Susanne Bentley
Wise'n'Wild (55+)

© Karolina Miernik

Wise ’n’ Wild (55+)

wise moves & expressive grooves

This contemporary movement class is based on Release Technique, floor work and includes Contact and other forms of Improvisation. The focus is on recognising and respecting our bodies are different the older we get and incorporating that wisdom into our dancing while playing with our limits and individual expression.
The first foci are joint mobilisation, strength, stability and alignment. The more grounded and centred we are in our bodies, the more courage we can have to move boldly through the space. We also look at working economically in movement through emphasis on direction, sequencing, impulse and fluidity.

The classes usually start by warming up at ground level: strengthening arms and centre; through travelling horizontally we can move fluidly and economically on all levels. We then transition into verticality: alignment (incl. Alexander Technique exercises), thoroughly mobilising feet, legs, arms and spine through contemporary set material. Contact Improvisation or other improvisational material is also introduced – working on specific techniques or images (incl. Skinner Releasing) with which to spark our creativity and improvise together. Lastly we make the transition to movement which travels farther through space: changing directions and levels, using impulse, sequencing and flow – eating space with short movement sequences.

Then the floor is open to remix everything we have learnt with the unknown – improvisation, games and random musical choices to go wild with. Let’s go crazy! Wise ’n’ Wild is a playful, supportive environment to explore our physicality. Participants should come expecting to be challenged and have fun.

"That which does not kill us, only makes us stranger." - Aeon Flux