[nabs-l] Taking dance andactingtolearnnaturalmovementandexpressions
Andi
adrianne.dempsey at gmail.com
Mon Nov 21 05:03:49 UTC 2011
My high school did more hip hop and modern, however we did do some latin
ball room and swing, we even dabbled in belly dancing though with the little
time we spent on it probably doesn't count. I did take more classes later
though it is more dificault then it looks and it made every muscle in my
body hert, but it makes you feel sexy. It was a great full body work out.
When I entered college the classes and team were separate things, as the
classes were elective and focused more on swing and treditional and lattin
ball room. I did take a few classes in modern jaz and lirical. The team
was all different catigories and we as a team did mostly hip hop and modern
but we broke off in to small groups and partners and competed in other
catigories. My main competitive dances were swing, salsa, tango, and waltz.
Swing and tango were my favorite. You are write that the classes have to go
at a sertain pase, but that doesn't mean you can't get hands on training to.
If you are comfortable with it you could feel the instructor as she is
teaching it to the class, but I never felt comfortable with this. Most of
the time some one in the class would volunteer to help show me at the same
time the instructor was explaining it in the front of the class. We usually
stood in the back. Most people who helped me said they learned it better
when they showed me it helped cement it in their brains better so they liked
doing it. If I was still having trouble then the teacher came and showed me
herself. Many of the steps were understandable by verbal instructions but
many were not, even if the instructor is not as helpful most of the time
students will be. Just be careful with the people who give you half assed
help, but it is easy to tell if that is the case. Obviously you can not go
over the whole class after class, but if there are a few things you are
having more trouble with you can have the instructor go over them again with
you. The main thing to remember when you talk with the instructor
beforehand is to make shure she or he understands your solutions or your
ability to come up with solutions to his/her perceived problems with you
taking the class. Usually the main concern is will you be able to do it as
a blind person. The answer is yes, but you have to fill in the how ahead of
time to reasure the teacher. Maybe you could try a class at the Y first to
get a base. I took a class at the Y in swing to convince my mom to do it.
It was interesting for me because I had to be the guy for once. It was very
relaxed and went at a slower pase, because it was just for fun. It was five
weeks just one day a week, and did not get very indepth but it is defanatly
a good base for you to learn the basic steps. Depending on the type of
dance you do especially partner dances have a basic step. All the other
moves are a variation of the basic step. This is mainly so you can easily
go back in to it from the variation. In the Y class we covered the basic
swing step. (There are different types of swing but that is another story )
Then we learned a spin, the charelston, the siment mixer, sugars, and a few
other simple steps. They sort of moved at the pase of the classes
understanding. It was so different then college classes. The plan was to
learn two new moves a class session if every one got both of thoes we
learned another, if the entire class did not get something we kept working
on it before moving on. After learning the new step we reviewed the ones we
learned before then put it together in a sort of free stile swing while the
music played. It would be a good place to start, then you could go to a
more indepth class knowing the basics so the rest of the moves would be
based off that. Modern, lirical, ballet and hip hop would not really work
well that way but they are still doable. If you learn salsa, it helps hip
hop because a lot of the hip movements are the same or at least similar.
What kind of dance are you interested in doing? Also I am happy to hear you
enjoyed yoga. It is an amaizing thing to do. I always feel so much better
after yoga. I have met blind people who won't try it even thoe they want to
because they are afraid to look stupid when they do not understand
something. Sighted people have the same concerns and I think it is equil
between blind and sighted who find it easy and blind and sighted who find it
difficult. I think anyone can do it because it is designed to be a personal
best thing. You start where you are and improve as you go, always striving
for better. It isn't a compatition with any one but yourself, and it is so
relaxing.
Andi
-----Original Message-----
From: Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2011 4:12 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking dance
andactingtolearnnaturalmovementandexpressions
Andi,
I do speak with instructors ahead of time, whether it be a gym class at the
health club or at school.
Most instructors are not willing to be hands on; they have to lead the class
and go at a certain pace.
I agree that we need hands on instruction for anything movement based like
dance, not just verbal cues. At least to learn the steps, being shown helps
a lot. I did take kundalini yoga though and the instructor was hands on. But
she also had time to do this since it was a slow paced class by its nature.
Did you take dance in college? Were they elective classes? If your dance
team is like mine was, they did more hip hop dances.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Andi
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 8:37 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking dance and
actingtolearnnaturalmovementandexpressions
I am sorry to hear about your experience with dance. I too have had a few
classes I had to drop because of non accommodating instructors, but I was
able to pick them back up with diferent instructors. I started dance in
10th grade so I am not as practised as people who started when they were
five or so, but I held my own in competitions. I did not stick with it as
long as I wanted once I got to college only about two years because I became
to busy to keep up with it as well as I would have liked. As far as finding
classes you do not need private lessons though they may be more in-depth
than a beginners class.I was fortunate to have had a great instructor in
high school so my first experience was posative I think that helps. I
usually talked with instructors before enrolling in any class, and discussed
how I learn in a more hands on way. I gave examples of how I could be
taught either by me feeling the other persons movements or them moving me.
Sometimes both methods are needed. I also explained that I needed to be
shown the little details not just the foot work. I explained that I need to
know the placement of each body part, so I wouldn't look like I was half
assing it. I said I can understand a lot of what you are saying just by
verbal instructions but that I will need hands on instructions for the
things I do not understand verbally and it may be as frequent. Then I asked
if that instructor would be willing to work with me. Some are not and that
is not fun to hear but most people are willing to work with me because they
are open to learning new ways of teaching. Blind people are not the only
ones who need hands on training. Many sighted people need it to, though it
is not as often as we do, but I saw it a lot. I also try to talk to other
people who have worked with particular instructors to get a feel for them
before my meeting. It is important to speek with them before like I said or
you and the instructors will both be in for a surprise. I do this with
workout classes at the gym to and most are willing to work with me. As for
your balance dance actually helps improve balance at least it did with me.
You learn to find your core and center your self. Yoga also helps with
balance. However do not let someone tell you, you can not do it because you
are blind. There are defenatly things we as blind people can not do, but
that list is small and dancing is most defanatly not on the list.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 2:00 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking dance and acting
tolearnnaturalmovementandexpressions
Hi,
Due to the spelling, I suspected it was a nickname; and I've met more
girls/ladies who liked dancing. But yeah guys do it too.
Also in the past, its been only girls who spoke up on list regarding dance.
You said you liked modern dancing; I have not met a guy who did modern
dance, thought it was a girl thing.
The others you did: latin ballroom, swing, and hip hop are definitely for
both sexes; and yes you need a partner of the opposite sex for some of them.
How many years were you on the college dance team? Was your major or minor
in performing arts?
You're right that colleges offer these types of beginning classes and so
does the Y and county recreation centers.
Were all your lessons in a class though? I've been discouraged from taking
dance in a class. They do it by demonstration and go fast.
In a class, the instructor teaches the guy part and the girl part separately
and then once you practice it, you have a partner to do it together.
I learn a little slower when it comes to gross motor moves and I am not the
greatest of following directions of right and left.
I've been told I can do it privately by my parents, but that is so
expensive. I don't know how much Authur Murray dance studio charges, but its
probably a lot. I probably could only afford 4 or five lessons.
A blind friend took private tap, and he said it was $75 per lesson.
I actually did try a ballroom dance at the university, and it was a
disaster; the instructor was rude and did not want to accommodate.
me. My vision impairment caused my feet to turn out and I walk with a gait;
he said oh you have to put your feet straight to dance and that my balance
was an issue. I know it is sometimes, but I said I would be dancing with a
partner, and had danced before with people without falling or anything.
Anyway, I'd love to try dance again.
Glad you liked it and it worked out.
Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From: Andi
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 12:09 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking dance and acting to
learnnaturalmovementandexpressions
Yes I am a girl my name is Adrianne, and Andi is my nick name, it comes from
my initials. However just because I did dance, that is not a reason to
assume I am a girl. Their were many guys on both my dance teams and you can
not do treditional or Lattin ball room or swing with out a partner. Most of
the time it is a boy girl thing. Not always but tipically. When I took hip
hop the guys outnumbered the girls. Actually men who dance usually get
extra sex appeal points in most womens eyes. I recommend dance for everyone
male or female. Like I said before it is great for gaining a more natural
appearance and it is also a great way to stay in shape.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 11:39 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking dance and acting to learn
naturalmovementandexpressions
So you're a girl, Andi?
-----Original Message-----
From: Andi
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 12:20 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Taking dance and acting to learn natural
movementandexpressions
Yes any dance form to truly be performance ready takes many years and
dedacation, but any dance class would be helpful. I took several diferent
dance classes for many years and was on my HI school and college dance teams
so I agree with what you are saying. However there are shorter classes
designed to give the basics in lattin ballroom, swing, treditional ball
room, and hip hop. The Y offers such classes as well as community
colleges. It will not make anyone a professional but it will deffenatly
help. Zoomba classes are also offered at many gyms and will be just as
helpful as well as give anyone who does it a rockin body. You are so right
about the acting classes and I never thought of moddaling classes. I think
it is awesome you did ballet that was one thing I never had the disaplin
for. I didn't like the idea of my feet bleeding. It is so beautiful
though. I took the easy way on that front and did moddern. My favorite was
lattin ballroom though because I like the rhythms and how sexy it feels and
looks. I allso really loved swing because it is so fun and hi energy that
even if you mess up you cant help but smile. Also it is much simpaler to
cover a mistake in swing. How long did you dance for?
-----Original Message-----
From: Bridgit Pollpeter
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 2:44 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Taking dance and acting to learn natural movement
andexpressions
I danced for many years including ballet, including pointe. It's very
true that ballet dancers learn to position, and move, their bodies in
inorganic ways. The motion, when done well, is very graceful and fluid,
but the process to harness the technique can take years and actually can
do quite a number on your body.
Though other dance forms like jazz or tap are not quite as unforgiving
as ballet, they still require a lot of discipline to do, especially to
master.
However, if wanting to learn how to move more naturally, dance certainly
can help. Many professional athletes take dance, including ballet, in
order to move better on the field or pitch or rink or whatever the case
may be.
I also have a background in theatre and minored in it when at university
back in 2000. Acting, at least stage acting, pays a lot of attention to
body movement and facial expressions. Voice is also extremely important.
Taking an acting class can assist with more natural body movements, but
be aware that in an acting class, you'll be expected to perform in front
of your peers, being judged. If you can't handle constructive criticism,
or are extremely introverted, an acting class may not be the best
option. Even in a more informal acting class, you will have to perform
monologues and duets and group scenes.
Another way to learn a more natural body movement is to take modeling
classes. Now, these can cost, but so can dance and acting classes- it's
something to invesigate before signing up. Modeling classes will teach
you specifically how to walk and how to use your face to relay things.
Models on the runway often use an unnatural gate, but in modeling class
itself, you learn how to carry yourself meaning you learn how to move in
a graceful, fluid manner.
Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
Message: 15
Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:54:04 -0500
From: "Andi" <adrianne.dempsey at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness versus other minority groups
Message-ID: <8B13EFD0D07949A289DAED7F5752C78F at OwnerPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Actually you make a good point about acting and dance classes. Both are
good ways to improve nonverbal skills. Dance classes will help loosen
stiff
postures and movements and acting classes will help with the facial
expressions. When I started dance classes I felt even more stiff at
first
because I was thinking to hard about the movements and that is true for
sighted people as well. However as the classes went on I found myself
not
only more fluid on stage and on the dance floor, but more natural
looking in
everyday movements. Acting is usually exadurated expressions because of
the
distence between the stage and the audionce, but if a person has atrophy
they will have to try exadurated expressions at first anyway because the
face muscles will not move as easily. The muscles will need more forse
so
what seems exadurated to an atrophyed face will not really be.
Eventually
as people practis the expressions will be more natural and easier. Not
only
facial expressions but hand placement body stance and a lot of other
little
details. I hyly recommend both dance and acting classes for anyone who
wishes to look more natural. Most people but not all who are blind from
birth have somewhat stiff and unnatural looking movements and do not
realize
it because it is what they have allways done and so it feels natural to
them. I use to be like this and no one ever said anything to me about
it
because it was not tarrible, but after I took dance I realized how much
more
natural I walk and move now compared to then. My sister told me the
same
thing, but I could actually feel the difference. I do not recommend
ballet
for this, don't get me wrong it is a beautiful art form and if you are
in to
that it is wonderful, but it is stiff on perpous and they train for
years to
make their bodies do all sorts of unnatural things. It is not for
someone
who is just wanting to have more natural movements. I recommend latten
ballroom or hip hop or even modern, Especially lattin ballroom. Acting
classes I am not as experienced with but It would defanatly be helpful.
If
not a dance class a zoomba class would be good. Yoga and any marcial
art is
also really helpful in this. If you do not want to join a class contact
a
nonverbal comunication instructor and have that person give you facial
exercizes, but they are not easy to find. It is truly possible to
override
atraphy no matter how long a person has ben out of practis but it is not
instant and it takes a lot of work on that persons part. As for the
smiling
at private jokes, sighted people do it to but there is a eye movement
asociated with it that tells others it is a private thought, and the
smile
is usually breef. However as long as you are not loling your head it is
probebly not that big of a deal.
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