
MouvementEnVie

Reach your potential
in health and performance
EXPRESSION CORPOREL
Vence Culturel Centre
Wednesdays 9am-10am
6 - 7yrs

This class prepares children for the Initiation contemporary dance class that follows but is also useful for other styles of dance. It encourages children's creativity and helps them explore their ability to move and express the full range of their emotions. This makes the class appealing to boys as well as girls.
By using their whole body to dance they develop a physical awareness and a heightened sense of space, energy, rhythm and strength. As a result their balance, coordination and flexibility improve. During the year different themes are developed using pictures, stories and music.
As in any Art form discipline is important which means listening carefully to the teacher and applying her instructions carefully. This also stimulates cooperation and interaction within the dance class and enables the children to enjoy the sheer pleasure of expressing themselves through movement.
initiation contemporary dance
Vence Culturel Centre
Wednesdays 10am-11am
8 -10 yrs
Contemporary dance is an organic form of movement that emphasises self-expression. Children learn to be more centred, move with less tension and effort and improve their posture and alignment.
Through structured improvisation they discover their ability to move creatively, working with spatial ideas, rhythm and form. They learn from their own experience rather than through dance routines, which also develops their coordination, creativity and confidence.
There is no need for a sense of 'right' or 'wrong' as the focus is on discovering movement for themselves. They can just enjoy dancing.
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Contemporary dance class
Weekly Classes at the Culturel Centre in Vence
Fridays 7.30pm-8.30pm

These dance classes keep you fit and stimulate your creativity. They are simple and fun, aimed at adults at an elementary level in a non-judgmental and friendly atmosphere. Floor work and exercises in the centre focus on balance, alignment, flexibility and strength from a very different perspective. They provide the foundation for the freer dynamic dance at the end of the class.
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CLASSES for TRAINEE DANCERS
During my years as a professional dancer, I had many unanswered questions about improving my technique and surviving emotionally in the chaotic life of the theatre. Dance is a demanding profession. It was through studying the Alexander Technique and LearningMethods™ that I found answers and a way to help dancers avoid the traps I fell into.
This is why I am passionate about helping dancers find solutions to the difficulties they encounter during their training or in their professional lives.

session options
Face to Face Classes
Individual Sessions: 45 minutes
Sessions for 2 people: 1 hour
Groups - maximum 15: 1 hour 30 minutes
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Online Classes
Individual: 45 minutes
Group: 1 hour
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Wholeness in Movement
Class structure
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There is a basic class structure whatever the problem. Nevertheless, each session can be adapted to meet the individual needs and concerns of the dancer.
During the sessions I use theoretical explanations and practical demonstrations on the topic concerned. Very often I use a light touch to help the dancer observe tension more easily. This is used when giving a table turn or when s/he is standing up. Finally the dancer applies it to a dance exercise or piece of choreography. Resources are also provided such as articles, videos and website links. After each session the student has something to explore during the week or until the next lesson.
I advise students to take at least 10 classes to be able to begin to integrate his/her knowledge and experience into his/her dancing. Many students opt for sessions all year long. All classes begin with comments, feedback and questions from their personal explorations in between classes which encourages them to be responsible for their own learning.
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Content
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Depending how many sessions are taken the course covers themes such as our elastic suspension system, (based on the work of David Gorman) and how gravity works for us, understanding the link between intention and movement coordination, the use of attention, spacial awareness, moving with a global perspective rather than body parts and much more.
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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 and out of the dance studio from the very first session.
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LearningMethods™
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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.
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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. 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.
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I have helped dancers with issues such as:
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Stage fright
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Nervousness - particularly in exams or auditions
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Tension - especially in the neck and shoulders
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Self-judgment
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Self confidence
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How to learn constructively
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Perfectionism
The advantage of learning the tools and the process is that you can use it again and again. So the learning continues and you are equipped to manage the challenges in your profession as well as in your daily life.
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