The fabric of kinaesthetic imagination and poetry

Skinner Releasing Technique as an entry into making dances – by Bettina Neuhaus

 

11th – 15th of June, 2025 – SAVE THE DATE!  / information about price and sign-up coming soon! 

 

Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT)* is an experimental and poetic approach to movement, dance and creative process developed by American dance artist Joan Skinner (1924-2021).

Mornings: Each day starts with an SRT class of 2,5 hours.  SRT stimulates the process of letting go of unnecessary tension, releasing new possibilities in how we perceive and how we dance. Poetic imagery, shared partner-studies and improvisational practices facilitate deep and more nuanced kinaesthetic experience of movement and a sense of wholeness. Noticing as a first step for change and allowing movement to happen are key to this practice that emphasizes effortlessness, multi-directional alignment, presence and freedom in movement and stillness. 

Afternoons: Based on the Releasing principles experienced in the morning, the afternoon sessions offer different entries into creative process (such as writing and drawing) towards the making of improvised dances. Through playful practice time in the studio and outdoors in the natural environment we discover how we listen and respond to the different layers of ourselves and our surroundings. Allowing our sensuous body and intuition to guide us to what wants to emerge, as we’re moving, gives voice to our imagination and the poetry of our dance.

*Joan Skinner created a comprehensive, progressive pedagogy that is taught at three levels: Introductory (for all those coming to the technique for the first time), Ongoing (intermediate) and Advanced.
The Introductory Level comprises 15 carefully crafted classes, of which this workshop covers classes 1-5. 

As the foundational releasing principles are progressively introduced with different materials that overlap, refer back and evolve, participants benefit most by committing to the entire series of five classes.

 

 

Bettina Neuhaus (Amsterdam) is an Independent Dance Artist and mentor, active in the field of performance and theatre for more than 3 decades. She holds a Master Degree in Creative Practice Professional Pathway from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in partnership with Independent Dance, London.

Bettina studied dance at the Theatre School in Amsterdam and Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT) with Joan Skinner (2001-2004) in Seattle. She is a certified SRT teacher at both Introductory and Ongoing levels. 

At the heart of her work are Instant Composition in performance and the collaboration with dancers, musicians, visual artists and light designers. Her artistic interest centers especially around the narratives and poetry, which unfold in the interplay between dance, live music and language, revealing aspects of our human condition and interdependence.

With a growing interest in human ecology, she has been developing a movement practice in natural environments since 2010, which she shares in projects and special workshops. 

Bettina teaches Instant Composition and SRT at independent studios, art and dance colleges and universities in Europe and South America.

www.bettinaneuhaus.com 

 

Schedule: 

Wed 11/06 – Fri 13/06: 09:00 – 15:00

Sat 14/06 – Sun 15/06: 10:00 – 16:00

At Speilet, TOU (Kvitsøygata 25, 4014 Stavanger)

 

Please note: Priority is given to those who commit to the whole week (morning classes and afternoons). If for any reason you are not able to join the afternoons, you are welcome to participate in SRT classes in the morning. If you can’t join all 5, please try to come to the first couple of classes.