Moving Heart

17/09/2026

Umeå Sverige!

Mer info & Anmälan: [email protected]

15/09/2026

Contact Improvisation – Navigating backspace, CI & the spine – Workshop Umeå

Saturday, October 3 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Open jam from 7:00 PM)

Sunday, October 4 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

In this workshop, we will explore possibilities for orienting ourselves in different directions and initiating movement with the back of the body (our "backspace"). We will playfully and meticulously explore the different parts and fundamental movements of the spine, both individually and with each other. By cultivating awareness around the articulation and centering of the spine, we build a strong foundation to gently familiarize ourselves with navigating backward and being upside down.

Through Contact Improvisation (CI), we practice choice-making—both in spatial composition and in relation to one another. CI develops skills in giving and receiving impulses, timing, rhythm, and musicality, while awakening curiosity about the unknown. The workshop is infused with exercises in improvisation scores and instant composition (choreographing while dancing).

TARGET GROUP

This workshop is aimed at those who have experience with Contact Improvisation (CI) and the "jam" format, and who are curious about their own movement process. It is also suitable for professional dancers and performing artists who want to deepen their improvisation practice.

ABOUT ELINMARIA

ElinMaria Sydänvirta is active as a dance artist, yoga teacher, and filmmaker. She has taught CI regularly since 2009, including in Umeå, and is now based in Finland. ElinMaria is driven by a curiosity about how we create the conditions for relationship and authenticity in our movement and with one another, where consensus and dialogue form the cornerstones. She has extensive experience working site-specifically, inclusively, and within community dance.

01/09/2026

Höstens turné med den interaktiva föreställningen SVALAN I VATTNET - VEDEN PÄÄSKYNEN!

Idag startade vi hösten med två föreställningar på Åbo Svenska teater, Tack till Åbo Stad! 150 barn och pensionärer fick komma att titta! Nu vidare till Folkhälsan i Pargas. Vi fortsätter sedan under hösten att turnera på äldreboenden, skolor och daghem i Pargas Stads område och Kimitioö. Håll utkik!

Med Marianne Maans, ElinMaria Sydänvirta och Lotta Wiberg.

27/08/2026

Today is Baltic Sea Day!
For us, every day is a Baltic Sea Day. We live in the Archipelago of Finland—one of the largest and most beautiful archipelagos in the world, with over 40,000 islands and islets. Here, the sea is a constant presence in daily life. To travel between island communities or the mainland, we take ferries; the weather and wind are tangible, and nature dominates. When holiday or vacation time comes, we prefer not to go anywhere else—we are already right where we want to be. We love sharing this treasure with others and truly understand why thousands of people visit during peak season!

Being part of the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve brings a special commitment to our surroundings and our small local communities, where we realize that we are part of a larger whole. We need one another—both as human beings and as part of nature.
That is why we do our best to help the Baltic Sea withstand human activity and climate change. As small-business owners, we are very proud to work according to high sustainability standards, with a deep awareness of the Baltic Sea's unique character and future needs.

Here you can get a glimpse into our life and livelihood, where we offer high-quality activities including sea kayaking training and tours, local cultural events, and courses in dance and well-being. We are Gabriel and ElinMaria, and we love the Baltic Sea and the small communities that stand tall against wind and wave. We are happy to contribute a vibrant year-round Archipelago. Many coastal communities face the risk of turning into seasonal tourist resorts, but we believe in a different path—where tourism collaborates with the local community to build a sustainable, thriving archipelago all twelve months of the year.

We’re so glad you found your way to our page! By following us, you help us navigate the algorithm jungle and reach more people.

#

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

Coming Up! In our newsletters we share with you our coming adventures and life in the Archipelago. We send our newsletter 2-3times / year, check your inbox! Most welcome to join us, comment hello and we send you an invitation to our email-list.

Our coming newsletter, a glimpse:

• Dance with us in Umeå Sweden! Contact Improvisation workshop & Coming Home!
• Retreat in the Archipelago for dance-professionals!
• Dance films in the making!
• Nature Art Excursions & dance-performance in the national parks of Siuntio
• Touring with the performance Shallow in the water.
• Dance in the elderly care, weekly classes
• Seasonal yoga- and dance classes in Korppoo.
• Autumn kayaking tours in Archipelago National Park.
• Garden and love for food and our planet.

Living in an island community of 780 year-round residents changes completely in summer, when Korpo’s population increases tenfold and many of us work 15+ hour days. Between hosting a constant flow of dear ones on visit and running our peak season, life is wonderfully full and sometimes quite of a balancing! Last week our child started first grade and we are so lucky this summer our family has grown with two kittens. We are now transitioning toward calmer days focused on more time with our local family, community-work and caring for our 100-year old house and harvest-season. ..

Sign up for more! Language is in both english and finnish.
With love / Gabriel and ElinMaria