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.