Unit 25 - Dance improvisation

Wednesday 2^nd November

This dance lecture was the last lecture that we were looking at Alexander technique. Like the last session of Alexander technique, we did not need to carry out a warmup due to Alexander technique being very gradual and it doesn’t require much movement on the muscles and isn’t very strenuous.

At the start of the lesson, we were reminded about the 3 points on the soles of the feet. The weight is distributed evenly through these points and the head is balanced on top of the spine. We walked around the room for a bit thinking about these and bearing them in mind. 

The next thing that we did was to think about the crown of the head. We started to move as if the crown of the head was leading the way. As we were in a dance class, we were able to move around the space more using our existing dance skills to move around the room where the crown of the head was the leader. We then tried placing our hand on the top of each other’s heads and this made the exercise a lot easier as we were now more aware of which part of the head was leading the movement. We then moved onto having the forehead leading the movement. We imagined as if we had a head torch and that this was the only source of light for us to be able to see. Then, we tried moving from each of these movements and the other person had to guess where the movement was coming from. I went first and I started with the crown of the head leading the movement and then I changed to the forehead. I then guessed when Laura changed her movement. She started by moving with the forehead and then switching to the crown of the head. 

We then moved onto the next activity in the session which was talking about the primary and secondary curves along the spine. Anne, our Alexander technique teacher, showed us where the primary and secondary curves are down the spine but we weren’t able to picture this very well so she got us to lie on the floor. This was better and we got a better understanding of the curves as we were able to realise them more. We then carried out the exercise which we did last session where we roll over onto one side and then curl up to make a primary curve and then curl the other way to make a secondary curve. We then interchanged between the 2 curves a few times before rolling onto our hands and knees and standing up slowly. 

To finish off the lesson, we went for a gentle walk around the room just to loosen up the muscles again and to think back to the 3 points on the feet and balancing the head on the top of the spine. 

Overall from these sessions when we have been focusing on Alexander technique, I have learnt about the body a lot more. I have learnt about how to get out of bad habits and ways in which to lengthen the spine and body. Also, I now have a clearer awareness of my body and I can carry out the exercises in the future if necessary.