Bound & Unbound Weekend :

Exploring the Edges of Contact Improvisation

London, Friday October 17th - Sunday October 19th

A 3 Day Intensive with James Wood & Rick Nodine

Friday 17th October - 6pm - 10pm

Saturday 18th October - 10am - 10pm

Sunday 19th October -  10am - 5pm

Anatomie Studio, London

In this short Intensive we will take time to explore some of the territory at the edges of Contact Improvisation. Exploring aspects of the dance that often go unrecognised or don’t receive quality attention.

Contact improvisation, led by Rick, will be at the heart of our practice and the ground of our shared language.

We will spend the first part of our time together dropping into inner and outer awareness through Body Mind Centering exercises and perspectives. The intention is to bring a felt sense of embodiment and a deep listening to our dance.

Later we will draw inspiration from Shibari (Japanese Rope Play) with Jamus. Initially, we’ll focus on the sensations of our bodies in relation to one another, without ropes yet through physical limitations, exploring binding and unbinding, being held and being free.

We will then introduce ropes, engaging in Ichinawa (one rope technique) to explore further the qualities of resistance and
surrender, stillness and breath, gravity and flow.

A key aspect of our workshop will be The Switch —a playful exploration of roles as we transition between being bound and binding with one’s body. We will slow down and zoom in, lingering in each role for some time. Also taking moments when neither of us are in a role.

We will emphasise consent throughout our time together. Consent will be taught as a practice so that we can dance within our limits while finding and exploring our edges together.

We’ll conclude each day with an exploratory jam, allowing space to integrate what we've explored and to express ourselves freely, weaving our individual journeys into a collective tapestry of creativity and joy.

Join us in this supportive circle of explorers. Together, let’s celebrate the borders of Contact Improvisation with Shibari, deepening our connections through movement, trust and shared discovery.

Limited tickets available

​Tickets:     £210, £195 (Concession)

Info:      contact@ricknodine.com

Schedule

Step into a living tapestry as we weave contact improvisation with Shibari on an immersive weekend, exploring the overlooked edges of dance. In this workshop we will ground ourselves in the core principles of Contact Improvisation and then add a little spice from the world of Japanese Rope Practice. The teaching will alternate between Rick and Jamus. Rick will offer us the language of CI and Jamus will offer somatic landscapes and a dialogue with Shibari rope work. 

Friday Evening: 6pm - 10pm

We gather and begin with a warm-up and a short jam, to land in the body and connect with each other.  From this embodied place we will circle and share introductions and discuss the  language and concepts that will support us through the weekend. A final dance of inquiries and play will prime us for the coming days. 

Saturday Morning: 10am to 1pm

We begin by cultivating the sensing body, both internally and externally, through the gentle unfolding of our human animal form. Awakening and grounding in attentive listening to the flickers and inspirations of movement. 

We will then practice the core principles of CI, connecting to a partner through a moving point of shared touch and finding our power and trust by supporting each others  weight. 

Saturday Afternoon: 2.30pm - 5pm

Starting the afternoon with gentle physical manipulation so we can learn to direct our partners movements towards pathways of ease.

As the sun arches high, we’ll weave the essence of Shibari into our practice. Without the physical ropes, we’ll embrace the spirit of their binding, exploring the connection between our bodies as if they were woven strands of silk. In this delicate dance, we’ll navigate the currents of resistance and surrender, exploring the liberating tension between being held and embracing freedom.

Saturday Evening: 7pm - 10pm

In a rich landscape of music and silence we will cultivate a vocabulary at the fringes of Contact improvisation. co-creating a space that hosts CI dancing that is  layered with the language of the rope.

Sunday Morning: 10am - 1pm

On the second day, we’ll delve deeper into the ebb and flow of our roles, savouring the dynamic interplay of leader and follower. As we slow our transitions, we’ll linger in each role, attuning ourselves to the moments when those roles blur, revealing the fluidity inherent in shared movement.

Sunday Afternoon: 2.30pm - 5pm

We’ll return to our exploration with ropes, this time allowing their potential to deepen our understanding of connection and physical limitation. Each pull and twist will serve as a mirror to our dance, encouraging us to embrace both the boundaries and the freedom within them. Throughout this journey, consent will weave through our practices, ensuring that we traverse our edges together with respect and care.

Together, we’ll conclude each day with an exploratory jam, allowing the echoes of our experiences to resonate in every encounter.