graphics (c) Frey Faust
The Axis Syllabusⓒ, an innovative movement analysis system
In essence, the Axis Syllabusⓒ (AS) is a holistic system for understanding and practicing movement, rooted in the science of anatomy and biomechanics but with a focus on experiential learning. It provides a solid framework for improving movement efficiency, safety, and long-term physical health, whether one is a professional dancer, athlete, or someone simply interested in moving better and more consciously. By teaching an understanding of how the body works, it promotes sustainable and intelligent movement practices.
At the heart of the AS are maps representing the structure, function, potential and limitations of human bodies in motion as well as strategies for conserving energy and a notation system. The pedagogical effort of transmitting the AS manifests through an embodied approach to learning, often through dancing. The aim of AS is not to instruct, but to inform, as a complementary support in dance training and performance, sports, various movement disciplines and everyday life.
The AS was consolidated in the late 90s by the choreographer, dancer and teacher Frey Faust, initially in a quest for dancers’ health, then as a tool towards virtuosity and the pleasure of moving. With the contribution of the Axis Syllabus Research Meshwork (ASRM), an international group of artists, therapists, scientists and movement professionals who have come together over the years and continue to fuel research, the book The Axis Syllabusⓒ: Human Movement Lexicon is now in its 6th edition.
The Axis Syllabusⓒ in Luxembourg
The Axis Syllabusⓒ classes and workshops in Luxembourg are offered by Emanuela Iacopini, certified teacher. They are events to meet, learn, and practice fundamental principles compiled in the AS archive. Anyone interested and fascinated by expanding the awareness of the body, movement efficiency, injury prevention and movement health is welcome to join: performing artists of any background, movement therapists, yoga teachers, sport practitioners, school teachers, and movement lovers.
Link to our facebook or instagram page to get the infos.
Dates and Times:
The next workshop is:
Corporealities of the Axis Syllabusⓒ in Movement: Masterclass Series
with Baris Mihci, Frey Faust, Francesca Pedullà, Manuela Martella, Jerôme D’Orso and Emanuela Iacopini.
27-31 May 2026 from 10h-12h30
Venue:
VEDANZA STUDIOS, 18 rue Louvigny, L-1946 Luxembourg city.
Contact and Registration
To register please send an email to info@vedanza.org.
You can now purchase recorded classes by visiting the shop at axissyllabusforum.org
You can purchase the book, The Axis Syllabus©: Human movement lexicon and more literature here
The Axis Syllabus forum: www.axissyllabusforum.org
The Axis Syllabus net www.axissyllabus.net
Emanuela Iacopini
Emanuela Iacopini is a dancer and choreographer active within the international artistic and scientific communities revolving around movement and somatics. She works in live creations, performances, film, video and in educational settings. She graduated in dance and chemistry and was certified as a bodywork, Reiki and Yoga practitioner and more recently as an Axis Syllabusⓒ teacher. Continuing her post-graduate studies at Trinity Laban London she develops Dance Science oriented movement research, collaborates and performs with Florence Augendre, Annemari Autère, and Frey Faust. She created and leads the dance kinesiology course at the Conservatoire of Luxembourg city where she is also course leader in contemporary dance. She is founder of the Dance Science Net agency for the dissemination of theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of movement science with a focus on dance training and performance. She co-founded with Rajivan Ayyappan, VEDANZA – the company and it’s studios in Luxembourg – an artist-led space dedicated to the creation, training and performance of contemporary work. Her work is presented at international conferences, festivals and venues across Europe, the US and Asia. Her present focus is on the exploration of the connective tissue as a living matrix to re(de)fine training and performance.
Frey Faust
Founder of the Axis Syllabus
Born in 1960, Frey Faust began performing at the age of 8 with his family as a traveling troubadour. He is a second generation contact improviser and an alumnus of the 80´s New York dance scene. Some of his more important early influences came from: Shekhinah Mountainwater, Nita Little, Pavel Rouba, Rene Bazinet, and Janet Panetta. He has worked with and for a number of artists (order of appearance): Ohad Naharin, Donald Byrd, David Parsons, Gina Buntz, Howard Katz, Merce Cunningham, Meredith Monk, Randy Warshaw, Bob Een, Stephen Petronio, Danny Ezralow… to name a few. He founded or co-founded three dance companies, and has created or co-created over 40 choreographic solo and group works. Following an independent study of anatomy, biomechanics, and physics, he has been able to build a pedagogical approach that has made him a sought after teacher, personal coach and technical counselor. After fifteen years of research, he consolidated his findings in a book, ‘The Axis Syllabus – human movement lexicon’, which he continues to edit with the help of the Axis Syllabus International Research Network. Founded in 2009, the ASIRN is a rapidly expanding group of experts from many related fields in the human movement and education sciences. Recently, his work on the AS has been focused into the construction of a symbol set with the potential to streamline movement documentation and analysis. He also makes shoes, speaks 4 languages, continues to create and perform dances.