psychology in movement
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Contact Improvisation is a form of dance that emphasizes physical connection and improvisation. It is a non-competitive and non-goal-oriented practice that allows you to explore the relationship, led by gravity, of your body and your partner's body in a safe and supportive environment.
Our aim with this project is to introduce youth workers to the technique of contact improvisation, and its potential in youth work. By working with movement and physical touch, we believe that it can have a positive impact on mental health, personal growth and involvement in society.
We recognize that dominant social structures often limit and stigmatize physical contact, which is why we want to offer a new understanding and practice through this project. Our goal is to foster mutual communication, awareness, empathy, inclusion, and self-reflection.
Through the methodology presented, we also hope to encourage the questioning and breaking down of social stigmas, exploring various communication opportunities, expanding experiential learning through physical practices, and discovering the many physical, emotional, and psychological benefits of physical touch.
Introducing Youth Workers to the Benefits of Contact Improvisation in Youth Work
This booklet outlines a week-long experience where participants engaged in somatic and movement practices of Contact improvisation principles. The activities, carefully curated and deeply intentional, built upon each other, progressively encouraging participants to explore the many facets of their bodies, relationships, and the spaces they inhabit.
Each day’s practice focused on different themes, with particular emphasis on presence, fluidity, balance, trust, and the dynamics between chaos and harmony.
Through Contact Improvisation, participants were hopefully able to explore and develop social and personal skills that are crucial for both professional youth work and day-to-day interpersonal interactions.
Conclusion
In Touch with the World provided a rich educational experience where Contact Improvisation served as a tool for developing social and personal skills.
The flow of the activities encouraged participants to explore and embody concepts of trust, communication, presence, and connection—skills that seem very important for youth work and community-building. By moving through a progression of exercises that deepened the connection to oneself, to others, and to the world around them, participants were invited and encouraged to integrate these skills into their personal and professional lives. The impact of this week-long journey hopefully extends beyond the practice of movement and it offers tools for peacebuilding, empathy, and self-awareness, which are essential for any social education endeavor.
"The entire training was very supportive for me in terms of my own movement practice in contact improvisation&somatics, but also in terms of opportunities and inspiration for my practice as a movement facilitator. I experienced many tools that I will certainly use in my practices and daily life. Also I didn't expect such a progress and opening in my body that I experienced. I was impressed that in such a short time I discovered so many new possibilities and movement paths, thanks to the care, experience and suggestions of the leaders and the sense of security in the group."
"I came to “in touch with the world” because I wanted to dance and I wanted to get new inspiration for my youth trainer's life. Ended up with endless stimulus and food of thought for the next years to come. I am grateful I could take part in this experience. For this short time I was part of a temporary community, where space for comparison, support, and self-expression were pillars."
"Nourishing and gorgeous. I experienced beauty in many ways and felt at ease with the group most of the times by moving and talking.
Relationship with myself and others are the main focus for me now, and those days have been a playground to be in touch with myself, observe what's alive and move accordingly to it in a careful way."
"It was indeed very beautiful. This is the best word to describe it for me. Very warm, safe, and filled with acceptance. That was the base from which I could learn, improvise, try new things, let go of fears, have fun, and develop. I am still contemplating, but I am very grateful for this bubble of pure humanity that we created."
"I came to “in touch with the world” because I wanted to dance and I wanted to get new inspiration for my youth trainer's life. Ended up with endless stimulus and food of thought for the next years to come. I am grateful I could take part in this experience. For this short time I was part of a temporary community, where space for comparison, support, and self-expression were pillars."
Thank you Team.
