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What is...

Even if you have been dancing and engaging with the practice of contact improvisation for a while you might still wonder what it is. While there is no one definition, we did our best to give some insight and quotes, and other relevant information for the practice on the island.

What is Contact Improvisation?

Contact Improvisation is an evolving system of movement initiated in 1972 by American choreographer Steve Paxton. The improvised dance form is based on the communication between two moving bodies and their combined relationship to the physical laws that govern their motion—gravity, momentum, inertia. Practice includes rolling, falling, being upside down, following a physical point of contact, supporting and giving weight to a partner.

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"Contact improvisations are spontaneous physical dialogues that range from stillness to highly energetic exchanges. Alertness is developed in order to work in an energetic state of physical disorientation, trusting in one's basic survival instincts. It is a free play with balance, self-correcting the wrong moves and reinforcing the right ones, bringing forth a physical/emotional truth about a shared moment of movement that leaves the participants informed, centered, and enlivened."

 

— early definition by Steve Paxton and others, 1970s, from CQ Vol. 5:1, Fall 1979

The reason its called contact improvisation is because there is a 3rd entity that arises in this state. Hopefully you get to a state of agreement between the two of you that neither one of you is leading. It doesn’t become leaderless, it is the two of you who are together leading.  — from documentary-interview with Steve Paxton “In a non-wimpy way”, 2015 Contact Improvisation is an open-ended exploration of the kinaesthetic possibilities of bodies moving through contact. Sometimes wild and athletic, sometimes quiet and meditative, it is a form open to all bodies and enquiring minds. —from Ray Chung workshop announcement, London, 2009

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What is a Jam?

A "Jam" is an informal space in which dancers practice contact improvisation, developing physical abilities in communication with partners. This is the time to deepen your experience, “listen” and discover your own interpretation of dance.

 

It is a space of freedom and choice, but also responsibility and independence. You can start or stop the dance at any time, or decide to participate as an observer. Sometimes the space of the jam is filled with music that supports dancing, sometimes the practice is accompanied by sounds of one’s own movement, other people and space.

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Performance Labs

Workshops and labs exploring the performative dimension of CI. Intended for people with more established dance practice, interested in ensemble creative work and relation with the audience. 
You will share the project outcome at the festival.

 

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Underscore

A  practice of mindful jam, developed by Nancy Stark Smith, one of the founders and global educators of CI. The Underscore structure allows for a full spectrum of energetic and physical expression, embodying various forms and changing states.

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Jam Guidelines

​Read more about the guidelines of our island jams here.

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Community Agreements

In participating in Koh Phangan Contact Improvisation events, we agree to the following.

These agreements are part of our effort to create a safer space where community awareness and care are foremost.

 

  • Contact Improvisation is a consent-based practice. Built on mutual agreements and includes non-sexual physical contact.

 

  • People vary in their capacity to establish mutual consent. I do not assume that what feels OK or safe for me, will feel the same for someone else. 

 

  • I am expected to express my own boundaries clearly using nonverbal and verbal expressions of “yes” and “no'' to convey my response. And to respect the boundaries of my dance partners by listening and complying with any nonverbal or verbal expressions of “no” I receive from them.

 

  • Sexuality or romance is not inherently part of Contact Improvisation practice and not the focus of dancing in this space, even if it is consensual. 

 

  • I agree to take responsibility for my actions and individual safety to the best of my ability. And I accept that I participate at my own risk.

 

  • I’m aware this is drug free space. I will not participate under the influence of intoxicants. If I suspect another participant of being intoxicated I will inform the facilitator, who may ask them to leave.

 

  • If I need support or help in resolving issues of safety or boundaries, I will communicate this to the session facilitator or the event organisers.

 

  • I agree to ask the organisers for clarification of any of these agreements if they are unclear to me. And to verbally check in about any physical or emotional issues in sharing circles and with dance partners.

Resources & More Info

If you would like to read up a little more or watch some videos, please access the below PDF document. It contains a comprehensive overview and references to other resources.

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