Jan 28 / Body: Breath Connectivity

 

Review

 

Choreutics 

The Cube 

Trace Forms

Diagonal Movement Scales 

Kinesphere

Art Nouveau 

Elements of Dance: Space (levels, directions, focus, pathways, size)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit: Body

Theme: Breath Connectivity

 

I

Introduction 

Today we will review Laban's concept of body movement. The body, one of the elements of dance.  In dance, the body is the mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen by others. The body is sometimes relatively still and sometimes changing as the dancer moves in place or travels through the dance area. Dancers may emphasize specific parts of their body in a dance phrase or use their whole body all at once.(1)

 

 II

Learning Objectives

• Understand the application of the concept "body" in dance and movement
  
• Explain how "body" relates to the concept of choreutics.
  
• Gain awareness of the possibilities that "body shapes" bring to the organization of movement.
  
• Experience the body patterns possible when adding breath. 
• Reflect on the effect breath has on a sense of inner-self, initiation of movement, body systems, parts of the body and whole body.
  

 

 III

Main Lesson

  1

Warm Up

Alignment

Stretching

 

2

Review of Solos and Ensemble Phrases 

 

 3

Body

The body category describes structural and physical characteristics of the human body while moving. 

This category is responsible for describing which body parts are moving, which parts are connected, which parts are influenced by others, and general statements about body organization. 

Question 1

Why is the body an important element of dance?

 

4

Breath

  Deliberately bringing your awareness to your breath as support for your movement is a precursor to whole-body coordination and virtuosity in movement. This is true for movers of all levels as breath allows the entire body to be supported from within in complex coordination.(2)

Question 2

What do I mean when I say "I always enter the space on the exhale?"

Breath Connectivity

Athletes breathing versus diaphragmatic breathing.

Question 3

Explain the differences between the athlete's breathing and the diaphragmatic breathing.

5

 

Article on Modern Dance

 

 

 

 Modern Dance, Negro Dance: Race in Motion

Susan Manning

 Read Chapter 1: Spirituals

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Modern_Dance_Negro_Dance/80dIBfJjBGsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=modern+Dance&printsec=frontcover

Manning, Susan (2004). Modern Dance, Negro Dance: Race in Motion. University of Minnesota Press

 

Question 4

 

 Summarize the Introduction

 

6

ACTIVITY 1

Walk around the room (Use directions, levels and focus)

Now connect with your breath ass you walk.

Now move on the inhale and pause on the exhale.

Then, move on the exhale and pause on the exhale.

Combine the inhales and exhales as you move.

Question 5

Write a reflection on your experience with breath and movement.

-----------------------------------

 

IV

 

A Note to Remember 

 

The body is the conduit between the inner realm of intentions, ideas, emotions and identity and the outer realm of expression and communication. Breath patterning assists the coordination of the internal body that is vital in human movement. Functionally, every inhalation and exhalation is a complex event

 

V

 

CASE STUDY

 

HEY LITTLE FIGHTER - MODERN DANCE VIDEO

 https://youtu.be/-CfdYcKY9sU?si=0Wkd9KfCODELECXw

 

Question 6

 

In which way is breath connectivity applied to the body in this dance piece?

 

 

 VI

Activity 1

Combining Space and Body (Breath)

 

Students create an 8 movements phrase using their inhale and exhale awareness along with a sense of inner-self.

 

VII

Glossary

 

 

VIII

Sources

 

 1. The Elements of Dance. https://www.elementsofdance.org/body.html

2. https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/total-body-connectivity-breath-patterning

IX

Journaling: Takeaways

 

THOSE MAKING UP, RECORD IT AND POST IT ON DISCUSSION BOARD