Hosted by Pauline Payen
In this monthly workshop series, Pauline Payen will share with you her practice based on Feldenkrais®* Awareness Through Movement lessons intertwined with somatic dance work. Each workshop will address one specific part of the body and how it connects to the rest of you. We will use imagination and attention to our sensations to find pleasure and freedom in moving. By becoming more aware of our self-image and how we “use ourselves” we can allow new movement possibilities to arise and achieve more functionality. It will be soft, joyful, and focused.
The series is open to everybody and you are encouraged to be exactly how you need to be at the moment! Nothing to bring except loose and warm clothes. Blankets, mats, water & tea will be provided. If you have a special physical condition you would like to talk about beforehand do not hesitate to reach out and we will find the best way for you to feel comfortable in participating.
In this second session we will work on our relationship between our hands and the rest of our body.
Why hands?
"The quality of movement in the hand mirrors the clarity of the nervous system's organization." Mark Reese
From a somatic and evolutionary perspective, the hand is a vital symbol and tool of human experience. Its unique structure, including the opposable thumb, evolved to enable precision and power grips, crucial for tool use, crafting, and environmental interaction. One of its earliest and most essential functions is handling and consuming food. Early humans used their hands to gather, prepare, and bring food to their mouths, a practice central to survival, brain development, and social bonding. The hand also excels in manipulation, sensory perception, and communication. It performs fine motor tasks, like writing or crafting, and its sensitive fingertips detect textures, temperatures, and vibrations, ensuring safety during activities like food handling.
But beyond practicality, the hand expresses emotion and meaning through gestures and serves as a key tool in somatic practices to enhance self-awareness and grounding. Refining the connection between the hand and the rest of the body can improve coordination, reduce tension, and enhance overall movement quality.
*The Feldenkrais® Method of somatic education uses gentle movement and directed attention to help people learn new and more effective ways of moving. You can increase your ease and range of motion, improve your flexibility and coordination, and rediscover your innate capacity for graceful, efficient movement. Since how you move is how you move through life, these improvements can enhance your thinking, emotional regulation, and problem-solving capabilities.
About the facilitator
Pauline Payen (all pronouns) is a choreographer, performer, and Feldenkrais® practitioner. After studying art and dance at ISDAT Toulouse in France and HZT Berlin in Germany, she completed training at the Feldenkrais Education Center of Aurillac, France.
Payen performs at international venues such as Palais de Tokyo Paris, Uferstudios Berlin, CTM Festival, Tanzhaus NRW, Schwankhalle Bremen, Platforma Hrvatska Croatia, WP Zimmer Antwerp.. Simultaneously, she shares her practice through various workshops, labs and lectures in universities, schools, and community spaces such as the New York University, Catalyst Berlin, School of Machines Berlin, B23 Berlin, Beliash Feldenkrais Center France, Pokretnica Center Serbia, Dancenter HCMC, Vietnam (...)
Her work as a facilitator in varied contexts, both professional and amateur, as well as providing Feldenkrais private sessions to various bodies, including differently abled and aging bodies, has significantly impacted her ability to engage more diverse groups in her audience and collaborative work. With a greater understanding of different communities and approaches, she finds her work grows richer and more meaningful.
Tickets: 35€