Discover the subtle art of moving with another person through physical dialogue, where gravity becomes your dance partner and momentum leads to unexpected journeys. In this gentle introduction to contact improvisation, we'll explore the fundamentals of sharing weight, following points of contact, and listening through touch. Like mushroom networks beneath the forest floor, contact improv reveals hidden pathways of connection and communication between bodies. No dance experience needed - just bring your curiosity and willingness to explore this unique form of moving meditation.
What You'll Experience
-Gentle warm-ups to awaken body awareness and prepare for mindful movement
-Partner exercises exploring the fundamentals of weight sharing and balance
-Guided improvisations that develop your ability to listen and respond through touch
-Safe techniques for giving and receiving weight through different contact points
-The joy of moving beyond habitual patterns into spontaneous physical dialogue
-Group movement scores that build community through collaborative movement
Who It Is For
-Anyone curious about movement as communication and connection
-Those seeking new ways to relate to their bodies and others
-People looking for meditative practices that engage the whole body
-Individuals wanting to build confidence in physical interaction and touch
-Those interested in deepening their sense of embodiment and presence
-Anyone who feels drawn to dance but has been intimidated by formal dance classes
What to Bring
-Comfortable clothes that allow free movement (avoid zippers, buttons or jewelry)
-Knee pads if you have sensitive knees (optional)
-A water bottle
-An open mind and willingness to explore new sensations
Facilitation Approach
I create a gentle, non-judgmental space where authentic expression is celebrated. The workshop balances structured guidance with ample room for personal discovery. All exercises are invitations rather than requirements, and you're encouraged to honor your boundaries while gently exploring their edges.
About Your Facilitator...
Hi, I'm Marina and Mirumir is the name of my company. I am a multi-disciplinary artist, designer and educator from Russia, who is passionate about "communicating messages straight to the heart".
A multi-lingual variety artist, I bring together the worlds of clown, mime, and physical storytelling, translating stage techniques into practical tools for navigating life's beautiful chaos. My teaching practice explores the intersection of performance and personal growth, creating safe spaces where technical skill-building naturally evolves out of therapeutic discovery and community connection.
Why a clown nose? I grew up in post-Soviet Russia and went through the first 28 years of my life fulfilling everything I was told I should be, which involved a lot of looking good and making money. It also involved feeling depressed and lonely. In 2016 I left a career in teaching and a Master's in graphic design and went looking for cities where strangers look each other in the eyes and wild sceneries where I could be alone with my self. My journey took a sharp turn in France when chance and magic lead me to my first clown workshop. The way clown was described to me, was as a "being with no skin". Meaning that when we are in the clown-state, we do not have the invisible walls of protection that all of us build between ourselves and the outside world. That way, anything that happens to us has the ability to touch us deeply, stir things up and let them rise to the surface for everyone to see. Clowning was my first experience of being seen without any filters or masks and experiencing the world from moment to moment as if it was new. Since then uninhibited self-expression has become my passion which I strive to embody in my life and work.
"[Marina's workshop] altered the way I connect to my own body and how I approach others."
I participated in Marina’s "Like Nobody's Watching" workshop about 1.5 month ago and I have been able to practice most of the things that Marina pointed out to us participants. The workshop itself was very useful for me especially looking back. It altered the way I connect to my own body and how I approach others. I liked how Marina was very relaxed and knowledgeable in her approach, oftentimes referring the sensations we were experiencing back to scientific research or historic knowledge. The exercises were fun, uplifting, intense, awkward, potentially vulnerable or body sensation triggering.
I can really recommend this workshop to anyone, especially to very heady people, who want to connect better to their body and the subtle sensations and messages it sends us.
— Tim Clorius
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