Conscious Body System
created by Chaim Gebber
Artistic Director, Choreographer and Performer Country: Brazil, Where he teaches: Berlin, Germany Website
2005
Chaim Gebber started to research to develop his own movement system The Conscious Body System
The “Conscious Body system” teaches movers how to build up strength rather than saving it, and how to use that strength in a safe and healthy way. It is a system which guides movers to be precise and work consciously with their bodies and unique structures. During the classes, we train the body to magnify basic skills of moving to and from the floor, until we are comfortable with fast weight transitions. This is done through pulling and pushing movements on the floor, in safe and the personal speeds. Thinking through movement is an important tool for comprehending the muscular activations in the body. The idea is to create an environment where it is possible to go as fast as possible, or as slow as needed. The Conscious Body System is structured in 2 parts : improvisation system and movement workout combination.
HOW I DISCOVERED THIS UNIQUE MOVEMENT SYSTEM
I moved to Berlin in 2014. One of the main reasons for this decision was that Berlin is a very good place for contemporary dancers. I didn’t exactly know, what was awaiting me. But, there were many options available.
The first school I found was TANZFABRIK. It was also close to where I was living and working. It turned out to be a perfect place to learn and enjoy dancing. One of my favorite afternoon classes was Chaim Gebber contemporary dance at 4:45 PM.
It was this kind of class that I could participate in for two years and I didn’t get bored. It is for intermediate students. I think, still, many people, who tried Chaim Gebber class are not aware of the name of the technique he is teaching. Actually he calls it a system, namely CONSCIOUS BODY SYSTEM.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH CONSCIOUS BODY SYSTEM
Being in Chaim Gebber class I could immediately notice its structure. It is not one choreography. Chaim Gebber teaches a combination of movements, which entitles with each other. Many of them are repeating through the classes. But every time, some new patterns of movement are added. That keeps the students interested and gives them the feeling that they are learning and improving.
Chaim Gebber energy is very calm and friendly. He smiles to you and if you are a regular student, he will definitely talk to you at some point. His classes include a lot of floor work, which is my favorite. There are also some acrobatic elements like handstand and jumps. The pace starts slow with a conscious “stretching” mode and increases to the full power jumping rhythm.
In the winter time the class would start with a quick massage in the standing position – which was, believe it or not, just a perfect warm up at that moment. I remember hurring up from work to Chaim Gebber class. I was most of the time already very tired. But, I knew that the class would start with a short partner massage. That always gave me time to relax, switch the energy from the working place to the dancing room and give me the best start to train possible. I will never forget, how enjoyable that was.
To conclude, whoever is in Berlin and is a contemporary dance lover, needs to try Chaim Gebber class in Tanzfabrik.
