Shared Practice

About:

“In doing it, it gives me clarification.”

Lauren Potter

The Shared Practice was developed by a group of dance artists in SE London in 2012 (Laura Doehler, Anne-Gaelle Thiriot, Tania Soubry and Fernanda Munoz-Newsome) to make space and time to explore movement on a regular practice. It is not a technique training/ class but has in some ways replaced professional morning classes for many practitioners because attending to our inquiries is a training in its own right. We visit and revisit curiosities to develop personal styles, techniques and purpose, becoming increasingly conscious of what we install in our bodies. We start to understand what moves us not by absorbing other teachings but by digesting and shifting material we have previously received. We expand material into a new body of work as we make sense through moving, observing, rearranging and conversations.

That journey is personal yet stands in exchange with others and therefore provides context. Together we create a bigger picture not only of and for our personal practice but of other practices, styles, ideas and intensions. It is up to the individual to give time before and after to talk and get to know why and how we do what we do.

The format itself describes an arc of arriving (not doing anything but listening, a state of meditation and undoing) that allows for movement to emerge and surface from a state of presence. Gradually movement inquiries can unfold, physical needs can be met and over the duration of two hours both mental and physical explorations manifest which is supported by the energy of others in space yet also often redirected and questioned as others in space become influence and provide context.

Similarly to the Contemplative Dance Practice by Barbara Dilley the attention shifts gradually from a personal inquiry towards anticipating influences and exchanges by what surrounds you. One anticipates the shifts of attention, the presence of movement and aliveness in the space as others move alongside you. Their movement inevitably becomes part of your work and challenges personal ambitions yet provides an in depth understanding how movement itself is influence, is energy and transformative.

PARTICIPATION:

Participation is monthly to create a core group of practitioners but if you want to try it out once (£7/ session) you are welcome to join to get to know the format but for a drop-in please do know that we are trying to keep drop-in's low because knowing one another, trust and consistency make this practice stronger and support each participant more. To sign up for a month please get in touch before the month commences via info.exitmap@gmail.com ref: Shared Practice. The next round of sessions are for the following dates:

Feb: 22.01.2023 and March 01/08/15/22/29.03.2023 @ 13.30- 15.30pm

deadline: 19.02.2023

Please read on underneath about what to consider and take care of. Thank You.

Facilitators: Tania Soubry, Laura Doehler

Where: The Green Community Centre – 5 Nunhead Green SE15 3QQ, London

You don’t need to be a professional but you do need to be able to look after your own practice. If you miss a session the amount is not refundable.

A couple of ground rules:

please come on time. It makes a difference starting together and having time to arrive. Ideally aim for 13.15pm as we always talk and take time to arrive.
there is a facilitator (Laura or Tania) to hold the space and guide the stages.
it is a silent space where the sounds of breath and to some extend sounding are welcome but … sound can be very distracting and if you do use sound please keep in mind that others are right beside you sharing it and it will influence their work. At the same time being free to sound as you move also matters, so effectively we ask you to make wise choices and to speak your mind if something becomes too much for you to manage your own explorations.
for the last 40 min we make use of music to benefit from the energy it gives us. Presently we have one musician with us who is taking care of music via live mixing but if not we take care of the music together via our own libraries like Spotify etc.
every beginning and end we get together, clarify questions for new comers, acknowledge whatever needs to be acknowledged. Closing at the end gives space to articulate findings and share processes.
there are kitchen and toilet facilities, the studio is ground floor and wheel chair accessible
if you would like to join for the coming period, like next month, let us know and we will save a space for you.