Tag Archives: manuela bondavalli

OSF ONLINE WEEKLY ADVANCED SESSIONS Nov 2 – Dec 7, 2025

November 2 – December 7, 2025

Back by popular demand ! New Series: Join us!
Sundays, 10 am – 12 pm Seattle time
[In your own time zonehttps://www.worldtimebuddy.com]

Facilitators: Stephanie Skura, Nate Dryden, Manuela Bondavalli, Susanna Hood

Register for the whole series at a discount, or in advance for single sessions.
Following rewarding experiences holding Open Source Forms programs ONLINE VIA ZOOM during and after the pandemic, we’re doing it again ! Offering another series of six two-hour weekly online Advanced Practice OSF Sessions,

Prerequisites: Full spectrum of Introductory OSF or SRT (three consecutive weeks).  

We learned that we can indeed feel in-community despite inhabiting far-flung environments. That we experience rewarding levels of intimacy, adventure, trust & compassion. And that with a playful approach to screens, we find new forms while avoiding the dreaded ‘zoom fatigue.’
For many, this community serves as psychic lifeline during challenging times.OSF

REGISTER HERE

Advanced OSF material is deeply rooted in & fluidly expanded from advanced Skinner Releasing practice. It’s where OSF/SRT Introductory work is headed! New alignment insights, new depths, more & deeper deep-states, transporting imagery.  Joan Skinner did not intend Advanced SRT to be codified or limited to 12 ‘Ongoing’ SRT classes.  She left us with a wealth of material not included in those 12 classes. Our advanced sessions are culled from material passed on by SRT creator Joan Skinner & early practitioners, & integrated with Skura’s/OSF’s improvisational research.  This level of the practice is sophisticated, deep, and evolved in alignment approaches — richly navigating states below conscious level. Stephanie is the only still-practicing facilitator who worked closely alongside Joan Skinner for over a decade, & had the precious opportunity as close friend, to roam inside Joan’s brilliant mind with questions & curiosities. We’re the only SRT or OSF teachers on the planet, that we know of, currently creating classes at this advanced level ! 

“These classes are amazing, beautiful, releasing, healing, vital and a bargain.”  Julia Sasso, SRT teacher, Toronto

Participant numbers are limited to ensure responsible facilitation. Hold your place by registering for the whole series at a discount, or register in advance for single sessions. 

Series of 6 sessions at 10% discount:  $167 USD (thanks for paying full price if you’re able!)
Series of 6 sessions, low-income price: $108 USD 
Single session, full price: $30
Single session, low-income price: $22
PLEASE REGISTER FOR SINGLE SESSIONS AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE
Prerequisites: Full spectrum of Introductory OSF or SRT (3 consecutive weeks). 

REGISTER HERE


“This work feels like an antidote to many of the difficulties I’m currently facing physically, emotionally and practically. I felt so open and easeful when I got back. I love your approach to sharing the work as well. Unpretentious, sincere and expert!”  Aura Fishbeck, dancer/choreographer

“OSF changed my life. Your work is so rich in all directions! From technical matters to the creative process, amazing range of wisdom, and fun ways to make it happen!  Jadi Carboni, OSF certified teacher,

ANNUAL 2025 OSF OPEN WORKSHOP IN SEATTLE

June 2 – 20, 2025
Mondays – Fridays, 10:30am – 1:30pm PDT
The Russian Community Center of Seattle
704 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA
, US

Facilitated by Stephanie Skura and Manuela Bondavalli

 All are welcome  —  whether new to the practice or experienced. We’ll navigate  the entire 3 weeks of Introductory level work, And lots of juicy improvisational processes, refined by Skura over three decades of teaching & choreographic practice, and refreshed continually with new ideas & experiments.

  Now in its twelfth year, this annual Seattle OSF workshop continues to provide solace both as refuge and engagement, assembling a worldwide community for movement, creative practice, and deep immersion. Being amongst colleagues with diverse experiences in teaching, healing, therapy, performance, theater, visual art, writing, organization-building and more, contributes to a catalytic yet safe environment for deep transformation.  Sessions are inclusive, welcoming & vitally useful for participants at all levels.  Deeply rooted in & fluidly expanded from Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT), OSF involves shedding outer layers, accessing primal energy, agility navigating subconscious realms, imagery as potent tool for transformation, & developing a high degree of consciousness without self-consciousness.                 
        OSF celebrates diversity & individual empowerment: free of inhibition, accessing intuition, inviting the mind to collaborate. Sessions offer powerful strategies to catalyze freedom, specificity & courage in movement, vocal practice & creative practice.
A key aspect is individual creative empowerment as an instigator of positive change on the planet. With our dancing and our voices, this work says NO to fascism, with diversity, mutual respect, deep reflection, vulnerability and collaboration.

Join us for one, two or three consecutive weeks.
Discounts for multiple weeks. Additional $100 early registration discount before May 15, 2025.
Those with comprehensive experience of Introductory level OSF or SRT may opt to drop in and/or join for Advanced Practice Week.

**Minimum of first two consecutive weeks fulfills prerequisite for OSF Sourcing Deeper Program. 3 consecutive weeks fulfills prerequisite for our Advanced Practice workshops.**

Fees:

2023 SUMMER OPEN SOURCE FORMS WORKSHOP in BRESCIA, ITALY – The Italian Capital of Culture for 2023

OSF Faculty Teachers:
Manuela Bondavalli and Nathan Dryden

August 21 – September 8, 2023

Monday – Friday, 10:30am – 1:30pm

I.dan.ce International Dance Center via Carducci 12/e Botticino -Brescia

Option for 1, 2, or 3 weeks (with discounts for multiple weeks): 

Week One: 21- 25 August 2023
Week Two: 28 August – 1 September 2023
Week Three: 4 – 8 September 2023

Plus a weekend of OSF Advanced practice: 9/10 September, 2023

Open to all! Those without prior experience in OSF, SRT or traditional dance, as well as experienced practitioners are welcome. The first three weeks cover the full spectrum of Introductory Level OSF work plus daily improvisation. The final weekend introduces OSF Advanced practice.

Deeply rooted in and fluidly expanded from Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT), OSF involves shedding outer layers, accessing primal energy, agility navigating subconscious realms, imagery as potent tool for transformation, and developing a high degree of consciousness without self-consciousness. The practice celebrates diversity, collaboration and individual empowerment: free of inhibition, accessing intuition, inviting the mind to collaborate. OSF sessions offer potent tools to access freedom, specificity and courage in movement, vocal practice and creative practice. A key aspect is individual creative empowerment as an instigator of positive change on the planet.



Sessions are inclusive, welcoming and vitally useful for newcomers and experienced practitioners. Workshop participants can join for one, two, or three weeks, with progressive discounts based on number of weeks. Those without prior experience in OSF or SRT proceed chronologically beginning with the first week. Experienced practitioners can choose which weeks to attend. Drop-ins are limited to those with comprehensive experience of Introductory Level OSF or SRT.

Register for more and save! Per-week price decreases with each additional week added.

OSF WORKSHOP
NUMBER OF WEEKS/ PRICE PER WEEK 

Full price:
Week 1 €250,00
Week 2 €230,00
Week 3 €205,00

Save even more by registering before 15th July 2023 for a €100 discount if you register for at least two weeks.

OSF ADVANCED PRACTICE WEEKEND

Register before 15th July 2023 the price is € 50,00 for the weekend. Full price is € 90,00

To register please write to: idanceworkshop@gmail.com

SUMMER INTERNATIONAL OSF SOURCING DEEPER WORKSHOP IN BRESCIA, ITALY – The Italian Capital of Culture, 2023

with MANUELA BONDAVALLI and NATHAN DRYDEN, OSF faculty teachers

I.dan.ce International Dance Center 

via Carducci 12/e Botticino -Brescia

With the permission and blessing of Stephanie Skura, it’s finally happening!

21 August – 8 September 2023

Monday – Friday, 10:30am – 6pm

2023 Fees: €1,900

To apply for OSF Sourcing Deeper Italy 2023, please send an email to idanceworkshop@gmail.com

Enrollment in Sourcing Deeper is not guaranteed until application is approved and payment is received.

ABOUT SOUCING DEEPER

The 3-week OSF Sourcing Deeper program is designed for experienced OSF and SRT practitioners longing to more deeply understand underlying conceptual structures and strategies of OSF. Some may decide to follow with an OSF Teacher Certification Program. Others may prefer taking the work in other directions like research in movement, somatics, or integrations with other practices. The program also supports those purely interested in deeper study and reflection of the releasing process, allowing future applications to unfold in time.

Though not a commitment to OSF Teacher Training, OSF Sourcing Deeper is a required pre-requisite for all applicants to OSF Teacher Certification Programs. OSF Sourcing Deeper is a ‘first pass’ at the complex array of skills and concepts that allow facilitators to create seemingly magical environments conducive to deeply transformative experiences.

The program includes the full spectrum of Introductory Level OSF material in the morning sessions, plus substantive afternoon participatory discussions, vocal practice, sophisticated improvisational practice, hands-on practice, writing and drawing practice, language and music considerations — plus related readings in relevant philosophical topics that enhance our understanding of the profound concepts underlying this practice. For those who choose to follow with OSF Teacher Training, Sourcing Deeper will render the rigors of OSF Teacher Certification more digestible, less overwhelming, and more fun!

PREREQUISITES FOR OSF SOURCING DEEPER

Applicants for OSF Sourcing Deeper need experience with a minimum of two consecutive weeks of Introductory Open Source Forms or Skinner Releasing Technique (SRT classes 1-10), preferably within the past two years

To apply and register please write to: 

idanceworkshop@gmail.com

MANUELA BONDAVALLI

MANUELA BONDAVALLI is a dance artist, teacher, performer.

Manuela is a remarkably potent and experienced dancer, with a strong foundation in traditional and alternative techniques. She has the courage, flexibility and passion – plus integrity, eloquence and humility – to be among the most innovative leaders in her field”.

Stephanie Skura

Manuela holds a Degree from University of Brescia, graduated in Dance studies and then obtained an MA in Choreography and Choreology -Trinity Laban of London, University where in 1995, she started her personal course of choreographic research receiving the “Sylvia Bodmer Award”. She lived in London from 1994 to 1998. Continued her studies in the USA, she is a Certified teacher in Skinner Releasing Technique™ – Ongoing and Introductory level – Skinner Releasing Institute – Seattle (USA). Certified Teacher Trainer of Open Source Forms -OSF- under the guidance of Stephanie Skura.

As a teacher, her investigation includes both in-depht analysis of the contemporary releasing technique, improvisation and compositional techniques. Contact Improvisation it’s a further, nodal source of inspiration and research for Manuela, as is real-time composition. Her work has been influenced and inspired by Steve Paxton, Lisa Nelson, Simone Forti e Nita Little.

As a dance artist, she has carried on her career for more than twenty five years, creating about thirty works and presenting her group choreographies, compositions and collaborative works locally, nationally, and internationally. 

From 1995 to 2011 she was Artistic Director of the Company Manuela Bondavalli. She collaborated with Stephanie Skura in the creation of “ Ruins memories “ and “Prima fila”.

From 2006 to 2014 she was Director and choreographer of the project Sperimental Company No Frills, which aimed at supporting the creative process and the stage presence of young dancers, investigating on-scene improvisation. 

Her creations have been supported by Cariplo Foundation, the Regional Council for the arts (winner of the NEXT award in 2013 and 2014),  Lombardy Dance Circuit, Brescia Theatre Center, ASM and the Municipality of Brescia.

Apart from working with many Lombard actors and directors, she collaborates with the American choreographer Stephanie Skura, musicians and composer like Markus Stokhausen, Fausto Beccalossi, Paolo Benvegnù, Luca Formentini, Ludovico Peroni.

Many of her works are site-specific and were made in collaboration with Croydon College (UK), Dams in Bologna, Teatro Grande in Brescia, Museum Santa Giulia in Brescia, Laba Academy of Fine Arts.

From 2009 to 2014 she was Artistic Director of the Container Festival dedicated to improvisational dance and videodance(in collaboration with Cinedans). She realized “Dance insights”, a project for the dissemination of the history of contemporary dance realized with Francesca Pedroni, in collaboration with the Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia

Currently Artistic Director and Teacher at the International Dance Center former Container12.