Reflections from Body Shift's First-ever Choreography Lab

 Body Shift has been primarily a space for improvisation. From the Elements classes to the Performance Workshops, people have come together to explore dance and the body, using the welcoming environment to investigate their own unique movement. This summer we were able to take this process a step further by taking our investigations and creating dances with our findings.  The process of choreographing was exciting and challenging for all involved.  To create the movement for our dances, we used a few specific choreographic tools.  One of those tools was called " Stretching the Point" Try this: Close your eyes-Imagine holding someone's hand. what does it feel like? Can you feel the connection?  Is the connection hot or cold? Is it heavy or light?  What color is it? You’re doing great!  Please continue to imagine.  What if that connection was an invisible string?  If you let go of your hand and move away, how far could you stretch the string and still feel connected?      

 







"Sometimes our strings were vicious and strong.  Other times they were like cotton candy"
 

 Another tool we used was investigating our environment.  Try this: close your eyes- take a minute to focus on your breathing.  Imagine you're in your favorite room of the house. How do you know where you are without your vision?  Which one of your other 4 senses kicks in first?  Now imagine someone is guiding you through this room.  How does your perception of this room change?  Do these perception changes affect how you move through the space? 

 



"It's funny how your mind is constantly trying map where you are when you can't see.  You think you know where you are, then you realize you don't."



"I noticed the difference between feeling something with your finger nails verses your finger tips." 

 Recreating movement that was done in warm up exercises was one choreographic tool that was used to build a dance.  Try this:  tomorrow morning find time to play your favorite song.  Go head, have a 10 minute dance party in your living room.  What dance moves do you keep going back to?  Did you discover any new moves?





"I learned so much and feel less intimidated by the term choreography lab."


Creating, remembering, refining, and working in collaboration with others were some of the challenges we worked with over our five sessions together:

 

"I really loved the exercises we did that informed the dance."

  



"This lab made me experience my growth edges, face my fears, and have a lot of fun."
 

 

"This lab helped me understand performance from the inside.  For the first time I can say I'm a performer."
  

 



"This lab allowed me to actually dance seriously, something I had felt that I lost when my health went bad on me.  So for me, it's a little like coming home."
 

"What is it they say?  If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.  I can not think of a more true statement to describe Body Shift's, first ever, choreography lab," said Tanya Winters.  "It was a lesson in pure joy to teach this small but mighty group!  Things just came together so beautifully. I learned A LOT.  I’m looking forward to teaching again soon. I can’t thank my participants enough!   And, to Yvonne Keyrouz:  I enjoyed working with you! Thank you for your support. We make a good team."

 

"I was honored and inspired to be a part of Body Shift’s first ever choreography lab. For five short weeks we danced, reflected, imagined, and created and at the end found ourselves with new perspectives and abilities," said Yvonne Keyrouz.



 

 

Life is a dance.  People moving together is truly amazing to be a part of and watch!  It's exciting to see patterns happen naturally. Connections and relationships are happening all around us, day in and day out.  All we need to do is tune in and let our inner choreographer shine through . We look forward to seeing you at our next choreography lab! Go to http://bodyshift.org/  to join our mailing list, find out more information about classes, and get the details on upcoming performances.  Last but not least, Thank you to Forklift Dance Works/ VSA Texas for providing these fantastic movement opportunities and to Adriana Gonzalez for taking these great photos!