WORKSHOPS
GRAVITATION ● PROVOCATION ● TRANSFORMATION ● TRANSFORMATIVE WORKSHOPS WITH YUMI
What's On
WORKSHOPS IN 2026
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About our Workshops
Introductory Workshops
Butoh, originally called Ankoku Butoh (Dance of Darkness) conceived in Japan during the late 50’s and early 60’s, during the social turmoil after the war sought to find an expression through dance. Rather than aspiring to an aesthetic ideal, the dance attempts to expose the joys and sorrows of life, exploring the most fundamental elements of physical and psychological existence. It goes beyond the confines of specific cultures and aims for universal expression that touches the soul of humanity. It also crosses the boundaries between dance and theatre, creating a unique form of expression that engages, moves and intrigues.
The workshop is open to all levels of experience.
Through the workshop, Yumi introduces the basic philosophy
and physical exercises in Butoh and other dance disciplines.
Participants will explore:
在り方 Being-individual body presence
重力 Gravitating
感覚 Perceiving
空間 Spatial elements, both internal and external
ため Accumulations, Isolation and sensation
間（ま） 'Ma' sense of emptiness, Active blankness, Active pause
記憶 Memoryand Poetry
型/面 Form and Mask
摸写/反復 Copy and Repetition
想像/創造 Imagination to Creation
Photo credit: Sipat Lawin and Daloy Dance Company
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS 2024/2025
“In Butoh, dance is connected to the forces that come from the centre of the earth and simply pass through the body. The dancer is not doing movement; the movement is coming through them.”
Intensive Workshops
This workshop will be weekend intensive or monthly intensive, in which Yumi introduces the discipline of Butoh dance – its philosophy and physical etudes – within the framework of contemporary Japanese/Western physical theatre-making. Yumi’s hybrid existence that spans both Japanese and Australian culture has inspired her in the creation and development of a unique genre: Butoh Cabaret in which she explores cultural identity, narrative and abstraction.
In addition to the introduction (as above), participants will explore the elements of body presence through different themes including:
>Characterisation
>Provocation
>Transformation
>KANKI- 喚起 (provocation),歓喜(joy), 換気(ventilation)
>Embrace the unknown
Photo credit: Weave Movement Theatre, Y-space (Hong Kong), Luminous Lunas(Melbourne), Butoh and Drum workshop in Hayama (Japan)
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS 2024/2025
Residential Workshops
This popular residential workshop in the Wimmera, west Victoria, is to expand our body awareness ,deepen our consciousness and unleash our internal expressions through a response to landscape. This 130 acre site nearby to Mt Arapiles allows participants to move between bush land, sand dunes, open fields, river and elevated rock, opening up the senses to color, texture, sound and form.
Over the residential workshop, Yumi introduces various expertise and methods of Butoh, channeling into our internal and external creative expression. The stillness of the landscape lets us explore the deeper and authentic part of our "being" and cleanse our busy thoughts. Through sharing food and gentle conversation, Yumi leads the participants to explore their consciousness of well-being, through breathing, silent walking, and some vocal expression.
The workshop will be conducted annually in summer and autumn periods.
Photo by Vikk Shayen Credit: Participants from Butoh and Body Weather residential workshop by Yumi Umiumare and Frank van de Ven
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS 2024/2025
Workshops 2026/2027
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Interested in joining a workshop? Are you interested in private sessions or collaboration? Please fill out some info so we can keep in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Past Workshops
What is Butoh?
Butoh!
Butoh, originally called Ankoku Butoh (Dance of Darkness).
Butoh is a Japanese avant-garde dance form born in the post-war era.
