Butoh Curious Chi

A very red photo. Sara Zalek is in a leans over an inflatable mannequin on the floor. They have a full bodysuit on so their face cannot be seen. They strike a dramatic pose holding a material which hovers over the mannequin.

Monthly Butoh Body in Chicago

By

Sara D Zalek

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1–2 minutes

To read

Sara Zalek. Photo by Ricardo Adame

Come experience our next Butoh Dance class with our proud partner at the Japanese Culture Center. Look for our classes (about) every third Saturday/Sunday evening of the month in 2026. We offer fundamental body and breath exercises, resources for future study, and opportunities to experiment with your imagination and to delight with your darkest soulmate.

Next classes: March 21, April 19

Be sure to reserve your spot and register online. Use the Student Discount if you are short on funds ❤ . There is a staircase of about 20 stairs.

I look forward to sharing over twenty years of study and performance in Butoh, including Noguchi Taiso, Tai Chi/Daoyin, Thai massage, performance art, improvisation, and somatic therapies. I lead using visual and sensation-based prompts and give cues to encourage improvisation and deep listening. A twist on some classic Butoh exercises with an ever-changing curiosity towards the evolution.
More about me: www.saratonin.com

Japanese Culture Center

Hiroko Tamano

This 1 minute excerpt gives a taste of Butoh legend Hiroko Tamano’s teaching, philosophies, and movement. In the “Dance of Life: a Prayer in 4 Directions”, Hiroko has built upon this Indigenous practice learned from Txi Wizz (Canadian Buffoon) over 40 years ago.

She has imbued it with her own movements and philosophy as a gift of healing and empowerment to an anxious world. In her words, “this dance form gives ‘presentness’,” and awareness of the directions “gives ‘no confusion’ to the prayer.”

Dance of Life