April 29, 2023

 “We become more aware of our form. We connect to the sense of the endlessness of possibilities. We explore multi-dimensional movement; we enjoy the burning sensation in our muscles, we are ready to snap, we are aware of our explosive power and sometimes we use it. We change our movement habits by finding new ones. We go beyond our familiar limits. We can be calm and alert at once.” – Ohad Naharin

 The Gaga movement language originated from the belief in the healing, dynamic, ever-changing power of movement. Choreographer, Ohad Naharin, developed Gaga over the course of many years and it is now applied in the daily practice of Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company. It provides a framework for discovering and strengthening your body and adding flexibility, stamina, and agility while lightening the senses and imagination. Gaga/dancers classes deepen dancers’ awareness of physical sensations, expands their palette of available movement options, enhances their ability to modulate their energy and engage their explosive power, and enriches their movement quality with a wide range of textures. The classes are built on the same principles as Gaga/people classes but also employ the specific vocabulary and skills that are part and parcel of a dancer’s knowledge. Dancers are guided to connect their effort to pleasure and to discover the virtue of silliness. Gaga/dancers is open to professional dancers and dancers in training ages 16+. Classes last between an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement; layers recommended. To create a less self conscious environment, class is conducted without mirrors and observers are not permitted. Learn more here: https://www.gagapeople.com/ 

 This session welcomes artists from across disciplines, arts-loving layfolk, and those who are arts curious into explorations from ReMalia’s creative process in developing performance works with movement and sound. Through guided improvisation and compositional structures we have space to play and connect as we generate materials that reflect the unique attributes of the group and experiment with tools for collaborative making. We draw from our eclectic experiences, while opening to new possibilities in the moment as we move and make independently, in small groups, and as a collective. No previous experience necessary, bring a journal and water bottle and wear clothing comfortable for moving, ages 16+. In Practice Sessions have been influenced by the work of choreographers, visual artists, and writers, as well as methods such as Action Theater, Authentic Movement, Butoh, Gaga, Improvisational Technologies, and Theatre of the Oppressed. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3z29hOX 

 Maree ReMalia is a collaborative director-choreographer-performer, teaching artist, and certified Gaga instructor. An adoptee born in South Korea and raised in Ohio, embodied and creative practices support her in an ongoing process of self-discovery, expression, and liberation. She welcomes folks from across disciplines and identities into these unfolding processes in settings ranging from professional and community-based to academic and conservatory. Through these processes, she aims to cultivate care and connection to support understanding a fuller range of ourselves and each other. We are not only training our bodies for performance, but opening possibilities for how we can be together. www.mareeremalia.com 

 Ohad Naharin Discusses Gaga movement language  

Mr. Gaga, trailer 

Gaga: A Foreigner Explores Ohad Naharin's movement language 

Video clip of an In Practice Session