Contemporary Dance and Injury Workshop

Contemporary Dance and Injury Workshop

Join Aneta Modelo, Ben McEwen and Arianna Pisano for an event celebrating contemporary dance and injury management.

The workshop, designed for professional dancers and students, will deepen your knowledge about the human body, teaching you how to manage and deal with potential injuries.

The day will consist of two contemporary dance classes with Aneta Modelo and Ben McEwen, and an interactive discussion about dancers' injuries, led by dancer and osteopath Arianna Pisano.

10:00 - 11:30

Capoeira and Contemporary Dance with Aneta Modelo

Aneta's classes are a culmination of twelve years of  research into the exchange of ideas between Capoeira and contemporary dance, specifically the dynamic release technique and floor work. These organic forms of movement have, at their centre, a focus on nature, creativity, and improvisation, as well as an emphasis on spiral dynamic and the connection between body, mind and spirit. We will investigate ways to incorporate the total physical awareness necessary for Capoeira, whose roots partly lie in the art of fighting, into the more meditative world of release technique. Through Capoeira, Aneta hopes to open up opportunities for self-expression within the medium of contemporary dance – using the quality and philosophy behind the movements as inspiration without direct imitation. This poetic playfulness and animalistic physicality will provide a new and exciting dimension for dancers, Capoeiristas and amateurs alike to explore.

11:45 - 13:00

Dance Injury Discussion with Arianna Pisano

What can we do when we get injured? There is so much research and money put into injury prevention, but what about injury reduction? Dancers do get injured. The sooner we accept this, the better everyone’s recovery will be.

Consider this statement: "I want to remove the belief that injuries are avoidable and suggest that the term injury ‘prevention’ can reinforce invisible pressures on dancers to maintain a model of health that is actually impossible to achieve".

It brings us back to the question - what can we do when we get injured? 

The first part of this discussion focuses on acute injuries, including:

• Common signs and symptoms
• Common types of injury
• Common injury sites in contemporary dancers

We will go on to discuss self-care, and guidelines for when to seek help, from which healthcare professionals.

The second part of the discussion will be interactive, exploring the mechanism of injury at specific joints. Participants will be divided into small groups to discuss larger joints of the body that are commonly injured in contemporary dance. This part of the workshop will be hands-on, including body paint work, to help us familiarise ourselves with our anatomy.

The third part of the session will focus on self-management. What can we do when a specific injury occurs? What movement should we avoid? What movement should we do? We will also explore how we can help others when they are injured.

[Lunch Break]

14:00 - 15:30

Flying Low with Ben McEwen

Ben's classes explore floorwork, specifically Flying Low, a technique initiated and still taught by David Zambrano. Every teacher continues to develop Flying Low in their own way - there is no set syllabus or format. One way of defining Flying Low is through its use of simple principles and movements, such as spiralling movements that alternate between expansion and cohesion, to move in, out and along the floor with ease, speed and pleasure. Ben invites participants to take a detailed look at the material, finding the patterns and coordinations that work for each individual, before putting it all back together for some full-bodied dancing!

Ticket Information

Follow the ticketing link to book.

• Early bird until 13th May £20
• Early bird until 20th May £25
• Full price £30

Venue

Core Clapton is a social, collaborative space for health, wellbeing, events and learning. The seminar will take place in the huge Edwardian parish hall, a space full of natural light and air. The building was restored to its former beauty for the opening of the Centre for Osteopathic Research and Excellence (CORE) in 2017.

FAQs

• There is no onsite parking but free street parking is available nearby.
• Tea, coffee and light snacks will be provided. Lunch will not be provided but can be purchased in local shops or cafes.

Photography Waiver

A photographer and videographer will be present at this event. If you do not wish to be included in photos or videos, to be used by the organisers for future publicity, please notify us upon arrival and we will make appropriate arrangements to prevent this from happening.