A floor-based contemporary class by and for dancers with a physical chronic illness, to develop sensitivity and range in a focused but flexible room.

Techniques explored are drawn from holisitc and low-impact movement modalities, extending the body's range and pace without burning it out. Over time, you will use these skills to dynamically adapt the class to your own body and body cycles, developing self-awareness and adaptability in your dance practice.

This is an independent artist-run and peer-led class, which was started in 2025 to fill a gap in our scene for spoonie dancers with an interest in developing or maintaining intermediate dance practices.

Previous dance experience and a curiosity toward technique-based movement is helpful for this class.

“These classes have been an absolute breath of fresh air. As someone with multiple disabilities, I have struggled to find an artistic space that felt safe and welcoming, but Patrick managed to create one with ease. He has reignited my passion for dance.” – Dancer

“I felt as though I could show up, as I am, doing only what feels good for me, but I still learned new ways of exploring movement in the space. It felt really grounding and accepting, these spaces for us are so rare and deeply enriching.” – Interdisciplinary performance-maker & nightlife performer

Is this class for me?

If you are:

a dancer or physical theatre practitioner with a current and long-term chronic illness that creates dynamic physical range
interested in dance with a technical focus, and challenging yourself to learn nuanced movement skills in a responsive and inclusive environment
comfortable working with directions, and respecting class etiquette to improve physical safety and learning
happy in dance spaces that aren't about or involving non-disabled people - support workers are welcome if they're only attending to support you, and not to gain anything from the room for themself

Then this class is intended for you.

If you are:

not living with a chronic illness that affects your body's capacity to move at different times
interested in a class where you can move freely without following instructions
more interested in dance therapy than developing or re-connecting with a professional or personal dance practice
interested in becoming a better ally to disabled people, or in sharing the space with a support worker or ally artist who wants to learn from disabled teachers

Then this class isn’t intended for you. But feel free to check out the classes at your local dance studios, or artist workshops by your local arts organisations.

Please note this class is taught by a teaching artist, not a qualified dance teacher, and techniques are drawn from the teacher’s own choreographic and performance practices. It is intended to complement the ongoing practices of dancers and dance enthusiasts, but will also include sharing foundational knowledge for newer dancers. If you're not sure if you have the right experience level for this class, you're welcome to reach out to me first so we can discuss your goals and needs for participating equally in this class.

Class Plan

1:30pm - 1:40pm Grounding & Check-in (mindfulness & number check-in)

1:40pm - 2pm Conditioning (exercises to build range & mobility)

2pm - 2:20pm Sequence 1 (coordination & extension)

2:20pm - 2:40pm Sequence 2 (organising motion & travel)

2:40pm - 2:45pm Cool-down (stretching, self-guided recovery & check-out question)

To offer a holistic and responsive learning environment for all dancers, each class is capped at 8 students.

About the teacher

Patrick Gunasekera (he/him) is an interdisciplinary dancer, choreographer, producer and emerging teaching artist based on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. Since 2014 he has created several improvised and ritual score-based solo works, and since 2023 developed a choreographic focus on contemporary narrative ballet. He currently maintains movement practices in contemporary, ballet, and improvised performance. He has taught dance classes independently since 2024, mainly exploring responsive and inclusive class structures, and teaching techniques developed through his own highly interdisciplinary and bodily autonomy-focused performance practices. Since 2023 he has facilitated disabled-only spaces for artists to develop creative processes that draw from and centre their own voices and knowledge.

Detailed Access Info

King Street Arts Centre in the CBD. Getting here from Perth Train Station is an 8-minute walk / 10-minute flat manual roll with lopsided paths. Getting here from Perth Busport is a 7-minute walk / 10-minute manual roll with one long uphill (flat on the left). It is next to CPP His Majesty's carpark on Murray St.

Entrance on Murray St has a sliding door, 2 steps, a break, then 3 steps. Accessible entrance on Munster Lane has a locked sliding door - please email me ahead of time if you want this entrance on the day.

This class will usually be in Studio 1, and occasionally in a different room. Here is how to find each studio:

- Studio 1: Take lift to Level 2, turn right. Door is on the left, opposite Green Room.

- Studio 2: Take lift to Level 2, turn left. Door is on the right, opposite hallway to kitchen.

- Studio 3: Take lift to Level 2, turn left. Keep going down the hallway to the end of the metal ramp, door is on the left.

You will need to take your shoes off in Studios 1, 2 and 3.

If you're bringing wheels, please wipe them down as best you can on the doormat before entering Studios 1, 2 or 3.

Lights are a mix of adjustable warm and natural lighting.

Music through speakers is mostly acoustic and grounding, volume can be adjusted. Sometimes I play music in the background while giving instructions, but we can work without background music too.

A wellbeing corner with stim toys and breathing exercises will be set up near the entrance, you are welcome to sit out there anytime.

Studio windows can't be opened. The teacher wears an N95 mask, and spare N95 masks and hand sanitiser will be available in the wellbeing corner.

All rooms have some air conditioning, but as the building is quite old it's best to dress appropriately for the weather. The green room (also on Level 2) has better air conditioning if you need somewhere to cool down in after class.

Studio 2 has a mirror along one wall that can't be covered, Studios 1 and 3 have mirrors that can be turned around.

This is a consensual touch-only class, and will not involve physical contact unless a student requests physical guidance from me to help them learn a particular step.

I have a responsive teaching style, so the speed and complexity of movements are determined by the capacity of everyone in the room - I’m used to giving different options the room can choose from, and appreciate being told what works best for different dancers and sensitively integrating this range into the class.

My teaching process involves verbal instructions and guided movement exercises, visual demonstrations and breakdowns of planned sequences, and clear and practical prompts for discovering new movements or nuances yourself through improvisation. It matters to me that the steps and ideas we learn are delivered in ways that are affirming and helpful for you. I check in about and work at the preferred pace of the room, and will sometimes give the room a task to do themselves while I individually work with students who learn best with more time or one-on-one help.

You are always welcome and encouraged to adjust movements and instructions to make them work for you. If you ever feel stuck doing this, you are welcome to speak with me, or I’m happy for you to find your own process yourself – please let me know if you’d prefer some aspects of the class to discreetly include more time, so you can keep up with everyone else while developing your own approaches to the tasks.

If you have any questions, concerns, requests or feedback about this class, I would love to hear from you - please click "Contact host" under the event dates at the top of the page, or in the Host section below.

Header illustration by p gunasekera

Contact the host of Spoonie Contemporary Class