Exploration through improvisation along clearly articulated principles will be undertaken as ‘solo practice together’, as well as within specific relational frames such as pairs, trios, and scored group situations that arise, change and dissolve.
Themes for practice may include references drawn from Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy, embryological developmental movement gestures, 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 across my dance performance history, Craniosacral experience and Buddhist contemplative tradition.’
Please note: care will be taken in both the presentation of material and holding of the space. However, class is not presented as a process-oriented therapeutic space.
There will also be an opportunity for class attendees who are curious to discover more about Craniosacral Therapy to use a 10% discount for a 1-to-1 session with Ben this week on either the Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday after class, in addition to his weekly Craniosacral Therapy clinic, held on Tuesdays at Siobhan Davies Studios. More information here.
Ben Ash (he/him) is a freelance dance artist, Craniosacral therapist and facilitator working across dance and therapeutic contexts. He is co-director of Dog Kennel Hill Project with Henrietta Hale and Rachel Lopez de la Nieta.
He has performed works by many artists including Yvonne Rainer, Trisha Brown, Rosemary Butcher, Charles Linehan, Rosemary Lee, Richard Alston, Siobhan Davies, Charlie Morrissey, Matthias Sperling, Jeanine Durning, Charlotte Spencer, Seke Chimutengewende and Neve Harrington.
His dance and therapeutic practices meet through somatic movement awareness and a commitment to presence within the relational field. As both performer and therapist, he invites collaboration through attentive exchange. Through a practice he calls Wayfaring Encounters, he explores how form, gesture, action and response cultivate a felt sense of relationship, and how awareness of these processes can become a resource for creative practice, performance and therapeutic engagement.
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 9650, to speak to a member of the Independent Dance team.
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.
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.