Layton Lachman

Movement Research and Improvisation

Tuesdays, 18:00–19:30
Open Level

Pilates

Wednesdays, 18:00–19:00
Open Level

Bio

Layton Lachman is a performing artist living in Berlin. They create performances rooted in somatics, channeling experiential physical practices into immersive, sensory complex worlds. Utilizing a diverse range of performance contexts, Layton’s collaged choreographies are seen on stage, in galleries, museums, and in public space. These works include voice, spatialized sound, and intense physicality, that once combined are often distinguished by their surrealist, dreamlike qualities. Most recently their work has been performed in Haus der Kunst München, Shedhalle (Zürich), Das Kunstmuseum Bonn, Amant (NYC), Sophiensaele, and featured during Berlin Art Week 2025. In addition to their performative practice, Layton is often involved in collective space and curation projects, as well as regularly teaching in Berlin and as a guest artist at universities in the USA. Before moving to Berlin, Layton worked and lived in San Francisco/Oakland California. Their teaching draws from extensive somatic research and experiential anatomy, including their training as a teacher of Open Source Forms, working as a Pilates teacher for 10 years, their intensive study of Yoga and their improvisational practice and choreographic research alongside Abby Crain, mara poliak, Maria Scaroni, Kathleen Hermesdorf, Alice Chauchat and Sara Shelton Mann.

Class Description Movement Research

Let’s dance with bodily joy and chaos! This open level class is designed for everyone who wishes to move in new and dynamic ways. This class includes physical orientations to self, others, and space; a flowing transformation of movement proposals; and structured and open improvisations. How we travel through the class is based on my dance lineage: Open Source Forms. Open Source Forms is deeply rooted in and fluidly expanded from Skinner Releasing Technique. Through the use of non-anatomical images for moving, evocative music, gentle hands on work, and play between energetic states, the class will lead toward unruly, vibrating, multidirectional dances. The work is based in improvisation and built upon a journeying together that asks for attunement, rigor, and care towards both the self and the collective.

Class Description Pilates

This Pilates class is rooted in experiential anatomy, somatics, and a dynamic approach to the BASI Pilates Mat repertoire. Participants will move through the exercises accompanied by visualization, breath and tactile cues, and precise attention to alignment. Based on building body awareness and coordination, we will also pay attention to flow and mobilizing our bodies so that we feel stronger, more centered, and energized through the pleasure of moving. The class is suitable for all levels of Pilates experience. We will focus on training strength, mobility, and balance in order to build new functional patterns of movement awareness that can be used in everyday life.