51³ÉÈËÁÔÆæ

Course Description

Summary

This is a studio class intended to deepen the understanding of your own moving body. We will be studying kinesthetic anatomy: approaching the material through visual, cognitive, kinesthetic, and sensory modes. Class time will be divided between discussion of anatomy and kinesthetic concepts, and engagement with the material experientially through movement visualization and touch. Movement exercises will be designed to integrate the anatomical information by increasing somatic awareness (strengthening body-mind connection). Various body systems will be examined: skeleton, organs, muscles, nerves, and fluids. We will study the parts of each, then how each system relates to the whole: providing support for an integrated, healthy, as well as artistically interesting movement/dance practice. Class will be rooted in somatic movement approaches to movement education. Key developers of the field, many of whom have had a major influence on contemporary dance will be read as homework and discussed in class. We will embody the learned information via improvisational and instruction-based games, thus enhancing ease and perhaps personal discovery. We will explore and create improvisational scores to take home and to integrate into daily practice in order to apply the findings of the class. Tools such as drawing and writing will become the building blocks for making clear and concise movement as well as serving to create a vehicle for the full and rich expression of the body and mind.