Ugly Dance – music by DJ Maya Light, movement by Nicolas Jadot

Dance on the razor edge between expressivity and containment.

In this facilitated exploration, Nicolas will invite us to open up the paths least explored within our dance. Ugly Dance is about daring to take the first terrifying step into the dark unknown, with the determination and playfulness of a child. Together, we will create a space safe enough to express what we truly experience–right now.

Dancing ugly can look like repeating a movement, despite the music changing and everyone around moving differently; sometimes it looks like doing Tai-Chi, despite having very little training and our form looking all wrong; and sometimes it is about falling on our knees and experiencing the pain that lies deep within our belly.

The tantric principles are particularly important when approaching Ugly Dance. In tantra, we do not seek total release, and instead ride many waves of contained expansions and contractions. As we are invited to move our shadows, we might be tempted to “vomit” them out, seeking quick cathartic release, but that is not the practice you are invited to participate in. Here, we will try and learn from the tantricas, breathing a little deeper, moving a little slower.

By allowing yourself to dance with whatever is most present at any moment–whether that is feeling on top of the world, or feeling rejected after someone you wanted to dance with moved away–you stay present, able to respond to any new input, unencumbered by any form of inner chatter. Dancing ugly unlocks freedom of body and mind. It empowers us to dance and play with all that is.

Be there.
Be ugly.

PLAYGROUND RULES!
-No shoes (special dance shoes, if you need to use them, are ok)
-No chit chat (it’s only 2 hours, we can all do with a little silence. Invite your friends home or to the Kava bar to chat afterwards)
-No drugs
-No physical contact (we all love contact improv, cuddles, and touches! Keep doing it! Not on this playground though)

Nicolas Jadot
Nicolas is a somatic therapist, yoga instructor, and Soul Motion teacher practicing in the East Bay. He has trained extensively with contact dancer extraordinair Irene Sposetti, butoh master Atsushi Takenushi, Soul Motion founder Vinn Arjuna Marti, and Movement Medicine co-founder Ya’acov Darling Khan.

As a conscious dance teacher, Nicolas aspires to support others falling back into their body. His approach is a blend of contemporary dance techniques and conscious dance, informed by yoga philosophy, somatic and relational knowledge from the West.

Maya Light
Maya loves to dive into the depths of connection and expression through the unique and captivating conversation that is awakened on the dance floor. She plays as a director of the human experience, offering countless pathways and possibilities of movement through the range of diverse music she shares.
Drawn to deliciously wompy, heart-bass world beats, she encourages a rich exploration with a dynamically nourishing and inspiring journey of sound.

Schedule
-Doors open at 7:15
-Warm-up from 7:30-8pm
-Facilitated exploration 8-9:30pm