Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives." - Viktor Frankl
Dear Students,
When it comes to furthering our dance abilities the intrinsic fire that burns within called "desire" will take us quite far in our journey.
Well-known physiologist and body-worker, Feldenkrais, supports identifying and becoming aware of the smallest movements...especially when we feel stuck, weak, or immobile.
In terms of "problem-solving," psychologists and counselors discuss "chunking," or breaking down the various components and steps, which can be addressed one-by-one in order to attain a larger action-based goal.
Eastern philosophies and practices (e.g., meditation, Taoism, Zen Buddhism) challenge us to be still, to hear beyond the din of our mind's constant "chattering," and to possibly see the beauty in the "struggle," or psychic tension we look to dodge or overcome.
The advent of a New Year encourages us to re-focus and take inventory of the past, present, and the direction we wish for our futures. Often, we think about what we can add to our schedules (e.g., making it to the gym five times per week), and the activities we can do more and better. How about contemplating the opposite: What could we do less of to create a little more time for ourselves in the hectic world in which we live?
Just creating the space and time to intervene a well-rehearsed habit takes practice. Even if we do not necessarily change anything that we do, simply dropping back into "observer mode" creates a subtle shift in terms of our cognitive process. "Non-action" is also a behavioral activity, and its value should not be overlooked.
To quote a Buddhist teacher and friend:
"We have three things we must do in life. First, we must "show up." Next, "we must pay attention." Finally, "we must tell the truth, and this is not the truth as we know it told to someone else, but rather, the truth we tell to ourselves."
The first two tasks of "showing up" and "paying attention" are difficult enough. We show up with our five senses, but we "pay attention" by stepping back into the "Observer," and distancing ourselves from our judgment, attempting to watch the movie of our lives unfold in the present moment. Often our mind takes over at this point with the critiques, lists, and soap-operas, showing us how difficult it is just to stay present and fully experience the "now."
When it comes to the dance and our movement in the studio, we can set large goals for the moves we want to achieve and the combinations we want to master. When our personal frustration level takes hold, we must go back and take inventory of how and what we are doing...on a micro-level. Which habits, and motor movements, are we practicing over-and-over again that are not working? How can we break even the simplest moves down to further our body's awareness of our hand position, core/center, tension at the pole, etc.?
As we progress in level and abilities, the smallest movements and adjustments are often the most profound - both in terms of technical/strength gains and style. For example, lifting one "chest" from beneath the ribcage lends to opening the shoulder girdle, lengthening the spine to correct posture, and separating the intercostals to support deeper diaphragmatic breathing. "Lifting into our transitions," starting even on our mats, with the floor series, offers an "airy," "ephemeral" quality to our dancing.
Finally, I encourage us to reflect on everything we CAN do, that which we have achieved, and the moves (or activities) we do automatically. Often, with the journey at the pole, we are initially ecstatic and surprised by the freedom of moving and the first pirouettes we learn, and how we can literally take flight around the poles, that we are amazed at our abilities. However, somewhere, like walking or driving, our amazement gives way to perceiving all of the moves we cannot do (yet), and our new-found freedom becomes clouded by harsh self-criticisms and even self-imposed limitations/deficits.
When this familiar-human-habit occurs, try to drop back into asking yourself, "What is the smallest movement you can realize in the moment?" The most subtle of gestures offer some of the most profound learnings.
Happy & Healthy Dancing this 2011 - Lori & TZD Staff
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