Butoh Workshop Summer 2026 in Pariswith Juju Alishina
A Japanese way of approaching bodywork.
Summer camps 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 do I 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 new aesthetic.
Activities during the internship
Testimonials from trainees
Maryline Martias from Trois-Rivières, Guadeloupe
: participated in the July 2024 internship
"This workshop met my expectations. It will allow me to develop my knowledge in the field of contemporary dance and to delve deeper into my approach to Butoh dance during an upcoming workshop in Paris with Juju and my own research. Juju's rigor and kindness fostered an effective and serene working environment. The warm-up was excellent, allowing the body to enter into movement without injury. It was a workshop where I felt I was working hard, but my body barely experienced any soreness! The musical choices were very appropriate and relevant to the exercises. The instructor's teaching approach was progressive and logical, highlighting the need for time to grasp Butoh. There was a wonderful atmosphere and kindness among the participants. We had many exchanges, which allowed us to share our diverse artistic practices."
Seguin Sabina from Paris, France
: participated in the July 2023 internship
"This workshop deeply touched me, as it confirmed that within our traditional and ancestral dances lies an inexhaustible source of wisdom. The room was spacious and pleasant, and the time spent outside was greatly appreciated. The music used was in perfect harmony with the teaching, linked to the elements. I appreciated the rigor and discipline present during the workshop."
Irene Gwerder from Zurich, Switzerland
: participated in the internship in July 2023
"I really enjoyed the mix of strength training exercises and dance sessions. The balance between the two was perfect. The structure of the day, with short breaks, was very well thought out. The schedule was perfect, as it allowed me to visit Paris in the morning. The location of the workshop in the heart of the Marais was pleasant and ideal. The room was spacious, which allowed us to work comfortably with plenty of room for all the participants. In addition, I discovered new music that I really enjoyed."
Kahlina Dragica from Thalwil, Switzerland
: participated in the internship in July 2023
"I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop; it was exactly what I wanted. I liked that it took place in the afternoon, the room temperature was pleasant, and there was plenty of space. I loved the group; the instructions were very clear and effective, with a well-thought-out progression over the days, without ever overloading any part of the body. I also appreciated the diversity of the music and the insights into the Japanese roots behind Butoh."
Aislyn Knight from the United States
: participated in the internship in July 2022
"I appreciated how the internship was structured and led. The five-hour days were varied, as were the days of the week. My favorite part was collaborating on the creation of an original piece and its performance in the final days."
Maria Carolina de Lacerda Werneck, Brazil
: participated in the July 2025 internship
"I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop as a whole. I have already taken many Butoh classes, and what I particularly liked here was Juju's approach: more structured, more precise in teaching the technical aspects, beyond concepts and improvisation. I understand that this was only a glimpse of such a profound and complex art, but even in such a short time, I learned a great deal."
I would also like to thank Juju for her attention, dedication, and professionalism, particularly in the way she handled the difficulties that arose during the internship. This requires real inner strength.
I loved the studio: spacious, bright, and open to the street. It wasn't a closed-off or underground space, and that made a real difference. I even felt that this openness resonated with the spirit of Butoh. The music was beautiful. And the teacher… a true source of inspiration. As someone who would like to teach in turn someday, I believe that Juju's classes and method have given me tools that will help me in my own practice, and perhaps one day in guiding others.
"
Rie Sakamoto (Japanese), Angles, France
: participated in the July 2025 internship
"Before participating in this workshop, I always wondered how to listen to the voice of my own body. Thanks to this workshop, I was deeply moved to discover that certain movements allow me to hear this inner voice. It was a very powerful experience. Sharing this exploration with participants from all over the world was wonderful. I truly felt that my vision of the world had broadened and deepened. And yesterday, dancing by the Seine was an unforgettable moment. I would love to participate again. Thank you so much."
Anna Juniewicz from Warsaw, Poland
: participated in the internship in August 2022
"I really enjoyed the instructor and her teaching method, the combination of physical training and discussions/reflections. 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 received all the necessary information, and the timing of the emails was also excellent (a short reminder just before the workshop). The participants were an interesting mix of people, each bringing something valuable to the workshop, and they were all kind and open."
Juliette Guinle from Toulouse, France
: participated in the internship in July 2022
"Juju Alishina's professional approach and benevolent presence created an environment conducive to self-expression. I felt supported, not judged. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop, as it enriched my dance practice considerably: I was seeking a different way to understand the body and movement, and Butoh allowed me to explore this without any pressure, setting aside institutional technical expectations. The workshop's organization was fluid, comprehensive, and thorough; we were able to cover a great deal."
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 2 months before the internship
€810 €35 (NUBA association membership) if you register 1 month before the internship
€900 €35 (NUBA association membership) if you register after July 18.
Registration for the internships begins on March 16, 2026
This workshop is intended for people who already have a solid background in dance.
It is intended for:
– to currently active professionals (performing arts and/or teaching)
– to people wishing to pursue a professional career (entertainment 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). With thousands of classes and workshops taught and over a thousand stage performances under her belt, she will guide you in developing your artistic practice, deepening your technical skills, and structuring your teaching approach.
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 direction
– A day dedicated to the basics of Nihon-buyô (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 interview 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.
At the end of the internship, some selected participants may be invited to join the company's teaching team and teach our courses.
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 via
this page
