CLASSES

Sharing our methodology

Queens Contemporary Training Series

📅 Date: July 6~10th 
📍 Location: Cucala Dance Studio (47-10 32nd Place, 2nd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101)

A week of contemporary dance training in Queens by sarAika movement collective.

These classes explore movement research, partnering, repertoire, and contemporary dance technique.

Intended for dancers and movers with prior movement experience, the level and focus of each class will vary throughout the week.

Schedule: 12:00 PM–1:30 PM
-Monday, July 6 – Movement Research: Geometry, Self-Image, Drawing & Improvisation
-Tuesday, July 7 – Partnering:Tools & Repertoire) 
-Wednesday, July 8 – Repertoire: Continuum
-Thursday, July 9 – Contemporary Technique “Isolation & Flow”  with Aika Takeshima
-Friday, July 10 – Contemporary Technique with Sara Pizzi: Physicality, Precision & Storytelling

Description:

Contemporary

 If you’re looking to maximize the potential of your body and take your dance skills to the next level, our classes can help you achieve just that. We focus on utilizing the full range of motion by promoting joint fluidity, dynamic weight shifting, and reflective floorwork. By understanding how the inside and outside space coexist and how creating space inside our body reflects outside space, we can dance in a wider, more organic way. We prioritize more joints efficiency and momentum, encouraging dancers to use organic body functions rather than power to achieve their desired movements. This allows us to dance bigger without relying on brute force, utilizing the effective use of joints and momentum to create fluid, dynamic movements. Our classes also emphasize moving from the spine, as it is the center of the body and plays a critical role in our movements. By incorporating these concepts and providing a new toolbox of elements, we aim to improve and expand your dance approach, leaving you with relevant and innovative information to inspire and grow your daily practice and performance quality.

 

Reflective Floorwork

Looking for a way to improve your floorwork without relying on power? Want to maximize your body’s potential? Interested in adding fluidity and dynamism to your dance without using excessive power? If that sounds like you, then our class is perfect for you! Our focus is on safe and efficient methods of floor movement, utilizing joint efficiency and momentum. We aim to help you develop reflective floorwork, a full range of motion, and to dance organically, using your body’s natural functions, rather than relying on power. We’ll teach you how to dance bigger without using excess power. Instead, you’ll learn how to effectively use your joints and momentum to move from your spine for your full range of motion.

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

What people say about our class?

I love that your approach to movement is how to link each movement the most efficiently, without using extraneous effort. It’s a very inspiring and healthy way of approaching movement, as opposed to trying to hit a bunch of cool moves or move with draining muscular effort. I think your approach of moving organically can be applied to every class you teach, no matter what repertory/phrase is being taught, and that makes me excited to keep coming back to dance together.
Kristen Hedberg
The warm-up felt effective, and it safely prepared me to dance larger. The mini-phrase continued to warm me up and I appreciated its leading into the larger phrase.
A dancer in NYC
新たなヒントたくさんいただきました。 アイカさん自身がニューヨークのダンスシーンで感じていらっしゃること等、お聞かせいただいた上で間近で動きを見せていただきましたが、五感に真っ直ぐ届くご指導が たまらなく刺激的であり、勉強になりました。 I received a lot of new tips. Hearing about Aika's experiences and feelings in New York dance scene watching her movements.. and the guidance that directly touched all five senses was irresistibly stimulating and educational.
A dancer in Japan
体の細かいところまで意識して動くのが気持ちよくて、ずっと続けていたかったです。 I felt so good to be conscious of every detail of my body, and I wanted to keep doing it forever.
A dancer in Japan
普段自分がしない動きを体験できたことがとても貴重でした。でも、この日だけの特殊なものではなくて、自分が持っているポテンシャルというか…自由さや可能性を感じることができたのが収穫です。It was very valuable to be able to experience movements that I don't normally do. However, it wasn't just something special that happened that day, but also the potential I have...I was able to feel the freedom and possibilities that I have.
A dancer in Japan

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Private class

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Description:

Private classes are all about you.

Are you an ambitious over-achiever? Want to take your skills to the next level?

We personalize each dance lesson based on your individual needs, desires, and goals, adjusting our teaching plan to your ability, personality, and expectations. This ensures the most thorough and rapid learning process, all while keeping it fun, easy, and comfortable.

We accommodate each student’s schedule and create a custom tuition plan that makes each personal goal affordable.

It’s a great way for both beginners to get started and seasoned dancers to take their skills to the next level.

Benefits of Private Dance Lessons

  • Personalized attention
  • Custom lesson guide
  • Scheduled at your convenience
  • Fastest way to learn and progress

Nervous about taking class with others? No need to impress anyone, focus on your body and we’ll take care of the rest. Our private lessons take the edge off and allow you to move at a pace that’s comfortable for you. We will make it easy, while keeping it fun and light.  

contact@saraikacreation.com

Floor-work focused class

sarAika movement collective

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Description:

Looking for a way to improve your floorwork without relying on power? Want to maximize your body’s potential? Interested in adding fluidity and dynamism to your dance without using excessive power? If that sounds like you, then our class is perfect for you! Our focus is on safe and efficient methods of floor movement, utilizing joint efficiency and momentum. We aim to help you develop reflective floorwork, a full range of motion, and to dance organically, using your body’s natural functions, rather than relying on power. We’ll teach you how to dance bigger without using excess power. Instead, you’ll learn how to effectively use your joints and momentum to move from your spine for your full range of motion.

contact@saraikacreation.com

sarAika movement collective

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Movement Research class
~Geometrical Visualization~

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Description:

This exercise aims to break the body’s pre-registered ideas of placement and alignment by shifting focus entirely to lines and shapes.

Rather than thinking of “dance movement,” dancers visualize geometry—drawing, extending, or rotating lines through space and across the body.

By focusing on the question “How can I move this line?”, participants discover unexpected pathways, connections, and transitions.

This task-based approach expands movement vocabulary, sharpens problem-solving skills, and cultivates a deeper understanding of spatial awareness and body logic.

contact@saraikacreation.com

Dance for actors class

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

Description:

-Amplify your voice in movements-

This class focuses on actors or those who do movement theater.

Differently from trained dancers, you might not have a lot of physical mobility yet. 
BUT! You have an amazing ability to pull up your emotions!
The only thing you need is to get a bit more physical mobility and break down the emotions into movement.

We will guide you slowly with warmups that increase your physical ability(flexibiliy & strength). And we move forward to more movements, emotions and tips on how to make your movements look more professional.

You are welcomed to bring your own short story that you want to explore in movements.

contact@saraikacreation.com

Et Alia Theater

Instructors: Sara Pizzi & Aika Takeshima

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