Sophia Maria
New member
I have a question for all you teachers out there, and anyone else who wants to weigh in.
For a long time now in my practice I have felt an imbalance between my lower body expression and my upper body expression. What I mean is, although when I listen to music I can simultaneously appreciate the multiple layers of movement that rhythm and melody give to the song, in practice my body is very "rhythm-heavy" (as I call it). My hips, legs, and (sometimes) feet seem to mostly know what they're doing without me even having to think about it. This part of my body improvs very well. However, when it comes to my upper body, I suddenly feel like an awkward first-timer every time I dance. Although I learn arm pattern after arm pattern in order to try and make it feel more natural, I still feel awkward. This shows when I video record myself (something which I've discovered is an excellent resource). In videos, even though I have work to do on my footwork and travelling, my hip work looks natural and definitely more refined than it used to. But my arms still seem stiff and awkward, or really...they don't look as powerful as I would want them to be. I can do the graceful, flowy snake like movements well, but everything above my waist basically looks like it lacks power and intention.
The same goes for most torso related moves...
I guess I've always been a little self-conscious as well about my skinniness, because sometimes when I watch performance videos my twiggy arms and lack of bust seems to enhance my awkwardness. While I know this can't be the case, and that body type can't prevent anybody from dancing well, the feeling is still hard to shake D pun intended).
I'm trying to think of exercises to work on in my practice, any advice you all could throw my way would be appreciated: techniques, songs, dvds, exercises you have worked on with students before, etc.
Until then, I shall continue to wave my awkward little arms. :dance:
For a long time now in my practice I have felt an imbalance between my lower body expression and my upper body expression. What I mean is, although when I listen to music I can simultaneously appreciate the multiple layers of movement that rhythm and melody give to the song, in practice my body is very "rhythm-heavy" (as I call it). My hips, legs, and (sometimes) feet seem to mostly know what they're doing without me even having to think about it. This part of my body improvs very well. However, when it comes to my upper body, I suddenly feel like an awkward first-timer every time I dance. Although I learn arm pattern after arm pattern in order to try and make it feel more natural, I still feel awkward. This shows when I video record myself (something which I've discovered is an excellent resource). In videos, even though I have work to do on my footwork and travelling, my hip work looks natural and definitely more refined than it used to. But my arms still seem stiff and awkward, or really...they don't look as powerful as I would want them to be. I can do the graceful, flowy snake like movements well, but everything above my waist basically looks like it lacks power and intention.
The same goes for most torso related moves...
I guess I've always been a little self-conscious as well about my skinniness, because sometimes when I watch performance videos my twiggy arms and lack of bust seems to enhance my awkwardness. While I know this can't be the case, and that body type can't prevent anybody from dancing well, the feeling is still hard to shake D pun intended).
I'm trying to think of exercises to work on in my practice, any advice you all could throw my way would be appreciated: techniques, songs, dvds, exercises you have worked on with students before, etc.
Until then, I shall continue to wave my awkward little arms. :dance: