Ballet: Exhausted

It is not even the end of the week and I feel as if it is. I am so tired physically and mentally. Maybe this is because I am slightly stressing out in a different module. I feel like I was on another planet today. I was too busy thinking about the showings of solos (in advanced choreography module) to think about what my body was doing. To make it worse my foot was playing up again. I could not fully relevé on it or put a lot of pressure on it. In addition Brain, the pianist, did not play for us and this left a very strange atmosphere in the class. I think that a live pianist really helps with the mood amongst the class.

I predominantly noticed today that my fourth positions and movements through fourth such as sashays were not great. My back knee, in particular, was turning in rather than being turned out. This can cause serious injury and is also incorrect. I need to concentrate on keeping the back leg turned out at all times when performing the fourth positions or movement through fourth.  Taking pictures captures what your body is truly doing. It also captures a different angle of your body which you are not used to seeing in a mirror.  

From today’s class I can take away the fact that whatever is going on at home or outside the studio, I need to leave out of the studio, unless it will enhance your performance. Halfway through the class I started to forget what else was on my mind and concentrate on what I was doing in class. I should have done this from the beginning of class. Now I will know for next time!

Juliet: Triplets

It is week 5 already!  It is daunting how the weeks are just flying by.

I felt really good dancing today; maybe that is because it’s a fresh week. I felt emotionally engaged today and connected in my body. I was very enthusiastic and I felt as if I pushed myself to maximum.

As I know the exercises more each week, I am really going through the motion of the movement and starting to have a ‘nice’ quality of movement, rather than ‘position, position, position.’ This feels so much satisfying to perform and I am sure it will look more satisfying to watch.

I am seeking to improve on my triplets as I feel like they are not my strongest and can be improved greatly. I need to be ‘on top’ of and pull out of my legs. In order to shift my weight through the space lighter and quicker, the force needs to come from the back of my legs and my turn out. Also I need to be on top on demi pointe! My demi pointe still needs a lot of work! I need to stop moving my hips and keep them directed forward. Videoing myself does help me as I can see what I am physically doing from outside eye. It allows me to what the teacher sees. I can see what I need to correct for next time.

I was continually asking myself questions throughout class and one of the recurring questions was:

·       How can I deepen my curve without tensing shoulders and lifting them up?

I feel this is what I will concentrate on next week.

I read this quote today and it really inspired me to make sure I try my hardest to achieve my best: “If a dancer dances – which is not the same as having theories about dancing or wishing to dance or trying to dance or remembering in his body someone else’s dance – but if the dancer dances, everything is there. . . Our ecstasy in dance comes from the possible gift of freedom, the exhilarating moment that this exposing of the bare energy can give us. What is meant is not license, but freedom.” Merce Cunningham (1952)

www.merce.org

Vertebral Column: Head-tail connectivity

So today I sat out and watched the class. My ankle this morning has been so tender I could not dance on it. I definitely pushed myself a bit too far in the previous classes this week. I was annoyed that I couldn’t physical dance today, however it was very interesting to sit down an watch a class as I have not don’t this before! We continued to concentrate of the Bartenieff fundamentals. The sequence of the fundamentals are (again to remind myself) as follows:

• Breath
• Core distal connectivity
• Head- tail connectivity
• Upper and lower connectivity
• Body-half connectivity
• Cross-lateral connectivity

Today’s class was concentrating on head- tail connectivity, in technical terms from the neck flexors to the coccyx. The spine is there to support the body and the framework but it is also there to allow movement. Peggy Hackney stated “the spine is not a back bone” it is more internal and fundamental part of the body rather than a hard brittle bone that most people associate bones with. It is alive and a healthy spine is not straight but has curves and movement.

The first task of the class was to partner up and one partner lie down on our backs being completely relaxed. I took part in this as it didn’t involve putting pressure on my ankle.  Lying down you had to allow yourself to give your partner all the weight of your head in their hands. As my partner moved my head for side to side, up and down I found it increasingly more difficult for her to take my weight. In addition, we did the same exercise but with the pelvis. Allowing my pelvis to be easy and relaxed was less demanding than my head. 

I sat aside as Liz asked the other dancers to improvise and move using the head to initiate the movement, then the tail, then both the head and the tail together as if they were in conversation. I found this really interesting to watch as the quality of movement being produced was satisfying to watch. I started to think about my solo in another module and feel this task would be very beneficial to my choreographic process. I intend to ask my dancer to improvise the way she did in this class as I feel material that I could use in my solo would be the product of it. Whilst watching the dancers carry out this task, I could really see that they were thinking the way their spines were moving. I also noticed that a few of them had tension in their necks. I feel this would apply to me also. They just needed to relax just a little more.

The class moved onto the set movement material. The fundamentals from the 3 weeks were taken into consideration: breath, core distal connectivity and head- tail connectivity. I could see that the dancers were really using the fundamentals. The movement quality has progressively improved from week one. This was very noticeable from an outside view! 

 

I am going to take the rest of the week easy in order to give my ankle a break! It was a very interesting class to watch, however next week I without a doubt will be taking part!

Hackney. P (1998) Making Connections: Total Body Integration Through Bartenieff Fundamentals

Wynn, K and Lawrence, M (2001) The Anatomy Coloring Book

Juliet is Back

It was a nice surprise this morning when Juliet was warming up as we have not had her for the past 3 weeks. She has been rehearsing for the Ballet Lorent tour so other teachers have been stepping in to cover (Rose and Mona). I really have enjoyed Juliet’s classes in second year and I achieved quite high marks too. This has made me think I am going to try to achieve higher marks this year!

For the past week or so my right ankle/foot has been playing up but it has not caused me as much hassel as it has done this morning. I struggled walking to dance but I did not want to sit out on the first of Juliet’s classes so I just grinned and bared it.  I felt as if I did the class to the best as I could, however with foot exercises and rises I could not perform these without being in a pain. This did put a bit of a ‘downer’ on the class because I was in a different frame of mind.

Today we concentrated on Cunningham technique. I did notice today a lot of things I could improve on. I do not know if that is because I was in different frame of mind and was not on my game but more things stood out to me than normal! We began with an exercise focusing on upper back curves. Instead of rebounding back up, I need to deepen my curve each time with the small pulses. Also when performing a high release I need to elongate my neck and not ‘crunch’ and shorten it at the back. I think I need to pay attention to my arms as much as I do my legs. My second position began to get sloppier and sloppier as the exercise continue. I need to use my back to keep my arms in a strong second. Whilst performing foot exercises I tend to go into a blur as I am concentrating so much on what my feet and legs are doing. I need to have focus and performance as well even though it is just in the studio.

I don’t think my brain was working today! When we began to travel and use the space more I felt was not there, especially the triplet exercise! I think I need to practice this exercise for next week!

Juliet gave the class some very good advice: always have the right frame of mind. Say to yourself “I can do this exercise”. This will sets you up for good performance even if get the movement wrong.

This week I will take it easy on my foot so I don’t strain it even further. Lets hope my ankle will not get worse!

Rebekah’s Friday Class Week 3

So today I have the Friday feeling! It has been a long tiring week as I have worked particularly hard.

We had Rebekah again today, so I could really put into practice what I found I struggled with in Wednesday’s class as it still was fresh in my mind. Firstly I really felt like I was always moving through the movement when performing centre exercises and travelling phrases. I was also particularly focusing on the use on my back as the back is very important in Cunningham technique and Graham technique. I feel my strength and flexibility in my back has increased significantly, already! I am pretty pleased about that. However, when performing spirals, I need to go to my maximum in order to challenge myself. I have been paying attention to upper back curves, middle back curves and high releases. These positions are acutely used both in Graham and Cunningham techniques.

When practicing floor exercises, I need to remember to always come back to neutral position on my sit bones. This will ensure that I am not leaning and will work the correct muscles. Additionally the brushes exercise requires me to push my energy as much as I can when ‘brushing’ the floor, this will allow me to reach past my feet and increase the stretch.

I really do feel my general flexibility has improved which was and still is one of my targets for the year. I need to relax my shoulders, tensing my shoulders is such a bad habit!

Rebekah Covers Class

Rebekah covered Liz’s class today so we were focussing on Cunningham and Graham techniques instead of the Bartenieff fundamentals. Rebekah switched between the two techniques throughout class. I really enjoy Rebakah’s classes so I was already looking forward to this class yesterday! I felt alert and focussed which is required for both techniques as they are very technical and challenging.

Today I was particularly focusing on fluidity. Even though there are positions such as fifth, tilts and curves within both techniques but instead of hitting each position, (position, hold, position, hold) move continuously through them without stopping. This creates a nicer quality. It also feels more pleasant to dance. Cunningham technique explores the way the back works either in opposition to the legs or in unison with them. I feel I need to work on this. Cunningham technique really challenges my ability to change direction within the body and in space.

Ballet: starting to really move

So this morning I had my weekly ballet class with Shaun. Each class I am starting to enjoy even more, I think this is because I am getting better technically and moving more with confidence. Also I really enjoy the way Shaun teaches us, she pushes the class technically but makes it incredibly enjoyable!

I was feeling good about today even before class and was raring to go. I am definitely starting to feel more confident with ballet. I have previously practiced ballet but it has never been my strongest style. I am advancing technically which then leaves me to enjoy moving in the space as I do not have to concentrate so much on technique but on performance. I think performance is a very important part of technique as it shows confidence and self belief. As it says in Claid's 'Yes? No! Maybe..seductive ambiguity in dance', the audience have a "desire to watch performers who are passionately dynamic and vitally energized."

From previous classes I was particularly seeking to make progress with my ront de jambes, predominately focusing maintaining contact with the floor remembering to move my leg freely and smoothly whilst retaining my turn out. I asked a fellow student to film my ront de jambes so I can physically see what I am doing. I felt like this helped a great deal as I can identify my strengths and weaknesses. I will be able to apply this next week. The video shoes that I still need to apply more pressure through my feet and make sure I always go through first position. Also, I need to make sure my leg goes the longest way round and does not cut corners.

I also am seeking to make progress with my arabesques. I have noticed I step under myself when performing arabesques. I need to go to my pointed foot and further. I also need to be more ‘on’ my supporting leg to give a stable foundation. This will enable me to hold my other leg higher. This also applies to pirouettes. Being ‘on’ the supporting leg will allow me to pirouette cleaner.

Focus and performance has been a primary aspect within class throughout the weeks. I have started to choreograph focus within my solo in the Advanced Choreography module. I feel already that there is starting to be a performance emerging.

Claid, E. Yes? No! Maybe...seductive ambiguity in dance. Routledge; New edition edition (2006)

The Mother of Modern Dance

So it is the last day of the 2^nd week, already! And still a lot of people are feeling the strains for not dancing for a while, sore muscles, sore feet and exhaustion.

Today’s class was extremely energetic and dynamic, and, not to forget, enjoyable! We were practising Martha Graham’s, the mother of modern dance, technique. Graham's,("the American Dancer, teacher and choreographer" and who "revolutionized the world of modern dance" Freedman 1998) technique is a deviation from classical ballet. Graham’s use of specific body movements such as the contraction, release, and spiral has had profound influence on the development in the world of dance.

Graham believed that breath was extremely important when moving and therefore is a very vital part of her technique. However, personally I still find it hard to relax and breathe whilst moving. This then has a snowball affect and results in tense muscles. An example of breath is the Graham contraction:a  contraction begins from the pelvis and travels up the spine, up to the neck and head, which remain in line with the spine. Each contraction is accompanied with an exhalation of breath. I can apply this exhalation when performing simple centre work but when moving through contractions in longer sequences which requires concentration on various things like quality of movement, I tend to forget about breath. I need to pay particular attention to my breath from now on. Breath is vital in life, let alone in dance.  

In class we performed many high releases. I have notice I need to adjust my rib cage so it maintains alignment over my hips with no break in the lower back. My head still needs to remain in line with the spine.

I asked myself whilst in class; how can I be even more present when I am dancing? I will focus on performance and presence throughout the whole module.

Today I really wanted to have a strong sense of presence when moving throughout the space. In order to achieve this I focused my attention on my body’s lines such as when performing tilts making my arms strong and existence. I also made sure I was using my focus. I felt as if I gave it a good go! I enjoy moving in the way Martha Graham intended us to and I am looking forward to class next week!

de Mille, Agnes. Martha. New York: Random House, 1991

Graham, Martha. Blood Memory. New York: Doubleday, 1991.
Freedman. R Martha Graham: A Dancer's Life, 1998

Making Connections

Today’s class was focussing on the Bartenieff fundamentals which is a branch of the integrated movement studies. Liz, our class tutor, has previously taken part in one of Peggy Hackney’s workshop which concentrated on these fundamentals. The sequence of the fundamentals follows this order:

• Breath
• Core distal connectivity
• Head- tail connectivity
• Upper and lower connectivity
• Body-half connectivity
• Cross-lateral connectivity

Fundamentals of learning include developmental movement patterns (including breathing) as a foundation for social, physical, and psychological growth and development, and an exploration of all the anatomical systems (circulatory, organs, etc.).

In last week’s lesson, the class was focused on breath and how breath connects the body and movement. In today’s class we layered upon this idea and concentrated on core-distal connectivity. This idea focuses more on the centre initiating movement, however still being aware of breath in this process.

I felt really grounded and relaxed today. I think this was due to the exercises the class began with. The exercises allowed us to be conscious of our centres and the limbs that expand from the centre: legs, arms, head and tail.

This consciousness of central initiation allowed me to move in a different way today. I was at great ease moving and I was able to shift my weight throughout the space. I felt like my limbs had fluidity to them, as if they rippled as a continuation from my centre. I really enjoyed the relaxed and easy sense of movement.

I was definitely still aware of my centre this afternoon as Nicola and I rehearsed for our solos. Nicola asked me to improvise and I honestly felt the movement coming from my centre and my limbs just following. I created new movement for Nicola to direct and use for her solo work.

www.danceeducation.org: Somatic Studies and Dance, The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. Accessed 29 September

Hackney. P (1998) Making Connections: Total Body Integration Through Bartenieff Fundamentals

Olsen, A. (2002) Body & Earth: an experiential guide.

Rose's Class: Week 2

Just a quick blog today!

It was my first day back of week two and I am already feeling the strains of not dancing for a while. I have very sore muscles! However it is a good sore feeling as I know I have been working hard! I also feel mentally tired from not being used to a daily dancing routine. This I feel, has affected my performance today in class.

I was tense throughout my body and very uneasy, I am not sure if that was because I was mentally tired or if that’s just the way my body felt like moving today. This had a knock on affect and I was unable to pick material up as quickly as I normally do! This is frustrating at that is one of my strengths!

It feels great being back in the studio, but I think I may need a few more days to adjust to my busy dance life again.

Geoff’s Class Week 1

Geoff’s class today was so much fun! He threw us right into the deep end with long sequences and high energetic movements. I had rather sore muscles today thought from previous classes but working through the pain is the only way!

Geoff concentrates on the Release technique. This technique empahasizes the body's natural alignment, lines and movements. It focuses on the lack of tension in the muscles, utilising the breath and momentum to facilitate movement. This is in contrast to Ballet, for example, which encourages distortion of the body's natural alignment and movement by force.

I really enjoyed moving today, I felt my body was connecting with the movement quality. The movement phrases that Geoff taught us very much concentrated on fluidity and continuality. I like this way of moving, moving through movement as if its one continuous move, instead of separate movements. Also use of weight was very important today. The use of weight can create different dynamics and a lovely quality! Moving like this felt really pleasant and enjoyable!

The class was very energetic and vigorous, however I found I was not out of breathe or too tired as I have been attending the gym daily! Which was a good feeling not feel unfit or behind! However I feel I need to work on my upper body strength as I struggle to lower myself to the floor when in a press up position. I have started to practice some upper body exercises to increase my strength. The following are some exercises that I have been doing:

• Press ups
• Elevated press ups
• Reverse press up
• Various exercises using light weights

I was very aware of my tension in my shoulders today. Not just in Geoff’s class but all classes, I need to learn to relax my shoulders. I naturally tense them which causes pain and is energy draining. It also stops my neck from being free to move. This results in the continuous line from the bottom of my spine to the top being broken. I need to learn to release the tension from this area so I did some research to find some exercises which could help me do this.

www.starbright.hubpages.com/hub/Fitness_For_All_Ages

                            


I was on the www.danceeducation.org website researching for options for after I have graduated and I came across an article "Somatic Studies and Dance" by The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. The article made a great point; that "self awareness, self control, and the active application of the will to the processes of growth and development" will enable me to do well and achieve my goals. Today I worked very hard and will continue to keep up the energy next week!

www.starbright.hubpages.com/hub/Fitness_For_All_Ages accessed 29 September

www.danceeducation.org: Somatic Studies and Dance, The International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. Accessed 29 September

www.somaticmovementstudies.org, accessed September 2011

www.movingoncenter.org, accessed September 2011

Shaun’s Ballet Class

Today was my first ballet class of the semester. A lovely lady called Shaun is teaching the class. She seems to be very experienced within the world of dance which is very inspiring.

It feels good to be back dancing ballet. I do not find  Ballet  my easiest technique however I love doing it. It pushes me and makes me work hard. I felt enthusiastic and keen about today’s class. However my muscles were a bit tight and sore so I felt like I could not dance as well as usual!

Today I was particularly seeking to make progress on my ront de jambes. Shaun gave the class a ront de jambe exercise on the barre. I was predominantly focusing on maintaining contact with floor remembering to move my leg freely and smoothly whilst retaining my turn out.  Rory Foster, in Ballet Pedagogy, states that dancers do not use their "full articulation of their feet" and "the use of the floor". Foster (2010) My feet do have a good range of articulation and I need to stress how important 'going through' my full range of movement is.  

I also was focussing on dynamically quality of movement when performing travelling sequences. To help me do this, I tried to stay relaxed and not over think the movements, otherwise I would have become tensed and this would be shown in the movement.

Shaun spent sometime with us on the performance side of ballet today. She showed us how to use our heads more and our upper bodies to enhance to movement. When I applied this aspect to my performance it improved it by far! It also helped with the extensions of my legs and balance which I was very happy with!

I can appreciate that everyone is anatomically different. This reflects in the way that people move. For this reason I should not compare my turn out to others. Some people can have a great turn out to nearly 180º angle! I need to work to my own turn out and not push it too far as I will end up with an injury. Which I do not want! Furthermore I want to deepen my plie. A"plie is the most essential movement in dance; it is not a static position" (Foster 2010) Deepening my plie will increase the strengthen in my legs and will allow an ease of transitions between movements. "The plie is what a dancer moves through in order to get into the next step or directional change" (Foster 2010)

From today’s class I can say to myself I worked my hardest and will continue to do so.

(Foster. R (2010) Ballet Pedagogy: The Art of Teaching)

My First Blog Post

I need to put my thoughts and feelings into writing and open up to the world of blogging. After a long summer off, it is time to start working hard again, which I might add, started today with the first technique class of third year. It is crazy to think I am already a third year! I don’t feel stressed, at the moment! After all I am doing something that I love. Nevertheless, I need to set myself goals and targets to achieve, not just throughout this semester, but the whole year. Before doing this, I need to know and understand my current strengths and weaknesses within this module. By doing this, it will ensure that I perform to and achieve to my full potential.

I need to identify my strengths; however I find this harder than recognizing my weaknesses so I asked my fellow dancers if they could help me out on this point. I feel I have the ability to pick movement up reasonably quickly and I can also grasp the concept of different movement qualities. I know how to align my body and make sure it’s in a correct posture, even though this is hard for me (as I have a hyper extended back). I also am aware of where I place my arms and legs in when performing various movements.

On the other hand I have weaknesses which hinder my performance in relation to this technique module. Even though I know how it feels to be in good alignment my hyper extended back makes it very difficult to stay aligned throughout class. I sometimes concentrate so much on this aspect of my body, other aspects get ignored e.g. my feet, turn out and the supporting leg if I am performing movement which requires standing on one leg. In addition, I am not achieving my full potential when moving through demi pointe. I think this is slightly to do with my weak ankles from previous injuries; however this should not prevent me from increasing my foot arch and my demi pointe. I also feel that my flexibility is not to my capability especially in my legs and back.

My targets for Advanced Contemporary module are to achieve a high 2:1 or even a 1^st. I know I can achieve these marks as long as I continue being determined; focused and hard working, I should be able to do this. I want to make sure I can really feel when my posture is incorrect and I am out of alignment. This will strengthen my ability to carry out movements easier without thinking about my posture and ignoring other aspects of my body that require just as much attention. It will also help my back pain. I want to increase my flexibility to my maximum. An increased flexibility in the legs and back, especially, will allow me to move through a range of movement easier and more effortlessly. This will result in a more moving being more pleasant to perform. I want to increase the strength in my ankles in order to rise onto demi pointe stronger. As a result of this the arches in my feet will increase and become stronger. Consequently an improved pointe and higher demi pointe will be achieved.

My strategies to achieve my targets in this module are: to commit to every technique class and put in 120% effort in throughout the classes. I need to stay focused and determined to achieve my goals. For my posture I will need to be always aware, not just in class, but walking and sitting, on how my back is positioned. In class I will use the mirror to correct myself and ask my tutors and peers to double check too.  In regards to my flexibility, I will make sure I gently stretch before class and turly stretch when I am warm after class. For both strengthening my ankles and my foot arch, I will carry out daily ankle and feet exercises such as simple releves. To help improve myself as a whole in technique I will also ask for feedback from my various tutors in how I did each lesson. And will also record myself dancing in order to see what I am physically doing.

The value and purpose of dance technique, in my opinion, is extremely important. Dance techniques are about an enhancing self awareness from which movement is executed. They continuously educate the mind and the body and prepare the dancer for a wide range of movement, movement forms, qualities and dynamics. It also teaches the dancer to release unnecessary tension while moving. Technique teaches new co ordinations, moving skills and also promotes general well-being. Dance technique methods focus on big expenditure of energy to obtain better performing results. I believe technique is vital for a dancer.