Butoh & Embodied Research Workshops
Expanding the legacy of Butoh: embodied research workshops and classes in London
Classes, Workshops, Hackathons
Join our workshops to explore somatic practices and deepen your understanding of the body in contemporary Butoh art and dance.
Butoh Mutations Classes & Workshops
Butoh Mutations in May 2025
Class Lab @ Chisenhale Dance Space, London Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27 May 7.30 - 9pm / £ 8.00 per class
What if by collapsing, utopia would seep out of our bodies? What if the nameless knowing of the imaginal field lingers in the dust?
Butoh dance was a visceral response to Japan’s post-apocalyptic landscape. ‘Butoh Mutations’ is a practice of unfolding new facets of Butoh’s visceral revolt, to face contemporary large-scale collapse. Over 4 weeks, Dominique will introduce Butoh’s rich history by focusing on embodying collapse. By learning to linger in the interstices of our fears, we weave the matrix of our revolt to the times we’re living in and see what emerges. If we listen to the dust, and finetune our attention can it guide us into dances of ‘being reborn again and again…’?
Classes start with a release warm-up combining Japanese somatic practices, moving into dance improvisations in solo, duos and groups.
Butoh Mutations International Workshops
Experience transformative somatic movement classes that connect body, mind, to a vaster 'we' space under the aurora borealis. This gathering nurtures embodied creativity and agency, as a way to respond to current social and personal turbulence and connect to the imaginal. We are in the process of planning intensives in Norbotten, subarctic Sweden.
International Workshop: "The Body as Imaginal Practice" with Northern Sustainable Futures
Participate in an Embodiment Hackathon, deep dive with the Embodied Theory Lab research workshops, and learn about cross-discilinary gatherings that unpack the fascinating intersections of Butoh, embodiment theory, non-linear time, electronics and biofeedback sensors, computational technologies and AI.
Look out for announcements.
Embodiment Hackathon
Online one-on-one sessions
Meet your body at your own pace and in your own space. Classes will be adapted to your experience. There is also the opportunity to develop a personal work with the guidance of an experienced 'outside eye'.
Available on request. Please send an email enquiry.
COLLAPSE London, 2024 (photo: Maria Meco)
I had long been intrigued by butoh but struggled to find the right teacher in London. After a life-changing spine injury, I decided to join Dominique’s classes, seeking a way to reconnect with my body. Dominique’s deep dedication to butoh, her training with the masters and the beautiful room we were learning in immediately put me at ease. Her teaching revealed a new philosophy of movement that transformed my relationship with my post-injury body. I would urge everyone, no matter their age or ability, to explore butoh in Dominique’s classes—you will no doubt uncover something amazing.
- Keira Johnson, professional dancer
"For me, the whole experience cannot be easily described with words, that's how fascinating it is! The space where I could connect to my humble - self. The dance/movement is a kind of deep listening that is not for expressing myself, it is to dissolve the ego and compromise with a sense of “self"."
- Tu Perkins
"Dominique creates a unique situation in her classes in which she shares her extensive understanding of the practice and history of Butoh along with a range of other practices in response to the needs and interests of members of the class. She creates and maintains a beautiful balance between leading and sensitively inter-acting with us, individually and as a group: allowing us all to enquire into ourselves and our world, to work closely with others, and to feel supported and facilitated in doing so under her guidance. I’ve been attending Dominique’s class for over a year; I signed up originally because my first (very good) experience of Butoh was attending a 3-day workshop led by another teacher (at another venue) and I wanted to find a regular class. I value the weekly classes being a regular part of my life (and miss them during breaks!) Dominique’s classes have had a liberating effect on me; I have felt the effect of them develop week on week and they continue to impact on, and benefit, both my physical and psychological wellbeing."
- Jane Wildgoose, artist and historian
"Participating in Dominique's Butoh course was a most rewarding experience. Her skilled and gentle guidance into explorations based on images and movements opened up in me areas and insights that were new to me and utterly fascinating - truly a deep and enjoyable learning experience. I very much hope that she will soon offer another course or a series of classes and workshops at Colet House."
- Klaus, bookseller
Get In Touch
Connect with us to explore collaboration opportunities, workshops, and events in embodied research and art.