A founder of Butoh, Tastumi Hijikata observed people with disabilities carefully and pondered upon dance aesthetics and movements. Hijikata said, "Western dance begins with its feet firmly planted on the ground whereas Butoh begins with a dance wherein the dancer tries in vain to find his feet"

Butoh starts by asking what is moving you? A student delves into a body with imagination… is it the earth such as rock, lava, soil or water that is shaping and moving your body? Is it human emotions like sadness that barely hold you up?

"In other forms of dance such as classical dance, the movements are derived from a fixed technique; they are imposed from the outside and are conventional in form. In my case, it's the contrary, my dance is far removed from conventions and techniques ..."

-Tastumi Hijikata

Many years ago, I had a chance to study with a nationally recognized Yoga teacher Matthew W Sanford. Mr. Sanford has been paraplegic since the age of 13. He explains senses as a “consciousness which 'hums' throughout an awakened body”. While I was taking a wide legged standing pose, he gave me an adjustment by putting his hands on top of my femur bones with gentle pressure. I started to feel as if my bones became thicker and vibrating. It was a clear, awakened sensation in my bones, but not muscular at all. Then he smiled and said, "You see? That is how ‘I’ feel my legs". He who has been paraplegic since the age of 13 feels his legs in such a way!

"It is the unveiling of the inner life"

-Tatsumi Hijikata

What is a Body? How much more to reveal the inner life within?