Started working with Principle 2 of Blue Belt yesterday with a 52 Moves Class. My theme was to be in a communicative relationship with each of Nia’s moves. Each move has some story or information that can be useful to the dancer. As it says in the Blue Belt Manual, start with the heel lead and as you step in, let your heel (and body) transmit and receive information. “The floor is cold, my balance is good, my whole foot is in contact with the floor…” By paying attention to each move, as if the move is a being – relating to me – I can listen to its message. I tell my body (transmit) what to do and then I listen (receive) the messages it sends back to me. I am in relationship to my body, the 52 moves, the music, the body of work of Nia, my clothes, the air, the space, my mood, etc… There is lots of information going out and coming in.
Pearls: Ask your foot; what about this closed stance – what does it do for me, with me, to me??? Repeat the same move… Listen, Listen to the music, Step, travel, dip, softer, whisper, shout with your body, receive the feedback from your body, ask your body, listen and wait for communication…