marita
schwanke
Marita Schwanke (she/her) is a dance artist and fascia therapist based in Belgium. She studied contemporary dance and choreography first at ArtEZ, Arnhem, and then at PARTS, Brussels.Since her graduation, Marita has been working as a freelancer in different projects and performing her own works. She also began developing her artistic practice Allowing for Space, inspired by Eastern principles and practices (Qigong/Taiji), different Western mindful techniques (Body-Mind Centering©, Skinner Releasing, Fascia Therapy) which she is continuously expanding.
Within this research, she developed a series of classes titled Kinesthetic Dance: a practice based on embodying anatomical information through imagery, touch, verbal guidance, dance improvisation, and connections to nature. Alongside this, she began teaching Qigong and Taiji through weekly classes in Parc Duden and Anderlecht.
Throughout her artistic journey, Marita has had the privilege of being mentored by dancer, dance maker and facilitator Eva Karczag, whose approach to the body and dance remains a profound inspiration.
In 2022, she also began collaborating with her partner, Adem Ouhaibia, on his ongoing research project “Breaking Technologies.”
In 2025, Marita obtained her diploma as a Fascia and Dance Therapist from the Body-Mind Academy in Brussels and started her official teacher training at the School for Internal Martial Arts Xuan in Berlin/ Brussels.
taiji & qigong principles
| 30.06 / | 9h30-11h |
In this workshop, we will explore some of the underlying principles of Qigong and Taiji.
The four pillars we will focus on are:
- Center motion
- Sung / release (in direct relationship to weight and ground force)
- Invisible chain movement
- Infinite roundness
We will approach these principles through basic and iconic Qigong exercises such as bouncing, spiralling and Cloud Hands. We will also explore the beginning of the 36 Form, a Taiji sequence that I have studied in depth over the past years.
Throughout the workshop, we will connect these principles to daily life, pedestrian movement and dance, exploring how they can support ease, efficiency, sensitivity and flow in the moving body.
We may also spend some time practicing Tui Shou (Push Hands) to experience Taiji principles through contact and listening with another body.