I love the idea of being present, even if it is something I consistently struggle with in life and in dance. I have this idea that everything is perfect in the moment, there is no need to worry about the present or the future, but I often find myself getting caught in my own head. I find it is much easier to be present in ballet than modern. I think that is because that has always been the place I could let go of everything and just dance. I am finding that there are times in modern when I can slow down my brain and dance, those are the moments I enjoy.
The identity dance has been one of my favorite assignments so far. I sat down and wrote the first thoughts that came into my head and then did what felt most natural. I am often so concerned about doing things technically wrong that I don't like to take chances. The second time I performed felt so much better. I love speaking and just being able to say the words calmed my nerves a great deal. It was much easier to relax a bit and be myself. I remember when I saw Monica Bill Barnes last year I thought to myself I would really enjoy performing like that. There is something about poking fun at yourself and the art that calms me. When I am silly it is easier to be present. So I wiggled my toes and for the first time felt okay dancing in front of my classmates.
As I expand on this I plan to embrace my silliness and my awkwardness and laugh at myself a bit as I dance. I think this will help me to be honest and when I am honest I can be present.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Create and Notate
Begin in first position turned out.
Tendu devant 1 close 2 Tendu 3 lower 4 Foot Articulation moving out 5,6 and 7,8
Weight shift (lifting foot to degage) 1,2 Rounde de jambe en lair 5,6,7, close 8.
Degage a le second 1,2 develop 3,4 envelope 5,6 posse 7,8
Plie 1,2 Plie 3,4 Grande Plie 5,6,7,8
Flat back/Parallel 1,2,3,4 Swing 5,6 Releve 7,8
Shoulder roll 1,2 shoulder roll with elbow 3,4, shoulder roll with arm 5,6 & 7,8
Under curve 1,2 over curve 3,4 right arm curve 5,6 reach 7,8
Tendu to second, grande plie 1,2,3,4 lunge 5,6 lower & rotate 7,8
Strengths, Challenges, and Goals
I am definitely not where I would like to be, but I think that I have improved. I am a lot let frustrated during class. As I begin getting more comfortable and starting to pick up the combinations I find that I am more able to let go and dance. I found in the beginning of the semester I was thinking constantly and not dancing at all. While I am still spending a lot of time thinking I find that there are times when I am able to dance. I am often preoccupied by thinking that other people are watching and judging me. This is probable because I spend so much time criticizing myself. I think the biggest and most important goal I have for myself is to let go of what others think and just dance. To stop thinking so much, learn the combination, let go and just do it. I don't have any real dance goals other than to be the best that I can be. To continue to grow and challenge myself on a regular basis.I am unsure if I will continue to take modern in the fall. While I know that it is good for me this semester has been very difficult and frustrating at times. I am looking forward to a break. I hope the time will give me the opportunity to clear my mind and make a good decision.
You Pick
http://youtu.be/zEwz2vSAkvw
I really enjoyed this solo. I think she did a great job. She was clearly grounded. All of her movements were clear. You could see throughout the dance she was in the moment and not simply thinking of the next step. Her eye tracking was great. You could also see points in the dance where she initiated movements and the simple movement rippled into the next. It was clear when she isolated movements in her back. Often when steps come rapidly the movement becomes muddled, however in this piece that did not happen. Her movements were very clear. She had strength and purpose in her movement and it made it very interesting to watch.
I really enjoyed this solo. I think she did a great job. She was clearly grounded. All of her movements were clear. You could see throughout the dance she was in the moment and not simply thinking of the next step. Her eye tracking was great. You could also see points in the dance where she initiated movements and the simple movement rippled into the next. It was clear when she isolated movements in her back. Often when steps come rapidly the movement becomes muddled, however in this piece that did not happen. Her movements were very clear. She had strength and purpose in her movement and it made it very interesting to watch.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Body Check In
I am often overwhelmed. I have taken on more than it is possible for me to do, therefor I am frequently very sleep deprived. I think this works against me. It is difficult to take a dance class and be fully present when I am tired and I am thinking about all the things that I need to do. I have found that class has greatly reduced my stress. No matter how stressed I am when I walk into my ballet class I know that when I walk out I will feel like all is well with the world.
I am feeling much better about my body this semester. I feel like I am continually improving and getting stronger. I still get frustrated that I am not where I want to be yet, but I am happy that I am able to see my progress. The stronger I get the more my technique improves. I also think as I improve I relax and therefor I am able to improve more.
I am feeling much better about my body this semester. I feel like I am continually improving and getting stronger. I still get frustrated that I am not where I want to be yet, but I am happy that I am able to see my progress. The stronger I get the more my technique improves. I also think as I improve I relax and therefor I am able to improve more.
Concept
I have discovered that I have a common problem with all concepts when it comes to modern. I am able to understand and do the concept when it is slow or done in an isolated movement, but when it is in the context of a phrase I have difficulty. My mind gets wrapped up in trying to remember the next movement and I forget to work on the concept. We have spent lot of time working on rotation of our backs and contractions. I find them much easier to do when we are doing them slowly and I concentrate on the movement. I find that I have this same problem in every class. When I can slow down and think it is much easier for me to do what I need to do properly. I think that is a common problem.
Transfer of Weight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC88s50rXWM
After a great deal of searching youtube I discovered it was very difficult to find a video that payed attention to weight shift. However I did find a great deal of videos of dances that could have been improved be attention to weight shift. This video is an example of a work in progress. First I would like to point out this is a terrible choice of music. That asside without weight shift it seems as if she is simply moving through the steps with no feeling or attention to detail. The lack of weight shift makes this video difficult to watch. From the beginning she does not weight shift. She begins walking and it is simply that moving through the steps. I think it would have been greatly improved if she would have weight shifted putting some purpose behind the movement. Later in the piece she comes out of a turn and simply puts her foot down rather than putting any weight on it. I think that a little weight shift could have greatly improved this piece.
After a great deal of searching youtube I discovered it was very difficult to find a video that payed attention to weight shift. However I did find a great deal of videos of dances that could have been improved be attention to weight shift. This video is an example of a work in progress. First I would like to point out this is a terrible choice of music. That asside without weight shift it seems as if she is simply moving through the steps with no feeling or attention to detail. The lack of weight shift makes this video difficult to watch. From the beginning she does not weight shift. She begins walking and it is simply that moving through the steps. I think it would have been greatly improved if she would have weight shifted putting some purpose behind the movement. Later in the piece she comes out of a turn and simply puts her foot down rather than putting any weight on it. I think that a little weight shift could have greatly improved this piece.
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