Transitions

The in between movements are more important than the shapes at the end. Moving through the ends of the movement is impossible when I am in my head. I can only see the shapes and create the shapes when I am in my head, because that is what I am focused on. When I get out of my head and dance I think that it comes naturally. I think our bodies want to move through the movement. There is something about moving completely, through the ends of the movement that feels so good to my body and mind.

I also find that when I move completely the transitions are easier. It is when I stop to think that I stop moving and I get lost.

Lengthening Beyond the Walls

This is one of my favorite things we have done so far. There was something about thinking beyond the walls of the room that helped me to get out of my head. I loved doing it and I love watching this movement as well. The moment it was the clearest was when I went to see the Joffrey. During the first piece a simple step was done where one of the girls reached off stage. She did this movement repeatedly across the stage. My attention was continuously drawn to her. Despite all of the beautiful complex movement going on I couldn't help but watch her. Her arms seemed stretch the length of the stage. It was amazing how something so simple could be so impressive when this concept is applied.

There is something about this that feels comfortable to me. I feel safe when I apply this when I am dancing. It helps me not to worry about the people around me and what they are thinking. It feels like theatre to me, or performing. I am not limited when I apply this concept.

Awareness

I enjoyed the exercises we did in class to help us work on our awareness. The walking backwards towards our partner was a great first step, but it is difficult to translate into a performance. Once we started dancing and moving more while trying to be aware it was much more helpful. It is easier to aware when the people around you are aware. I think that is one the difficult things in dance, even life, trying to be the one remaining focused and present when those around you are not.

Awareness can help us in so many ways. I love walking in and seeing a class that is dancing in unison, not in a robotic way. This can only be accomplished when we are aware of ourselves as well as our classmates. This works on the stage as well. The companies that move as one on stage are the ones who have dancer who are aware.

Awareness is an essential quality in a dancer. I think sometimes as students we become so caught up in memorizing a set of steps we forget to dance. We do not get lost in the movement or allow or entire body, mind and spirit to be present in the moment. I think the most beautiful dancers are ones who completely abandon themselves to the dance.