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.

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 fully 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, 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. The fundamentals of this work were developed by David Gorman.

All the classes include some basic bodymapping and physiology that help students' understand their body schema and functioning. It is important that 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 the 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. It enhances self confidence and usually leads to a deeper understanding of constructive learning.

Each of us has a way of knowing what is good or bad for ourselves. Our value system is a register that tells us when "things are not going well" such as frustration, fear or sadness..... our system carries information that will help us understand the cause of problems. Therefore it is necessary to listen instead of trying to get rid of these signs as soon as possible such as taking medication, getting a massage or going shopping. In fact, if you look carefully, it is these warning signs that give you valuable information. Your value system works very well, you just can't see that yet.

The tools of this method help you to explore in a simple and systematic way the cause of your problem and to get in touch with your own value system. Through a process of investigation, using reason 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.