Well, here we are in the first week, everything is set up and ready to go and the first one-to-one is done. But, hang on.... where do I start? Where do I go from here? As a dancer, having spent pretty much all of my training and professional career being told exactly how something is to be done and it being very black and white in terms of technique, you now want me to be in charge of my own learning? You mean, you’re not going to tell me what to do? Bang! It’s hit me, I am responsible for my own learning. I have to make choices and decisions for myself, no one is going to tell me what to do or give me correction. I have to now become the choreographer, performer and artistic director all in one. Wow! Ok, it’s ok Mark, you’re an intelligent guy, you just have to focus your mind and ‘Take the plunge’. See what happens, you might surprise yourself. You just have to start. Remember, you might of been told what something is, but you decide how to do it.
It's difficult as in today's society and training sector there is so much focus on being the best and atheltisims and within the media and social media students strive for this level of ability. Yes it can look aesthetically pleasing in some movements/choreography but again is trick after trick really dancing? But that's a whole other post and discussion. I can't help but think of the long term damage and stress placed upon the body and the impact this will have upon injury and rehabilitation. Starting to waffle now. Thanks to the post an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Garry, media and social media has not only distorted students ideas of what is normal and achievable it has put a new pressure on teachers. A lot of the students I teach only attend classes once a week however expect to be able to perform the tricks and splits they see online. While in some cases it has encouraged some students to practice or stretch more at home the safety aspects are questionable.
ReplyDeleteI find the same issue within my dance school, both children and parents want to achieve high results in a minimum amount of time. Another area of consideration here is your body structure, we all have different limits.
DeleteReally interesting article. I somewhat agree with Gary and Charlie but on the other hand does oversplits/ extreme flexibility not appeal within dancers in the industry? Its definitely something I wished I had started as a child. Just being devils advocate here :)
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