WHAT IS GROOVEMENTâ„¢
Characteristics & working method
In Groovementâ„¢, the predominant characteristics are groundedness, three-dimensionality, softness and articulation.
Groovementâ„¢ is a dance/movement improvisation method.
It respects the individual’s natural anatomy and therefore is suitable for every Body.
Each session is independent, with its own build up and goals.
Groovementâ„¢ focuses on your experience of the moment rather than a specific shape, with consciousness and precision.
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Groovementâ„¢ session's example:
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We start the class by releasing the tension in the body. We do this by relaxing every muscle from up to down, so that they become available and alert at the same time.
We do an exercise where we make space in our bodies by stretching when we inhale and curl inwards when we exhale. This way we get aware of our bodies and mobile around our joints.
Afterwards, we do exercises with repetitions on the legs to develop strength and balance, which helps us to be grounded.
Then we improvise with the embodiment of textures such as honey, clay and water to feel variations in strength and softness. I ask all participants to forget what they know about their bodies so that they find new patterns and ways to articulate their bodies. With this, the participants trigger their coordination skills.
As a last task, we visualize that there is an audience positioned around, above and under us. We improvise continuously making sure that our imaginary public can always see all our bodies all the time.
FOR WHOM
FOR EVERYBODY
The content, approach and purpose of Groovementâ„¢ varies and is adaptable to serve different ages, backgrounds, experience and working fields.
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Groovementâ„¢ is for:
anyone wanting to improve his/her well-being by connecting and creating space in the body, mind and spirit;
anyone who wants to be mindful, by focusing on here & now, observing what the body does and feels, what happens in the body and its consequences in the mind and vice-versa;
anyone feeling vulnerable to stress and tension, using physical softness as a promoter to let go of unnecessary tension, be it physical, mental or emotional.
a dance student to (re)discover his/her own individuality;
a professional dancer/performer to enrich his physical skills and his/her movement patterns, raise awareness of his body and hence, his/her presence on stage;
Students and professionals of different artistic fields to get out of their minds and into their bodies, to develop body consciousness and release tension, to boost creativity for their artistic process;
visual artists who draw inspiration from Groovementâ„¢ and integrate its tools into their artistic work.
WHY
Groovement™ is passed on and performed in several contexts such as:
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a training practice - to energize, improve fitness and condition, open the body, raise awareness and connection between body, mind and spirit;
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an artistic technique - to enhance one’s physical skills, to help find one’s natural movement identity, quality, creativity; to stimulate a working/artistic process (suitable for any artistic field, be it performatively physical or not)
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a promoter of well-being - to focus in the here & now; to find relaxation, availability and freedom in the body and mind; to generate new energy and inspiration.
GROOVEMENT
ARTICLE
For two years, Fernanda Silva was supported by Province Gelderland and Beeldend Danstheater Telder, which gave her the opportunity to develop her artistry on a specific trajectory.
This is a sharing of her journey; the development of Groovement as a physical therapy for the recovery of her injuries, how it manifested itself as her choreographic signature and as a movement method that can serve a broad variety of bodies. Hopefully it will inspire you!
GROOVEMENT
INTERVIEW
On the 27th of April 2023, the Docent Dans Magazine published an interview that Ilja Geelen had with Fernanda Silva about the creation of Groovement, the inspiration that influenced the method and the values and philosophy that the method reinforces, such as
Nothing to prove, nothing to achieve, only to enjoy.
Read the interview (in Dutch) to know more details about Fernanda's background and how it all contributed to the creation of Groovement™.