Transitions

The in between movements are more important than the shapes at the end. When I think of this statement, I think about dancing full out. I think about finishing each movement before moving on to the next. I also think about dancing out through my finger tips all the way down through my toes. Knowing how to do the in between movements are the difference from being a beginner dancer and an advance dancer. I have been focusing a lot this semester on if my feet are in parallel or if they are turned out. Knowing where my arms at all times. I also need to work harder on shifting my pelvis. The more I shift, the better prepared I am to do the next movement. A lot of us get stuck in the combinations because we aren't dancing with our whole body. When you shift and stay on top of your legs, it's so much easier to do turns, jumps, and just plain runs.

Body Check In

It's the end of the semester and I feel great. I still have a knee problem, but I am not going to let that get me down. I learned that staying hydrated will help with my cramps and that I cannnot forget to ice my knee every night. Mentally, I am exhausted. This next month will be just what I need, a vacation! I have a month to rest before I go to New York. My plans are to take part in the summer intensive at Alvin Ailey, the fall independent study, and hopefully either go to the University of the Arts or Florida State University in January. If the schools don't work out for me at that time, then I'll take a break from school and continue to train my body in New York. My short term goal is to become a professional dancer. My long term goal is to earn my BFA in dance and teach at a performing arts high school. Studying at HCC was the best thing I could have done at this time in my life. The teachers at school help me improve my technique and mind set before I step into the streets of New York. It also was a good stepping stone of moving out of my house. I know what it feels like to be on my own, but not being too far away. It also introduced me to the city life even though I know New York will be 10 times more busy. I am greatful and appreciative that I got the opprotunity to move to Tampa. Now I'm just excited on what my future has in store for me. :)

Imagery

Lately in class I've been focusing really hard on balancing. One thing that I know I have a problem with is keeping all of my toes planted into the ground. I know once I get them grounded balancing is a lot easier. One thing that I imagine is a frog. Their webbed toes are so planted into the ground and spaced evenly apart. Once I accomplish that, I know my balance will get better.

Dusan Tynek Dance Company

The Dusan Tynek company was amazing!!! They are all super talented dancers and an inspiration to watch.They all had great use of whole body and spatial  awareness. The dances included a lot of running and fast movements so if they didn't breathe and use whole body it would have been impossible to do. I like how they danced with the chairs. The choreography was very creative and well thought out. You could see that he put a lot of time and effort with all of his dances. I loved all the partnering and the fact that he had guys partnering with other guys. He broke out of the norm of only having a guy partner with a girl. I also loved that they took their clothes off. Just seeing their bare skin moving with all the long lines was very beautiful. Watching the company just made me want to work so much harder so I can soon be there one day too.

Whole Body

I feel like I'm actually starting to grasp the concept of dancing whole body. At the beginning of the semester I had trouble with moving upper and then lower but that's something that I am working very hard on. I am starting to move from my core and it's something that I just need to keep being aware of. I do have a habit of sticking my ribs out but that ties into not using my core. Sometimes I find myself leaning back in my heels and that's also another habit I need to break. Being present and aware is what I need to do to re-train my body.

Being Present

I am..
I am..
I am a dancer.
I am a believer.
I am a leader.
I am strong.
I am emotional.
I am Alexandra Nicole Dyer.

I started off saying I am 2 times before I actually finished it. I sometimes have to remind myself to be confident. I doubt myself a lot when it comes to dancing so I just need to have more faith in myself. I chose I believe because I believe in God and in people. I believe you can do anything if you put your mind to it. My mom always taught me to lead and not follow after people and to be strong. But I defnitely do have my days when I break down. Doing my solo was nerve racking for me. I get super nervous before doing a solo but that ties into my confidence problem. But once I start dancing I feel it and put my all into it.

Body Check In

My body is doing terrible right now. My energy is very low and I feel tired all the time. My knees, ankles, and just everything is hurting. I need to find more time in the day to rest but that's not an option right now. In class I am present for the most part. It's hard to remember all my bad habits and fix them but I am trying. I just have to keep working hard. Theres a point in class where I just give up because I get tired but I need to push past that tiredness and keep working hard. Once I do that then I feel as though I will grow as a dancer a whole lot sooner.