when the stakes are high, my arms are like stakes! my hands stick out like sore thumbs...
this problem shows up mostly when i'm dancing solo, and i really see it on video of course. i've been working out with Rachel's arms DVD regularly since it came out and doing pushups and such... I can spin a couple of heavy scimitars around, so I'm not sure that the problem is strictly with my mechanics or strength. when i see video of myself dancing with my troupe, the arms are fine and the hands are usually ok.
i'm going to focus mainly on arms and hands in daily practice until i get this problem solved, but ...
has anyone else had the same problem? any suggestions? i'm really bummed about it right now. i've been working on this issue for years and thought I'd progressed further.
this problem shows up mostly when i'm dancing solo, and i really see it on video of course. i've been working out with Rachel's arms DVD regularly since it came out and doing pushups and such... I can spin a couple of heavy scimitars around, so I'm not sure that the problem is strictly with my mechanics or strength. when i see video of myself dancing with my troupe, the arms are fine and the hands are usually ok.
i'm going to focus mainly on arms and hands in daily practice until i get this problem solved, but ...
has anyone else had the same problem? any suggestions? i'm really bummed about it right now. i've been working on this issue for years and thought I'd progressed further.
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 1:45 PMIt sounds as if the problem is not your arm strength or technique at all, but nerves. Practicing your arms more may or may not help with that. You may have to find a way to confront the tension caused by "high stakes." Knowing your piece inside and out can make you more comfortable, but there's still that anxiety of being up there alone.
I deal with this in ways that I learned during my time in theater. I do not go on to the stage without taking a moment beforehand to calm myself, think about what "character" I'm projecting (in this case, relaxed and confidant) and to still myself. If you're talking to someone or fixing your costume or peeking out at the audience right up until the moment your music starts, you may miss out on a chance to still yourself on the inside and really prepare. Also, I find that remembering that mistakes are not the end of the world releases a lot of tension for me! -
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Tue, April 22, 2008 - 10:45 PMEVERYTHING that Bo said! Also, what is the worst that could happen?!?! Seriously!?! We're entertainers so go out there and entertain! In rehearsal is when you work on technique--not onstage! That's why it's called muscle memory! Let the muscles do their job; they'll remember! ALSO, "fake it til you make it"! Confidence can be faked actually and it's kind of fun to try on until you can really live in it!!! And think......what do you as an audience member like to see? Do you like to see just technique and no emotion or do you like to see a lively, emotionally shaded performance? What do YOU want to show the audience? Have fun in the journey, until you find your true voice! -
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 9:27 AMthanks, ladies. my husband thinks i'm just being a perfectionist and that i'm the only one who notices my arms and hands. in fairness, i should say that i have improved a lot over the last few years with this issue. but i can still see it.
ironically, i used to be an actress. and i never had stage fright, or at least not to the point of it affecting my performance. with acting you have an intention mapped out for every 'beat' of a play (sometimes that works out to every line that your character speaks), and as long as i focused totally on that i didn't get self-conscious.
i'll work on coming up with a more thorough stage prep. -
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 9:42 AMI love your comparison between dance and acting. I've been trying to figure out why dance is more difficult in terms of emotion, and you've explained it very well.
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 2:27 PMSame here, Maureen... I had to really apply the theatre mentality to dancing. It also worked to get me through my fear of public speaking! I may not actually be another character, but I can still "pretend" to be Dancer Bo or Speaker Bo, and it helps me with that intention and focus.
I'm the only one who notices my crazy left hand, too. But to me, it's like a big red flag wavin' around doin' it's own thing! So give yourself some credit, take a step back, and see if maybe you're too focused on the shoulders - if no one else sees it? Arms are hard. I think arms are just about the hardest thing, for me.
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 1:47 PMyeah I just watched your videos on your profile and there's nothing wrong with your arms at all =) I get self conscious about my arms & hands also. I think it's because I know it's one of the big things that separates the good dancers from the great dancers. We all tend to be our worst critics!!! -
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Re: emotion and mechanics--cancel each other out?
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 3:03 PMthat's so nice of you to say about the videos! :-) i am trying not to be so critical of myself but i guess i'm a perfectionist.
i'm wondering what the best way is to apply the acting-technique approach to dance. with acting, when i followed my technique i was focused on that and didn't have time to step back and go, "Oh boy, how am I doing? how is this looking?" Bam: no stage fright. and my technique stayed with me.
with acting, my biggest breakthrough was when i was able to trust that my body would come up with the emotion and sense memory and reactions--up until then, i thought that i had to do the whole thing by force of intellect. but you really can have your entire self act a character, with in-the-moment impulses.
i know how to analyze and break down a script into beats and intentions, and how to research a character. but with a dance... let's see. people have made great suggestions: concentrate on the character, situation, or emotion that you're expressing. get centered and focused before you go on. But how do you do that moment by moment? what do you mentally grab onto if you feel yourself slipping into self-consciousness?
i have broken down some sections of a choreography before to myself and identified their emotional meaning. but it's not the same as a script...
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