Authentic Pole Dancer

Authentic Pole DancerTaking part in many different dance and physical theatre workshops, performances, dance works and creative processes I have come to learn that a lot of questions arise along the way. A recent workshop taught me that it is absolutely crucial to allow time in order to find the authentic performer. What is meant by authentic is something that is real and something that has meaning. Finding the authentic performer in yourself, in turn, will provide meaningful movement that disregards specific technique or rules that are common in dance. In the case of pole dance, this means letting go of set trick combinations, like executing 5 tricks one after the other and seeing what happens naturally instead. Maybe it will be 6 tricks, 2 or none? (more…)

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Breaking Movement Habits

Breaking Movement HabitsBreaking movement habits is something that all dancers should consider. But, what is it that causes us to build up this habitual way of moving? When we dance, our brain can sometimes switch onto autopilot and the movement that is soft or the movement that is explosive and powerful will look similar to something you have already done, or alike a person or a dance work you have watched a lot. Like most dancers, I’m totally guilty of habitual movement and it can sometimes leave me frustrated when I see that I am not giving myself anything else. As a remedy to combat this frustration I look what I do, why I do it and when I do it. There was a time where I watched a lot of Bob Fosse and without even realising it I ended up doing similar movement to this Jazz style, but in a contemporary dance setting. The sharp, precise movement was so glued into my brain that I found ways to put it through my body during improvisation. I like to think that it looked great, but I wasn’t giving myself anything else to play with. (more…)

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4 Ways to Improve Your Freestyle

Pole PurposeThe most common barrier that stops people from taking part and letting go during an improvisation is fear. There is fear of what other people might think, fear that it could go wrong or fear that nothing will come to mind and you will be left standing there with nothing to do. If you are affected by any of the above, which most people are, here are four ways to get over it?

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