Morning Practice
Inspired by the millennia-old Indian martial arts style Kalaripayattu this Morning Practice operates at the interface between dance and combat. Each of these art forms deal with the body, with consciousness and presence in different ways. Linking these two worlds makes new approaches to movement possible. The classic elements of Kalari such as animal postures, kicks and the fixed form of the Kalari salutation will provide the basis for the morning practice. Through specific exercises – alone, with a partner or the group – we will continue to expand our physicality. Kalaripayattu is not a full-contact combat sport. The focus is rather on awakening personal strengths and on finding a connection to your “inner warrior”. The rigorous training aims to strengthen body and consciousness. Concluding each Monday session, we will playfully connect the learned material with our personal vocabulary of movement. The holistic concept of this morning training prepares the participants physically and mentally for their day. The practice provides space to explore personal limits and to expand them.
is an Austrian dancer, pedagogue and choreographer. She performed in the works of Doris Uhlich, Liz King, Georg Blaschke, Anton Lachky and many more.
Since November 2017, Senk practices Kalaripayattu and started exploring the connection between this Southern-Indian Martial Arts style and dance. Her choreographical and pedagogical dedication led to collaborations with the EU project Migrant Bodies – Moving Borders, the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, D.ID – dance identity, Dschungel Wien and the projects Tanz die Toleranz and Ich bin O.K.
Katharina Senk’s artistic efforts earned her a science scholarship from the Department of Cultural Affairs Vienna, a training scholarship from Tanzquartier Wien in 2015/16, the danceWEB scholarship for ImPulsTanz Festival in 2017 and the Start-Stipendium 2017/2018.
On 28 October 2019 Katharina Senk hosts the morning training replacing Anna Possarnig.