AM and Choreography

The more I have experimented with Authentic Movement, the more uses I find for it. There are many ways in which it is very helpful and brings amazing results. I guess if I distil them all down the one thing that really stands out, is the connection to inner impulses. Through Authentic Movement I establish a strong intensive connection to my own inner impulses, follow them and use them in various settings. They are like inner urges longing to come out and at the same time I feel as if I am being moved. I feel a deep sense of connection to myself and also as if I have totally let go of control. Something inside of me moves and I go with it!

Why choreographically?

In choreography, a lot of the interesting movement that I see has a genuine authenticity to it. Sometimes it comes from the choreographer directly where you can see them moving onstage, the body of the dancer just a means of expression. At other times, it is the dancer themselves who are so congruent and authentic in their role that a powerful moment is produced. Either way it there is an authenticity in the dance.

From all these thoughts my question is: How can I use AM or AM principles in choreography?

There are of course many ways! Here is one of them…

Before starting I get clear on my theme so that the framework of intent is there to guide me. It’s like creating a shell or an area of containment within which I can explore. This can be based on the music, theme, or intention… Within these parameters, I turn my awareness inside my body, listening to the impulses that come (à la AM) and let myself be moved. What results is authentic inspired movement that follows and arises spontaneously in the moment. These phrases I record on video (or sometimes just through memory). I then watch them, refine them and guide them encapsulating the feeling phrasing, shape and dynamic into coherent dance. The process is a continuous flow following follow these authentic inner impulses.

I have found a few limitations: working with eyes closed (not always necessary but helpful) can make the movement a little smaller. Sometimes the impulses get off track and there is a need to refocus the intent, but these are small problems that are easily overcome.

Really what is created from the process, is a base from which to work.

So here is a beginning of a duet on the theme of touch using these principles…. Fresh and raw!

With Ioulia Kokkokkiou

Music Nils Frahm