Kerstin Kussmaul
Rewilding the Matrix – Habitats of Movement

From a biological viewpoint, matrix refers to an origin, in this case, the patterns of experience. It could also mean ‘Muttertier’ or womb. When zoomed in a little closer on our bodies, the term matrix speaks of the extracellular matrix – the connective tissue in which cells are embedded. The extracellular matrix creates an environment for the cells, and it also maintains a very close connection to our nervous system.

The notion of environment is what connects the matrix with the act of rewilding. The term rewilding is often used to describe a process of ecological restoration – to enable the ecosystem to create balances, interactions, conditions, distribution; and ultimately to enhance biodiversity.

Rewilding the Matrix is aimed to reset the internal environment by working with the axis of the nervous system and fascial tissues, achieving this by ‘with-nessing’ (Bracha Ettinger) ourselves – especially our extracellular matrix. In this somatic exploration, we need time, composting, and trust as necessary ingredients to create restorative acts. These acts can be matters of doing, or also of just being.

Using touch, improvisation and vibration, we reorganize ourselves in group experiments – groups being the manifolds within us. Repetition and variation are what keep our nervous systems engaged and able to release at the same time. The effect of this work will ripple in the world around us, affecting the group with which we find ourselves working together with. This group includes the human and non-human elements present at any time. We might reduce our habit of speaking to find what has no language.

For this workshop, allow yourself to be radically experiential and curious. You will need previous experience in somatic improvisation & exploration, and a sense of your own ground in order to be able to go places.