Somatics into Choreography

27.07, 15:00 - 18:00

Bewegungsraum, Hamburg

max 10 participants

Sliding scale: 40-60 euro

somatic methods and their composition into movement

Registration

Cover photo by Alexandra Denisova

Many somatic methods have developed in parallel with contemporary dance and have supported and nourished each other.

Choreography is concerned with dance as a form of movement, but also draws inspiration from other forms of movement: martial arts, fitness, functional movement such as running or climbing, everyday movement, and very many other forms of life (and sometimes other, non-living forms of life).

As a choreographer, I often refer to somatic methods that I have researched and experienced in SAB and various dance contexts. From somatics, which deals with the living and sensing self, I move into form, composition, and dramaturgy.

I share my practice: how I use somatic methods in choreography. Of course, this is entirely subjective and just one of the many different ways in which somatic principles and methods can be interpreted.

These three hours are a glimpse into how somatic thinking and approaches can be given a choreographic form through compositional means - from a movement research, a dance sketch, an instant composition session - or all other possible formats.

It is a subjective suggestion from a choreographer that can become an inspiration for your own work and approaches.

Warning

The event can contain speculative ways of thinking, invented images and body models, as well as remnants of cultural and social imprinting.

FAQ

Facilitators

Vera Shchelkina

Dance artist and choreographer

Connects information about the body, its anatomy, physiology, and functions, with various dance, performative, somatic, and choreographic approaches. Vera graduated from the Somatic Academy in Berlin and is currently studying in a master's program of Choreography at HZT.

Read more about Vera.

based on somatic methods

Feldenkreis

The Feldenkrais Method is a gentle, exploratory approach to movement and body awareness developed by physicist Moshe Feldenkrais. It uses slow, mindful movements—either in group sessions called Awareness Through Movement or individual sessions called Functional Integration—to help people move more efficiently, reduce tension, and improve posture, coordination, and overall well-being. Rooted in neuroscience and somatic learning, the method emphasizes curiosity and sensory awareness over correction, and has been used to support chronic pain relief, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement in areas like sports and the arts.

Continuum

The Continuum Method, developed by Emilie Conrad, is a somatic movement practice that explores the body as a fluid system, emphasizing wave-like, undulating motions, breath, and sound to awaken internal sensation and promote healing. Unlike structured movement forms, Continuum encourages slow, improvisational movement to dissolve habitual patterns and deepen awareness of the body’s subtle rhythms. It views movement not just as physical activity, but as a meditative, regenerative process that reconnects practitioners with their primal, fluid nature—supporting vitality, emotional release, and a sense of wholeness.

Body-Mind Centering

Body-Mind Centering® (BMC) is an experiential movement and somatic practice developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen that explores how the body’s systems—like bones, organs, fluids, and nervous system—contribute to movement, perception, and consciousness. Through guided movement, touch, voice, and embodied anatomy, practitioners engage with these systems directly to develop deeper self-awareness, integration, and expressive potential. BMC emphasizes the inseparable relationship between mind and body, using developmental patterns and embryological exploration to support healing, learning, and transformation at all levels of being.

Middendorf Breathing

Middendorf Breathing, also known as The Experience of Breath, is a somatic practice developed by Ilse Middendorf that focuses on cultivating awareness of the natural breath rather than controlling it. The method emphasizes sensing and receiving the breath as it moves through the body, allowing it to unfold organically without manipulation. Through gentle movement, touch, and attention, practitioners deepen their perception of how breath connects to physical, emotional, and energetic states. The goal is to restore authentic breathing patterns, enhance presence, and support overall vitality and self-regulation through a more intimate relationship with the breath.

Authentic Movement

Authentic Movement is a contemplative movement practice rooted in depth psychology and developed by Mary Starks Whitehouse. It involves a mover, who closes their eyes and follows internal impulses to move freely, and a witness, who observes without judgment. The practice creates a safe, non-verbal space where unconscious material can surface through spontaneous movement, often leading to deep self-discovery, emotional insight, and healing. Authentic Movement emphasizes presence, inner listening, and the relationship between mover and witness, inviting a profound connection between body, psyche, and the present moment.

Location

Bewegungsraum, Valentinskamp 34a, 20355 Hamburg

If you didn't find the information you need – don't hesitate asking the organisator via email: info@movingtouch.site

PARTNERS