February Entry, MS3, connections across classes

 

Throughout February we were encouraged to keep exploring and witnessing within the movement patterns we have learnt. From doing this I now realise just how different my body can be from day to day. For example I explored the NRP pattern at the beginning of a week and I found it was clear in my body and mind, like in previous classes I have used this pattern in my technique classes in order to expand into the space. However when it came to the end of the week where I explored it further I became stuck in the movement and my body seemed to reject what my mind was wanting it to do.

I have found applying different patterns across my other studio classes has made me understand that these patterns are not just something that are taught. They are integrated in everything we do. I have found a connection with when we explored moving with the cells in our Feldenkrais classes. Somehow when thinking about each individual cell in the Feldenkrais classes I have begun to access Feldenkrais on a more individual heightened level. For example when moving the shoulder girdle back and forth, I imagine each cell moving which helps my mobility in the girdle that I perhaps may not have accessed.

During this month we were also asked to research working artists that also practice elements of BMC. I explored this through looking at the ID website on the teachers section. I came across two artist that interested me. The first being Scott Clark, he started studying dance when he was studying for his Maths degree. This spoke to me as he started a little later than most people practising dance. He then explored many different techniques in dance and he finally came across Feldenkrais. He states himself that "I first used Feldenkrais as a way of keeping myself in order whilst pursuing a career as a dancer, and also to help others learn more easily in the dance classes I was teaching". Having only practised Feldenkrais for 2 terms I realise that my experience isn't great however I agree with Clark as to me it does help me keep in working order. This maybe because it has made me much more aware of my body and how it moves. Plus it has given me the confidence to say this is my body, this is how it works and its ok if my body works differently to others.

The other artist that interested me is Linda Hartley. She studied BMC with Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and this continues to be the foundation of her work. Authentic Movement also influences her practice. She has also studied as a somatic movement practice. This is interesting to me as I believe I have found therapeutic qualities to BMC which I enjoy. The clearest one would be moving with cells, which I have already mentioned. To me this gave me the chance to imagine and experience a notion that as a bony structure that does not usually move in this way.

Through Feb I was also given the brief for my peer facilitation class where I would be delivering a 15 min exploration with a group of my peers. The focus would be something that interests me that we have learnt about throughout BMC.

My interests are shown below with the stars next to them. From this I will chose the most relevant towards my curiosities and develop a 15 min exploration.