through place-specific movement improvisation and collective consciousness building

Our Mission is to empower individuals and communities to reclaim their heritage and agency through the liberating power of place-based, playful movement and meaningful connection.

Moving Rasa empowers individuals to break free from restrictive patterns through movement awareness and a deep connection to their Rasa—their "water of life." We support people in rediscovering their bodies, reigniting curiosity, and reclaiming the agency to foster meaningful, authentic relationships and build loving, inclusive communities.

  • Trust: Building safe and supportive environments.

  • Vulnerability: Encouraging openness and honesty.

  • Cooperation: Promoting teamwork and mutual support.

  • Perseverance: Cultivating resilience and determination.

  • Play: Embracing joy and creativity in movement.

  • Wisdom: Valuing lived experiences and diverse perspectives.

We focus on marginalized communities, particularly those from Southeast Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, and Indigenous backgrounds with a focus on supporting people with a variety of physical abilities and age. Our programs are designed to also address the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities, fostering healing and empowerment through movement.

  • Indonesian Philosophy: Grounded in somatics and playful movement improvisation.

  • Body Awareness: Helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and lived experiences.

  • Community Connection: Encouraging co-regulation, investigation, and co-creation within communities.

  • Cultural Reflection: Supporting the recovery of relationships to culture and community.

Andrew Suseno (he/him)

Andrew Suseno is an Indonesian-Chinese American residing on the unceded land of Lenapehoking, aka New York City. He is a doctor of Physical Therapy with an advanced certificate in Orthopedic Manual Therapy. He has extensive training in Somatic Education with Dr. Martha Eddy through her Dynamic Embodiment program, the Feldenkrais Method, and Laban Movement Analysis. Andrew has also graced modern dance stages from the Cooper Hewitt Museum in NYC to concert halls across Germany. He is a seasoned Contact Improvisation practitioner and has taught it and his work that is inspired by it in colleges and universities across the country.   

Nhu Nguyen (they/them)

Nhu Nguyen is an artist and maker with interests in dance, photography, and wearable art. They were born and raised in Ho Chi Minch city, Vietnam prior to settling in Kumeyaay and Luiseño/Payómkawichum’s shared homeland, aka San Diego county, California. Since their immigration to the United States in 2008, Nguyen has been working in various capacities as a dancemaker, improvisor, and somatic educator; partnering with multiple creative youth development organizations in the San Diego region. Nguyen use movement art as a vehicle to spark dialogues and raise awareness on difficult topics such as suicide and sexual violence. Nguyen joined the Moving Rasa team as a lead facilitator in 2023. 

Karin Moriarty (she/her)

Karin Moriarty, a native of Chile, immigrated to the United States in the late 70s and earned her bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts Dance from the University of California at Berkeley in 1986. Karin danced with many Bay Area artists, including the Dance Brigade, the Ellen Webb Dance Group. She trained with Tony Kramer in Contact at Stanford University.

Having lived under the dictatorship of a military coup as a child in Chile, Karin’s choreographic works are inspired by her life experience, human rights issues, and the suffering of disenfranchised groups of people.

Karin continues to teach modern dance, and contact improvisation in the Bay Area, the Big Island (Hawaii) and abroad. She is a guest artist at Stanford University. She is also a teacher and a former organizer of the Contact Improv Festival at UCB.

    • (On hold) Moving Rasa Day in New York City are a chance to practice the Moving Rasa framework, to build community with like hearted people, and to engage in meaningful interactions and dialogue around a social issue. Participants often share in a meal afterwards. If you are coming from out of town and have housing or transportation needs that require some support, please email Andrew at andrew@movingrasa.com. RSVP here.

    • (Last Sunday of each month, Virtual, 8:00-9:30pm EST.) BIPOC Men Space: We practice dismantling patriarchy and racism while deepening in brotherhood and vulnerability to be our full selves. Facilitated by Andrew Suseno.

    • (Third Tuesday of each month, Virtual 4:00pm-5:30pm Hawaii time.) Young Pacific Islander Men's space. Connect with Pacific Islander men from other islands sharing our successes and challenges with organizing and deepening our embodied analysis of masculinity. Facilitated by Andrew Suseno.

    • (Second Thursday of each month, Virtual 8:00-9:30pm EST.) Southeast Asian American healing space. Connect with Southeast Asian diaspora brothers across the country understanding our upbringings and cultures as we step into our collective voice as men together. Facilitated by Andrew Suseno.

  • Description text goes here

    • (Virtual on Sundays, 8pm - 9:30pm Eastern Time) Breath Again: These spaces are for BIPOC people to be in culturally specific somatic healing community with one another. a collective space to learn about climate change, disability justice, gender/sexuality and other topics from members. Please note that last Sunday of every month is reserved for Men of Color.

  • (Nov 15-17th) AAPI Survivors of Sexual Assault Retreat at the Wildheart Retreat in Wallkill, NY . This three-day residency is designed as an affinity space for Asian Pacific Americans Survivors of Sexual Assault and their communities. In collective, we will co-create a safe and nurturing space for healing, empowerment, and play.

    (Dec 13-15th) This weekend workshop in the Bay Area, California, is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other people of color) to come together to develop a foundational understanding of the Moving Rasa framework. We do not have to leave ourselves behind in order to do the work.

    Tentatively planned:

    (Late February) : Retreat in Guam with Pacific Islander Men

    (March): Midwest retreat for Southeast Asian American men.