In our world of divisive polarities, Carolyn proposes exploring the power of gentleness, in mass and momentum; being with as dancers; attuning to resonance as you dance as part of a temporary community; sensing, moving and resting together, following your desires and curiosity; noticing relations that arise, establish, differentiate and pass in proximity and distance; witnessing, and being witnessed; tapping into undercurrents that move us – the questions and conversations that you bring to dancing; sensing what matters today, or in this moment, as your visceral, sensitive, sensual, dreaming, thinking bodies move, using improvisation scores drawing from somatic practices – Skinner Releasing Technique, Body Weather, Experiential Anatomy and Authentic Movement. In an inclusive space for dancers and non-dancers, participants are invited to bring their practice/interests into conversation with the proposals offered – there will be time for drawing, writing and reflection.
Carolyn Roy (they/she) London-based, freelance dancer whose practice examines social structures and philosophical ideas through the materiality of bodies. Her work crosses disciplines, with outputs in the form of performance, writing, audio work and political action.
Channelling the somatic awareness we gather as dancers through movement and other art forms, her body of presented/published work includes poetic and critical texts, sound narratives, film and photographic projects as well as live performances and political actions. She uses improvisation scores and somatic processes to explore the social agency, politics (and pleasure) of dancing together; trans-disciplinary encounter and exchange; and the writing of dance practice. Recent projects (2018–2022) explored what it is to be-with as dancers and she is currently collaborating Amy Voris to explore propositions around the force of gentleness. Carolyn teaches at Trinity Laban and LCDS and leads workshops for non-dancers in community and healthcare settings. Carolyn is a Member of Chisenhale Dance Space and Musarc music collective.
Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT) is a pioneering approach to dance, movement and creative process that has evolved from the simple principle that when we are releasing physical tension, we can move with greater freedom, power and articulation. It is a playful and generous approach to dancing.
Experiential Anatomy is an umbrella term used in different ways within a variety of movement, somatic and bodywork practices to refer to the dual processes of learning about human anatomy while at the same time exploring the processes of sensing/feeling/moving subjectively ‘from the inside’. The idea is that the anatomical information (or anatomically-inspired prompts) might offer ways of noticing and learning about our own ‘anatomy’ or tissues through the sensorial, movement, emotional and imaging.
Body Weather, originally developed by Japanese dancer, Min Tanaka, is based on the premise that bodies are like the weather – continuously moving and changing in relation to environmental forces. Our dancing bodies are active participants and receptors within our ecosystem.
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.
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.