Greece!!!!

Jul 29, 2018
3 min read

Hey guys!!! Sorry I haven’t posted in a couple weeks... I was in Greece and had limited access to wifi. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to take part in the Ekilibre Contact Improvisation Workshop of 2018 directed by Maurice Fraga on the beautiful island of Ikaria, Greece. After the conclusion of the workshop, I was also able to stay in the Athens area for five more days to tour other parts of Greece, learn about the culture, and see some stunning sites! I had an amazing time and can’t wait to share a little bit about my trip!!

Ekilibre

Contact

Improv

Workshop:

After a long flight to Athens, and then a seven hour ferry ride to the Greek island of Ikaria, my family and I got off the boat where we were able to meet and hang out with the other people participating in the workshop. From the moment we got there, we were surrounded by beautiful views and gorgeous landscapes. It was amazing! That evening we kicked of the workshop with an opening jam. This program was an intensive fully focused on contact improvisation, but we also had the opportunity to take yoga classes every day from either my amazing mentor and teacher, Nancy Andrews Roque, and even my dad, Jim Bader. We also had opportunities to learn about and experience the true greek culture in our free time. Over just seven days, I learned beyond what words can explain. Under the direction of Maurice Fraga I have gained so much knowledge of different ways to initiate contact improv, how to naturally incorporate lifts and weight sharing, and gained understanding of how to listen along with how to be a leader. I was able to push myself to take risks, and gained more knowledge of when it was too much for my body. I learned how to be honest, trust more in relationships, and how to better communicate. The program also taught me more about my habits, tendencies, comfort zone, style, and learned to let go what I feel like it should be like and focus more on being in the moment which made contact improv even more fun. Plus, not only did I learn more about myself, partnering, and contact improv, but also was extremely thankful to be taken in by the Egg Seminar House which was the most beautiful peaceful astonishing place I have EVER danced in. Katarin, the owner and her intern, Smaro gave us a wonderful Ikarian experience filled with delicious meals, great sights, fun festivals, and even traditional Ikarian dances and music. I want to say thank you to everyone who made Ikaria and the contact improv workshop SO AMAZING, and definitely a trip I will never forget!!!

Athens: After an AMAZING week on the island of Ikaria, we traveled back to Athens. After another ferry ride from Ikaria, to Mykonos and Syros, we finally arrived at the port in Athens. The next couple days were filled with fun sight seeing, delicious food, great shopping, and more! One day we woke up early to beat the heat and the crowds at the Acropolis, and thankfully we did because even in the morning was crazy! It was amazing seeing all of the old ruins and buildings from so long ago, like the Parthenon. We also had the chance one day to take a day cruise to three other islands. It was very interesting to see all of the cultural differences, uniqueness to each island, and beautiful landscape and ruins from the island’s history. Unfortunately after a few days our trip came to a close and we had to pack up to head to airport to catch our flight home. Overall it was an AMAZING trip and definitely one to remember. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to further my dance education, while also being able to vacation in such a beautiful place, and then spend five more days in the capital or “NYC” of Greece where I was fully immersed in Greek culture.

Thanks for a great two weeks Greece! NEXT STOP NYC!!!!!