Final Post "The ends not near, it's here"

My final blog is in video format. It will focus on my significant insights on writing this blog, my personal goals over the last 8 weeks in reference to my technique and finally how I will use this knowledge in the future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2dXS6kwwCY - My Final Blog

As dancers we are often asked many questions, Can you feel which muscle your using? Do you know what count this arm movement goes on? Are you using your breath? The list is endless...however over the last the few weeks I have been able to answer the questions relating to this blog.

Although not each post is formatted in that way I have talked about my embodied learning during my technique classes. This blog has taught me to reflect back over the last few weeks and notice my strengths and weaknesses and answer questions I have never really considered before, such as How did the class make you feel? or What can you improve on? I encourage other upcoming artists or practitioners to choose the way of learning about themselves as I feel like I have learnt more about my body than I have in all the years of dance training that I have had in the previous years.

17.11.2011 Plié's and posture

Today in class my body felt sore and tense. After a short warm up my muscles began to soften and I was looking forward to the class beginning. I really aim to work hard in Geoff’s class every week and leave the studio dripping with sweat. In today’s case I had succeeded. We focused on many aspects of our technique today as usual, but the movement that was the most useful to me, was concentrating on my plié. As a dancer I know how important demonstrating a correct plié is. 

 "Noun: A movement in which a dancer bends the knees and straightens them again” Googledictionary  (accessed on 17.11.2011) 

A plié has such a simple definition surely that means it is simple to achieve?  This however isn’t always the case. For me, my weakness in my plié lies in my turn out. If my knees begin to roll in, I know that I’m not applying the correct position. I also have recognised when demonstrating a plié in fifth position how easy it is to stick out the lower back. Over the last few weeks Geoff has been really helpful with pointing out our strengths and weaknesses when addressing plié’s. I don’t particularly think I have a weak plié; however I know I could be using a lot more. Geoff taught us a short travelling phrase that included using your plié to its full extent. The video attached is an example of the movement we did in class. In this particular phrase, I felt like I was really working through the legs and through my plié. It was really useful to be reminded to use it when demonstrating jumping exercises, because it is quite easy to forget once your applying so many other aspects of your technique.

14.11.2011 - Monday mornings.

Monday morning came around again, we waited in the studio in suspense to which teacher we will get. It's Mona. So our class today will again be focused on release technique. Everyone including myself looks extremely tired. We begin the class with opening exercises that we have been working on over the past few weeks. In relation to my own technique, this class feel like my weakest. I don't think I excel in it. But again this could be because Release is new to me and I haven't trained in it prior to this year.


"In Release technique, we release through the joints and muscles to create ease of movement, releasing the breath to aid the release of the body. A great relaxation technique as well as a dance style." http://www.blackfishacademy.com/dance.htm (accessed on 14.11.2011)


We refreshed our memories on the previous exercises and Mona asked our percussionist Keith to slow down the tempo of the rhythm that he was supplying us with. I haven't commented on the live music in any of my previous blogs. But I thoroughly enjoy the live music; I believe it is a really helpful way for our bodies and minds to connect with the movement. It also lets you make your own interpretation of the counts as we are encouraged to take the chance and risks in not following other members in the class. Many professional performances use live percussion and I think it is an interesting element to look into. It is very valuable for us as young aspiring dancers/choreographers as it looks at a wider interpretation of dance. the music sometimes reflects not only movement type but mood, attitudes and styles.


In this class I feel like I’m not fully concentrating, I enjoy the movement and exercises that we are taught. But the class becomes very repetitive over the same movement. In some aspects it is really helpful to work on certain characteristics of certain movements such as the rolling of our shoulders without moving our hips out of parallel position. It was also helpful that Mona asked us to partner up and place our hands on the lower abdominal of our partner to feel the tension and help them not to shift their weight or their hips when rolling the shoulders. This was also really beneficial when my partner was holding me, as I could feel myself wanting to rotate my hips as an alternative to remaining in parallel position. In this sequence we also had to focus on timing and release. There were many movements of suspense that allowed us to really relax our body in comparison to strenuous movements.

This video is a demonstration of an exercise that we are working on shoulder rolls that do not initiate from the hips but the centre. It also looks at the use of suspension and allows our body to release. Despite the video being unable to rotate, it is clear that one of my weaknesses is to relax my shoulders down the back and not alter my hips. Mona explained how if we are holding our centres correctly we should be able to avoid shifting in the hips and concentrate on our just movement in the shoulders.

Rosalind Newman once stated that "I have done Authentic Movement and Skinner Releasing Technique as well as othersomatic techniques. Getting deeper into the body in a more reflective way has affected my work, whether that's because of age or being affected by other ideas about the body."  Further Steps 2: Fourteen choreographers on what's the RAGE in dance? Kreemer, C. Pg158.

07.11.2011 Triplets and the Hyper-extended back

 Although it is a Monday morning, I enjoy going to Juliet’s class. I think in the last year I have improved with this technique immensely. I may not be perfect, yet I am really trying to exceed on my technique from last year. Which will hopefully reflect in my first semester grade. In Juliet's class last year, my technique was the most improved out of all my classes. This perhaps why I approach these class with a positive attitude. 



Flat back position

This week again my flaws fell in the triplets sequence, in contrast to last week I now have the steps, my mistakes were highlighted in direction. Juliet had also added several curves and tilts to the sequence that I almost by the end of the class I had got my head around. I know how important each aspect of the phrase is, I just to have to find a way to compose all three together. Another aspect of my weaknesses was evident through my flat back position, as I have a hyper-extended back. Prior to today’s class I always felt my flat back position was just emphasised around me just pushing out my lower half. However with a personal demonstration from Juliet and her advising me to go lower, I found a correct way of applying the position without any other elements of my body sticking out. When demonstrating a flat back it is important to avoid not letting your arms release behind you. We are advised to be able to see both hands through our provisional sight.

This week however, Juliet commented many times on positive aspect of my technique. She praised me on the development of my footwork and how after every exercise I finish off the movements accurately and avoid cutting corners. To hear such optimistic feedback like this is really encouraging and rewarding. It also helps me keep an affirmative attitude for the rest of the class.

We also focused on a jumping sequence that had been growing and developing in the last few weeks. Juliet stressed on how important our arm positions were and broke down each section to see if we were approaching it correctly. The sequence included at least five different types of jumps and leaps through the space. This included a Pas de chat, which Juliet had explained to us that it had to be lower and more grounded in to comparison to the high and controlled Pas de chat that you would see in ballet. I felt quite confident with the phrase as I like to jump and move through the space. For my own technique, I need to work on the preparation into my barrel turn. This is not only to to prevent any injury to my ankles or my knees, but If I have a lower stance to prepare I can really push off my legs to get higher in the air for the turn. The conclusion of the phrase was a turning jete. I struggled to begin with as I couldn’t understand the concept and was therefore turning too much. However after Juliet demonstrated and placed emphasis on our focus it became much easier to understand and therefore I attempted the jump to the best of my ability.

To work on my weakness in Juliet’s class I have filmed many of the phrases to evidently watch myself back. Hopefully I can observe my mistakes and keeping practising to amend them. This video demonstrates an adage we have been working on in Juliet's class. This short phrase is the beginning few counts, in which Juliet's has asked us to mentally prepare for the exercise by reassuring ourselves that we are capable. The movement is an extension on the legs and arms. My weakness is not using my leg to its full ability, I intend on working on this by really pushing through with the foot to reach away from myself.

This video again is a demonstration from Juliet's class. It focuses on the final jump sequence that I would like to improve on. I think the video highlights my passion to jump in class, although it also highlights many weaknesses in my technique. Again the preparation for the barrel turn is something I need to work on and begin to get deeper in my plié to encourage to push through my legs. 

Here I am demonstrating a footwork sequence travelling across the studio. I need to work on jumping through my whole foot and keeping my foot pointed the whole time. I would also like to work on the small travelling jump at the end of the phrase.

03.11.2011 "Wrists that could cut glass"

Today’s in Geoff’s class we began the class with our warm up exercises. As we are a few weeks in now, we just go through them all without Geoff’s guidance. This gives the people who know the exercises the chance to show what they have learned in the few weeks prior to this class. I feel like in Geoff’s class I have improved on my balance and my plié during the beginning exercises. I no longer turn my knees in during a plié in second position, I drop my shoulders and ribs when in a rise in fifth position and I have the confidence to really go for the majority of  the exercises without having to rely on the mirror. All of the above made me realise how much you can improve on technique wise in such a short amount of time.

This week Geoff commented on the use of my wrists, in previous classes I have never really put that much thought into the use of my wrists. Nevertheless in two separate classes this week, two technique teachers have commented on the position and distinction of my wrists during exercises or short phrases. Geoff commented on how my “wrists could cut glass" that there was far too much tension in them. For me this was feedback that I could really do something about for the remaining hour. Without thinking too much about it, I loosened my wrists and let them relax, instead of having them in placed positions. This perhaps is an old habit that has crept through from many years of training from a younger age previous to this course. Consequently in future classes I will remind myself to keep my wrists soft and relax opposed to a rigid form.

This was also evident when approaching Geoff's barre exercise, as again I needed to focus on dropping my arm and release my head, however as this exercise primarily focused on the feet the arms felt more released. Geoff demonstrated, how when you push the leg towards the back the knee has to lead as oppose to the foot carrying the majority of the weight. This is also an aspect of ballet technique in which I need to improve on. If the leg is lifted the knee needs to be the highest point. As a personal weakness I need to work on not altering the position of my hips to suit the angle of my leg.

Also in this week’s class Geoff taught us another end phrase. In many of classes, Geoff has referred to our standard and approaches to work with the term ‘You’re third years now’. I think from this Geoff is trying to tell us that we should be prepared to work a lot harder and pick material up in a shorter amount of time. Personally, from saying this it really encourages me to give even more energy and power. I agree with what Geoff has to say as I find it very encouraging. From this we learnt a new phrase and demonstrated it on the right and left. Again Geoff asked us to get with a partner and work through it; I was partnered with Lucy again which I find really useful as we are similar dancers. We both feed off one another and demonstrate the routine with strength and power. Geoff commented on our attempt saying we had ‘good timing’ and that it was a ‘good effort for a first time’. This is also very helpful feedback as I thought for a first attempt we had done particularly well.

Again I left Geoff’s class with a sense of achievement and progression. I always look forward to our next encounter with Geoff as I think out all the techniques we study this perhaps is my strongest. I have recorded myself many times in Geoff class so i can visually see my weaknesses and focus on improving them.

This video is a demonstration of the use of my wrists. As you can see I do tend to hold them in a position in contrast to releasing them. From watching myself back, I can hopefully begin to loosen my wrists and enjoy the sensation of the movement. I also need to focus on not altering my shoulders when circling my arm.

31.10.2011 Release and Repetition

Release exercise

As Juliet has had other commitments this semester our technique classes have been split between herself and Mona. Despite practising almost contrasting technique styles it is nice to get the chance to work with both teachers. Mona has been focusing on the release technique with us, it has many aspects of Limon technique yet can be described as “The Release dance technique is associated with therapeutic movement researches that come or make use of medical knowledge.” http://www.contemporary-dance.org/contemporary-dance-techniques.html (accessed on 1/11/2011)

Although I hadn’t really approached this technique much prior to this year, from the way Mona had taught us before I had known what to expect from her class. In this class I feel really encouraged to relax my body and let go of any inner tension I appear to have. It becomes a regular occurrence for me in other classes to have tension in my body and appear every so often wooden; this class however is the exception.  Granting this class becomes relatively repetitive, it is very helpful as it is allowing us to try and expand our movement range and work on our weakness. Despite having to go other phrase or exercises over 5 times, the movement becomes second nature and your body is that released you could even perform the phrases with your eyes closed. This perhaps would be an interesting way to experiment in technique class as you would recognise what it would feel like to just be you and the movement and lose all possible distractions around you.

The small floor phrases that we demonstrate places a vast amount of attention on the use of the back. When curving from the back I believe I have a really solid position. As I contract with a slight spiral I use my head to enhance to the twist. By holding my centre strong I can feel the twist in my abdominal muscle, yet a sense of release when I let go. This is also evident in a phrase we work on in the centre of the studio. This places a lot of emphasis and pressure into the knees. In this class it is a really nice sensation to feel a sense of release through the knees and through the arms. It almost feels as if you’re not as controlled as you should be, yet you’re not incorrect with what you’re applying.

With the end phrase, we worked on many different ways to turn, for me the most complex was the slap turn. The slap turn is primarily a shift in weight through a turn. I find it hard to control the turn without losing balance. However I believe I have a strong leading leg that takes me around, just need to focus on landing the foot without having to alter my position. We have been working on these turns in other technique classes too; therefore my turn will gradually become stronger.

When leaving Mona's class, my body feels tired and lazy. This is perhaps as it is a Monday morning and we haven't worked as much as we would have with Juliet. As there is a huge difference between focusing on the technique of Merce Cunningham to that of Release technique. Monday mornings have started to become an element of surprise to see which teacher we get. As my Cunningham technique is progressively getting better I feel like I am letting my body down when working on release technique. However this isn't the case. It is just a physical shock and challenge to start the week with released movement opposed to the strong leg and arm work that we focus on in Cunningham.

28.10.2011 - Footwork and Mild chest infections

Due to a mild chest infection, for Rebekhah’s next class I had to sit and observe as she was worried my body wouldn’t be up to the challenge of a combination of Graham and Cunningham. As one of my five technique teachers I full respected her decision to ask me to sit and make notes on the trials and errors that I could recognise in my fellow peers, as she is a fully qualified teacher and I admire her ideologies and views.

It is always an interesting aspect of dance training to step out and watch the class that you have been working with for the last three years, frustrating yes, but also very helpful to recognise your own strengths and weakness in comparison to some of the other girls.

Graham once quoted “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion."
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martha_graham.html#ixzz1dOHjysUE (accessed on 29.11.2011)


 I fully agree with that quote, especially when I myself am dancing. Sometimes your technique might not be fantastic, yet if you have the passion for dance you really try to exceed in yourself to stride in improving. This is also something I could recognise when I observed the mornings class. In my own technique my weaknesses lie primarily in my footwork, especially when discussing Cunningham and Graham work. In certain exercises dominating the foot I regularly lose my way, because I am heavily concentrating on my arms or my turn out instead of trying to focus on all three aspects. My feet, arms and turn out. I know that I have improved with the use of the foot since beginning of this course. As a few teachers have commented on how I use the foot to it full facility and not cut any corners when it comes to the simple things such as its pointe. However, despite have a strong pointe and the ability to stretch my foot from the heel to its ball then then to the toes. When giving a foot exercise that includes using our arms or bringing in a tilt or perhaps a high release I begin to lose my way and over complicate things.  To work on this I need to begin to release the tension in my neck and shoulders to allow the arm positions to feel natural and flow easily. When my arms are in second, especially in this class I know they have to be strong yet soft. I know that appears as a huge contradiction but to soften in the elbows the forearm and hands need to be solid. Hopefully allowing me to release any tension will thus let the foot work feel less forced and more controlled.

This is also recognisable in an exercise on the floor in which your feet change from flexed to pointe several times with an inclusion of contractions and arm work. When I usual flex my foot I feel a tight pressure under my Achilles due to the fact I have weak ankles. Therefore when changing position several times I have a habit of not giving 100% to avoid the pain. However if I really applied myself I know that the exercise would probably appear to show vast improvements. Again arm work becomes a flaw of mine, as I contract; the arms change from a solid position to a softer hold. However the feet are also working in collaboration with the contraction and the changing of the arms, which allows me to become confused and forget about my feet.

Graham’s floor work is a challenge, and Rebekah has advised us if we ever got the chance to take part in a professional Graham class to recognise a difference in speed and quality of movement. I do generally enjoy Rebekah’s class and it was a shame that I had to miss out this week, but the next week I will be able to focus on my weaknesses and learn to control them so they start to gradually improve. I feel like this class is one of my classes that will show my improvements as it is a new technique to me, like ballet I struggle with aspects of different ways of moving to what I am used to. However this is the challenge of third year and I am looking forward to feeling the effects.