Yesterday’s rehearsal was challenging and rewarding - the best kind. On our fifth day, the challenge was to keep our inspiration and enthusiasm vital. The dancers have the basic choreography and patterns and are now developing their awareness of the technique which will give them power and focus. We worked on standing - something people oftentimes take for granted in their everyday life. A person’s stance can say a lot about them if it is conscious, but without awareness much is left to chance.
Next, we worked on the standing contraction and release. I am finding it difficult to transfer the importance of initiation from the pelvis
Rehearsal ended with a good run of Panorama. I noticed some of the “fire in the eyes” I’ve been looking for, possibly because it was Friday night and they wanted to get out of there.
Hey, I’ll take it where it comes.
3 Comments
My two cents:
The pelvic contraction feels extremely foreign to my body. I feel like I understand in my mind what it is supposed to be - but then my body just can’t always find the place. I know that it is a very important and fundamental part of Graham technique though so I will keep trying! I do wish we had more time for technique classes.
Yes Renee,
I wish there were more time for class as well- that’s where the individual work gets done. Deena will be leading some Graham-based warm-ups for you all and hopefully that will give you some time to explore your contraction/release and how these movements move you through space.
You can also always write to me here for any questions or guidance. You’re doing great, keep going.
I totally agree with Renee. I understand the concept of the contraction initiated by the pelvis but my body doesnt quite understand yet. haha. The “ice cream scoop” helped a lot but i’m definitely going to have to keep working on expanding rather than compressing- it’s an unknown concept for my body. I really do enjoy manipulating my body to learn new things and movements though! It’s definitely been a cool experience. Thanks so much!