Morning Butoh – A Practice of Renewing and Redefining Self (DAN2012.01)

Mina Nishimura

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
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