Discussion - Practical - Session: Day Five

- DISCUSSION -

We had a reading to prepare for class today, which was basically a summary of Alexander Technique. There were a few points that I really liked; for one, it talked about how learning to move from an "embodied source" can free "the dancer from rigid holding patterns, or other constraints that bind thought, feeling, and action." It's like what we've talked about in class, how it's not about holding a place. If we are holding, it's very restricting. Like Glenna Batson said, it can "bind thought, feeling, and action." I thought it was really interesting that tension can restrict movement, but also thoughts and feelings. It's just another testament to me that movement and the body is a huge connection to our mind and spirit. They are all intertwined, and something that affects one will affect the others as well.

I also loved when Ms. Batson stated that "process takes precedence over product". It's like the saying we've all heard,

"It's about the journey, not the destination". There are several ways we could move to get to a certain "place", but the way we move to get there is going to affect how we feel once we're there. Will it be with a sense of rightness, and satisfaction? Or will it be discouragement and frustration?

We talked about some of this during our class discussion, plus a few other points. First, we mentioned how using the process of Inhibition (an Alexander principle), we can move "without interfering with the inherent laws of coordination" We figured out that basically that means we're allowing the body to move the way it was made to move. The "inherent laws of coordination" means that we are built this way for a purpose--our hands are at the ends of our arms, and not at the ends of our legs, because that is where they are the most useful. So we have to learn how to move by using what is given to us. This will go along with a practice we did a little bit later in the class.

Next we talked about having freedom in our movement, instead of simply copying. We can use the correct technique from a specific style, like Graham technique, and still be able to move from a place within, and make it our own. Then we moved on to the fact that we do still need to retain our technique as dancers, as it is the cornerstone in dance. As modern dancers, when we get to release technique, it may be easy to let go of our previous training and just move, but just as the Book of Mormon is the keystone of the Gospel, technique is the cornerstone of dance. You have to know and obey the rules before you can break them.

- PRACTICE -

The next exercise we did was really interesting. We had a partner, and an object. We used my wallet as our object. So here's what we did: one of us would hold the wallet up, and then drop it, and the other would catch it. Then we would switch, and take turns. Simple enough, right? But what we were focusing on was how our body was reacting in that split second. For myself, and it turned out for most of us, we were tensing up our whole bodies in order to catch our objects. In reality, though, all we need is our arms and hands. So I focused on just catching the darn wallet by only moving my hands, and not letting my whole body freak out. It was kind of difficult, but it made so much more sense. I just feel like it's stupid that I have to think so hard just to simplify my body's reactions. But it was a very eye-opening exercise.

- ONE.ON.ONE -

I got to have my first one-on-one session with Sister Wadsworth today. It was pretty short, but it was really nice. She had me lay in semi-supine position, and simply did the Alexander relaxation stuff, by taking my weight and such. She told me that I'm pretty good at tapping into these exercises, which may be from my previous Somatics training. We talked about how whenever I'm asked to give someone my weight, I'm totally willing. I'm very comfortable with letting all of my weight go, as long as there's someone I can trust to hold my weight for me. And yet, when I'm holding my own weight, I definitely hold tension. I feel like I can see this reflected in my personal life, as well...but I can't seem to put it in words at the moment. So I'll ponder, and post later...sooner or later.