although many of the principles of contact improvisation were explored throughour the 1960s in work by schneeman, halprin, and several judson choreographers and were evident in the work of companies such as sound and motion the form began to consolidate as a singular practice during a 1972 residency by the grand union at oberlin college. Working with nancy stark smith,curt siddall, danny lepkoff,david woodberry,nita little,and several other willing experimenters,steve paxton began to develop a new form of improvised partnering.
Paxton credits his study of marrtial art,and especially aikido, with providing insights into a nonconfrontional manipulation of weight and momentum.