Introduction to dance techniques. Study of foundational concepts of movement such as: principles of alignment, locomotion, dance terminology, and musicality.

We will begin each class period with a short yogic meditation to ground the body-mind, followed by a yoga-based warm-up for strengthening, stretching, and conditioning the body, as well as learning healthy body alignment principles. The rest of the class period will be spent learning and practicing contemporary dance, with attention to use of weight, momentum, dynamic shaping, submitting to gravity and using the floor, partnering, covering space, musicality, and improvisation/composition. There will be short readings providing some historical contexts for both yoga and contemporary dance, video viewings, and in-class discussion. Students will be asked to keep a journal in which they reflect on their progress. Students will collaborate in groups and also give peer feedback. They will be required to attend at least two live dance performances and write critiques of these performances.

Repeat Rules