CI Class Tonight: Layers of Attention with Loren Groenendaal
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Jenny Sawyer
Apr 23, 2026, 10:15:57 AMApr 23
to ContactImprovPhilly, Contact Improv
Hey CI Philly,
Loren Groenendaal will be teaching the second CI Class called "Layers of Attention" tonight. See description below.
This is our last event in April!
This Week:
Thursday 4/23: CI Class "Layers of Attention" with Loren Groenendaal, 6:30-8:30pm, Headlong/Mascher Space
- $10-25 sliding scale ($15 suggested), cash or Venmo. Pre-registration not required.
- Studio is located at 1170 S. Broad St. Please ring the "Rear Studio" buzzer to be let into the building!
Layers of Attention. These classes will focus our attention into different layers in our body and in the space for more sensitive and nuanced dancing. On 4/16, we will tune into different inter-related layers of our body: the skin, fat, fascia, muscle, bone, and organs, maybe more systems in ourselves and in eachother. This clarity of layer, depth, weight will allow for clearer communication which supports attunement and potentially more adventurous dancing. On 4/23, we will continue with this exploration with more focus on fascia (the connective tissue of the body)- feeling into our own fascia and its varied textures and incredible intelligence will support moving with more awareness of self, other, and the space. Loren recently completed her Level 2 Certificate in Fascia Flossing (TM Bonnie Crotzer), which is a movement technique that provides more ease and health to the fascia and related tissues drawing wisdom from Traditional East Asian Medicine. Loren's experiences with and studies in dance, Fascia Flossing, Nancy Stark Smith and her "States of Grace," Nita Little's "Relational Intelligence," Laban/Bartenieff Movement System, Body Mind Centering, and other somatic practices will inform these classes. Both classes will have the theme of attention on self and other and finding a union or a balance. We may also play with attention to other aspects - architecture, space, breath, senses. With keen attention, we support sensitivity for clear and supportive dancing, but also the possibility of quickly changing qualities or states.
Loren Groenendaal (they/she) is a Philadelphia-based dance artist and educator, specializing in contact improvisation (CI), contemporary modern dance, and creative dance. Loren has been dancing CI for 26 years and teaching CI since 2009 to adults in the communities of Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore as well as a guest at Arcadia University, Juniata College, Towson University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Loren facilitates creativity, curiosity, and playfulness for students of all ages. They have been improvising their entire life, but their formal studies in CI began at Oberlin College with Ann Cooper Albright and continued with John Gamble when earning an MFA in Choreography from the UNCG. Loren is the artistic director of Vervet Dance; the work is steeped in contact improvisation and often inspired by nature. In Philadelphia, they have also danced with the following artists that ask for improvisation and/or partnering with The Naked Stark, From the Earth Dance Project, Graffito Works, Curt Haworth, Lacy James, and Adam Kerbel. They are a founding member of the CI Philly Jam, monthly Underscore, Mascher Space Cooperative, and Free Fleet, organizations that support movement and improvisation, and are a frequent teacher in the CI class with rotating teachers. They regularly teach improvisation, creative and modern dance, improvisation, fitness to children and adults at Cardell Dance Studio.
In June:
CI Philly is hosting a weekend-long CI Fundamentals workshop with Cinthia Perez Navarro on the weekend of June 6 & 7, 2026.
Check out our registration page for all the details.
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