Week 1

Written By Brianna Shahin

Project: Leaning Bodies for Ages

Development Phase: Jungle Dance Studios; Goa, India. Independent Research.

Week #: 1

Dates: 3, 4 and 5 March 2026

Space Type: Dance studio

Working Toward: Exploration. Initial phases.


RESEARCH FOCUS

This week is early studio research. I am working alone and building a physical base for the solo. The main questions are around direction, weight, and organisation of the body. I am trying to understand where my movement begins and how the rest of my body follows. I am also looking at how my spine, hips and head organise the whole system.

Physical Investigation

Key movement areas explored:

  • Handstands and inversions

  • Floor pathways and rolling - the head connected to the spine

  • Direction-based improvisation (what body part leads)

  • Straight spine vs liquid spine movement

  • Hip mobility and lifting the hips off the floor

  • Leaning, imbalance and shifting weight

Creative Development

Improvisation was the main tool this week.

I tested several scores:

  • Direction – movement led by a specific body part

  • Straight spine – restricting the spine to test pathways

  • Liquid spine – letting the spine constantly shift

  • Weight and leaning – using imbalance to initiate movement

Some dramaturgical ideas appeared around identity and self-perception, but this is still loose. Right now, the focus is mostly physical.

Site + Environment Influence

I worked in the same studio all week. Jungle Dance Studios in Arambol.

The floor is good for sliding and rolling, but I need long clothing to move well. The weather is getting hotter in Goa, which affects stamina. Hydration and rest are important.

The studio is closed during my sessions, so the environment is quiet and focused.

Observations & Reflections

A lot of the work is about organisation of the body. When I let a body part lead, new pathways appear. When I try to control everything, the movement becomes heavy and predictable. My hips are still the biggest challenge. They hold tension and affect balance, direction and floorwork.

Documentation

I film my sessions as a way to record progress over time and to practice moving in front of a camera. I only share my physical explorations.

Direction W1S1: https://youtu.be/jtakuDFFavE

Liquid Spine W1S1: https://youtu.be/NsuY3Fa_u5w

Straight Spine W1S1: https://youtu.be/Bj8iXEVPzLg

Direction W1S2: https://youtu.be/_HLqdKB8CLw

Light Hips W1S2: https://youtu.be/AxvdcmRyQbM

Straight Spine W1S3: https://youtu.be/2i6-dbZ19BA


Key Discoveries

  • Using my face and relaxing my jaw helps me stay engaged while improvising

  • Breathing in handstands makes them feel easier and more playful

  • Organising the body after initiating movement creates more interesting pathways

  • Resting on the floor for 10–15 minutes can reset my energy

  • Direction does not only travel through space — it can twist and rotate through the body

Weekly Summary

This week focused on building a physical base through solo studio sessions. I worked a lot on handstands, floorwork and directional improvisation. My handstands improved and feel more stable. I am starting to understand how movement changes when a body part clearly leads. The biggest challenge remains my hips — they feel heavy and tense and affect many pathways. Creatively, the idea of who I am before meeting another body is becoming an interesting question. Next steps are to keep developing direction, connection between head and pelvis, and clearer organisation of the whole body.

End of Week Notes

Total Sessions Completed: 3

Main Technical Progress: Handstands, directional awareness, shoulder mobility

Creative Material Generated: Direction improvisation score, straight spine score

Emerging Themes: Direction, body organisation, identity before contact

Next Week Priority: Head-pelvic connection and directional pathways

What changed in my understanding of the work: Movement becomes clearer when the body organises itself around a leading point

Recurring questions: Where does movement start? How can the hips become lighter? Who a I before contact with another body?


Next Week Direction

  • Continue working with direction improvisation

  • Build stronger head–spine–pelvis connection

  • Test speed and momentum, not only slow movement

  • Keep developing handstands and floor pathways

Brianna Shahin
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