Moving Stillness - Contact Improvisation

Moving Stillness runs weekly Contact Improvisation open classes on Fridays at the Ki Centre in Brighton, 7pm–10pm. Each session comprises a 90-minute guided class followed by a 90-minute jam (open practice space). The classes are open to all levels, with beginners actively welcomed. If you're new to Contact Improvisation, you're invited to join the class; beginners are asked to attend at least one class before joining the jam, and there's an informal beginner session run by Justin at the side of the jam to help orient newcomers.

Contact Improvisation is a dance practice rooted in physical dialogue through touch, where dancers explore the mechanics of interacting bodies through sharing weight, playing with momentum and gravity, and moving fluidly in and out of shared dynamic balance. It is a mindful, non-hierarchical movement practice where learning proceeds from a focus on sensation rather than copying external forms. Classes typically start with exercises to centre yourself in the present moment in your body, before progressing to collaborative material and explorations. Through CI practice, you learn to relax more deeply, develop a grounded sense of physical trust, and improve relational skills.

Justify facilitates the weekly sessions, drawing on a background in Kung Fu, Judo, Thai massage and contemporary dance. He has been dancing CI consistently since 2014 and first taught it in 2018 in a regular collaboration with Marie Chabert at Chisenhale Dance Space in London. Since then he has taught CI classes and festival sessions at Goldsmiths, The Place, for Rick Nodine in London, and independently in London, Forest Row and Brighton. The studio also regularly welcomes guest facilitators to bring fresh perspectives to the practice.

Beyond the weekly open class, Moving Stillness hosts monthly CI Big Jam evenings with live music—recent events have featured musicians Simona Cutifani and Bela Emerson. These jams are a central aspect of CI practice: a focused space where movers from many backgrounds come together to dance with another, with a group, to dance solo, to observe, or simply to be present in the energy of the group.

The Ki Centre is located in central Brighton, 1 minute's walk from the clock tower and around 10 minutes' walk from Brighton train station. It's easily accessed by bus, train and taxi, with nearby paid parking at Churchill Square. The facility features a 12m × 10m training space with martial arts mat flooring and a kitchenette.

Moving Stillness maintains community guidelines to help maintain a safe and supportive environment for all participants, and all members are asked to read and agree to these guidelines before joining.

You'll join a 90-minute open-level class on Friday evening at the Ki Centre, working through grounding exercises and collaborative partner work based on touch, weight-sharing and momentum. Beginners are welcome; if you're new to Contact Improvisation, you can attend the class alone or stay for the 90-minute jam that follows, where there's informal guidance at the side. You'll move in a 12m × 10m space with martial arts mat flooring, surrounded by a growing community of dancers.

Justin has been dancing Contact Improvisation consistently since 2014 and first taught it in 2018 at Chisenhale Dance Space in London. He draws on a background in Kung Fu, Judo, Thai massage and contemporary dance, including recent dedicated contemporary dance training with Lee Smikle in Hove. Moving Stillness also regularly welcomes guest facilitators to bring fresh perspectives to the practice.

Beginners are actively welcomed; you can attend a class before your first jam, and informal beginner guidance is offered at the side of each jam.