Kali Chandrasegaram

he/him

About the research

This residency looks at how dance training can be reframed through an understanding of fascia in the body to support longevity, efficiency and wellbeing in dancers and above 35 year olds. A research and development of a movement practice to understand the body as an interconnected, self-supporting system through fascia extracellular matrix and explore how dance can support a sustainable practice for physical wellbeing and prolonging dancing life expectancy.

The research capitalises upon the training in the Indian classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Western contemporary dance and how it can be reframed through a fascial understanding of the body, supporting efficiency, joint health and resilience, particularly for ageing dancers. A gentle practice for the elderly will also be developed. A pursuit to reconnect and reclaim the power of the body.

The outcomes of the residency will hope to include:

an articulated fascia informed movement framework that translates embodied research into accessible language
video and photo documentation (supported by Balbir Singh Dance Company) of the process and the open sharing of the R&D
feedback will be gathered from the workshops through questionnaires to establish the impact of the physical and mental wellbeing of participants
Exposure in social media to inspire dancers, mature dancers and 35-year-olds and above to reconnect with their own bodies better through the understanding of fascia and movement

This project positions culturally rooted dance as a resource for health, connection and care, bridging classical dance with contemporary somatic practice.

This work is adaptable, responsive, designed with a duty of care and participants’ wellbeing in mind. It’s positioned as responsible and inclusive practice.

About Kali Chandrasegaram

A freelance multidisciplinary dancer, choreographer, and movement facilitator, my practice bridges Indian classical and contemporary dance. Born in multicultural Malaysia, I am drawn to blending differences and finding harmony through contrast — an approach that shapes both my creative process and the worlds I build through movement.

For over 25 years, I have worked within the UK Contemporary South Asian dance sector, collaborating with artists and organisations that challenge boundaries of form and identity. My work explores hybridity, belonging, and transformation, while reimagining tradition through experimentation.

Alongside performance and choreography, I facilitate movement workshops for health and wellbeing using Indian dance practices. This work continues to deepen my understanding of dance as a space for connection, healing, and renewal. For me, dance is a way of bridging worlds, reclaiming joy, and giving voice to the stories carried within our bodies.

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