OK... so its happening finally. I find myself if conversations with people or when I'm teaching with students that I'm gesturing with the mudras. Not trying to, not planning. It's just become part of what the body can do when we let it. Lots of Mukula, Alapadma, even a Kartarimukha every once in a while.
This is exactly what we've been hoping will happen. That our "naturalistic" impulses will be subconsciously tied to "technical" expression... in other words, the crafted gesture has become completely natural (not casual)
Are others finding this? I hope so. It makes everyday conversations a little more beautiful.
Let's here how you find them popping up here and there.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Beginning Shakutala Explorations
As described at training on Sunday, we are moving into our next phase for Shakuntala. We will be spending more time in training on the text. Here is your "homework" for Ocotber 4:
Part 1
Pick a character you are interested in. Create a one-minute character proposition (improv, sketch, performance) that expresses your impression of the essence of the character. You can use music movement situation abstraction ... whatever
Part 2Memorize at least 10 lines that you feel a particular connection to.
Feel free to ask for clarification here on the blog... Everyone feel free to chime in: float ideas, dovetail, give others feedback etc
--George
Part 1
Pick a character you are interested in. Create a one-minute character proposition (improv, sketch, performance) that expresses your impression of the essence of the character. You can use music movement situation abstraction ... whatever
Part 2Memorize at least 10 lines that you feel a particular connection to.
Feel free to ask for clarification here on the blog... Everyone feel free to chime in: float ideas, dovetail, give others feedback etc
--George
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Training: East meets West
Working with Bharatanatyam master teacher and performer Saju George has been a great way to get back in the swing. I am amazed at some of the similarites in principles with the training that we have been exploring and the training that Saju brings.
A few quick things from me:
Awareness: Calling our attention again and again to not only the doing of the action, but having an intention of what you are doing. After a rigorous work of some of the choreography, Saju quite calmly will call us to close our eyes, quiet ourselves and look inside. "See what you are doing." A great moment of breath that removes the momentary panic of encountering the new. Taking stock again and again. Noticing and adjusting.
Repetition: Amazing to note the amount of new vocabulary we have appropriated just by committing to the discipline of going over it again and again. Very much like the "scales" we've created for our work with western techniques, these "scales" of gestures and movements from Bharatanatyam work within us on a deep level just by allowing them the time and space to do over and over again.
Any other insights from training from others? Let's hear.
A few quick things from me:
Awareness: Calling our attention again and again to not only the doing of the action, but having an intention of what you are doing. After a rigorous work of some of the choreography, Saju quite calmly will call us to close our eyes, quiet ourselves and look inside. "See what you are doing." A great moment of breath that removes the momentary panic of encountering the new. Taking stock again and again. Noticing and adjusting.
Repetition: Amazing to note the amount of new vocabulary we have appropriated just by committing to the discipline of going over it again and again. Very much like the "scales" we've created for our work with western techniques, these "scales" of gestures and movements from Bharatanatyam work within us on a deep level just by allowing them the time and space to do over and over again.
Any other insights from training from others? Let's hear.
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