ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ability to manipulate and control the flow of weight and momentum of another person. The physical actor embraces the “other” as a companion in the dance and a player on the same team. The ability to shift effortlessly between responsive and active roles is the physical actor’s goal, so by understanding and practicing the primary principles and techniques of weight manipulation even the most petite woman can lift the largest guy in the room. Work with different partners and respect their individual structure, weight, and energy. Many people are afraid to relinquish their full standing weight to a partner. This self-protection is understandably human, but it is not particularly useful for the successful contact practitioner. Practice of this exercise, leaning the partner back in the smallest possible incline, establishes necessary trust and gives the partner experience in “holding” themselves while being manipulated by someone else.
