“in class each person is equally spaced from all the others in floor work, or sequentially isolated when moving across the floor […] That each person must stay within his isolated space allot- ment […] is typical of our culture” (Bannon et al, 2012, 215-227)
Contact improvisation is pushing the boundaries of where you would put yourself in a class, and is saying that you don’t have to have an isolated space allotment and that you can use any part of the space, and if you come into contact with someone then it’s alright to have a moment of duet with them.
I want to go on record as being pro-physical-sensation in the teaching of this material. The symbolism, mysticism, psychology, spiritualism are horse-drivel. In actually teaching the stand or discussing momentum or gravity, I think each teacher should stick to sensational facts. (Bannon et al, 2012, 215-227)
I take this to mean that I would want to come into contact with as many people/objects as I can. And to really feel the sensation of being manipulated by this person, to see what happens if you push the boundaries. Trying to move in a way that you haven’t ever moved before to see if you can feel different sensations that you’ve not noticed before and making myself more aware of what I am doing.
Our reflexes move us, and this causes our partner to move. (Bannon et al, 2012, 215-227)
If, for example, your partner pushes against you then you would naturally roll and this would have a knock on effect onto your partner and vice versa.
Bannon, Fiona; Holt, Duncan. Journal of Dance & Somatic Practices (2012) Vol. 3 Issue 1/2, p215-227