Allow for at least 60 minutes. You will need a comfortable place to either sit or stand. You will need access to a nearby wardrobe of clothes that includes a collection of different fabrics, with varying textures and weight (e.g., heavy wool sweaters, leather belt, long silk scarf, thick tights, corduroy trousers, long sleeved cotton-spandex shirts).
This Somatic Act can be done as a solo, duet, or group. If done as a duet or group, you can dress each other. Please touch yourself before touching others. Also, at any point, the touch can be stopped if not wanted.
Begin in a comfortable position sitting or standing.
Close your eyes.
Notice your breathing…
With eyes closed, very slightly bring your head
towards looking downwards
and allow your spine
and your shoulders
to slightly follow,
inviting the chest
to sink slightly.
Notice how this might affect your breathing
And where the weight rests
on your feet or
over your pelvis...
As this sensation begins to arrive
clearly in your physicality
what could you wear
that through its touch
would support this
physical pattern and direction
in your body?
How can the touch of the clothing
such as the
Weight
Location
Direction
Texture
Movement
Pressure
amplify
the physicality
of this experience.
With eyes gently opening
begin dressing yourself
in clothes that heighten
and encourage
through their touch
the head moving slightly downwards
the spine following
curving a little
the shoulders following
dropping
with the chest slightly
sinking
backwards
Noticing how the touch of the clothing
such as the
Weight
Location
Direction
Texture
Movement
Pressure
can magnify
and support
the physical sensation
and direction
of the body...
Allowing time and spaciousness…
As you dress,
play with wearing
the clothing
in unexpected
ways - such as tights tied to the knees
or a shirt worn at the waist.
Noticing
how the touch
of the clothing
amplifies
the physical pattern
of the body…
Allowing time…
Once you have discovered
and created
a costume
whose touch
supports the physical pattern
of the head slightly moving downwards
with spine
and shoulders
following
with chest
sinking a little bit
back.
How can you dress
in the opposite costume?
Supporting the opposite
touch pattern
and physical direction
of the upper body?
Supporting your head
to slightly rise, as if looking
just above the horizon,
spine following
with shoulders dropping
backwards a little
and the chest opening
rising gently upwards.
Noticing how the
Weight
Location
Direction
Texture
Movement
Pressure
of the touch
from the clothing
supports the physical sensation
and direction
of the body…
Allowing time and spaciousness…
As you are ready,
finding a transition
of slowly undressing
and resting
for a moment.
And then, drawing, writing and sharing your experiences
with your friends.