Lyrical/Contemporary
Class Adaptations
Supporting expression, emotional safety, and creative clarity through grounded pathways.
Lyrical and contemporary dance often rely on emotional interpretation, abstract imagery, musical nuance, and internal sensation. While these styles can be deeply expressive and empowering, they can also be challenging for neurodivergent dancers when expectations are vague, emotional demands are high, or sensory input is unpredictable.
Lyrical and contemporary dance do not need to be made smaller or less expressive to be inclusive. They need clarity, emotional safety, and supported exploration.
On This Page...
Common Challenges in Lyrical / Contemporary & Why They Occur
An exploration of how abstract imagery, emotional intensity, sensory input, improvisation, and dynamic change interact in lyrical and contemporary training, reflecting neurological differences in processing emotion, sensation, and meaning rather than artistic depth or commitment.
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Imagery & Instruction Adaptations
Strategies that ground movement in clear physical understanding before introducing metaphor, while allowing multiple interpretations so dancers can connect authentically to expressive intent.
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Emotional Safety & Regulation
Approaches that separate technique from emotional demand and normalise subtle or internal expression, supporting regulation, confidence, and genuine artistic connection.
Floorwork & Tactile Considerations
Supportive methods that provide alternatives to floor contact and introduce floorwork progressively, helping dancers build trust, comfort, and spatial awareness.
Structure Within Improvisation
Ways to provide clear frameworks and honour observation as participation, enabling creativity to emerge through safety, clarity, and purposeful exploration.
Space, Dynamics & Transitions
Adaptations that slow energetic shifts and reduce mirror dependence so dancers can maintain regulation, internal focus, and expressive continuity.
Strengths Lyrical / Contemporary Can Unlock for Neurodivergent Dancers
How emotional safety, sensory awareness, and creative freedom can nurture deep expression, resilience, individuality, and meaningful connection to movement.
Key Takeaway for Teachers
Inclusive lyrical and contemporary teaching is not about reducing emotion or artistry, but about creating safety, clarity, and choice so dancers can explore expression in ways that are authentic, regulated, and sustainable.
Common Challenges in
Lyrical / Contemporary
Neurodivergent dancers may experience challenges with:
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Interpreting abstract imagery or metaphors
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Managing emotional intensity or vulnerability
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Improvisation without a clear structure
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Floorwork involving tactile input
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Transitions between grounded and elevated movement
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Sudden changes in dynamic or musical texture
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Performance expectations tied to emotional expression
These challenges are not a lack of artistry or emotional depth. They reflect differences in how dancers process emotion, sensation, and meaning.
Why These Challenges Occur
Lyrical and contemporary styles place high demands on:
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Interoception (internal body awareness)
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Emotional regulation
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Sensory integration
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Imagination and abstract concepts
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Self-monitoring and vulnerability
For neurodivergent dancers, particularly autistic, VAST, sensory-sensitive, or trauma-affected individuals, these demands can feel overwhelming without clear boundaries and support.
Adaptations help dancers access expression safely and authentically.
Imagery & Instruction Adaptations
1. Use Clear, Concrete Language Before Abstract Imagery
Why it helps:
Lyrical and contemporary styles often rely on imagery and metaphor to shape movement quality. When dancers don’t yet understand what the movement requires physically, abstract imagery can be confusing or anxiety-provoking. Clear, concrete instruction provides a stable foundation for expression.
How to adapt:
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Start with clear physical cues (e.g. “shift your weight,” “soften the knees”)
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Introduce imagery only once the movement pathway is secure
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Explain imagery literally if needed, linking it back to physical action
Clarity builds trust, which allows expression, interpretation, and emotional connection to follow.
​2. Offer Multiple Interpretations of Imagery
Why it helps:
In lyrical and contemporary dance, there is no single correct way to feel or express a concept. For some neurodivergent dancers, being told how they should feel can be confusing or inhibiting. Offering multiple interpretations allows dancers to connect authentically to the movement.
How to adapt:
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Provide more than one image, sensation, or idea for the same phrase
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Allow dancers to choose the interpretation that resonates with them
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Avoid correcting emotional expression unless it affects safety or intent
Choice protects authenticity and encourages deeper engagement with movement and meaning.
Emotional Safety & Regulation
​3. Separate Technique From Emotional Demand
Why it helps:
Learning new movement already places high demands on coordination, memory, and focus. Asking dancers to access emotional depth at the same time can overload the nervous system, particularly for some neurodivergent dancers, making it harder to learn or stay regulated.
How to adapt:
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Teach choreography in a neutral, non-performative way first
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Introduce emotional intent once movement pathways are secure
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Use clear language such as “movement first, meaning second”
This reduces vulnerability overload and allows emotional expression to emerge safely and authentically over time.
4. Normalise Neutral Expression
Why it helps:
Some dancers experience and express emotion internally or in subtle ways rather than through overt facial expression. Requiring visible emotion can increase self-consciousness or pressure, particularly for neurodivergent dancers, and may interrupt movement flow and regulation.
How to adapt:
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Accept restrained, minimal, or internal expression as valid
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Avoid forcing facial expression or exaggerated performance
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Focus feedback on movement quality, musicality, and intention rather than visible “feeling”
Authenticity matters more than performative emotion, allowing dancers to connect to movement in ways that feel genuine and sustainable.
Floorwork & Tactile Considerations
5. Offer Alternatives to Floor Contact
Why it helps:
Floorwork often involves sustained tactile input through hands, knees, torso, or face. For dancers with tactile sensitivity, unexpected textures, pressure, or temperature from the floor can be uncomfortable or distressing, making it harder to stay regulated and engaged with the movement.
How to adapt:
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Offer kneeling or seated alternatives to full floor contact
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Allow the use of mats, layers, or clothing adjustments
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Avoid forcing full body contact with the floor when alternatives achieve the same movement intention
Comfort supports freedom of movement, allowing dancers to remain present, expressive, and connected rather than focused on discomfort.
6. Build Floorwork Progressively
Why it helps:
Floorwork requires a high level of body awareness, spatial orientation, and trust in the environment. For some neurodivergent dancers, moving closer to the floor or changing levels quickly can feel unfamiliar or destabilising, particularly if transitions are unclear.
How to adapt:
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Introduce floorwork gradually, starting with simple level changes
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Teach floor pathways and entry points clearly
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Practise transitions into and out of the floor separately from full phrases
Confidence grows through preparation, allowing dancers to move through floorwork with greater ease, safety, and control.
Structure Within Improvisation
7. Provide Clear Frameworks for Improvisation
Why it helps:
Open-ended improvisation can feel overwhelming for some neurodivergent dancers, particularly when expectations are unclear or limitless. Without structure, dancers may struggle to know where to begin or how to judge success.
How to adapt:
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Offer specific movement tasks (e.g. “create curves,” “use levels,” “stay low”)
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Set clear time limits for exploration
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Use sections of the music to guide duration or change of focus
Structure enables creativity by giving dancers a clear starting point, allowing exploration to feel safe, purposeful, and engaging.
8. Allow Observation as Participation
Why it helps:
Some neurodivergent dancers need time to observe, listen, and internally process information before moving. Being pressured to move immediately can increase anxiety or disrupt regulation, making learning less effective.
How to adapt:
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Allow watching before joining in
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Frame observation as an active form of learning
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Avoid pressure to “just move” or join immediately
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Allow dancers to listen to the music first, begin with gentle sways or walks and build the movement gradually
Engagement can look different for different dancers, and observation is a valid pathway into movement.
Space, Dynamics & Transitions
9. Slow Transitions Between Qualities
Why it helps:
Sudden shifts between movement qualities (for example from sustained to sharp, or grounded to explosive) can be dysregulating for some neurodivergent dancers. Without time to adjust, the nervous system may struggle to reorganise, affecting coordination, focus, and emotional regulation.
How to adapt:
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Gradually shift energy levels rather than changing abruptly
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Signal upcoming changes verbally or through musical cues
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Allow dancers to find transitions at their own pace within the phrase
Smooth transitions support regulation, helping dancers maintain clarity, control, and expressive connection.
10. Reduce Mirror Dependence
Why it helps:
Mirrors can pull attention toward external appearance rather than internal sensation. For some neurodivergent dancers, constant visual feedback can interrupt proprioceptive awareness and emotional connection to movement, making expression feel forced or disconnected.
How to adapt:
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Regularly turn away from mirrors during learning or exploration
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Offer brief, optional moments with eyes closed to support internal focus
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Encourage sensation-based feedback (e.g. weight, breath, flow) rather than visual correction
Internal focus enhances expression, helping dancers move with greater authenticity, presence, and emotional depth.
Strengths Lyrical / Contemporary Can Unlock for Neurodivergent Dancers
With the right adaptations, lyrical and contemporary dance can develop:
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Deep body awareness
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Authentic expression
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Emotional resilience
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Creativity and individuality
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Intuitive musicality
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Connection between movement and meaning
Many neurodivergent dancers bring profound depth and originality to these styles when supported safely.
Key Takeaway for Teachers
Lyrical and contemporary dance flourish when dancers feel safe, grounded, and respected.
When teachers provide clarity, structure, and emotional choice, dancers are free to explore movement and expression in ways that are genuine and sustainable.