Physical Inquiries & Somatic Practices

A series of ongoing, weekly drop-in classes based on a variety of body practices, designed to expand one’s understanding and use of the body. Classes are suitable for professional dancers and non-dancers alike.

Taught by rotating faculty, classes include

  • Klein Technique™
  • Pilates
  • Feldenkrais®
  • Alexander Technique
  • Topf Technique/Dynamic Anatomy
  • Starship Somatics (virtual)
  • Releasing (virtual)
  • Do-It-Yourself Shiatsu (virtual)

Check the calendar for a full listing of Physical Inquiries & Somatic Practices

Upcoming classes

Category: Class

Feldenkrais Method®

Marion Helfenstein

Wed, Aug 6 - Sep 24, 2025

A photo of students practicing movement during a class. They lie on their backs on blue mats. One leg extended downward and the other leg was propped up with their knee bent and the foot pressed into the floor. Photo by Eve Boltax
Category: Class

Pilates

Sofia Engelman

Tue, Sep 2 - Dec 30, 2025

A dancer stands in the middle of a pile of purple yoga blocks. Photo by Owen Burnham.
Category: Class

Alexander Technique

Rachel Bernsen

Wed, Sep 3 - Sep 24, 2025

Two people standing side by side, one person physically guiding the other to raise their arms over their head with ease. Photo by Jenni Walkowiak
Category: Class

Topf Technique/Dynamic Anatomy®

Jaime Ortega

Thu, Sep 4, 2025 - Feb 26, 2026

A photo of Jaime Ortega next to a human skeleton replica, holding up a picture of a pelvis. He is speaking and pointing towards the right side of the pelvis. Photo by Tori Lawrence.
Category: Class

Klein Technique™ Dance/Movement Class

Barbara Mahler

Fri, Sep 5, 2025 - Feb 27, 2026

Barbara Mahler dancing in a green dress. Arms outstretched, standing in front of a sign that reads Queensboro Dance Festival, and a loading ledge. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Category: Class

Klein Technique™/Stretch & Placement

Barbara Mahler

Mon, Sep 15 - Dec 15, 2025

A photo of Barbara Mahler guiding a student during her class. The student faces away from the camera in a soft forward fold, letting their shoulders and head fall forwards. Barbara places a hand at the student’s sacrum and behind their thigh. Barbara wears a bright multicolored top with pink, blue and yellow patterns. Photo by Rachel Keane.
Category: Class

Qi Gong

Laurel Atwell

Tue, Sep 16 - Dec 16, 2025

A collage with an image of sunflowers and an image of a leaf like object being held up to a window. Text reads, Not Knowing, Learning. Image courtesy of the faculty.
Category: Class

Ineffable but We Practice

Wally Cardona

Wed, Sep 17 - Dec 17, 2025

In the center of the image is a b&w rectangular box showing a close-up of two eyes (Cardona’s). This is superimposed over a mandala-like image consisting of one large circle of words in blue - “This dance is the last dance I will ever make” and “My last dance is the last dance I will ever make” - and multiple lines of words in red radiating out from the center. Where the words begin in the center looks like the shape of a heart. Image by Wally Cardona with photo by Peggy Kaplan.
Category: Class

Alexander Technique

Rebecca Brooks

Wed, Oct 1 - Oct 29, 2025

A photo of roots of a tree intertwined. Photo Courtesy of the artist.
Category: Class

Feldenkrais Method ® Awareness Through Movement / Método Feldenkrais ® Consciencia a través del movimiento

Jimena Paz

Wed, Oct 1 - Dec 17, 2025

Photo of Jimena Paz in movement. Her arms are raised with her elbows bent. She wears a purple t-shirt and dark pants. Her hair whips around her face. Photo by Maria Baranova.
Category: Class

Pilates

Amelia Heintzelman

Tue, Oct 7 - Oct 28, 2025

Amelia is white and has brown curly hair. She does a backbend on the ground with her feet on a stool. She has on a short unitard and dance sneakers and is in an empty space. Photo by Jenna Westra.
Category: Class

Starship Somatics – Fall 2025

Petra Kuppers

Tue, Oct 7 - Dec 16, 2025

A number of masked dancers, one wheelchair user, some people, standing, some lying down, are moving together in front of a projection of water in pink and white. Photo by Petra Kuppers.
Category: Class

Do-It-Yourself Shiatsu

Ori Flomin

Mon, Oct 20 - Nov 17, 2025

A man sits cross-legged on a rocky cliff, meditating with eyes closed and hands resting on his knees. He wears a turquoise T-shirt, gray pants, and sneakers. Behind him stretches a sweeping view of a winding river bordered by lush green hills, under a bright blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. The sunlight reflects off the water, and a boat can be seen traveling along the river. The scene conveys a sense of peace, balance, and connection with nature. Photo by Tony Bordonaro
Category: Class

Releasing

Julie Mayo

Mon, Dec 1 - Dec 15, 2025

A person lays on the floor; one knee propped up and and one arm extended upward. Photo by Alex Gabrielli.