Week 2
Project: Leaning Bodies for Ages
Development Phase: Jungle Dance Studios; Goa, India. Independent Research
Week #: 2
Dates: 10 and 13 March 2026
Space Type: Dance studio
Working Toward: Exploration. Deep understanding of my physical body; how it moves and organises itself in space and in relation to itself and others. I work with different improvisational tasks - set a timer for 10 minutes, record myself, and see how strict I can be to the task. Using the limitations in an attempt to break old patterns, find resistance, and work my way into new exploration.
RESEARCH FOCUS
This week continued the solo studio research, but with more focus on connection through the whole body. I worked on how different body points relate to each other — especially head–pelvis, head–knee and head–foot connections. Direction is still a big focus, but now I’m trying to follow movement all the way to the end instead of interrupting it with habits. I’m also starting to notice how these physical investigations connect to the themes of intimacy, wanting and resisting contact with others. This feels like an important bridge between the technical work and the story of the piece.
Physical Investigation
Key movement areas explored:
Head–knee connection in floorwork and rolling
Head–pelvis connection and spine awareness
Head–foot connection while standing
Direction improvisation — following the flow to the end
Whole-body coordination and efficient movement
Pouring weight into points of contact with the floor
Standing improvisation and balance
Creative Development
Improvisation is still the main way I’m developing material.
I continued working with several scores:
Body as a whole – moving as an interconnected system
Direction – letting one body part lead until another takes over
Slow is smooth – feeling the entire body move through space
Pouring weight – imagining weight as liquid through contact points
I also started to notice narrative ideas emerging around relationships, desire and resistance to intimacy. These thoughts might become part of a solo work inside the larger project.
Site + Environment Influence
The work is still happening in the same studio at Jungle Dance Studios.
The weather in Goa is getting hotter, which affects energy levels and focus. Some sessions felt slow and heavy because of the heat. The closed studio environment means I’m working without outside interruption, which allows for deep focus but also means I’m mostly working alone with my thoughts.
Observations & Reflections
The connection between different parts of my body is becoming clearer. When my head, pelvis and feet relate to each other, movement feels easier and more efficient. When they disconnect, everything feels heavy. I am also noticing that physical practice and drills help my creative improvisation a lot more than I realised.
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 W2S1: https://youtu.be/00yI7A0NSds
Pouring the Weight and ‘The Earth is Bigger than You’ W2S1: https://youtu.be/tH1ajxey_Cw
Direction W2S2: https://youtu.be/aBWp-Iq0WCA
Multiple Ideas W2S2: https://youtu.be/-lGWzqusgAw
Mind-Body W2S2: https://youtu.be/ytZDrnAlSI4
Head-Pelvis-Feet W2S2: https://youtu.be/42iY4L0ezJc
Key Discoveries
Head–knee connection helps make floor rolls smoother
Focusing on the hips can make movement feel lighter
Smaller moments of direction feel more natural than forcing big ones
Journalling before improvisation helps unlock creative ideas
Music can help bring energy and playfulness back into the work
Weekly Summary
This week continued building the physical base of the work, but with more focus on how the body connects as a whole. I explored relationships between the head, pelvis, knees and feet to understand how movement travels through the body. Direction improvisation is becoming clearer when I allow smaller leading moments instead of forcing big ones. I also started noticing how these physical ideas connect to themes of intimacy, wanting and resisting contact with others. Some early narrative ideas about relationships and personal history started appearing in the improvisations. My hips felt lighter in parts of the week, which was encouraging. Moving forward I want to keep developing standing movement, direction and the head–pelvis connection.
End of Week Notes
Total Sessions Completed: 2
Main Technical Progress: Head–knee floorwork connection, head–pelvis awareness, lighter hips in improvisation
Creative Material Generated: Direction improvisation development, pouring weight score, early solo narrative ideas
Emerging Themes: Intimacy, desire, resistance to contact, relationships
Next Week Priority: Standing improvisation, momentum and balance
What changed in my understanding of the work: Physical drills and structure make my creative improvisation much stronger
Recurring questions: What story am I actually telling? Is a solo work emerging inside this research?
Next Week Direction
Continue exploring direction and flow through the body
Develop standing movement and head–foot connection
Explore relationship themes in solo improvisation
Keep building physical strength and efficiency in the body