Bonachela describes his style to be "intensely physical and abstract, combined with great emotional sensitivity" (Bonachela, Rafael Bonachela: Dancing Down and Under, 2018). This is definitely displayed through his powerful movement and physicality of the body as a tool of communication. His philosophy consists of utilising dance to provoke a feeling in both the dancer and audience without requiring a specific meaning behind it. Subsequently, his work always features emotion and musicality in its core. Their dance combines intense physicality with technical rigor. They exhibit a refined sense of flow, prioritizing clarity, articulation, and fluidity, while continually seeking the point where exacting precision converges with a sense of freedom (Edstrom, 2025)

Bonachela's extensive exposure to, and experience of working with, a wide range of diverse choreographers within the contemporary field has contributed to the development of a distinctive choreographic style. This style synthesises grounded contemporary movement—characterised by broken lines, deep pliés, and a strong connection to the floor—with more technical elements derived from ballet, including the use of port de bras, extended lines, and pointed feet. During his time in training he became "obsessed with technique" (Bonachela, Rafael Bonachela revisited, 2023), and now as a choreographer he showcases the virtuosity of highly trained dancers and the finesse of line and technique. 

In his work, the mechanics of movement through time and space are central, but they are always intertwined with the body's ability to express emotional and psychological states (Bonachela, Bonachela & Godani Share Frequencies, 2011). Movement is treated as both structure and expression: shifts in timing, direction, and weight are not only formal choices, but also convey internal experiences. This interplay allows dancers to communicate complex emotions through physicality, creating a strong connection between motion and meaning.

As a choreographer, he is particularly drawn to working with dancers who embody diverse physicalities. He values differences in training, background, and movement quality, seeing them as essential to the evolution of his style and aesthetic (Bonachela, Rafael Bonachela revisited, 2023). These contrasts generate a richer and more dynamic choreographic language. Additionally, his long-term collaborations with certain dancers have deeply influenced his work. Through ongoing daily exchanges and shared experiences, these relationships foster trust and understanding, which in turn shape both the creative process and the final performance..

The process

When it comes to his creation process, the main drive is always different idea or concept, but never neglecting his principles of the body, the power of movement, the dancers, and how those elements respond to the ideas and concepts. Bonachela approaches new work by assigning dancers tasks, improvisations, and experimental exercises designed to challenge them and spark fresh ideas. However, when developing I Am-ness in the studio, he discovered that the dancers' physical connection required a different method. Instead of imposing his own vision, he allowed the work to evolve organically, following the dancers' lead and responding intimately to their touch, movements, and interactions (Saunders, 2023).