Mar 6 / Full Body Tune Up: Rehearsals

 

 

 Unit: Full Body Tune Up

Theme: Rehearsals

 

I

Warm Up

Alignment

Stretching

 

 

II

 Learning Objectives

 

  • Understand the importance of body conditioning
  • Explain where your solo and ensemble are in terms of process
  • Gain awareness of the timing in completing the choreographic work of both solos and ensembles
  • Experience the arrangements needed to objectively predict where your solo and ensemble is going
  • Reflect on the work done in class

 

 

III

 Main Lesson

1

Warm Up

 Stretching Session

 Stretching in Pairs

 Group Massage 

 

2

Read the book


 

Martha Graham's Cold War: The Dance of American Diplomacy 

Victoria Phillips 

Read: Prologue (Page 8, second paragraph - Page 10, first paragraph)

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Martha_Graham_s_Cold_War/fsHADwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=modern+Dance&printsec=frontcover
 
 
Question 1
 
Summarize the content in the pages above.
 
 

IV

A note to Remember

Conditioning your body helps you feel better overall as you gain confidence, reduce depressive symptoms, and feel better mentally.

 

V

 Case Study

https://youtu.be/dC0g024RfAs?si=aWuyCzUWgEwVPxDq
 

 

VI

Activity

Students rehearse their solo and ensemble work.

 

VII

Journaling

 

VIII

Glossary

 

IX

Sources

How to do Body Conditioning. https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/body-conditioning

X

Students' Work

Liliana Li

 Full Body Tune-Up


Summary of Book Content


The book pages discuss the concept of shape in dance, especially focusing on how
dancers form and transition between shapes as an essential part of expressive dance and
movement. It explains that shape isn’t just a visual element since it’s tied to emotion, dynamics,
and how the dancer connects to the space, other dancers, and even to an internal sense of
themselves. The material also emphasizes how different types of shapes, like symmetrical vs.
asymmetrical, or open vs. closed, can communicate distinct emotional intentions and tones.


The reading further connects the use of shape to the larger ideas of body organization,
breath support, and energy flow, and frames it as a fundamental expressive tool rather than an
aesthetic choice. Dancers use shapes to tell and enhance stories, express emotions, and create
meaning nonverbally. The importance of breath is described as central to allowing shapes to feel
alive to the watcher rather than rigid. In short, the text frames shape as an expressive language in
itself. It’s a way for dancers to create clear, powerful communication through the body’s form in
space.


One idea that stood out to me is how shape is never really “frozen” in place, even when a
dancer appears to be still. The material suggests that even static poses have an internal energy
flow that’s supported by breath and intention. This keeps the shape alive and connected. Through
this way of thinking, a dancer can stay engaged at all times, not just during obvious movements,
which helps deepen the emotional potential of the choreography.


Case Study
The “Strength and Stretch” video emphasizes how important physical conditioning is for
dancers to be able to maintain control, expressiveness, and flexibility. The video shows a series
of exercises designed to build muscular strength all while encouraging the range of motion and
fluidity. What stood out to me is how strength isn’t portrayed as stiffness or rigid control, but
instead as the foundation that allows dancers to move freely with full dynamic range. The
stretches are integrated with strength work so that both aspects are supporting each other: a
strong dancer can extend further, balance for longer, and express shapes with more power and
clarity. In other words, the video highlights that strength and stretch are not separate goals, but
interconnected qualities that allow a dancer to be resilient, expressive, and sustainable in
practice.

 
Sophia Talamas

Summary of pages: Martha Graham’s 1955 tour in Japan served as a powerful tool of U.S. cultural diplomacy during the Cold War. Although she was a groundbreaking artist and leader, the media portrayed her through traditional gender roles. Her performances captivated Japanese elites and continued broadening, helping the U.S. promote pro-American values through art rather than military force. Graham’s modern dance symbolized innovation and cultural sophistication, reinforcing U.S. influence in Japan during a critical postwar period and advancing the idea of “empire by invitation” through cultural means.


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