Name of teacher / supervisor
Valentina Campora
Period, duration
Block 1, 7 weeks
Study load
32 contact hours
Competencies
1, 3, 4
SUMMARY
The core aspects of the practice are to become more aware of the body weight and explore its driving power in movement. In the class we explore aspects of alignment and stability and of relationship between our body and the floor, developing the awareness of how different surfaces of the body can offer support for the weight in motion. We will practice co-ordinations that help us go towards and away from the floor with efficiency and fluidity. Awareness of space and sound while moving are also important aspects in the class.
CONTENT AND DESIGN OF THE CLASS:
FIRST PART OF CLASS
- Getting in contact with the breathing and notice how it contributes to the movement.
- Exploring and finding connection and stability between the core and distal body.
- Explore efficient ways to start approaching a higher level form lying on the floor.
- Exploring the coordination between deeper and more superficial muscles in order to achieve more power and efficiency in departing from the ground.
MIDDLE PART OF CLASS:
- Release weight to the ground approaching the space and the different levels of verticality
- Find out how heavy parts of the body are when the weight is abandoned/ practice how to manage and coordinate the different weights of the body in space.How to use the abandoned weight in improvised and set movements?
- Being aware of the ‘head and tail’connection and the ‘head and tail’relationship towards and away from each other. Explore the direct and indirect pathways of this relationship.
- Practice how all the body parts (cells) can move towards and away from the center of gravity as much as possible at the same time.
- Transfer of weight on to the hands and arms as a surface of support. Coordination of the body while the weight is on the hands.
- Become acquainted with the use/mobilization/stabilization/suspension of the center of gravity or barycenter of the body in the practice.
- Mobilize the feet and legs underneath our center of gravity while we are standing in a middle or a low level.
- Transferring weight between shins, feet and hands without putting pressure on the knee capsule.
END PART OF CLASS:
- Ability to use the abandoned weight in set material. Specifically: ability to use the abandoned weight while: giving direction to body parts (limbs or core); organizing specific relationships between the body parts; transfer the body through space with specific directions; Organize pathways of movement within specific timing and musicality.
- Embodiment and coordination of the choreographic material up to a level that is satisfying for you and for the teacher/choreographer, yet being executed by the dancer in a sufficiently healthy and efficient way for their own body.
- Awareness and capacity to preserve your body as it being your working instrument, which enables you to create and repeat movements, evolve and achieve your goals personally and artistically.
- Imply your musicality and sense of timing, listening to different layers of sound and making your own choices of interpretation.
- Relate to space and to others.
- Being aware of your focus and gaze in relationship to others and to the space while moving or just being in the space.
- Trust you colleagues and take responsibility while remaining open with your senses and awareness.
LEARNING GOALS
The student is:
- ABLE TO PROVIDE YOURSELF WITH WHAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO BEGIN YOUR PRACTICE ON TIME AND IN SUFFICIENT COMFORT CONSIDERING YOUR SITUATION ON THE DAY (TIREDNESS, INJURIES, STRESS, BOARDOM, ECC.)
- ABLE TO CONNECT AND OPEN UP COMMUNICATION PATHWAYS BETWEEN BRAIN AND MUSSCLES WHICH ALLOW A CERTAIN STABILITY TO BE ACTIVATED AND PRESENT.
- ABLE TO APPROACH MOVEMENT THROUGH THE RELEASE OF WEIGHT ON THE FLOOR LEVEL. MAKE USE OF THIS EXPLORATION TO GAIN MORE: AVAILABILITY OF WEIGHT IN THE BODY, MUSSCLES RELEASE, JOINTS FLEXIBILITY, CO-ORDINATION EXPERINCE.
- ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE “WEIGHT AND RELEASE”QUALITIES THAT WE EXPLORED WHILE ORGANIZING SET MOVEMENTS, RECEIVED FROM THE TEACHER OR OUTSIDE SOURCE.
- BEING AWARE AND ABLE TO ORGANIZE THE BODY ONTO DIFFERENT SURFACES OF SUPPORT BETWEEN BODY AND FLOOR.
- BEING AWARE AND ABLE TO ORGANIZE DIFFERENT AND SPECIFIC HEAD/TAIL AND CORE/LIMBS RELATIONSHIPS.
- BEING AWARE AND ABLE TO ORGANIZE THE MOBILIZATION OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY TOWARDS THE GROUND FROM VERTICALITY AND VICE VERSA.
- BEING AWARE AND ABLE TO ORGANIZE THE MOBILIZATION OF THE CENTER OF GRAVITY WHILE APPROACHING INVERTED VERTICALITY (WHERE THE HANDS, OR OTHER PARTS OF THE UPPER BODY, BECOME A SUPPORT TO THE LOWER BODY).
- BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE, INTERPRETE AND RESEARCH THE SPECIFIC SET MATERIAL THAT IS PASSED ON FROM SOMEONE ELSE.
- PRACTICE THE PHRASE IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS THE BODY TO GATHER INFORMATION AND ABILITY TO USE TECHNIQUE TO MOVE EFFICIENTLY AND HEALTHYLY CONSIDERING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR SPECIFIC BODIES.
- THE STUDENT IS AWARE OF THEIR STAMINA AND IS ABLE TO MANAGE IT AND DEVELOP IT FURTHER THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CLASS.
- THE STUDENT IS ABLE TO MAKE USE OF PHRASING AND MUSICALITY IN THE EMBODIMENT AND IN THE DELIVERY OF SET MATERIAL.
- THE STUDENT IS ABLE TO MAKE USE OF VISUALIZATION AND INCLUDES THE GAZE WHILE PRACTICING AND PERFORMING SET OR IMPROVISED MATERIAL.
Working method(s) used
Group classes, physical practice, own exploration, observation, peer teaching and feedback, reflection
Used study material
Assessment criteria: attendance, attitude, personal progress in regards to the class learning goals
Method of assessment
Continuous feedback, self-reflection and assessment, and teacher’s evaluation