The complex movement of contact improvisation is supported by developmental movement patterns, templates for efficient activation of our neuromuscular systems. When these patterns function well within us, our dancing is fluid, strong, and effortless. When they are missing or underdeveloped, certain movements feel awkward, unstable, or risky. And since movement is a psychophysical process, weak patterns are often associated with aspects of our personalities or identities that could use support.

This workshop will explore the Patterns of Total Body Connectivity (PTBC’s), developed by Peggy Hackney out of Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban Movement Analysis.

Understanding these patterns provides the “secret sauce” to delicious dancing, allowing us to tap into the right pattern at the right time to support whatever movement we’re doing. With practice, it becomes subconscious and automatic.

In addition, the patterns serve as a kind of map, helping us understand what we do really well and revealing patterns that are less familiar, so that we can eventually integrate them into our repertoire and reclaim abilities (and movements) that might have been previously unavailable to us.

Each day will start with a warm-up using the PTBC’s, then progress into playing with the patterns and learning how to identify them within ourselves and others. Finally, we’ll explore how we can use the patterns functionally and creatively within our dances in and out of contact.