Action & Emptiness | Contact Improvisation Workshop with Reimar Wen Shen
Leipzig, Germany
18–19 January 2025
Photo (left): Veronica Olariu (instagram @veronica_olariu
linktr.ee/veronicaolariu).
Photo (right): Ken Buslay (instagram @kenbuslay
kenbuslay.com).
“During this workshop, we will immerse ourselves in one of the roots of Contact Improvisation – Aikido. We will examine some fundamental principles of this practice and explore how they prepare the body and mind for dance.
The Japanese martial art emphasizes harmonious movement with an opponent. To achieve this, Aikido teaches fundamental skills, such as sensitivity and the safe handling of physical forces: momentum, gravity, and inertia. These same skills are essential in Contact Improvisation.
Over the course of the workshop, we will explore the intersection of embodied attention, felt energy, and physics. Starting close to the ground, we will investigate falling and recycling the energy of the fall. We will also introduce the concept of the ‘Aikido Body’—centered and kinetic, in constant dialogue with the ground. We will discover IRIMI, the principle of ‘entering’ and becoming one with another, which prepares us to create shared direction in space. Starting with simple forms, we will cultivate awareness of these principles and apply them to our dance practice.”
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Schedule
Saturday, 18 January
Arrival: 9:30–10:00
Morning Session: 10:00–13:00
Afternoon Session: 15:00–18:00
Sunday, 19 January
Meditation: 8:40–9:40 (optional)
Morning Session: 10:00–13:00
Afternoon Session: 15:00–18:00
Open Jam: 19:00–21:30
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Price
▪️ Full Workshop: 160 EUR
▪️ One-Day Sessions: 90 EUR
▪️ Early Bird: 140 EUR (80 EUR for one day Sessions) until 31.12.2024
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Venue
Fudoshin Dojo Leipzig,
Josephstraße 45
(For non-residents of Leipzig, there is an opportunity to stay overnight at the studio for free from Saturday to Sunday. Please bring your own sleeping bag and indicate your need for this when registering.)
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Reimar Wen Shen (DE/SG)
Reimar focuses on improvisation, embodiment, and meditation. A dedicated Vipassana practitioner, he is the founder of vipassanaathome.org. With a background in martial arts, a black belt in Taekwondo, and Aikido experience, these practices form the foundation of his movement work. He studied Aikido at the Ryu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.
Reimar also teaches OceanDance—a meeting point of somatics, freediving, and CI. His interests lie in CI as a practice of integrating polarities: action and emptiness, silence and willfulness. He draws inspiration from contemplative traditions, martial arts, Butoh, and freediving.
Reimar is an active CI teacher in Thailand, Japan, Germany, and Portugal.
Teachers and friends who have influenced his practice:
Dolores Dewhurst Marks, Sasha Dodo, Katya Basalaeva, Kirstie Simson, Bari Kim, Sasha Brezrodnova, Geraldin Acevedo España, Francisco Borges, Virginia Torres
Instagram: @reimarwenshen
facebook.com/reimarwenshen
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Registration
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i0oU_dVE0_c0GPLOPIJJihkIHpgGfbKx4SnFvl5XEQg/edit