Alina Jacobs Avis 8

mijn eerste kennismaking met Alina was tijdens een workshop tango samen met haar partner. Gedegen, met kennis van zaken , met veel aandacht voor houding, spanning en ontspanning in je lijf, ademhaling om zo het beste tijdens het dansen uit jezelf te halen. Op uitnodiging ben ik een dagje bij haar thuis geweest om deel te nemen aan Body Home retreat. In een kleine groep dames een hele dag gewerkt aan je eigen lijf, hoe zit je in je vel, ademen, oefeningen en het delen van veel persoonlijke verhalen. Een fantastische locatie met veel groen en ruimte. Het samen lunchen met door ieder zelf-meegebrachte gerechten was een feestje!
De dag voelde als een soort van Spa, verwennen van jezelf; hoofd leeg, bezig met je lijf en je gevoel van eigenwaarde. Alina is niet alleen in staat om op professionele wijze bezig te gaan met je lijf , bewegingen, ademhalingen, houding etc, maar ook om je tot denken aan te zetten over je lijfwijze, leefstijl etc.,, Wat maakt dat ik niet genoeg aandacht aan mijn lijf en mezelf schenk en wat heb ik nodig om dat wel te doen???"
Een geweldige dag, zowel voor mijn lijf en geest, maar ook met fijne andere deelnemers waarin door de dag heen een soort van nieuwe band ontstond, en daar heeft Alina een groot aandeel in gehad... ik kom zeker graag weer een keertje terug!

Through training with Alina I learnt to let go of past experiences in dance classes that had been quite competitive and show-offy. There was no l ease or comfort in those other dance spaces - Alina’s training approach appealed to me as it was such a positive contrast. I stayed working with Alina as I saw my growth and improvement. I also really liked being in an intergenerational class, it was nice to be taught in an easeful way that focused on the subtleties of the body. After training I feel like I have exercised well, had fun but also feel quite in my body - somatically

I come to the improvisation dance classes for dancing, connecting with other dance participants through movement and also for the positive vibes that radiate from Alina and which spreads to the group. I'm coming quite regularly for about 3 months from now. And since, I've learned improvising consciously, slowing down through my movements and also lots of various techniques!

After a working day, it's nice to land all together at the start. It's nice that there is room for that and that I've tried exercises that were novel to me.
Then, there are some dance movements that I haven't been even thinking of trying, and that I'm glad I discovered since I joined. Every class feels different, although in each, we build up on previous techniques and add new ones. What I like is the clear and structured instructions for both the landing and the dancing, also Alina being so active and aware, the learning trajectory that feels natural, and for Alina motivating me to precision my posture and movements.
At the end of the day, I often leave the classes with improved well-being!

The 10-session gyrokinesis introductory course with Alina helped me to find a new direction for improvement as a dancer. Gyrokinesis had an immediate and noticeable effect on my body mobility and control of the movement. It also opened new avenues for me to explore and develop, in particular in terms of methods for activating and engaging parts of my body in the dance. The set of basic tools I acquired in the course now allows me to continue individual work and gradual improvement. Alina is an extremely experienced professional, with sound pedagogical approach. The activities throughout the sessions have always been personalised and tailored to individual needs and capabilities of each participant. I enjoyed my first gyrokinesis experience greatly!

I've been taking classes with Alina since November 2023. For me, it was the first time taking an improvisation dance class, so I didn't really know wat to expect and was also kind of nervous. As soon as class began, I could let go of that nervousness very easily because of the welcoming and non-pressuring atmosphere that is created by Alina and also the other dancers.

During class, there is much room for creativity and exploration. Within a given task you really get to explore, listen, see and feel how your body creates movement. It really stimulates you to get to know the possibilities of your own body better.
I also noticed that pent up energy came free. Sometimes I surprised myself with movements that flowed out of my body naturally.

I have always loved movement, especially dancing, because it just makes me feel happy. This class stimulates that, but it also really helped me to create calmness in my body and mind, which I often struggle with. I have learned more on how to let go of my worries through movement and that is for me really helpful. Since I take the classes, I certainly feel more healthier <3!

I have found training with Alina extremely helpful! My headaches/migraines, which were a source of distress for me, have become far less frequent and far more manageable. Apart from that, I have noticed positive changes in my body that I had not expected! Musculoskeletal aches and pains have disappeared. I am more aware of my movements, posture, and breathing. And I can change things for the better when I feel in my body that I am becoming stressed.

I really appreciate her approach: she works in a systematic structured way. She is kind, compassionate, dedicated, professional and flexible. There is something in her methods and in her touch that works wonders for me. She listens and looks intently and really does all she can to understand what is going on that is creating problems in the body. I appreciate her attention to my individual needs and her willingness to help when I have a sports injury. I have found the homework exercises particularly helpful - building this up slowly by adding an extra element each session really worked well for me.

The dance improvisation classes that I attended were really enjoyable and useful. The classes supported my training and helped me connect better with my body. The playful contact improvisation with other participants added an extra dimension to the exploration.

In „the space“ wurden wir von einer hellen, freundlichen Atmosphäre an einem Ort voller guter Energien empfangen.
Folgende wohltuende Erfahrungen habe ich von unserem Workshop bei Alina mitgenommen:
- Entspannung und Atmung bedingen einander und ich komme in eine tiefere körperliche Entspannung, wenn mein Atem sie bewusst einleitet. Das beobachte und übe ich jetzt jeden Tag.
- ⁠Mehr Flexibilität kann ich mit leichten und präzisen Impulsen erlangen, insbesondere, wenn in meinen Gelenken wieder mehr Raum entstehen darf.
- ⁠Die Übungen von Gyrotonics am Gerät waren eine harmonische Mobilisierung meines Körpers.
- ⁠Wie selten nehme ich achtsam die Bewegungen meines Körpers, meine Bewegung im Raum und in Bezug auf andere wahr. Es war eine besondere Erfahrung, dem über längere Zeit meine Aufmerksamkeit zu widmen.
- ⁠Vertrauen kann eine beglückende körperliche Erfahrung sein, wenn wir uns auf die Interaktion mit anderen einlassen, uns führen lassen und damit den inneren Raum schaffen für eine neue Wahrnehmung von innerem und äußerem Raum.
Vielen Dank für Deine einfühlsamen und präzisen Anleitungen und für einen Tag voller Lachen und Leichtigkeit in „the space“, liebe Alina!
Dagmar aus Hamburg

Im April hatten wir, eine Gruppe von vier Freundinnen, einen wunderschönen Workshop in " the space' - ein idyllischer Ort am Rande von Amsterdam. Alina erzeugt hier durch ihre Kreativität und Gastfreundschaft eine ganz besondere Atmosphäre, die einen sofort einnimmt.
Die Workshop-Module waren sensibel aufeinander abgestimmt. Ich fühlte mich in der Körperarbeit sehr gut angeleitet und betreut. Ich würde 'the space' unbedingt weiterempfehlen.
Marion aus Erlangen