DANCING QIGONG
Dancing Qigong“ is an open platform of our systematic and concentrated work in a field of interfacing dance and qigong.
Qigong literally means "work with the Qi energy". Qi means energy, vital life force, thanks to which we are alive. Qi circulates in our bodies in energetic pathways, also called meridians, and it is also connected to our internal organs which are nourished by chi. Gong means activity, work, ability and also time and attention we spend on using our Qi. Essentially, qigong may be entwined with dance, as there is a parallel between the two. It may become a subconscious aspect of a mover´s/dancer´s way of self-expression either in training, improvisation or even during a performance time on stage.
The system of Qigong and its exercises have developed over thousands of years. Its very core is derived from dance and from traditional ancient rituals. This system has been inspiring us for many years, up to now, and we have gathered lots of partial findings and observations throughout this time on how application of qigong practices improves our pedagogical work, creative processes, as well as our stage performance and interpretative skills. As dance artists and pedagogues, we continually strive to deepen and develop this knowledge into further and new levels. Thus, the term “Dancing Qigong” is an open platform of our systematic and concentrated work in this field.
We do not focus our attention on particular form of practices/exercises, but rather on application of their principles. We see huge potential in the latter for aiding and enriching movers, actors and dancers in a number of areas of their professional lives:
- improving their technique
- enhancing their interpretative abilities as performers
- providing deeper knowledge of healthy and effective body work, aiming to prolong their artistic career
Our work is divided into these areas:
A) Qigong exercises aimed at preparing and activating the body (as a start of a new day or before rehearsals)
- qigong practices for activating Qi in one´s body and getting it moved around the body in meridians,
- getting acquainted with energetic and movement centers,
- practices which use the energy activated in one´s body for strengthening of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles
B) Physical (dance) training
Focused on understanding the structure of a human body and perceiving mutual movement relations and forces which connect the bodily parts into a whole. Through a variety of exercises we focus on:
- supporting the flow of the vital Qi energy in body and conscious channeling of this energy by means of movement into different parts/layers of the body,
- understanding of how the rotation of joint centers works, searching for harmony and balance of and in the body
- transferring energy through and into joints and bones
- strengthening our bone structure and discovering a balanced alignment of body through learning about is correct physio-dynamics,
- conscious work with the essential physiological and energetic centers
- evolving the movement potential of our bodies
During the entire training, we do not put emphasis on the external form, but rather on integrating and understanding of the essential concept underlining the work and its individual principles. We put emphasis on what it means to consciously detach one´s self from the “critical and judgmental mind” of a dancer or performer, through what one becomes more of an “observer” than a “doer”.
C) Creating a system of assignments for improvisation
- using traditional and established qigong forms, but also just pure principles with no specific or defined forms as basis for movement improvisation alone or with a partner
- discovering new movement vocabulary during the creative process
D) Creating a system of preparatory exercises for performers to be used before the show/performance
- activating the vital energy to be used in introspective focus of one´s attention (coming at inner peace, tuning the concentration before the show onto one´s performance feats)
- mental and movement preparation which effectively warms-up and strengthens muscles and tendons of performers
Our studies of qigong, tai-ji-quan and chinese medicine
Zuna – study of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, qigong, praxis of qigong at Shiatsu School (established by Zuna), study of Universal Tao Healing System, study at Academy of Chinese Metaphysics
Milan – master of Sam F.S. Chin – I Liq Chuan, study at Academy of Chinese Metaphysics.
Institution, groups and project we have worked with this way
Transformation /Beijing, China – Choreo-Lab inspired by The Book of Change(Yi Jing) / 2016
Dancing in the Mountains /CZ – International summer dance camp / 2000-2016
Studio Matejka /Wroclaw /PL – theatre research / 2012-2013
Pangea Meetingpoint / Eagle Mountains /CZ - theatre research, piece „Split second“ / 2015
Teatr Piesn Kozla /Wroclaw /PL – creation of the piece „Dead Walk Love“ / 2015
Res Ratio Network - Efi Birba /Athens /GR – international residency / 2016
Artyci Dance Company /SK – creation of pieces „For Gaia“ and „Satsang“ 2015-2016
TIP – Schule für Tanz, Improvisation und Performance /Freiburg / D – conducting workshops 2014-2015
Dance and Medicine – project of interfacing dance with chinese medicine principles link na http://danceandmedicine.wixsite.com/zuna