I am returning to the practice of writing up reviews and reflections. Sometimes daily. Sometimes weekly. The review itself is not the goal. In fact, the act of reflecting (for me) provides the most value. It’s a practice.

Overview

• Noticed dissatisfaction with my own “bounce” and thus modified technique and redistribute weight
• Adjusted upper body groove for the “drunk walk”
• Incorporated a knee bend in base leg during the heel toe movement

Bounce technique modification

Seems like such a simple move: the bounce. However, because I tend to watch videos of dancers — ranging from beginners to experts — I’m starting to notice the aesthetic differences between bounces. Though I cannot recall what specific video prompted this thought, I started noticing a subtle (perhaps obvious to others) difference; that being said, I believe this was prompted by watching back Monday’s video of me doing the (older version) of my bounce; I dislike the look of bounces in which the during the downwards direction of the bounce, the knee extends beyond the toes. In doing so, the shin creates an angle that (to my eye) is not beautiful.

Also, though I’ve been told to “lean forward” during this movement, I actually think that’s not entirely accurate. Though leaning forward is a byproduct, it’s not the goal. For me, to achieve the look, it’s more of ensuring that you are going through the motions of a “squat”. It’s more of driving your hips and butt back and down, respectively.

Comparing old and new bounce, side by side

Drunk walk groove adjustment

This move is one that I haven’t been able to get quite yet. And though I’ve tried with Karina / Kerry house dance, I was able to very quickly pick up the move simply by watching him in person. Which makes me wonder: what are some other trade offs that are being made by taking online 1:1 privates? At the same time, I recognize that sometimes it takes multiple repetitions, multiple exposures, before the move suddenly clicks in place.

In any case, my observation is as follows: lean upper body torso in the opposite direction of the leg stepping out in front. That is, if right leg stepped out in front, then lean torso to the left. Similarly, if the leg leg stepped out in front, then lean torso to the right.

What classes did I take?

• Monday – Kashmir’s 4 hour hip hop and house training in East London
• Tuesday – Ani’s choreography house class at the Pineapple
• Thursday – Jevan’s house dance class at Base Dance Studios

Tuesday Class Reflection

• On Tuesday, I had the thought to NOT go to class but I am glad I did. I almost never regret attending a dance class

Thursday Class Reflection

I keep saying this over but that class was one of my favorite classes, for multiple reasons.

• After my class partner provided me her feedback, I felt an instant emotional shift in my body, suddenly able to TRUST my body, simply by redirecting my focus from nailing the moves to stretching out each move.
• Observed during the heel toe step, Jevan (the instructor) would maintain a slight bend in the knee of the base leg (i.e. leg not extending). When I witnessed during the warm up routine, I tried to make that adjustment in my own movement and was pleasantly surprised. First, the pain my left hip reduced. Second, the move appeared more aesthetically pleasing; I tend to not throw heel toe in my freestyle rounds because I’m not satisfied with how it feels or looks but yesterday a tiny victory. Now, it’ll take repetition and training for my body to acclimate to the changes I am introducing. Fascinating that while watching someone’s movement and detecting subtle differences in biomechanics.
• I started fumbling during the second half of class when we were being witnessed by our freestyle partner, each of us taking turns to “perform” the combo in front of one another
• Jevan invited each freestyle partner to provide one piece of positive feedback and one criticism for growth. Jevan believes that feedback is not utilized enough in classroom settings. Overall, I agree.
• My partner stated that I had the moves down and they look good however I could stretch out the movement and listen to the music. More or less, the same advice I continue to hear but her being able to see it and succinctly put it into (what felt like compassion) words despite only just meeting me and seeing me dance for the first time, had a profound effect on me for the remainder of class and I think for the rest of my dance career. Oh also, she mentioned that she liked how even when I forgot the combo, I didn’t freeze (I’ve done this many many many times before when I first moved to London) and instead continued to move my body and picked it back up. Ironically, she had also forgotten the routine during her third round and then she (my perception) confidently executed filler moves. Whether she panicked internally or not, I’ll never know but she portrayed confidence during her stumble
• The combo itself was beautiful, combination of the skate, heel toe, pas de bourree, farmer run
• I took it SO easy on myself (compared to the past) when I was unable to pick up the final movement that Jevan had showed us. I didn’t stress about it; didn’t have thoughts that “I should know how to do this”. I recognized in the moment that trying to nail that last move would’ve put me in a state of overwhelm.
• Noticed I was holding tension in my ankle while performing the farmer run. When I relaxed the ankle and relaxed the foot, the move looked more aesthetically pleasing