No previous experience in dance or movement practice is required. This course is open to and welcomes all students who are interested in liberating their bodies from socially pre-conditioned selves, and investigating the physical embodiment of transformation.
By studying some breath, somatic and movement practices that are linked to butoh, which originated in Japan as a contemporary avant-garde dance form, we aim to break pre-fixed images of our bodies and selves, and search for ways of constantly renewing and redefining our sense of self. As early-morning is the most important and critical time of a day that helps determine how to spend and live that day, this course, utilizing meditation to writing to unorthodox movement practices, also offers a mindful yet vivid transition from a state of yin (asleep) to yan (awake).
Learning Outcomes:
-Establish an active mind-body conditioning morning practice
-Understand some of key concepts of butoh
-Become aware of and actively engaged in the transformation of internal states and physical modalities
-Find new and creative ways of renewing oneself through multiple body-based practices
-Be able to tackle on philosophical inquiries through somatic experience
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Corequisites: Dance or Drama lab assignment if students sign up for 4 or more credits in designated dance courses.
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 1
Tu 8:30AM - 10:20AM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Course Frequency: Once a year
Categories: 2000 , All courses , Dance , Fully In-Person , One Credit
Tags: Butoh , dance , Japanese culture , Meditation , Mind and Body , movement practice , physical theater , writing , Zen practice