SP26 Countertechnique® Workshop with Mariko Koh

Countertechnique® Workshop: Practice and Research with Mariko Koh

27.07.–31.07.26, 14:00–17:00

Open Level

This workshop invites you to dive into a two-hour Countertechnique® class, engaging deeply with your body and movement. It is followed by a research improvisation session that expands on the memories and ideas that emerged earlier, guiding you toward a deeper and more personal exploration. Countertechnique® provides tools for body and mind to meet the demands of 21st-century dance practice. It is a movement system that helps dancers think about the dancing body, focusing on the process of integrating information into action. Within a clear structure of exercises, the Countertechnique® class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance, enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly, and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible. Dancers are encouraged to be proactive in discovering connections and solutions, to be less concerned with judging themselves, and to work in a healthy way with regard to body and mind.

Countertechnique® turns daily training into a valuable investment in the dancer’s development, as well as an engaging form of personal research. Countertechnique® was created and developed by Dutch choreographer, dancer, and teacher Anouk van Dijk, former artistic director of the Australian dance company Chunky Move. The Countertechnique® class is a contemporary dance technique class. It stretches, coordinates, and strengthens the body, making dancers sweat, build stamina, and truly move. 

The class begins with a recurring set of exercises, allowing dancers to investigate Countertechnique® principles in depth. The second half of the class consists of changing components, working toward rich movement combinations. The Countertechnique® class results in dancers using less energy, losing their fear of taking risks, and gaining speed when changing direction.

In the improvisation class, you will apply and develop your own movement vocabulary and explore your creative voice. You will work individually and in groups, using improvisation games and structures to generate movement material, experiment with different qualities, dynamics, and textures, and refine your skills in composition and performance.

Throughout the workshop, you will experience both the challenges and the joys of dancing. You will also have the opportunity to connect with other dancers, share experiences and insights, and deepen your appreciation of the art and craft of dance.