Eszter Gál: Unleashing momentum – cultivating relaxation in contact improvisational dancing
SomaHut 2025
workshop
Zagreb Dance Center, Ilica 10, Zagreb
November 22 – 23, 2025
Saturday, November 22nd 10:30 AM — 4:30 PM (break 1-2 PM)
Sunday, November 23rd 10:30 AM — 3 PM (break 1-1:30 PM)
The workshop is open to all interested parties, regardless of previous experience.
Applications at: somahut.mmk@gmail.com
‘In proposing the content of this workshop, I will draw on the Skinner Releasing* technique as well as over 25 years of experience teaching and dancing improvisation, including contact improvisation. Each class will begin with a ‘fine tuning’ that will lead us to practice contact skills before moving into guided or open group dance to deepen the experience. Curiosity in exploring the wonders of ‘release work’ will guide us to clear, specific, and perhaps even energetic dances.’
The material will include:
– awareness through relaxation – flexibility and autonomy; work on chest volume, spinal articulation, leg freedom, exploration of hand movements, center awareness
– exploration of the path from conscious touch to movement
– opening, creating, entering, moving through and being in space
– dance with skills such as disorientation, falling, flying, safe landing
* Skinner releasing technique is a somatic dance technique developed by Joan Skinner. It uses image-guided floor work, graphic representations and movement study with the aim of relieving tension and supporting ease of movement, softly interweaving and integrating technique work and the creative process.
** Contact improvisation is a dance form in continuous development that involves physical contact between two or more bodies while simultaneously paying attention to touch, giving and receiving weight. The improvisational aspect meets physical data such as gravity and centrifugal force. Embodied knowledge of anatomy can increase range of motion. Attention to detail and relying on the support of one or more partners offers unique mobility options.
Eszter Gál is a dancer, Registered Somatic Movement Educator (MSME/T), researcher and certified Skinner Releasing Technique teacher. He has been teaching somatic techniques, contact improvisation, composition, improvisation and performance practice for more than 30 years. She is a co-founder and lecturer in the SODA program (Somatic Dialogues Academy) in Budapest.
As a teacher, choreographer and performer, she collaborates with Tánceánia, an inclusive dance company. Her artwork and teaching methods have been influenced by: Eva Karczag, Mary Overlie, Yoshiko Chuma, Mark Tompkins, Keith Hennessy, Stephanie Skura, Martin Keogh, Nita Little, Nina Martin, Benoit Lachambre and Peter Pleyer. In 2020, he joins the Cranky Bodies company. As part of his doctoral studies, he is researching the Hungarian heritage of contact improvisation.
The registration fee for the workshop is 120 euros,
and with an early registration discount of 100 euros.
The registration fee for the unemployed, pupils, students, and retirees is 90 euros,
and with an early registration discount of 70 euros.
The early registration discount is valid for applications and payments made by 7.11.
The SomaHurt 2025 program is co-financed by the City of Zagreb, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the European Union.
