Jan Leys

“Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt, and always dance, dance like nobody is watching.”     - anonymous -

Jan Leys started exploring the physical process of communication about twenty years ago. He began this journey as part of his training for the theatre, studying movement for actors with his mentor, Loyd Williamson. He has taught the Williamson Technique for actors for past fifteen years. Jan Leys teaches Movement and Period Style to the MFA actors at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Jan has conducted Listening With The Body retreats in the US and Belgium since 1997. He  teaches workshops in New York and New Jersey.

Jan Leys, a native of Antwerp, Belgium was always fascinated by the body and its workings and asks the question "How do I develop a physical instrument that supports me in my life?" It started with gymnastics at age eight for nine years. He played competition volleyball in his late teens. He began dancing in Belgium at the age of nineteen, came to New York and danced professionally for  twelve years. After he hung up his dancing shoes he started studying for the theatre. On recommendation of his acting teacher, Maggie Flanigan, Jan started studying movement for actors at the Actors Movement Studio. There he met Loyd Williamson and so the journey began. Simultaneously Jan started exploring other physical disciplines, such as yoga, which he has also taught, Tai-Chi and Qi-Gong. The philosophies that accompany these disciplines have had a great influence on the work of Listening With The Body.

"I thank all my teachers for their dedication and passion."