Expression

[Dora-Satya Veda]

"Hold on to what you know." 

Benny Tolmeyer used to say that all the time.

[dream a little dream]

But where is the line between focusing on the technique, which I am still learning, and letting go?  This is what I suppose I am struggling wih right now.

[Dora-Satya Veda]

But where is the line between focusing on the technique, which I am still learning, and letting go?  This is what I suppose I am struggling wih right now.

When you are doing things in slow motion or in “practice hold” then you are allowed to think and go through technique. When you are in “dance hold” then you "dance". You think about technique and then once you are ready for the test drive, then you let go. If the test drive was a success then you were ready to let go of the technique. If the test drive didn’t work then you go back to doing it in slow motion, “practice hold’ and focus on technique again, until you do the next test drive.

Dora-Satya Veda

[elisedance]

"Hold on to what you know." 

Benny Tolmeyer used to say that all the time.

...but don't be afraid to let it go

[Dora-Satya Veda]

"Hold on to what you know." 

Benny Tolmeyer used to say that all the time.

...but don't be afraid to let it go

He actually only said it to very few people. He said it often to those few people to remind us of the path we were on (RB truth) . He only said it to the ones he felt that knew the insights and the truth.

[emeralddancer]

I was amazed that all of this came together for me, the biggest thing the most important thing, was listening totally to my partners body, letting him flow around and through me, what he was "telling" me non verbally, how his body was interpreting the music and translating that message to me.

emeralddancer, this was an AMAZING post!  Loved reading it!  You're at a whole different level: the only person who described what you did (but nowhere near as romantically as you did) was my coach.  I would love to dance with you someday... in the hopes of experiencing even a fraction of what you described.  

LOL thank you for the lovely compliment. Though it is still a work in progress. Would love the opportunity to dance with you as well!!!

[emeralddancer]

Imagine in the middle of your dancing there is the eye of a storm; a moment of stillness;silence when you find that you will see from the inside what you need to show others on the outside

Love this

[QPO]

being in the moment and feeling the music, good music can inspire you to show great emotion.

[dream a little dream]

But where is the line between focusing on the technique, which I am still learning, and letting go?  This is what I suppose I am struggling wih right now.

When you are doing things in slow motion or in “practice hold” then you are allowed to think and go through technique. When you are in “dance hold” then you "dance". You think about technique and then once you are ready for the test drive, then you let go. If the test drive was a success then you were ready to let go of the technique. If the test drive didn’t work then you go back to doing it in slow motion, “practice hold’ and focus on technique again, until you do the next test drive.

Dora-Satya Veda

I see now.  We are starting to work more during a practice hold so I can see and feel how I am supposed to be moving. 

[Sarosh]

I think one becomes expressive through imagery and playing.  Kids are expressive for that reason.  They have great imaginations and their sole desire is to explore and play.  Get pictures in your mind about what the steps mean to you.  Then, you will start to discover  some interesting things.

[Dora-Satya Veda]

I think one becomes expressive through imagery and playing.  Kids are expressive for that reason.  They have great imaginations and their sole desire is to explore and play.  Get pictures in your mind about what the steps mean to you.  Then, you will start to discover  some interesting things.

I totally agree here. I was always told to think of dancing like playing (airplane, falling down, swing set and many more games). We learn with no judgment, when we are kids. Get in a child's mindset and you are going to learn much faster. Use games and toys to see and feel what you need to do in dancing. Dance with a light heart and child’s mind.

Dora-Satya Veda

[standarddancer]

when you totally involved with your dancing, feel the music, the joy of dancing would be showing

[Dora-Satya Veda]

when you totally involved with your dancing, feel the music, the joy of dancing would be showing

Yes, I have to totally agree on that point. The feelings and expressions will come from within, when you get totally involved in the dance.

[elisedance]

Amazing the negative reactions I got when I suggested that some time ago.   The answer was that you have to look happy always so it was safer to fake it.  MY response is that if you have to fake it it won't look like happyness anyway...

[Dora-Satya Veda]

If you fake a happy look you create tension in the face. That tension is then very likely to move to other parts of the body. If the tension moves to other parts of the body, you could end up doing things that are technically bad as a result of the tension. 

I was never told to smile by any of my teachers or even told to attempt to show a happy face. It was made clear to me that the emotions should come from within and that judges can see the fake expression, if you do that. Because of my teachers never telling me to fake a happy face, I have never told a student to do a happy face. I tell then to look within and let the expression, if they have any, show. When the dancing starts feeling good, then that feeling will soon show without great effort.

I think this is one great reason to keep things simple and RBed . It is easier to be happy when you are with a light heart and in a child's mindset.