First week down!

First week already over, and it went far too quickly! Starting to feel quite nervous about third year, after the first introductory lessons of each module and the explanations of all the work we have to do…I need to get organised!

Classes this week were really fun and I’m sure I’m going to really enjoy Liz’s lessons. We were introduced to the work of Patty Hackney in our first lesson and we’ll be exploring her ideas for the next 6 weeks. These ideas are from her book ‘Making Connections’ and describes 6 of the body patterns in all of us, developed since when we are embryos in the womb. The first lesson was concentrated on the first connection, with breath. We did a few exorcises concentrating on breath on are own and in partners, I enjoyed the partner work and trying to synchronise each other breathing pattern as it made me really aware of my breath and how it affects my use of suspension and release. When we started moving and learning phrases I concentrated on my use of breath to help me and used it to emphasize certain parts, elongate and maximize them, or to drop the energy with a quick release of breath. When I was under pressure though I noticed I panicked and concentrated on the steps rather than my use of breath. I need to concentrate on my breathing even more under pressure, as this will calm me and energize my movement, giving the phrase rhythm and flow.

I especially really enjoyed release technique on Thursday, I’d forgot how intense those classes were and felt good at the end of the lesson as I pushed myself through tiredness towards the end of the class, so was satisfied with what I’d accomplished. From being out of practice in the summer I need to work extra hard these next couple of weeks to keep my hips square, especially during tondues, I have a bad habit on sinking in to my supporting leg and jerking my hip back and forward. I also had the same problem as ballet and need to concentrate in all classes on keeping my shoulders down and square.

Whilst learning new phrases I tend to tense up which is what causes me to lift my shoulders. To help me correct this I need to use my breath to keep my body energised and myself calm and more able to adapt my shoulders and hips easily. In this lesson I also realised how when we’re given time to go over movement, I often go towards the back or side of the studio where I have limited space. This causes me to move about a lot and not run through the movement full out, I tend to mark the steps so I remember them and sure I have them right, but not get a real feeling for the movement. It’s my aim in these classes to use my time productively and practice the phrases to my full ability, so not only do I learn the steps, my body is familiar with them and I can gain a better understand of what I need to work on.

I also want to work on using all of the counts of music to fill out the phrase, as today I rushed through the movement in a panic to get it right. With one floor phrase in particular in Geoff's lesson the last 4 counts are simply moving from a sitting position to lying back down on the floor with my knees up.

To use up all 4 counts I must really engage my centre to slowly go down to the floor, and not just rush down and have counts left over.