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.