Tough love is…

A poster divided into two distinct colour sections. In the upper part, set against a dusty pink background, the reclining bodies of four women lie with their arms raised, forming different shapes with their hands. At the centre, in purple lettering, the text reads: “tough love is…”. Three yellow circles connect the pink upper section with the white lower section, which features the logos of the SEED programme, liminal, l’eveilleur, and the EU. Inside the circles, in pink lettering, the following information appears: "Dance workshop with Maria Vlachou. 8 & 15 March, 11:00–14:00.Choros (6 Theatrou Square).

Maria Vlachou leads the workshop “Tough love is…” on Sundays, March 8 and 15, 11:00–14:00, at the Choros of liminal, inviting us to explore how the concept of “tough love” shapes our relationship with dance, our bodies, and our personal expression.

The workshop is open to participants with and without disabilities, and no prior experience in dance or movement is required.

This activity is part of the European project SEED – Social and Ecological Engagement through Dance.

Workshop focus

Across two sessions, we will create a safe and supportive environment for exploration. Using the body, writing, and personal experience as tools, we will examine how the idea of “tough love” influences our dancing, the way we move, choose, persist, or give up.

Through a structured process based on the practice developed by Maria Vlachou, we will combine self-observation and creation with movement expression and personal reflection.

Four women lie side by side on the gray floor of a bright room with white walls. We see the tops of their heads and their hands raised, fingers and thumbs forming what might resemble a bird’s beak.

Some of the questions we will explore include:

What does “tough love” mean?
Why do we hear it so often in discussions about dance education?
Is it truly a necessary condition, or a voice we have internalized?
Can we dance without it?

A close-up of three women dancing. One of them, with tight braids and a yellow top, seems to be testing how to let go of her wheelchair and lean on the two women in front of her, who are turned toward her and bent slightly in her direction.

What to bring

Comfortable clothing

Headphones

A notebook and/or a recording device (e.g., mobile phone)

Who is it for?

People with and without disabilities
Artists and non-artists

The workshop is open to anyone wishing to deepen their relationship with movement, share experiences, and engage in a process that blends reflection with action.

Accessibility & Care

⚠️Trigger Warning
The workshop addresses inherently challenging topics that may evoke strong emotions. Please take care of yourself and participate at your own pace and comfort level. You are welcome to step out temporarily at any time and return whenever you feel ready.

👉 Simultaneous interpretation in Greek Sign Language will be provided.

📌 Sign Up

You can express your interest in participating through the form below:

Participation Form

For more information, contact us by email at [email protected]

Useful information

Days: Sundays March 8 and 15 2026
Time: 11:00-14:00
Location: Choros (Plateia Theatrou 6-8, Athens)
Cost: Free

Registration: By completing this form

“Choros” is wheelchair accessible and has an ADA-compliant restroom.

Maria Vlachou

A young woman with long brown hair leans her back against the trunk of a tree in a park. Her wide smile makes her brown eyes appear smaller. Her loose hair falls to one side, partially covering her lilac sweater.

Maria Vlachou is a dancer, dance teacher, and Pilates instructor based in Athens. She began her dance training at a young age and, in 2018, earned her Dancer and Dance Teacher Diploma from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. She also studied Biology at the University of Ioannina and is a certified Pilates Instructor through the BASI Academy.

Throughout her studies and professional career, Maria has attended numerous workshops and seminars in contemporary dance, improvisation, and acrobatics with renowned teachers. As a performer, she has collaborated with choreographers including Eleonora Ilia (A Priority Dance Co), Christina Sougioultzi (Ki Omós Kiníte), and Stella Dimitrakopoulou, participating in stage performances as well as public-space projects.

In 2023, she took part in the inclusive choreography workshop “Making and Unmaking Dances” led by Medie Megas, where she began exploring written and spoken language as tools for choreographic research. This work led to the creation of the choreography “Whose Voice Is It?”. Later, during a mentored research residency, she collaborated with three other artists on the “In & Out” project, experimenting with techniques such as automatic writing, spoken word, and instant composition.

Her practice focuses on a collaborative approach to artistic creation, with a particular interest in working in interdisciplinary environments that encourage dialogue between different media and practices.

The SEED project is funded by the Erasmus+ programme (KA210-ADU – Small-scale partnerships in adult education)