Elements of Contact
with Moti and Taina
Sept 29 - Oct 1
Join us in an exploration of the many varied qualities of Contact Improvisation – slow and grounding, fast and flowing, energetic and emotional. Using the elements of Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Ether as our guides, we will cultivate these qualities in ourselves and our dances. Through movement exercises in the studio and with nature we will practice extending dance to the other-than-human ecosystem and deepen our sense of connection to self, other, and the environment.
β πππ§π©π: Grounding, Gravity, Being a base, Compression, Weight…
β πππ©ππ§: Flow, Falling, Rolling point of Contact…
β πΌππ§: Lifts, Breath, Flying, lightness…
β πππ§π: Momentum, Expression, Will, Centrifugal Force, Transformation…
β ππ©πππ§: Energetic Space, Eye Contact, Spacial awareness, Intuition…
Who is this retreat for?
This workshop is for all levels, beginners and experienced dancers welcome.
This workshop is for you if you are comfortable and curious to work with both indoor and outdoor movement structures.
We aim to make this workshop accessible. If you have any specific accessibility needs please be in touch and we will do our best to support you.
Our teaching includes technique as well as consent, relational and intimacy exercises.
Sample Schedule:
Sep 29, 4pm – Oct 1, 2pm
Friday:
4-5:30pm: Arrival
5:30-7pm: Dinner
7:30-10pm: Opening Circle/Evening Jam
Saturday:
8-9am: Breakfast
9:30-12: Morning session
12-1pm: Lunch
1-2pm: Break
2-5pm: Afternoon Session
5-6:30: Dinner
7-10pm: Evening session/Jam
Sunday:
8-9am: Breakfast
9:30-12: Morning session/Closing circle
12-1pm: Lunch
Arrivals And Departures
Arrivals Friday September 29 2:30-5:30pm.Β
Weβll have a 4pm tour, and ask some folks to join for the last parts of dinner prep, before a 5:30pm welcome dinner!
Departures: Sunday October 1
Weβll have a closing session 9:30-noon, lunch noon to one, and departures anytime after noon.
Or stay for the BONUS JAM: 4-6:30 open WildHeart Community CI Lab and Jam, followed by a studio-floor picnic, and leave after that, or even stay an extra night at WildHeart!
Testimonials for Moti and Taina's Workshops and Retreats
“I was very fortunate to host a season-long contact improv class for older dancers taught by Taina. The class loved learning, dancing and exploring with Taina. Attunement to subtle sensations and movement in both the inner and outer planes is a special gift of Tainaβs, and that was abundantly in evidence with this group of older dancers, some of whom had concerns or fears about the capacities of their body. Taina created a safe and welcoming container that allowed each dancer to find their own ways in, honoring and celebrating whatever each came with. Invariably, each person left a new and different β a juicier and more alive — person than the one who’d arrived in the studio. I canβt recommend Taina enthusiastically enough!”
– SB (Massachusetts, USA)
“Moti’s intensive was hands down the best contact dance intensive I have ever taken. Moti was able to create a space where community could flourish and where we were able to explore ourselves at so many levels. Contact dance was the vehicle through which we delved deeper into ourselves and what it means to be in community with each other. I cannot recommend his teaching enough.”
– RM (Toronto, Canada)
“This Retreat was an absolute highlight in my over 30 years on again off again CI dance life. Moti is a sensei, a true master teacher, who has fed my love for CI on a very deep level and has brought out new curiosities and inner explorations into my being a CI practitioner, who wants to see this form spread to the edges of the earth.”
– CH, (USA/Germany)
“I love Taina’s approach to Contact Improv. Her classes explore CI not only as a dance of connecting bodies, but as an inquiry into being human. As such, our contact has context as we dive into connection with ourselves and with other dancers. Movement and self-discovery go hand in hand. Taina holds space that feels safe and open, playful and meaningful, while offering skills that build our inner and outer movement vocabulary for both the dance floor and for life.”Β
– RF (Rhode Island, USA)
“Moti’s classes were always engaging and challenging without pushing me to wear out my aging body! Thanks for attuned pacing that seemed to work well for the younger bodies as well.”
– BD (MA, USA)
About Moti and Taina
Moit Zemelman
As your co-host and teacher I bring 35 years of CI experience to share. Based in Massachusetts, I’ve taught and performed across USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Europe and Israel. This will be my 13th year teaching in Costa Rica! My teachings emphasize the importance of cultivating a deep and embodied sense of presence, as well as developing a compassionate non-judgmental relationship with oneself. My workshops and classes offer a space for individuals to explore movement and embodiment in a supportive and non-competitive environment, and are open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. Over the last 15 years in my desire to integrate communication and intimacy skills in teaching and life I have studied Non-violent communication, Tantra, Butoh, Byron Katie’s “The Work” and Betty Martin’s “Wheel of Consent”. I have been both a teacher and a board member at Earthdance Retreat Center in Plainfield, MA where I co-directed the Touch&Play Festival for 6 years. I am a featured dancer in Sanford Lewis’ documentary film about CI “An Intimate Dance.” I also design and moderate the international Contact Improv resource website www.contactimprov.com
Taina Lyons
I am a somatic ritualist, movement artist, and holistic counselor. I teach Contact Improvisation and hold spaces for grief, rites of passage, ancestral & nature connection, and consent. My capacity for intuitive guidance supports studentsβ growth and discovery through dance and reflection. I center gentle inquiries into purpose, healing, and connection and invite you to deepen in your awareness of self and other.
Retreat Location
WildHeart is located on 46+ beautiful acres in the Hudson Valley. Retreatants will have the option to stay in a single room, double room, dorm, or camping in either our main retreat center or in private two-bedroom cabins. All options have access to shared kitchens and bathrooms. Daily events will take place in the studio, shared common spaces, and outdoors. Retreatants are welcome to enjoy the lawns, walk in the forest, and swim and boat in the lake during their stay! More info about directions and transportation options HERE.
Retreat Costs
WildHeart is a body-positive, queer, anti-racist space. By offering a variety of housing options, and two free BIPOC spots, we hope to make this retreat accessible to all.Β
If you have any questions or concerns about pricing, or need help registering, please do not hesitate to reach out.
To register for a free BIPOC spot, please email us directly info@wildheartcenter.art
Price:
- $550: Single-occupancy / private room
- $450: Double-occupancy room, shared with one other retreat participant.
- $370Β Single bed in our spacious “Dorm,” sharing a big room with a maximum 4 other people.
- $320 Camping, with shared bathroom / shower / kitchen access. Bring your own gear.
- $250 Commuter (plus additional contribution for any meals you choose to eat with us)
To learn more about WildHeartβs accommodations please visit our accommodations page.