My first post!

In this blog I am going to talk about my personal development in my third year module ‘advanced technique’. I’ll write about my personal goals I am going to set myself, my feelings towards my own development, and artists and readings that have interested me etc. Hope you enjoy!

For the first couple of days back into technique I have to admit it was hard getting back into routine and I really started to ache mid week, but it was really great to be back in the studio with everybody and I felt really excited for the on coming year and to push myself to my maximum ability in technique.

In this module I hope to achieve a better understanding of my body and of myself as a dancer, to develop a more mature approach to dance and dance technique and work on my weaknesses to benefit my dance across the board.

From technique lessons last year I know that one of my weaknesses is I’m seen as a ‘safe dancer’ and don’t tend to push myself and stay in my comfort zone. I need to use my momentum to its maximum instead of holding back, I can use the exorcises in class warm up to help loosen my body more so I am physically able to go as far as possible. I think my main problem with holding back during class is my attitude towards lessons, I think I am a ‘safe’ dancer and will tend not to do something full out if I fear I’m going to fall or do it wrong, by the end of this semester and this module its my target to be more fearless in moving. By doing this I will attack phrases will more power and hopefully build on my technical ability.

From the first couple of technique lessons I also realised I’ve slipped back into some old habits over the summer. Over the next couple of weeks I need to make a conscious effort to keep my shoulders down and my hips and chest square. In ballet for example whilst in arabesque I tend to twist my back and have one shoulder behind instead of keeping my shoulders square and using my head to emphasize.

I feel my strengths are seen most in release technique, my ability to suspend and give weight. I think I am good at using my breath to feel the movement and create moments of stillness and release. I look forward to these lessons this term.

Technique is key for a dancer not only as a performer but across the board, a choreographer needs understanding of the dance form to make work and a teacher must be technically able themselves to be able to teach. It’s these reasons and many more I will discuss that I believe technique is crucially important not only in this degree but in any path I follow after graduation.

Bring on third year!