Exploration will be undertaken as solo practice together, as well as within clearly defined relational frames such as pairs and trios, and scored group situations that arise, change and dissolve. Themes for practice may include references drawn from Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy, embryological developmental movement motifs, embodied anatomy and physiology, philosophical koans, attention to the materiality of the body, and the use of objects as anchors or feedback transmitters.
“I enjoy working with whole body, scale, space/time, detail, risk, weight and momentum, and pursuing satisfaction. We may draw on practices I have been grateful to be involved in recently with Matthias Sperling, Charlie Morrisey, Jeanine Durning and Dog Kennel Hill Project.”
Please note: Embryology content may be a sensitive subject dependent on lived experience. In mind of this care will be taken in the delivery of this material and holding of the space. However, class is not presented as a process oriented therapeutic space.
Access
Independent Dance is resident at Siobhan Davies Studios. To find out more about accessibility and the amenities available within the building please see here.
If you have any questions about the accessibility of our programme and would like to discuss any specific access requirements, please feel free to reach out to us via email info@independentdance.co.uk or by phone on 0207 091 9665, to speak directly to a member of the Independent Dance team. Alternatively, you may phone the main reception at Siobhan Davies Studios on 0207 091 9650.
During class, all participants are welcome to take breaks, observe, exit and enter the space as they wish. Lounge areas are available on the first and ground floors of the building. Yoga mats, blocks, cushions and ear defenders are available for use. We also welcome you being in contact if you would like to discuss the option of bringing your access support worker. Please speak to a member of the ID team if you require any assistance.
Cancellations and refunds
Prices for classes are kept very low and are subsidised by ID in order to support artists to attend. To keep admin manageable for our small team, we don’t offer refunds if you cancel or can’t attend a class, and we can’t transfer your booking to a different class/event. We hope this is understandable. If a class is cancelled or changed by ID however, we do offer refunds/transfers to everyone who has booked.
Ben Ash (he/him) is a Dance artist and Craniosacral therapist, a teacher within dance and Craniosacral therapy contexts, and co-director of Dog Kennel Hill Project. As an independent performer Ben has collaborated with Rosemary Butcher, Charles Linehan, Rosemary Lee, Richard Alston, Siobhan Davies, Charlie Morrissey, Matthias Sperling, Jeanine Durning and Charlotte Spencer.
Ben integrates somatic movement awareness in his clinical practice as a Craniosacral therapist. In these intersecting practices he invites collaboration through presence in the relational field, both within performance practice and as a therapist. Through a practice he terms ‘Wayfaring Encounters’ he is exploring how form, gesture, action and response support a ‘felt’ relational exchange, and how awareness of this process can become a resource for engaging creative practice and performance.