/photo: scpgt/
There is this simple warming up exercise in contemporary dance: run all over the room and pay attention to space and the people around you. You are to move without touching anybody else. The teacher shouts: “faster” or “slow down and walk”, “walk backwards”. Then she tells you to come closer to the centre of the room. And closer, and closer. Your space shrinks, the speed of everybody’s movement changes and soon you realize it’s all about being one step ahead, knowing exactly where you are and how this relates to where everybody else is.
In London, you can practise this awareness at rush hour, at Waterloo Station. Be in a hurry or slow down and walk relaxed. You will be surrounded by commuters, madly trying to catch their trains. By tourists, unsure where to go next and changing their minds every two steps. By shoppers, dropping their umbrellas right in front of you. Or station workers, sweeping the floors with those extra long brooms that just beg for jumping over them. All at once.
It’s a case of you against them or you amongst them.
The thing to try in London: move quickly across the station at Waterloo at rush hour (or Liverpool Station but it’s not as good) to catch the train, without touching anybody on your way.
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