Tongue Speaks in Thuds, Thwacks

“Tongue,” as partially defined by Webster’s, is a “system of terms used by people sharing a culture.” How felicitous, then, that locally based dancer-choreographer Stephanie Gilliland should appropriate the word for her new dance company, whose culture is marked by a devotion to fanatical risk, zealous energy and superb movement skills. Tongue creates a crash-and-burn experience that leaves the viewer gasping for breath.

Such was the case Thursday at Highways Performance Space when Tongue premiered “Full Frontal Enigma,” a 60-minute work of kaleidoscopic proportions, where craft and courage ruled. Dedicated to Gilliland’s yoga teacher, “Enigma” showcased an abundance of yogic moves, notably hand, head and elbow stands, with one-legged balancing positions galore, but make no mistake: This is not your mother’s yoga.

Set to a sometimes harsh, sometimes droning collage of sounds, blending world rhythms, chanting and the like, the work also rang with the physically assaultive sounds emanating from the dancers as they collided with the floor and each other: Thuds, thwacks and heavy breathing made for a fugal counterpoint to bodies in constant motion, as if their very lives depended on the need to defy pain and gravity.

Gilliland, an arresting performer in her own right, did not dance but orchestrated a journey of exploration that ranged from exaltation in pure movement to unconditional trust. Whether in pairs, as soloists or in combinations of trios, quartets or other configurations, the octet was a hurricane of determination: Caroline Aizawa, Vincent Hederman, Holly Johnston, Patrick Damon Rago, Wendy Andronika Samuels, William Schurmann, Melissa Spooner and Bryan Wallk each emerged a master of technique and stamina.

There was much slinking and skittering, with bodies collapsing like accordions; there were frenzied mating dances culminating in lifts and sculptural poses; there was an array of hypnotic, spread-armed posturings; and there was even a bit of hip-shimmying comic relief and sneaker-tossing. In all, an orgy of the body as resolute communicator.

Gilliland, and Tongue, speak a singular and stunning language.

* Tongue, tonight, 8:30 p.m., Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica, $15. (310) 315-1459.