Find rhythm, groundedness, and flow with dance classes at Ananya Dance Theatre’s Institute for Performance and Social Justice.
Urban Bush Women Creative Process Class
Wednesday, April 20, 6:30-8:00pm
Join members of Urban Bush Women in a Professional Class using UBW methodologies, a mix of contemporary dance movement practice, improvisation techniques, phrases from company repertory, and movement creation by participants. Each individual has a unique and powerful contribution to make! We welcome Every Body to come and explore and discover their level of rigor and comfort.
Pre-registration for class is required, in order that we can maintain covid-related safety. All class participants must also provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination, wear face masks at all times inside the Institute. Registration Link: http://bit.ly/UBWatADT
Currently this is an in-person only class. If you would like to participate via zoom please let Kealoha know and we will create a list. If the list gets big enough we can open a Zoom option.
Intro to Yorchhā
Sunday, 3:00-4:00pm CT with Parisha Rajbhandari
Envision justice through rhythmic footwork, flowing torso, and sustained breath in Intro to Yorchhā*. Each class begins with a warm-up followed by foundational Yorchhā exercises and a fun choreographed phrase.
*Yorchhā is Ananya Dance Theatre’s trade-marked contemporary technique that intersects principles of vinyasa yoga, classical Indian dance form Odishi (from the eastern Indian state of Odisha) and martial art form Chhau (also from Odisha).
Body Watani – New Pop-Up Class!
Tuesdays, May 3-31, 10:00-11:30am CT
Body Watani (watani means homeland in Arabic) is both an improvisational movement practice and an emerging contemporary dance form developed by Leila and Noelle Awadallah, two Palestinian American dancers. The practice is a container with soft edges where improvisational research guides practitioners into their personal ‘body watani’ through spending time with ancestries, contemplating our complex relations to land / water / home, and activating embodied memories into one’s own dancing. Body Watani also manifests as a contemporary form with roots in dances of Arabic / **SWANA / Mediterranean lands through specific movement techniques, music of the region, and cultural / political content to engage with that deepens our relation to Body Watani’s context.
**SWANA: South West Asia North Africa
Wednesday Water Dances
Wednesday, 9:30-11:00am CT with Kealoha Ferreira
A weekly dedication to the vitality and life force of Water. In class we will offer breath, dance, meditation, story, song, and reflection. Each class will take shape a little differently, staying responsive to the ongoing movements protecting the value and longevity of water world-wide. Facilitated by Kealoha Ferreira, an Ananya Dance Theatre Artist, Wednesday Water Dances will begin with grounding movement, flow into dedicated time for personal practice/research/reflection, and close with collective sharing. All who are committed to deepening their relationship with water are welcome to participate.
Advanced Yorchhā
Friday, 6:00-7:00pm CT with Kealoha Ferreira
Dive into the nuance and complexity of Yorchhā. Advanced Yorchhā is designed to challenge and hone experienced movers through strength training, technique refinement, and intricate choreography. Previous Yorchhā experience is encouraged.