Workshop: Contact Dance for Massage Therapists

Join Jan-Ming at the Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork in this experimental workshop, to develop your practice through this fresh perspective!

Date: Monday April 20th 2026

Location: Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork, 109 Guthrie Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3EF

Duration: 6:30 – 8:30pm

Cost: 

£32   Standard Price
£16    if you are a BCMB student

To Book: https://www.bristolmassage.co.uk/calendar

If you have any problems navigating the booking system, email jan.lee.uk@gmail.com

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Conversations…

I spoke to practitioners of bodywork and massage and have developed a workshop to support them through Contact Dance! Q&As :

J-M: How do you notice dancing contact dance helps with your massage bodywork practice?

…In contact dance, I notice my blockages, I notice my body, and I can explore what I can do with this body of mine. It’s ‘me – time’. I get to develop more nuanced skills that are aligned with my body.

…In contact dance, I get to notice multiple options for giving weight or releasing, which means that I will be better at finding more options to release tension when I am massaging – you get to feel what you are doing, not just do.

J-M: What do you mean?

…When I feel, not only do, then I am not on auto mode. I can reflexively tune into the authentic responses of my client, since sometimes they verbally tell me something polite, but in reality they are not having an ideal experience. I can offer a better treatment.

J-M: What is important to you as a somatic practitioner?

…I am interested in the depth of the meeting through touch between myself as a practitioner and my client – it is important that our hearts feel received and listened to.

…I can feel when a client is being resistant to my touch, and in exploring my body through contact dance, I can feel more in tune with the receiver’s resistance; what I can do to meet it; especially using the element of play, and joy.

J-M: I’m just thinking back to the dance we had together, exploring the overlaps of contact dance and bodywork… I remember… one of us moved while the other found places to offer touch that made sense.

…Yes, I also remember us speaking about technique, how it is good to be supported by it, but that it’s also good not to be imprisoned by your technique.

…I sometimes feel a bit stuck with my routine. I’m not enjoying the work.

J-M: You shared about what you need as a bodywork practitioner, to be able to dance in contact with another.

…Yes, it’s about trust and safety – how can we explore feeling safe to hold another’s weight? Or how can my body tone be adjusted to feel safe to give my weight to another? It’s a basic thing.

…I’m not good at contact dance, but I can see that the skills of bringing your whole body awareness into relationship with others, is really valuable to learn as a bodywork massage practitioner. I get to learn about myself in the process too.

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