Allow for at least 45 minutes. You will need a clear place to move freely and a costume— to include a piece of your everyday clothing—that has a distinct tactile quality (e.g., a specific texture or weight) and is made out of a material that is responsive to your body's movement.
This Somatic Act can be done as a solo, duet, or group.
How and what do we attend to and follow in the costume?
Purpose: Building on the internal body awareness from Somatic Act 13a, this practice extends that focus to the costume. This movement improvisation invites you to attend to and follow the relational elements of a costume, revealing the preferences often embedded in our choreographic and costume design practices.
Practice: This act suggests beginning by following the general categories and then, later, becoming more specific. The general invites more freedom, while the specific offers more structure. This choice depends on your needs and where you are in your choreographic and costume design process.
For example, a general category is to ´follow the relationship between the costume and your body´. A specific category is to `follow the relationship between the costume's zipper and your nose´.
Below is an audio example to journey through, and at the end, a list of optional `following´ categories to explore on your own as a daily schedule.
Begin by closing your eyes
in standing.
Sensing if there is a body area
that is calling to be attended to
an area needing a bit of presence
and attention,
such as the spine, the pelvis or the feet.
And then with a soft inner focus,
begin following in movement
your chosen body area
in relationship to your
costume.
Begin moving slowly and subtly,
allowing your breath
to support you.
Opening your eyes
as the movement
becomes a bit larger
on your journey.
Allowing time...
With eyes open,
gradually broaden your attention
to following the touch
of your costume.
Allowing your breath
to support
Moments of movement
Moments of stillness.
Allowing time…
As you are ready, slowly
your attention travels
to following
the movement of your costume.
Allowing your breath
to support
Moments of movement
Moments of stillness.
Allowing time…
As you continue,
gathering your attention
to following the movement of your legs
in relationship to
the movement of your trousers or skirt.
Allowing time…
As you are ready,
broadening your attention to
following your costume
in relationship to the walls
of your place.
Allowing time...
As you continue,
following the story
that emerges
from your costume.
Allowing your breath
to support
Moments of movement
Moments of stillness.
Allowing time…
Gradually allow the movement
to become a bit smaller
and more subtle
as you begin to
close your eyes
with more and more
moments
of stillness.
Sensing how your body
is resonating now
along the tissues, bones,
organs, cells.
Noticing your breathing…
Allowing time…
As you are ready,
journeying to the floor
for a moment
of rest
and stillness.
Allowing time..
Finish with writing, drawing and/or sharing your reflections.
Examples of ´general following´:
Following the texture of your costume
Following the speed of your costume
Following the weight of your costume
Following the musicality of your costume
Following the story of the costume
Examples of ´specific following`:
Following the movement of your costume and the movement of your legs.
Following the costume´s inner lining in relationship to your skin.
Following your arm in relationship to the costume´s sleeve.
Following the pocket of the costume in relationship to the window of the room.
Examples of ´following´ categories:
Body Areas
Senses
Texture
Direction in space
Shape/Form
Paths in space
Musicality – Rhythm, Melody, etc.
Speed
Weight
Quality
Energy
Voice
Character
Emotion
Image
Story
Action
Task
Relationship
Environment/Site
Atmosphere
Others (the animate)