pictures galore! (and other dance stuff, too)

in conversation with allison this week i am learning about the vast difference between being a dancer and being a choreographer, and what aspects i should alter from one role to the other. i am approaching the work as i naturally would: physicalizing the movement and focusing on the steps and gestures over the concept. allison has suggested setting material on my dancer without demonstrating. by giving verbal direction and coaching, the piece has the opportunity to becomes a part of jasmine's body without her trying to mimic or copy me. it offers me fresh perspective on the material, and gives jasmine more freedom to make it her own.
oh, and i think i hear allison stirring upstairs. it's nearly class-time! we've been having a great exchange, teaching each other our favourite conditioning, strenghtening and stretching exercises.

***

we visited an old favourite in class today: the graham technique. though neither of us had done a graham class for some years now (maybe since we were each in new york), the floorwork came back to our bodies as though it was just yesterday. isn't it incredible, how amazing our bodies are? that muscle memory is so strong and our bodies can recall movements they haven't practiced for years. granted, we must large tribute to our training, and that we did the same set of exercises daily for years. but just sitting there with the soles of my feet touching, memories of my former mentor & favourite teacher, denise vale, surfaced in my mind. her voice, corrections, and guidance came back to me as i excecuted the floorwork. and as we sat facing the large windows in our studio (the living room), candles lit in front of us to help warm the room - or so i like to believe - the storm raged outside, sheets of rain pounding the ground and bouncing off the orange awning over our front patio. it was beautiful!

and on to rehearsal. but first, a wee break; enough time for a cuppa earl grey & rooibos blend. delicious. i'll use the time to select some photographs for today's entry. but in case i don't find any, i have recently revisited my flickr site (inspired by the lovely hope) and have uploaded a bunch of photos taken over the past month! you can check them out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/11145046@N02/