Butoh Workshop Summer 2026 in Pariswith Juju Alishina
A Japanese way of approaching bodywork.
Professional Butoh workshop in Paris
Authentic Japanese Approach – Advanced Level
Registration is now open!
August 17-22, 2026
2pm-7pm
Location: Studio Biped - Micadanses, 16 rue Geoffroy-l'Asnier, 75004 Paris, FRANCE
Please find the details of the August workshop at the bottom of this page.
Summer Butoh workshop with Juju Alishina
Learn the fundamentals of Butoh dance through Japanese bodywork methods: breath, voice, rhythm, massage, strengthening the five senses, and improvisation. We will work individually and in groups to develop creativity and learn how to stage a choreography. The August workshop includes an introduction to white makeup. Group performances will conclude each workshop.
The workshop takes place in a large studio in the center of Paris and outdoors.
The Nuba association has been organizing summer workshops every summer since 2008 in partnership with the Micadanses institution. Students have come from all over the world to create together and appreciate the different stages of the practice.
How to Register?
Juju Alishina
(Choreographer, Dancer, Japanese dance teacher)
Born in Kobe, Japan. Trained in traditional Japanese dance and Butoh, Juju Alishina began her professional career with the Byakkosha company in Kyoto in 1982.
She founded her own company, NUBA, in Tokyo, which has an international reputation. One of the distinctive features of the NUBA company lies in the atmosphere of shadow and celebration that it creates, while also remaining connected to the ceremonies of ancient Japan and Asian dance.
In 1998, Juju Alishina moved to Paris and developed her teaching methods for traditional and contemporary dance.
Since 2007, she has also been teaching in a university setting in the United States.
Juju Alishina is considered worldwide as one of the leading figures in Butoh.
Through Asian-inspired dance, Juju Alishina has collaborated with many artists from other disciplines and creative fields.
Her dance method, "The Body Ready to Dance - Secrets of Japanese Dance According to the Alishina Method," is published in three different languages and is read all over the world.
Butoh (Japanese contemporary dance)
Butoh originated in Japan in the 1960s. Influenced by European avant-garde movements, this dance initially tackled major taboos: violence, eroticism, and death. Japanese choreographers sought to express the full spectrum of emotions: bodies painted white, slow movements, and tense, contorted postures aimed at connecting the conscious and unconscious, the external and the internal.
Created to challenge many conservative aesthetic ideas, according to Juju Alishina, it wasn't just the emergence of a new dance style, but life itself concentrated in a new form. This explains the minimalist set design where harsh lighting tracks the actor-dancer as he appears like a comet.
Butoh celebrates the rites of life: birth, the burning pains of romantic passion, suffering, death.
The 1980s saw the emergence of a new wave of Butoh, in which the resolutely contemporary movements expressed a new kind of rebellion. Juju Alishina can be linked to this aesthetic.
Activities during the workshop
Testimonials from trainees
Maryline Martias from Trois-Rivières, Guadeloupe
: participated in the July 2024 workshop
"This workshop was in line with what I expected. It will allow me to develop my knowledge in the field of contemporary dance and to delve deeper during a future workshop in Paris with Juju and through my personal research, my approach to Butoh dance. Juju's great rigor and kindness helped establish an effective and serene work environment. The warm-up part was very well done and allowed the body to enter into movement without injury. It's a workshop where I felt I worked hard, but my body hardly had any soreness! The musical choices were very appropriate and relevant to the exercises proposed. The pedagogical approach of the instructor was progressive and followed a logic that made it clear that it takes time to grasp Butoh. There was great kindness and a good atmosphere regarding my colleagues. There was a lot of exchange among us, which allowed us to share our diverse artistic practices."
Seguin Sabina from Paris, France
: participated in the July 2023 workshop
"This workshop deeply touched me as it confirmed that within our traditional, ancestral dances lies an inexhaustible source of wisdom. The spacious and pleasant venue, along with the moments spent outdoors, were highly appreciated. The music used was in perfect harmony with the teachings, connected to the elements. I valued the rigor and discipline present throughout the workshop."
Irene Gwerder from Zurich, Switzerland
: participated in the workshop in July 2023
"I really enjoyed the combination of body strengthening exercises and dance moments. The balance between the two was perfect. The schedule was well thought out, with short breaks throughout the day. The timings were ideal as they allowed me to explore Paris in the morning. The location of the workshop right in the heart of Le Marais was pleasant and ideal. The venue was spacious, providing ample room for all participants to work comfortably. Moreover, I discovered new music that I truly appreciated.
Kahlina Dragica from Thalwil, Switzerland
: participated in the workshop in July 2023
"I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop; it was exactly what I had hoped for. I appreciated that it took place in the afternoon, the room temperature was comfortable, and there was enough space. I loved the group dynamics, and the instructions were very clear and effective, allowing for a well-paced progression over the days without overtaxing any particular body part. The diversity of the music and the glimpses of the Japanese roots behind Butoh were also captivating."
Aislyn Knight from the United States
: participated in the workshop in July 2022
"I enjoyed and appreciated the way the workshop was structured and run. There was a variety to break-up the five-hour days, as well as the days of the week. My favorite part was the collaboration in creating an original piece and performing it on the last days. "
Maria Carolina de Lacerda Werneck, Brazil
: participated in the July 2025 workshop
"I appreciated the workshop as a whole. I’ve taken many Butoh classes before, and I really liked that Juju has a more focused and organized way of teaching technical skills, not just improvisation or abstract concepts. I understand this was only a glimpse into a profound and complex art form, but even in this short time, I’ve learned a lot.
I also want to thank Juju for the care, dedication, and professionalism with which she managed everything, including the challenges that came up during the workshop. That takes strength.
I loved the studio—it was spacious, full of light, and open to the street. Not being in a closed, underground space made a difference. I feel that this openness actually connects with the spirit of Butoh. The music was beautiful. And the teacher—just inspiring. As someone who hopes to teach in the future, I believe that Juju’s classes and approach have given me tools that will support both my personal training and, eventually, my ability to guide others."
Rie Sakamoto (Japanese), Angles, France
: participated in the July 2025 workshop
"Before joining this workshop, I often wondered how to truly listen to the voice of my own body. Through this experience, I was deeply moved to discover that certain movements can reveal that inner voice. It was powerful. Sharing this journey with participants from all over the world was truly inspiring. I feel that my perspective has grown and deepened. Especially yesterday—dancing by the Seine was an unforgettable experience. I definitely want to join again. Thank you so much."
Anna Juniewicz from Warsaw, Poland
: participated in the workshop in August 2022
" I really liked the teacher and the way of her work, the combination of physical training and talk/reflexions.The venue was very comfortable, with a good floor, and surprisingly private. The location couldn't have been better. The organization was very good, we were provided with all the necessary information and the timing of emails was also great (a short reminder right before the workshop). The participants were an interesting mix of people, each of them bringing something valuable to the workshop, and they were all kind and open. "
Juliette Guinle from Toulouse, France
: participated in the workshop in July 2022
" Juju Alishina's professional eye and caring presence put me in conditions conducive to self-expression. I felt accompanied, not judged.
I was looking for a different way of looking at the body and movement, and Butoh allowed me to touch on this, without any pressure, leaving aside institutional technical expectations. The organization of the workshop was fluid, complete and serious, and we were able to go through a lot. "
Professional Butoh workshop in Paris
Authentic Japanese Approach – Advanced Level
August 17-22, 2026
2pm-7pm
Location: Studio Biped - Micadanses, 16 rue Geoffroy-l'Asnier, 75004 Paris, FRANCE
Prices:
€720 + €35 (NUBA association membership) if you register before June 17.
€810 + €35 (NUBA association membership) if you register before July 17.
€900 + €35 (NUBA association membership) if you register after July 18.
Registration for the internships begins on March 16, 2026
This formation is intended for people who already have a solid background in dance.
It is intended for:
– professionals currently active (performing arts and/or teaching)
– those wishing to pursue a professional career (performing arts and/or teaching)
The work takes place in small groups in order to guarantee precise, demanding and personalized support.
Juju Alishina is an artist and expert teacher of Butoh (contemporary Japanese dance) and Nihon-buyo (traditional Japanese dance). Having transmitted thousands of classes and workshops and performed on stage more than a thousand times, she supports you in developing your artistic activity, deepening your technical skills, and structuring your pedagogical practice.
Internship Content
– Fundamental techniques of Butoh and transmission of an authentic Japanese approach to this art
– Essential elements for teaching Butoh
– Specific physical training and improvisation practice
– Theory, composition and principles of stage creation
– A day dedicated to the basics of Nihon-buyoh (traditional Japanese dance), including fundamental movements, choreographic approach and explanation of kimono wearing
– Studio work (150 m²) and outdoor sessions, near the Seine
– White makeup workshop and performative presentation on the last day
In addition to the collective work:
– A one-hour individual consultation with Juju Alishina (by appointment, outside of the workshop hours)
– A booklet of 10 online courses, valid for one year
– Issuance of a training certificate at the end of the week
This training is based on the Alishina method, published in three languages by publishing houses in Tokyo, Paris, and London. The book can be read before the workshop to prepare for and deepen the work.
The purchase link for the book
After this workshop, selected participants may be invited to join the company’s teaching team and teach our classes.
The summer courses are conducted in French and English.
Discounts:
– If you participate in both the July and August training sessions,
an additional discount of €100will be granted
Please do not hesitate to contact me before making payment if you have any questions, as the fees are non-refundable.
Registration is finalized once payment is made.
