Acro Immersion w/ Kadir

Join us to experience acro as an interface for physical connection

The word “acro” is derived from the Greek akros, meaning “extremities” – parts of the human body that we use as an interface to connect with the physical world.With this full day immersion, we will dive into a playful exploration of physics by utilizing our akros. We will interact with a diverse set of props such as balls, sticks and ropes to explore finding balance, giving and receiving forces and momentum.

Dive into acro through the lens of relational movement

When we move, we move not in isolation. Just like in physics, where motion is defined in relation to a reference frame, we move in relation to our environment, our own bodies, each other… But what is it that draws us into movement, and what does that relationship look like?Throughout the series of sessions, we'll embark on a journey to unleash our relational potential. Through playful duet and group challenges, we'll witness how trust translates into balance, how play ignites connection, and how creative experimentation opens doors to new pathways of shared movement. This exploration culminates in building physical supports rooted in trust, consent, and collaboration, where our bodies become bridges to one another, literally and figuratively.

Help create a new acro vocabulary that is relatable and hence accessible by everyone

Imagine exploring "foot to foot" of acroyoga not just as foot on foot but vertically stacked and aligned bodies in any way that is your own.This gathering is an invitation to explore what lies beyond the body-centric acroyoga jargon, and break free from acro poses and patterns!

An opportunity to craft an acro practice that is open to all, where a unifying vocabulary rooted in physics empowers our moves and connects diverse bodies in magical ways. Share your movement practice during our "movement potluck" style warm-ups, let the group translate your offerings to their own bodies through playful explorations.Share your discoveries with the group during our choreo exercises and the participant showcase at the end. Join us, unite in curiosity, move and create together!Participants can join the immersion solo, partnered or as a group. They are free to stay solo, partnered or within their pod, or change partners during the class or form new groups of more than two bodies.Join us, unite in curiosity, and move together!

Schedule

Sunday [Jul 21]

11am - 1pm: foundations

1pm - 2pm: potluck

2pm - 5pm: choreo

5pm - 6pm: showcase

Bio

Kadir is a San Francisco based emerging performing artist offering weekly acro classes at Center SF and Menlo Park Academy of Dance. Kadir has had an unconventional history of training in acro.Kadir's acro journey began 15 years ago when he met his first acro partner in 2008, a Japanese humanoid robot called CB2, also known as the world's creepiest robot. Kadir was tasked with developing software so that the robot could get up from the ground when a human partner pulled it by its arms, and balance with them.

While working on this project, Kadir unknowingly wrote source code that laid the foundation for his acro practice.In 2015, Kadir co-organized a 3-day yoga festival on the college campus with over 1,000 participants. There were no acro classes in Turkey at the time, so Kadir ended up teaching a series of acroyoga workshops before he took any acro classes himself.

Kadir was born in Istanbul, the beautiful city that gave San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge its name. In 2016, he immigrated to SF. Since then, he has helped facilitate weekly acroyoga classes and offered workshops at various locations in the city, including Aerial Artique, SF Pole & Dance, Bay JiuJitsu, Yoga Tree and Yogaworks.In the last 5 years, Kadir has been offered scholarships to train with Axis Dance Company and Pilobolus Dance Company as he continued his search for an acro practice that is equally accessible for people of all minds and all bodies.Kadir is excited for the Center’s invitation to share and grow this practice with the community.

Host or Publisher The Center SF