About Natalia's process
My movement language is informed by my Gaga practice, interest in dance theater, and exploring physical impulse. In the studio, my movement is generated with collaborators because I prefer to respond to improvisational instincts, determining what movement pathways 'feel right'. I begin my rehearsals by leading a shared-improvisational, Gaga-inspired warm up. A part of my exploration is not overthinking my work and allowing the work's purpose to naturally develop alongside movement creation.
By prioritizing sensation over aesthetics in movement creation, I challenge the common tendency to equate the success of contemporary dance solely with visual appeal. This approach allows audiences with varied exposure to dance to personally relate with the dancer’s physical and emotional journey. By translating personal experiences in relation to universal narratives, I aim to bridge individual and collective perspectives, making my work both personal and broadly relatable.
Movement is a powerful tool for unlocking the mind-body connection, allowing us to explore and process emotions in a deeply somatic way. Through physical practice, we tap into the body's innate wisdom, breaking through emotional dullness or stuckness and creating space for release and healing. It is not the intention or goal behind the movement that leads to emotional transformation, but the practice itself—an embodied process that allows emotions to arise, be expressed, and ultimately healed. For me, movement becomes a form of emotional processing, offering a way to release what words cannot, and guiding the body through its own journey of catharsis and renewal. Through this practice, we find not only healing but also a deeper connection to ourselves, moving toward emotional clarity and wholeness.
photo by Cherylynn Tsushima