Waves riding
Momentum, grounding, communication
A Contact Improvisation workshop with Adrian Russi
October 20-24th, 2025 at Carreau du Temple, Paris
What could be more beautiful than to let yourself be carried along by a shared momentum, to tune in together without apparent effort, to follow each other without question – and then to marvel, deeply nourished, wondering how it was possible?
There’s something magical about that kind of moment. It’s a real gift, every time it happens. It’s an invitation to surrender completely to what’s happening here and now.
Over the course of the five-day course, we’ll deepen our ability to engage in the present moment, to trust bodily impulses and direct our attention where it’s needed. We’ll refine our awareness of how we feel, and how our relationship to space influences our perception of our body. Two essential questions will run through this exploration: am I guided by my attention, or do I direct it, consciously and with intention? And how does awareness of the unity of body and mind (BodyMind) help me to orient myself in the intensity of a jam, to forge nourishing connections and creatively welcome unexpected or destabilizing events?
In parallel with this inner exploration, we’ll train ourselves to listen to gravity, follow the momentum and find, through falling and swaying, a dance made of waves, flows and undulatory movements. These are sometimes only perceptible from the inside and barely visible from the outside – as in the petite danse, for example – but can also take on sweeping proportions. Whether they are powerful rebounds or subtle circulations, the important thing is to feel them with precision, to let the impulses translate into concrete movements, while keeping the necessary space for the dynamics to circulate.
That’s the art of riding the wave of shared movement and enthusiasm!
THE TEACHER
Adrian Russi has been teaching Contact Improvisation for over 20 years in Switzerland and abroad. He himself learned from founders Steve Paxton, Nancy Stark Smith and Nita Little, among others.
His teaching is based on differentiated perception and precise movement techniques, as well as creativity born of pronounced body awareness. For him, the enjoyment of play and genuine commitment are the best basis on which to flourish in dance.
In addition to his teaching activities, he can often be found jamming and performing. Although for him, CI is above all a form of duet, he loves to play with all constellations, from solo to group improvisation.
In this respect, the trio forms a good basis, which he has emphasized for years in both performance and teaching, for example with « Moving Men » and « Aerni/Hettich/Russi ».
Other influences come from his studies of various martial arts and cranio-sacral therapy, as well as his own research work (including fascia and bodymind).
VIDEOS : https://www.adrianrussi.com/videos.html
PUBLIC
This is not an introductory course in contact improvisation. It is aimed at experienced contact improvisation dancers. Here are the physical and relational/emotional skills required to take part in the workshop safely.
Physical skills – I am able to:
1. Change levels while dancing
2. Fall safely to the ground from different heights
3. Modulate my muscle tone to suit different dance needs
4. Be aware of how my weight is distributed on the floor, on my partner or on both
Emotional and relational skills – I am comfortable in the following areas:
1. Feeling my limits while dancing
2. Feeling my partner’s limits
3. Navigate my own experience while dancing or jamming.
4. Dancing alone, with a partner or as part of a group
PRICES
Earlybird rate 250€, up to and including August 22nd
280€ standard rate
300€ support rate (to support reduced rates)
260€ reduced rate
310€ single rate after September 20, 2025 and on site
+ “L’œil et la main” association membership here : http://lolm.eu/adherer/
CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
In the event of cancellation by September 20, 2025, half the amount paid will be refunded.
In the event of cancellation after September 20, 2025, no refund will be made.
PRACTICAL INFOS
October 20th to 24th, 2025
10h-12h30 / 14h-17h
Carreau du Temple 2 rue Perrée 75003 Paris
Information: etlamain@gmail.com
Registration : https://forms.gle/sPEbhrWi7ncujiwu7