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CLASSES for DANCERS

During my years as a classical and contemporary dancer, I had many unanswered questions about improving my technique and surviving emotionally in the chaotic life of the theatre. Dancing can be a tough profession. It was through my studies in the Alexander Technique and LearningMethods™ that I found some answers and a way to help younger dancers avoid the traps I fell in.  Both methods have inspired me to help dancers with similar difficulties during their training or in their professional life.  

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Wholeness of Movement - for groups & individuals

Class structure 

There is a basic class structure whether I teach issues around physical problems or more cognitive ones.  Nevertheless, each session  is adapted to meet the individual needs and concerns of the dancer.  I encourage students to take a series of 10 classes to be able to begin to  integrate his/her knowledge and experience into his/her dancing. All classes begin with comments, feedback and questions from their personal explorations in between classes. 

 

Content

Further series cover themes such as our elastic suspension system, (based on the work of David Gorman)  understanding the link between intention and movement coordination, use of attention, spacial awareness,  moving with a global perspective rather than body parts and much more.  

All the classes include some basic bodymapping and physiology that help students' understand their body schema and functioning. Experiential learning is paramount in studying this course. Consequently, classes include  demonstrations and explorations guided by the teacher that help to give the student a profound understanding of the principles concerned. The student is encouraged to experiment with this new knowledge in the dance studio from the first session.

 

LearningMethods™

One lesson that has proven very useful to dancers is learning about our value system.  It is part of the work of David Gorman and has been used to help dancers who get very nervous before exams and performances or who lack self esteem. It also enhances self confidence and usually leads to a deeper understanding of  constructive learning.  

Our value system is our register that tells us when "things are not going well" such as when we feel frustration, fear or sadness... It is these moments that hold valuable information and that can help find the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is useful to pay attention to these signs instead of ignoring them or hoping they will go away, as many of us do.  Your value system works very well, you just can't see that yet.


The tools of this method are simple and systematic helping you get in touch with your own value system.  Through a process of investigation, reasoning and clarity of thought, you will unveil your fixed ideas, unquestioned beliefs or unrealistic expectations.  Once you discover the source of your issue, you are encouraged to experiment with this new learning in between classes. As you deepen your knowledge you can improve the quality of your life.
LearningMethods
can help you to;


- Listen more sensitively and more intelligently to distress signals 
- Understand with clarity the meaning of these signals  
- Act on this information and make the necessary changes or adaptations 


Once you understand the tools and the process you can use it again and again. So the learning continues. You are equipped for the rest of your life.
 

Please see the classes and workshops on offer here 

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