foundation
The foundation module serves as the grounding practice of the naftali method. It establishes the physical and perceptual conditions that support the work as a whole, offering dancers a shared entry point into softness, momentum, and sustained attention. This module is currently taught as a complete experience and serves as the basis for all other applications of the method.
Photography by Allison Joyce.
Structure of the practice.
This module is organized through a three-stage framework drawn from the qualities of water. Each stage offers a distinct physical environment while remaining fluid and interconnected, allowing the practice to unfold with clarity and adaptability.
Photography by Allison Joyce.
stage 1:
spring
joint mobility & softening
San Diego Dance Theatre, Summer Intensive.
spring centers joint mobility and internal spaciousness. Through metaphorical language and gentle attention, the body is guided toward softness and availability. This stage establishes a default physical state—one that supports agility, responsiveness, and ease without force.
stage 2:
surge
travelling passages & momentum
naftali method, Movement Lab, NYC
surge introduces sustained momentum through traveling phrases and across-the-floor passages. Speed emerges here not through exertion, but through continuity. Dancers are invited to discover a pace that supports flow, efficiency, and sustained attention, allowing movement to organize itself with minimal effort.
stage 3:
delta
integration & open inquiry
naftali method, Movement Lab, NYC
delta opens into an improvisational space where residues from the earlier stages remain present. Dancers are invited to integrate what has been established while following their own lines of inquiry. This stage emphasizes choice-making, reflection, and the emergence of individual research within the shared framework.
Together, these stages form a complete and adaptable practice. The foundation module supports dancers in cultivating clarity, responsiveness, and ease, while leaving space for personal interpretation and continued exploration.
