Blogpost 9 : It Takes a Lot of Effort

I once thought that being a great dancer is having the knowledge of all genres of dance: ballroom, hiphop, funk, popping and etc. But I was wrong. It takes a lot of effort to become a great and professional dancer.

 Before I joined APCDC, I have gone through deep realizations and doubts: if I can handle my time, or if I can balance dance and academics. I also thought that in joining the dance company is just learning dance routines and practicing for competitions and performance request. But when the time that I got in, I realized I was wrong. Joining in dance crews or dance companies, you must go through trainings first to become very successful. You must also push and strive harder not just for yourself but also for your dance family as well.

I found an article entitled “The Alexander Technique: It’s Role in Dance Training” by Glenna Batson in alexandertechnique. The article is all about Alexander’s technique in dance training coordination. It also conveys information of the main points that dancers usually train for better movement.

“Traditionally, various dance techniques have evolved out of the stylistic (muscular effort) preferences of their inventors --- the "Vaganova" technique, after the famous ballerina Agippa Vaganova, the "Graham" technique, after modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, and so forth. Ideally, the dancer's training goes beyond attempts to mold the dancer to a certain style or set of neuromuscular patterns. Instead of simply looking "right" or doing the movement "correctly," the dancer learns to move from an embodied source -- fully receptive and responsive to the moment of movement. Such training frees the dancer from rigid holding patterns or other constraints that bind thought, feeling, and action. The emergence of somatic approaches and "release" techniques, and their incorporation into dance training supports the trend toward finding more free, autonomous ways of moving.”

I totally agree with the author’s statement in this article that dance training results a molded dancer into a certain style of dance. Knowing myself as a dancer, dance training has given me so much improvement as a person starting from amateur to a professional. And I can say this article push me further for excellence in my talent, which is dance.

Another article that I found that is similar to the other one is entitled “The Truth About Well Rounded Dancers” by Nichelle in danceadvantage. The articles entails what it takes to be a well-rounded dancer and facts and myths about it. There are some facts that really informed a lot which are, “One hour of solid, well-thought training in a single dance form is better than ten hours of experience, Training, whether focusing on ballet, contemporary, jazz, or tap techniques can always be built upon with the addition of other styles, An experience can rock your world but it can’t substitute for consistent effort and instruction, Good training roots exposure and experience, and allows versatility to flower.”

It indeed takes a lot of effort to be the person you wanted to be. Don’t just easily give up. Push yourself towards but always keep your feet on the ground. Success can be taken step by step and cannot be easily achieved without effort. You must learn to value what you love and develop what you want to do. Just work hard and dance hard.  

Blogpost 8: Gearing up for Dance

Basically we know that in dancing, you should be very keen in your clothing. Like for a specific genre of dance, there is particular clothing that is required. Each style needs a suit that is very comfortable to wear in that dance. Your attire defines your body, of how you move through it and also defines the dance that you are in to.

There is one time when I get to be one of the dancers in a performance request in school and was given a task to find costume for our dance. Our co-member gave us the costume pegs so that we easily get to mix-and-match the clothes that we already have. The theme of the event is the revolution of dance starting from the 60s to present. I was assigned to find attire that is related to the 80s. The costume peg was bright colors, floral, loose, ruffles, big accessories and etc. I get to find a very hippie and colorful leggings, an indigo colored loose top and a pink tank top under it. I also borrowed a pink and bedazzled chuck taylor shoes from my block mate. In each dance that we do, with their assigned costume peg, it helps the audience to comprehend what the dance is trying to say. With the attire we wear, the audience automatically knows when that specific dance has occurred.

I found an article entitled “The Importance of Proper Dance Clothes” in dancedirect. This article tells about the significance of the clothes we wear for a specific genre of dance. It also showed how the right choice of clothing is essential to dance.

“All the dancers know that proper dance clothes should work well with the dance. They serve to enhance the dancer’s body, provide smooth movement without any limitations and improve the dancer’s abilities. The right outfit should be easy to dance in and correspond to a specific dance technique. Choosing dance clot

hes you should consider your body type, how the costume moves with your body, what type of music you dance to and what image you would like to create on stage…No matter what dance style you are keen on, it is important to choose the type of material that will add to your movements and surround you with comfort. It is better to select dance clothes made of breathable fabrics, such as cotton blends, which will be able to move freely with your body. Lightweight materials tend to move faster and easier, while lycra is perfect for a close fit. If any part of your body needs special care, then you should think about wrap-around dance sweaters, fleece lined pants and tops or wool unitards.”

I really agree on the author’s statement of the importance of clothing in dance. For me as a dancer, I know that I should be aware of what is my choice of clothing in a specific dance. It helps me to move freely, dance without limitations and helps me show what my dance is really all about.

Another article that is related to this is entitled “What to wear” by Vicky Penn in hitthegrounddancing. This article provides the things to do and not to do in choosing your own clothing in dance. The author’s opening statement briefly summarized the whole article which is, “Whenever you dance, be sure to wear clothing that allows easy movement and considers safety and other issues for both partners.”

In dance, you should also be safe on what you wear. Others wear clothes that are too long and are very hard to move freely. Others wear clothes that are too short and will be very uncomfortable to the dancer. Others tend to wear accessories that are big that will really distract you from dancing.

Be very sensitive in choosing your own clothes in dancing.  You should be aware of how your clothes will be when you dance, if they are comfortable and safe. In dancing you can be stylish enough yet also be very safe and comfortable. 

Blogpost 7 : Make Your Own Choreography

Choreography is the art of creating dances. It is one of the most imaginative way on expressing art and emotion. The word derives from Greek which means ‘dance’ and ‘write.’ Literally, the dance choreography was really written years ago in like 17^th to 18^th century. But in late 19^th and 20^th century, it is known to be called as the dance notation; it is a recording of dance movement through the use of symbols.

I just attended a dance class today with the other DC members and with Coach Japheth Reyes at Groove Central.  We took the ‘LA style’ dance class. I can say this class is truly worth it. We really learned a lot in the basis of choreography. Coach Jap always tells us that each dancer has uniqueness in choreography. Each has its differences, creativity and quality. It doesn't have any requirement when you need to make choreography but it does need your passion for dancing. If you have no passion, you will not be able to create a unique choreography made just by you. That’s why he encourages us to discover ourselves in dancing. Because once you discovered yourself already, you’ll be making your choreography as well as you are writing your own life story.

I researched an article entitled, “Making dance: The choreographic process” in artsalive by Lesley Leslie- Spinks. This article shows how choreography is uniquely made by choreographers who has inspiration, determination and a refined craft of dance.  It also tells that choreography is not an easy thing to do. Choreography consists of what you are and what you want to showcase to others. Basically, choreographers are having a hard time on what is really his purpose in his choreography.

“Making visions of dance come alive requires inspiration, determination and refined craft. A choreographer may have vivid ideas for a new work. However, translating this imagination into dancers' bodies and shaping it into a dance that is ready to be performed is a very challenging, yet equally rewarding, process…For most choreographers, making dance is a passion. The poetry and excitement of movement motivates their creativity and they find their greatest potential for expression through the unique elements of dance.”

I agree of how the author translates choreography as the dancer’s passion. As you create a move, that move motivates you to make another one and another one. It is your unending passion of showing what you want to show and what you want to say to your audience.

Another article that I found that is also in relate to the topic is entitled “How to choreograph a dance” in wikihow by Cmseagle. It provides steps on how to successfully make your own choreography. I really like his opening statement which is, “Dancing and choreographing comes more naturally to some people than others. While technique is very important, time and patience are also required so don't get frustrated! If you want to choreograph as a career it is best to have a dancing background. This will enable you a better chance as you have experience. Remember you will also need to be a good performer, have a lot of self confidence and be open to meeting new people. You need to know what you are doing, otherwise you have no chance!”

When you try to make your own choreography, don’t limit yourself. Choreography is made not to limit but to express what you want to express. Try to pick the best music. Soothe the mood. Move your body at the same time know your hits. This will be able to help you connect a move to another. Remember making your own choreography does not need any requirements. Just your passion to dancing, and that’s it.

Blogpost 6 : Dance Your Way to a Better Health

Dance can be your best exercise. When you dance, you exercise your cardio, endurance and strength of your body. Many forms of exercise are also a form of dance. That’s why dance really is a healthy habit for everyone.

Last summer, my parents took me to a dance class wherein the only purpose is for me to lose weight. Well it is really effective. See my weight before the workshop is 135lbs but after the workshop I weigh 123lbs. Now as I go on through my journey in APCDC, our coach always tells us that our health is important with what we do. We must be physically conditioned always to show a wonderful performance.

 I found an article entitled “Dance your way to good health” in fitness written by nikegirl24. The article tells how dancing a great out of mind and body work out. It also shows how dance helps us maintain a healthy body as we age.

“Any kind of dance has you using all the different parts of your body. This also means that all the different muscles in your body are being used. This helps to strengthen and tone your muscles without hurting your joints. It also helps to strengthen bones, and tone your entire body. Specific dances also have certain benefits for your body. For example, belly dancing helps prevent lower back problems; ballroom dancing helps keep the heart in shape; and salsa dancing helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol. All forms of dance however are known to lower your risk of heart disease, help with weight loss, and strengthen the bones and muscles in your legs and hips.”

 I totally agree of how the author defines dance as the usage of all the parts of the body. It’s so informative because knowing the specific details on how dance help us lose weight and strengthen our body really convince not just me but the people also.

An article entitled, “Dance – Health benefits” in betterhealth is also connected to the topic. This article encovers how dance is not just used, for showcase, competition and performance, but also for making our body fit as well. I really admired his opening statement that is, “Dance has always been a part of human culture, rituals and celebrations. Today, most dancing is about recreation and self-expression, although it can also be done as a competitive activity. Dancing is an enjoyable way to be more physically active and stay fit.”

Let your body loose and work out your figure. Don’t just settle on what you have right now. Be the better you. Do something about your body. You can go to the gym, or have yoga. But I strongly suggest that you should dance. Dance does not only make you flexible but makes you have a strong heart, bones, muscles and mind.

Blogpost 5 : Dance = Happiness

Happiness is what we treasure in life. We cherish happiness because it is one of the most precious things that I know that is needed to be given value of. But reaching the happiness that you really want is hard. There are things that stop happiness from happening. But we all have ways on how to overcome these that stops me from being happy: dancing.

There’s this one time when I was really feeling like I’m lost because of the stress and everything. I was this close to giving up but I tried to let it all out. I locked myself in my room and listened to loud music. I just keep on throwing things around like a mad person just to let everything out. But still there’s something deep inside that I can’t get out. Then a song played. It is entitled ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay. I tried to lie down in my bed and just listened to it. While I was listening, tears keep on dropping from my eyes. I started to move a little bit not knowingly, I was already dancing. I got up on my bed, danced all throughout my room. As the song fades, I ended up looking in the mirror, smiling at myself, feeling so light. It’s like dancing lifted me up and lead me to happiness.

I researched an article entitled “Mind Your Body: Dance Yourself Happy” in psychologytoday written by Lane Anderson. This article tells how dance improve your social skills, lift up your spirits, even reversing depression. It also conveys studies that prove dance can affect people emotionally and physically.

“The physically expressive nature of dance also helps people release and thereby recognize pent-up feelings, the first step to dealing with them. "Depressed patients tend to have a curved back, which brings the head down so it's facing the ground," says Donna Newman-Bluestein, a dance therapist with the American Dance Therapy Association. "Dancing lifts the body to an open, optimistic posture."”

This article really informed me well on how dance really help those who are not only emotionally but also physically weak. It’s like dancing serves as their therapy for their weakness. I can compare dancing to a cast on an injured person. The cast will help the injured person heal the affected part of the body within a particular time. Just like dancing, it will heal the person’s emotional weakness and will lift us up from our misery.

Another article that I can relate to is entitled “Dance your way to happiness and success” in thechangeblog by Jerry Stocking. This article shows how mind is easily bothered with sadness but when dance takes place, dance highlights the body which will make mind a little part of you. I like his ending quote, “While your mind seeks to take what it considers to be the direct route, your body doesn’t have to. Dancing from here to there reminds you that it is the journey, not the here or there that is important.”

Whenever we feel troubled, lost; find time to just relax and listen to music. Let everything out to express what you really feel. Try to dance. I know it’s hard but somehow it will help you lighten up the heaviness you fell inside and lead you all the way to happiness.

Blogpost 4 : Dance:Proper Decorum?

We all experience having etiquette anywhere today, in school, in the workplace, even in everyone’s homes. In school, we follow the sense of respect to teachers, camaraderie with other students; in the workplace, we treat each co worker as professionals and in our home, we certainly follow a distinct time curfew and etc. But do you think dancing has etiquette to be followed?

In one of our dance classes when I was in grade school, we are guided with such “dance etiquette”. We practiced dance etiquette like when you ask someone to dance, on what you should wear, who to ask, personal grooming and etc. Learning this proper decorum is somehow logical to all of us that whenever you ask a person to dance, ask him with respect and to wear proper attire that will not distract others when you dance.

I can relate to this topic an article entitled “Elements of Dance Etiquette” in utdallas. This articles covers all the elements that is needed to know in dance (etiquette). It also consists of such minor rules in dancing to be able to establish proper social dance behavior.

According to the author, Aria Nosratinia: “Why do we care about dance etiquette? Because it is nice to know how to go about in the dancing circles. It makes the difference between having a happy or unhappy dancing experience, the difference between people wanting, or not wanting to dance with you.”

Knowing this quote from the author enlighten me that dance etiquette are not just to establish proper dance behavior but to know also if you are having happy or unhappy experiences in dancing. Learning through this etiquette will prevent anyone from being humiliated to someone also, for example, when you tried to ask someone to dance and he or she declines it, learning this proper decorum  will lead you to a respective way of accepting his or her declination.

Another article that I can I relate to is entitled, “Social Dance Etiquette” in sfzydeco. In this article summarizes that dance etiquette are categorized to gender. Male dancer etiquette is far different from female dancer etiquette. This article also tells about how to not limit yourself to dance but limit yourself in a way you are seen dancing with respect.

According to Salsa Crazy : “Let me start by acknowledging a simple truth. As you become a more advanced dancer, the ability to express yourself through the music greatly increases. You no longer need to count, nor think about "what am I going to do next"? Your body is now comfortable doing all the moves, yes, even the neck wrap. The dance becomes, ideally, an extension of yourself and your personal interpretation of the music. With this in mind, let's get to the meat…What you do, is ultimately going to be determined by the specific facts of the situation (and your mood at the time), but etiquette urges restraint! Reign it in, keep it tight, give them a little more space. It takes a great dancer to dance fast and smooth in a very small space. I'm not saying it's easy to dance with speed and grace in a large space, but I am saying that to dance in a controlled manner, in a smaller space, requires much more skill. Anyone can flail at enormous speed in a vast space. We see it all the time.”

Try to picture yourself dancing in a very small room in which you cannot move easily.  It takes a skilled dancer to work on his movements even though your space is too small. Just like following the proper dance decorum, you must keep your dance high and your pride down. Let yourself loose at the same time, lose that unpleasant behavior. Try to be a good dancer at the same time a gentlemen and a lady when you dance on the dance floor.

Blogpost 3 : Dance on Camera

Do your parents get crazy whenever they tell you back in the days how movies like “Footloose” and “Saturday Night Fever” are the hit in the late 80s? Have you see dance evolve as years go by through movies? Can you differentiate what is dance like on the camera and in the real world? Is it really the same or not?

Dance on films somehow have a different impact unlike watching dance live. You can see in dance movies how a dancer goes through before his or her big performance in the finale while in a live dance, you’ll just appreciate his or her performance on stage without appreciating his or her efforts before the dance. We are also fond of how cinematography signifies each movement of dancers in a movie while in a live dance you can’t see the highlights or movements of the dancers.

The movie “Step Up” (sequel) has really got a big impact on my dancing life since I was 13. I didn’t even bothered to miss all those movies because I think in this movie is where I got inspired of dancing. I am so amazed how each movie highlights a persona. On how this person goes through his life as a dancer and how he or she overcomes his or her trials until the big performance in the end. And also through these movies, I see dance so easy to do. It’s like they show dance as simple yet really complicated when you get to learn how to do it. And also I never get to forget how the protagonist gets his guy or girl after their big performance: a simple happy ever after movie.

I found an article entitled “Overview on Dance on Camera” in dance-tech. This article tells the difference of a stage work performance to a dance film. It also focuses on what dance elements are focused in a dance film and how is dance is seen through the camera.

According to the author Deidre Towers, “The makers of dance films consider the placement and movement of the camera, the lighting, the balance of foreground and background, and the composition within the framing of each shot in the overall choreography. A dance film can take many forms: documentary, dance designed for the camera (cine dance or screen dance), a screen adaptation of a stage work, animation, or kinetic abstraction.” 

I agree on how dance was taken to forms like a documentary type of movie similar to the film “Step Up 3D”. The protagonist in that movie is a movie maker/dancer and was able to come up with a documentary about his co-dancers in his crew. The film shows how each of the members of the crew was found and when they started dancing in the first place. It really serves as an inspiration to anyone.

Another article that I connect to the previous one is entitled “Dance for the Camera” in narthaki. It tells about a director’s story on how she makes a dance movie and its different to other kinds of movie. According to the author, Ileana Citaristi:

“Dance is certainly a wonderful thing to film because it is all action and motion, which is exactly what film should be... As the cinematic space is different from the concert space, it has its own logic. The space created by the dancer is delineated by the gestures, is filled by the melody and punctuated by the beat. The cinematic space is delineated by the lenses, is filled by the light and punctuated by the cuts. “

Dance is surely can be anywhere. In the streets, clubs, schools, on stage even on cinemas or television. Through movies, dance is seen as a passion and life to the characters. Dance is the only thing that rotates in their world. I hope these movies inspire everyone out there to get up and dance their heart out.