Just Dance Costa Rica

Exploring Movement

Expressive Free-Dance, for every body.

Based on the Laban-Bartenieff Movement System

Just Dancing through our indulging and condensing movement qualities, we are invited to explore new ways of moving. Supported by inspiring imagery, rhythms and a diverse playlist.

We will re-awaken the roots of authentic expression, release unnecessary held tensions and re-create joy in our bodies, as we connect with our selves and others.

Move according to your personal pace and fitness.

No need for previous experience. Just Dance!

Explore

Warm-up and practice different ways of moving, broadening the range of movement.

Express

Deepening the connection to the emotional state allows the expression of our inner and outer movement, alone, with another or in a group.

"Dance overcomes indolence"

- Rudolf Laban

"If you just set people in motion they'll heal themselves"

- Gabrielle Roth

"Everyone can dance. It makes us ageless!"

- Gila Kaplan

Just Dance (Pashut Lirkod)

facilitated by Gila Kaplan-Dar

A visual artist and movement explorer, co-founder of Just Dance (Tel Aviv), a mod.2 graduate of Laban Movement Analysis, a seasoned 5 Rhythms dancer since 2008 and a 10 year apprentice of sensate-focusing. For 5 years has taught a course on Creative Thinking for students of Visual Communication.

Just Dance originated in June 2013, Tel Aviv. in 2014 Gila has moved to Costa Rica, where she taught movement to K-3 and teenage actors to-be at the International school Tree Of Life. She now lives in Denver, CO. offering Pashut Lirkod at the Denver JCC and Hebrew Educational alliance.

"I grew up in a home saturated with music and acting. My love for dance sprouted at a young age, but I felt a mis-fit in the ballet classroom. My past experience includes different methods of movement: Tai-Chi, Alexander Technique, yoga, Belly Dancing, Gaga and Five Rhythms. I am married and a mother to one free-flowing child."

Just Dance was developed by Gila Kaplan-Dar together with Vered Farchi-Francos (Dance Movement Therapist and CPF), who continues to hold weekly classes in Tel Aviv.

FAQ

I'm not so fit, it is still suitable for me?

No matter what your fitness level - each one dances at a pace that feels right for them.

I have two left feet and zero experience in dance...

Our dance is designed for the joy of movement. With inspiring music we dance free-style, and no previous experience is required - each one moving just as it suits her or him at that moment, without criticism or judgment.

Do you teach movements?

No. In the Exploration part we practice different qualities of movement. This allows us to create more options for the way we move & dance and explore our body and it's stories.

What should I wear?

We dance barefoot, wearing comfortable clothes. Those who need shoes bring dance shoes or shoes with clean soles.

Why do you ask to come perfume-free?

We are a group, and during the dance our breath deepens and is accelerated. Some people are very sensitive to smells in such a situation.

What happens if I get tired in the middle?

Our space allows a lot of freedom. If you get tired or your body suddenly just stops for whatever reason, you can just go to the side and rest, sitting or lying down. You can reduce your dance to very little movement. Even when lying motionless, there is always a movement that continues in the body - the movement of breath...

What style of music do you play?

The music is diverse and the rhythms vary. Electronic, world, psychedelic, classical... you name it! (listen to some sets here). The gathering begins at a leisurely pace, climbing to high BPM's (beats per minute), then slowly cooling down until the final relaxation.

What ages can come to dance?

From 16 to 100... (kids under 16 just don't need this type of physical workout).

Is there a mirror in the dance space?

We dance without mirrors (even if the room has mirrors, they usually will be covered). We dance for how it feels inside. The way it looks on the outside is left for the inner eye to see :)

"There is such joy in the dance .. a joy that is not available anywhere else in life except in the dance .. because it lets me be the person I want to be... this is a gift."

- Vered

"For a long time I have been looking for a place where I can dance for my soul... and I found it here. I dance my truth.. without being told how."

- Moshe

"I was on my way home... tired. Then I took a u-turn... turned my car around and returned to the city, to dance. I could not give up an oppurtunity for self expression."

- Yael

"I went to a festival with my husband. I usually do not dance... I'm shy... but this time I surprised myself AND my husband, who said it was the first time he saw me dancing freely without restraint! I know I got it from Just Dance."

- Pamela

"I really don't need a psychologist now that I go to Just Dance... a space to move and connect with my feelings... " (One week later this participant added that she had decided to go to treatment after all, stating that the combination with the dancing is ideal).

- Aaron

"It was the first time I ever danced lying on the floor... I want more...!"

- Ilana

"22:30 at night, I am after two hours of dancing and my body feels abundant, full of breath... and it's delicious!."

- Amos

"I moved through a fascinating journey that began with a tired body and skeptical mind... and finished with a feeling of freedom and a desire to dance on and on..."

- Malka

"Just fun just dancing!"

- Christine