Thailand, The Art of the Pauses, & Navigating Challenges in Communitiesđď¸ New Solo Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationItâs Aalia here. Iâm opening up in a raw and real solo episode:⨠Transitioning to Thailand⨠The Art of the Pause⨠Being vulnerably first in new CI communities⨠ADHD, mold illness & concussion recovery⨠Getting âcancelledâ in community & the lessons that followed⨠Trusting the unknown + moving forward with graceThis oneâs close to my heart.đ§ Instagram: @momentumcontactđ
Join Upcoming Contact W...
2025-08-101h 53
Faces Of CISasha Bezrodnova â Ocean Dance, Aquatic Somatics & Eco-Activism (Russia)Today Iâm joined by Sasha Bezrodnova (Russia), recorded in Koh Phangan, Thailand.⨠Her work in the Ocean Dance community â where Contact meets Freediving and Aquatic Somatics⨠Entering the world of the sea and learning from dolphins⨠Creating the eco-political water dance film Aquas in Mexico⨠Reflections on movement, water, and community connectionFind out more about Sashaâs work: Instagram @theoceandanceđ§ Instagram: @momentumcontactđ
Join Upcoming Dance Workshopsđ Facilitator Trainings: www.momentum-contact.com#contact...
2025-05-0528 min
Faces Of CIAndy Chen â Mindsets & Choice â Momentum Contact Facilitator TrainingNew Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationToday Iâm joined by Andy Chen (USA / Portugal) â our newest graduate of the Momentum Contact Facilitator Training.⨠Reflections on the magic of CI jams:"I really love the jams where I get to dance with a lot of bodies. Then I had a nice dance. That idea that it's always different, and I get to choose to have another chance of feeling joy. For me that's a big change in my mindset. Where in other...
2024-03-0726 min
Faces Of CIAuthentic Movement â From Our Dancers of Momentum Contact WorkshopWeâre coming to you live from one of our Momentum Beginners Contact Workshops â with a twist⌠our students are the guests!In this special episode, we hear their voices and insights on:⨠What it means to move authentically⨠How they see themselves as dancers⨠The discoveries and surprises that happen in a Contact Improvisation classđ§ Join Upcoming Trainings: www.momentum-contact.comđ¸ Instagram: @momentumcontact#contactimprovisation #momentumcontact #contactdance #dancepodcast #somaticpractice #authenticmovement---
2024-03-0729 min
Faces Of CIWhat Is A Dancer? What Is Flow? â From Our Dancers of Momentum Contact WorkshopIn this episode, we sit with our students in a Momentum Contact Workshop, reflecting on the questions:⨠What is a dancer?⨠What is flow in your body?Iâm in awe of my studentsâ shares each time we do this exercise. (Names have been withheld for privacy.)đ§ Join our upcoming Momentum Contact Workshopsđ¸ Instagram: @momentumcontact#contactimprovisation #momentumcontact #contactdance #dancepodcast #somaticpractice #authenticmovement
2024-02-0913 min
Faces Of CISunny & Janice â Building Facilitation Skills for Safety & Gaining Confidence to Teach CINew Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationOur guests today are Sunny Zheng (Beijing, China) and Janice Chen (Berkeley, USA) â new graduate facilitators from the first edition of Momentum Contact Facilitator Training.đ§ Reflections from both graduates on:⨠Learning CI history & culture⨠Building facilitation skills for safety and creativity⨠Gaining confidence to share CI in their home communities⨠Sunny shares: "I just completed the 10-day training with so many takeaways. Itâs a journey about exploring...
2023-12-2418 min
Faces Of CIStuart Phillips â Contact as Therapy, Shadowwork, and Deconditioning (Victoria, Canada)New Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationOur guest today is Stuart Phillips â Contact teacher since the 1980s, joining us from Victoria, BC, Canada.From his wild roots at Bates College in the â80s â all-day improvising and âcontact as charades on steroidsâ â we explore:⨠CI as weirdness, allowance, shadow work, and therapeutic relief from daily life⨠His improvisational contact style â emphasizing improvisation, internal choice before flow⨠Depatterning and deconditioning our habitual âcontact movesâ⨠The patience and mystery of getting what you truly need in a d...
2023-12-2139 min
Faces Of CIPeter Bingham â Contact Mechanics and Choreography of EDAM Dance Company, Hypnosis, and ParkinsonsPeter Bingham is a force within the world of Contact Improvisation, teaching and creating performance works through his company EDAM Dance in Vancouver, Canada since 1980.In this episode we explore:⨠Peterâs origin story in dance⨠The physical mechanics of Contact in choreography⨠His daily morning class for professional dancers⨠Intone voice as a hypnotizing state⨠Leading by following⨠Changes in his practice with Parkinsonâs diseaseEDAM has been a nest held by Peter â a thread holding a big part...
2023-10-0538 min
Faces Of CIAalia Solo â Cultivating Joy, Play, and Self-Compassion in the DanceNew Solo Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationItâs me, Aalia! In this episode, I ramble and reflect on:⨠Cultivating joy, play, and weirdness in jams to reset and shake habits⨠Comedy improv and Circling as supportive mirrors to Contact Improvisation⨠What it means to be an embodied leader of Contact⨠Navigating self-compassion within the dance of lifeđ§ Follow Faces of CI & Aalia online: @momentumcontactđ
Upcoming workshops and Trainings #contactimprov...
2023-09-2517 min
Faces Of CIOlivia Schaffer â From Contemporary to Contact at Edam DanceNew Episode ~ Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationIâm delighted to be joined by my first Contact teacher, Olivia Shaffer â dancer and Assistant Director at EDAM Dance Company.In this episode, we chat about:⨠Her journey from ballet to Europe to Contact Improvisation⨠Correcting âdoingâ in Contact⨠Staying curious when injured with scores of limitation⨠Pilates and Feldenkrais in her practice⨠Dancing as a Contact company performance artist⨠Moving grief into art through her choreography⨠Wrestling and...
2023-09-2246 min
Faces Of CIAndrew Harwood â Canada's Contact Pioneer (Saltspring Contact Festival 2023)Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationOur guest today is the legendary Contact teacher Andrew Harwood (Montreal). Since 1975, Andrew has been instrumental in spreading Contact Improvisation across Canada.In this episode, we discuss:⨠His beginnings with Nancy Stark Smith⨠Performance and ensemble work in CI⨠Contemplative dance⨠Aging in the dancing body⨠The secret Contact meeting of first-generation CI teachers in Vermontđ Recorded at Saltspring Island Contact Festival 2023đ§ Andrew Harwood đ§ IG @momentum...
2023-09-0550 min
Faces Of CIAalia Solo â Leadership & Embodiment in Dance Spaces â Momentum Contact Facilitator TrainingsFaces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationIn this episode, I share details about an exciting new training Iâll be hosting in Bali:Momentum Contact Improvisation Facilitator Trainingđ
November 4â13, 2023 | BaliThis 10-day training will change the way you see yourself, the body, and the world around you â an initiation into leading the Contact Improvisation movement.Weâll deep dive into:⨠Leadership and facilitation tools⨠Somatic supporting practices⨠Our tried-and-true workshop method for introducing new dancers to CI...
2023-09-0219 min
Faces Of CIManuel Rochette & Selena La Brooy â Creators of Saltspring Island Contact Festival (Canada)Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationOur guests today are Selena Lo Brooy & Manuel Rochette â hosts of Saltspring Contact Festival.We danced together for 10 inspiring days of Contact Improvisation at Rhizome Springs â a dancerâs and nature loverâs dream on the hillside of Mt. Tuam, featuring panoramic eagleâs-eye views and a hive-shaped geodesic dome/spaceship, ready for lift-off during Manuâs DJâd jam sets.In this episode, we chat about:⨠The history of Contact on Saltspring Island⨠Keeping one...
2023-08-1749 min
Faces Of CIAalia Solo â Contact Jam Styles, Discovering Fusion & Nancy WisdomIn this episode, I share more about my own dance journey:⨠Discovering Contact Improvisation at a fusion festival⨠The four dance styles I notice at jams⨠Wisdom from Nancy Stark Smith⨠Reflections on my background and influencesđ Nancy Stark Smithâs Mini Solo Underscore: https://bit.ly/3i0ftNkâď¸ Upcoming Workshops by Aaliađ¸ Follow along on Instagram: @momentumcontact#contactimprovisation #momentumcontact #contactdance #dancepodcast #somaticpractice #nancystarksmith #dancebackground #contactjam
2023-07-2745 min
Faces Of CIChristina Dohr & Santiago Ortiz Heredia â Contact Architecture to Aikido (Towards CI Conference)Our guests today are the dancing teaching duo Christina Dohr (Germany) & Santiago Ortiz Heredia (Spain) â in this bi-lingual episode (Spanish with translation) we explore:⨠Architecture & Aikido in dance⨠Touching in both directions⨠Embodying being seen⨠Psychomagic storytelling⨠Cross-cultural Contact pollinationđ Recorded in Chiang Dao, Thailand for Towards CI51 Conference www.towards.contactđ¸ Find them on Instagram: @black_key & @embodiedchristinađ Faces of CI is @momentumcontactđ Upcoming Workshops by Aalia msha.ke/momentumcontact#contacti...
2023-07-271h 04
Faces Of CITu Anh Le â Pacing & Paradox in Hanoi Contact (Vietnam)Our guest today is Tu Le (Vietnam) â independent movement artist and teacher of Contact Improvisation, with a background in contemporary dance and ballet. In 2017, Tu founded Contact Improv Hanoi and has been sharing the essence of the practice ever since. For him, dance improvisation is a tool to nurture mindfulness and creativity.In this episode, we explore:⨠Learning Contact from YouTube⨠Pacing ourselves in dancing⨠Gender dynamics & gentleness⨠Holding paradox in movement⨠The Contact scene in Vietnamđ˛ Instagram: @2anhleđ Facebook...
2023-07-1842 min
Faces Of CINitipat Ong Polchai â Physics & Queering The Practice of CI (Bangkok, Thailand)Our guest today is Nitipat âOngâ Ong Polchai (Thailand) â performer, community builder, and long-time organizer of the Bangkok Contact jam scene. Ongâs journey began in San Franciscoâs experimental-contact-art scene, training in Berkeley with Karl Frost. His work spans creative collaborations with other bi-cultural Contact performers for Pride in Thailand, teaching Physics by day, and championing âqueering the practiceâ of CI to expand beyond the norms.In this episode, we discuss:⨠Dance privilege & inclusion⨠Working with blind dancers⨠Social issues through the CI lens⨠Cultural perspectives on Contac...
2023-07-0148 min
Faces Of CIYasukichi Suzuki â Simple is Strongest (Tokyo, Japan)Our guest today is Yasukichi Sazuki (Japan) â a pioneer of Contact Improvisation in Tokyo, sharing the form for over two decades and introducing it to her country.In this episode, we explore:⨠Trusting the environment & culture of caring in Japan⨠Staying rooted in CI fundamentals â gravity, fall, expansion, breath⨠Offering space for authentic encounter⨠âSimple is the strongest.âđ Find Contact Improvisation Japanđ Special thanks to dancer Izumi Kuribayashi for translating this first bilingual episode.đ§ Faces of CI online: Insta...
2023-06-1632 min
Faces Of CIKirstie Simson â Dancing in Resilient Times (Chiang Dao, Thailand)Our guest today is Kirstie Simson â legendary improviser, award-winning dancer, and teacher of Contact Improvisation for over 40 years, described by The New York Times as âa force of nature.âIn this deeply personal conversation, recorded during her 3-week Chiang Dao residency Resilience and Support in Difficult Times, we explore:⨠Navigating cancer with grace and resilience⨠Environmental philosophy in art and movement⨠The influence of aikido on her dance⨠Sexuality vs. sensuality in CI⨠Storytelling and transmutation through improvisationđ Kirstie's Website: kirstiesim...
2023-01-2951 min
Faces Of CIDamla Ozcelik â Contact-Tango & Contact for the Blind (Turkey)Live from Towards CI50 Conference, we welcome Damla Ăzçelik â Contact Improvisation facilitator from Turkey.In this conversation, we explore:⨠Teaching CI to blind dancers⨠Bodyâselfâempowerment workshops for teenage girls⨠Navigating consent in CI⨠Fusing tango with contact improvisationđ More about Damla: Instagram đ§ Faces of CI online: @momentumcontactđ Upcoming Contact Workshops by Aalia đ Learn CI online: www.contactbody.ca#contactimprovisation #momentumcontact #contactdance #damlaĂśzçelik #dancepodcast #improvisation #somaticpractice #dancecommunity
2022-10-2048 min
Faces Of CIFrancisco Borges & Geraldine Acevedo | Philos of Contact and the Water Body (Portugal, Columbia)Recorded in the mountains of Chiang Dao, Thailand at a mystical monastery during Part 2 of the Towards 50th CI Anniversary Conference. For 10 days, 35 contact dancers lived together beside a hot springs âHeaven.âOur guests are CI teachers and dear friends Francisco Borges (Portugal) & Geraldine Acevedo Espansa (Colombia) â facilitators of Ocean Dance, water contact, and CI in Koh Pha Ngan.In this conversation, we explore:⨠The philosophy of CI⨠The water & nature body⨠Freedom from rules in dance⨠Teaching CI without words to village kid...
2022-08-041h 14
Faces Of CIKhuyen Bui â Dancing With The Voices In Your Head (Vietnam)This is one of my favorite episodes so far!Weâre live in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the Towards 50th CI Anniversary Conference â a month-long dance festival intensive.Our guest is Khuyen âKasperâ Bui â teacher of CI, philosopher, TED speaker, and writer based in Vietnam.đ More about his work: www.khuyenbui.com đ§ Faces of CI online: Instagram @momentumcontactđ Learn CI online: www.contactbody.ca#contactimprovisation #momentumcontact #contactdance #dancepodcast #dancefestival #dancephilosophy #somaticpractice #improvisation #ci50
2022-06-2935 min
Faces Of CIBari Kim â Dancing Landscapes & Performing CI (Korea)Weâre live in Chiang Mai, Thailand for the Towards 50th CI Anniversary Conference â a month-long dance festival intensive.Our guest is Bari Kim â teacher of CI, Body-Mind CenteringÂŽ, and choreographer based in Seoul & Jeju, Korea.đ More about her work: Instagram @bari.dance & barikim.blogspot.comđ§ Faces of CI online: Instagram @momentumcontact𪊠About Aalia www.aaliadances.comđ Learn CI online: www.contactbody.ca#contactimprovisation #koreandance #momentumcontact #contactdance #dancepodcast #dancer #ci50 #bodymindcentering
2022-06-2026 min
Faces Of CIAnne Cooper â Improvising At A Distance at Edam DanceWeâre in Vancouver, Canada at EDAM Dance Company â the first studio where I learned Contact and a space that holds a special place in my heart.Our guest is Anne Cooper â Contact Improvisation teacher at EDAM for over 20 years, artist, performer, and choreographer. Her Sunday classes offer a patient, inquiring approach thatâs especially welcoming to newcomers.We chat about:⨠Performance & choreography in CI⨠Improvising at a distance during Covid⨠Funding for dancers⨠âŚand how Contact can be a metaphor for a perfect day...
2022-06-1954 min
Faces Of CIUbud, Bali â Our Contact Community with Helena, Anika, Fay & SomajiFaces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationUbud, Bali â a place thatâs become my unofficial new home after spending 9 months here this year. đżIn this (long-awaited) episode, weâre joined by local teachers and friend- dancers:⨠Helena Kober (Spain)⨠Somaji Surya (Costa Rica)⨠Fay Yeo Un Kim (Korea)⨠Anika Gunawan (Indonesia)Together, we explore the spirit of Ubudâs Contact community, the dancers who shape it, and the connections that keep us coming back to the floor.
2022-06-191h 37
Faces Of CIKoh Phangan, Thailand â Dolores Dewhurst-Marks, Bernd Vollmer & Astrid Van ZonWelcome to Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationWeâre in Koh Phangan, Thailand, during Art Continuum Nomadic Residency, joined by guests:⨠Dolores Dewhurst-Marks (England)⨠Bernd Vollmer (Germany) ⨠Astrid Van Zon (Netherlands)Together we explore:đ Dance as life philosophy⨠The highs of movementđ§ Yoga-to-CI journeysâ The magic of not knowingđż Dolores Work Towards.Contact & Instagram đ§ Follow along with Aalia on Instagram @momentumcontactđ
Upcoming workshops by Aalia...
2022-06-191h 06
Faces Of CIChiang Mai, Thailand â Vangelis Legakis (Greece) & Man Yee Cheung on Teaching (China)Welcome to Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationWeâre in Chiang Mai, Thailand, joined by CI Facilitators:⨠Vangelis Legakis (Greece) Creator of Contact Beyond Contact and Unity Space Performance Trainings⨠Man Yee Cheung (China) Dancing Contact and navigating sexuality in China. Together we discuss:đ Current dance projectsđ Unique teaching methods â or as Man Yee puts it, âsharingâđ Perspectives from their work in CI around the worldđż Vagelis Unity Spaceđ§ Follow along: Instagram @momentumc...
2022-06-1934 min
Faces Of CIArambol, India â Vega Luukkonen & Dancers â CI as a metaphor for lifeWelcome to the first episode of Faces of CI: Conversations on Contact ImprovisationWeâre in Arambol, India, joined by Contact dancers and teachers in casual discussions about the practice: ⨠Orion Freeman (USA)⨠Vega Luukkonen (Finland)⨠Ambarish Shiva (India) ⨠Harmandeep Singh (India) ⨠Nati Nita (Georgia)Together we explore:đĄ First impressions of Contact Improvisationđ Teaching the practiceđ CI as a metaphor for life.đ¤ Finding the ultimate connection in a dance partner â and much...
2022-06-1933 minFaces Of CIFaces of CI ⢠Staying Grounded During COVID-19No interviews today ⢠Deviating from our regular format . My thoughts on staying grounded in these time of media chaos and what's happening in the dance community (Corona Corona). Featuring guitar meditation interlude by Jim Sagevid from Sweden. Follow along on Instagram @facesofci
2020-03-1419 min