Faux Ritual

There's nothing like getting sweaty with a room full of strangers. It's even better when it involves a bit of Kundalini yoga, a lot of colourful lycra, and some deep, dirty beats. Get down to Peaks Of Phantasm to see for yourself. Described by Rebecca Jenson as “faux ritual with no spectators”, this four-part evening is aimed at anyone and everyone. “If you don't like yoga it's perfect for you; if you do like yoga it's also perfect. You don't need to be skilled; you just need to be ready to move.”

Accompanying Jenson on this evening of self-discovery are Sarah Aiken, Natalie Abbott and Janine Proost. Each of these Melbourne-based choreographers and performers has training in contemporary dance, while Abbott and Proost also teach yoga. The unlikely combination of these different types of movement creates an unrelenting hybrid guaranteed to get your heart racing. Firstly, participants will be split into different elements (air, wind, water, fire) in accordance with their star sign. The night will then begin with some ancient yoga and close with dancing in the dark to the sounds of DJ John Anon, with “senseless chanting and choreographic configurations” thrown in for good measure. But what is Peaks Of Phantasm all about? “It's about finding connections with strangers,” Jenson explains, “as well as finding an introspective connection with yourself, embracing your physical capabilities, whatever they may be.”

Peaks Of Phantasm was initially born as a sister project to Overworld, a collaborative performance by Aiken and Jenson that will also feature as part of Next Wave 2014. The inspiration for both projects came from a 2012 trip to Germany where Jenson and Aiken attended a Witch Camp. Here they “called down the Goddess of darkness, cried into rivers and cast sacred circles,” led by a Nike-wearing witch with a penchant for Apple products. “She uploaded her book of shadows onto her MacBook for convenience and took photos of us being reborn to the New Moon on her iPhone.” After that experience they began “exploring the clash between trash and tradition” and Peaks Of Phantasm was brought to life.

Peaks Of Phantasm aims to take you on an upbeat journey to a place where you can find your inner yin and yang. You don't have to be a dancer or be fluent in the various positions of the Sun Salute. You just have to be ready and willing to give anything a go. Jenson describes Deep Soulful Sweats as being “like Moodymann, Jane Fonda and Osho hanging out in one big room together.” It's an amalgamation of anything and everything that's sure to make you feel positively aligned. And a little bit sweaty.