Animal Movement Exploration

 Unit: The Body

Theme: Animal Movement

 

I

Introduction

Humans have always imitated animal movement in dance. Early human societies embodied animal characteristics and behaviors in a symbolic way to empower themselves. Currently, dancers research animal movement in a studio by interpreting the movement qualities of different animals as an aesthetic response. Today, we will see several examples of how this can be done.

II 

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the connection to animal behavior through movement
  
• Explain the creative process involved in the study of animal movement
  
• Gain awareness of the complexities of animal movement when embodying them as a dance
  
• Experience the abstraction of animal movement by creating a dance improvisation
  
• Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process
  

 

III

Warm Up

Stretching

IV

Main Lesson

 

Videos

1

Heron Dance

 

 

2

3

Deer Dance

 

 

4

I. Watch the Above videos

Activity 1

 

Discuss with your group your reflection on these videos.

Write a statement in which you reflect on the value of observing animal behavior for the purpose of creating dance improvisation.

 

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V

 

Open the links and read. 

 

 LINK:

Dance Appreciation by Julie Dawn Loring 

 

Question 1

 

Which dances are the closest cousins of primal dances? Why?

LINK:

Spirit Moves: The Art of Simone Forti

(Paragraph 8) 

 

Question2

In which way are Simone Forti's ideas useful when embracing dance improvisation?

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VI

  

Activity 2

• Choose an animal of your preference
• 
  
• Observe its movements through videos & poses through pictures
• 
  
• Begin to pay attention to each part of the animal's body
• 
  
• Extend your own movement capacities
• 
  
• incorporate the animal's forms of locomotion
• 
  
• Strive to move non-stylistically
• 
  
• Challenge your upright human body by adopting the animal's movement
• 
  
• Explore your capacity to express abstract animal movement

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VII

Based on you exploration:

Create an eight moves (or more) phrase; find music for it; record it and post it on Discussion Board.

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VIII

Write a brief reflection on your process.

 

 

 

IX

 

Glossary

 

 X

Students' Work 

Celeste Pongratz (Make Up)

1. Which dances are the closest cousins of primal dances? Why? 

Primal dances and their closest cousins, such as Indigenous Ceremonial Dances, African Tribal Dances, Aboriginal Dances of Australia, Native American Pow-Wow Dances, and Shamanic Dances, share a profound connection rooted in ancient traditions, spirituality, and communal participation. These dance forms are integral to the cultural, ceremonial, and spiritual fabric of their respective communities, serving as a means of communication with the divine, the natural world, and with each other. Through their ritualistic purpose, symbolic representation, and emphasis on collective participation, these dances not only preserve and transmit cultural traditions and values but also underscore the universal human need for connection and expression through the powerful medium of movement.

1. In which way are Simone Forti's ideas useful when embracing dance improvisation?

Simone Forti's innovative approach to dance improvisation is profoundly influential, emphasizing the exploration of movement as a form of language, the value of natural and everyday movements, and the integration of interdisciplinary elements. Her work encourages dancers to embrace their unique physical vocabularies, making dance more accessible and personal. Forti introduces improvisational structures like "Dance Constructions" to provide a framework that balances freedom and guidance, fostering creativity within constraints. Additionally, her focus on presence and awareness heightens the sensitivity and responsiveness of dancers, enriching the improvisational experience. Through these principles, Forti's ideas expand the boundaries of dance improvisation, promoting a deeper, more authentic form of artistic and personal expression.

 

 

Tomi Frame

animal movement

1. Which dances are the closest cousins of primal dances 

Indigenous Ceremonial Dances, African Tribal Dances, Aboriginal Dances of Australia, Native American Pow-Wow Dances, and Shamanic Dances These divide a profound connection in ancient traditions.

1. In which way are Simone Forti's ideas useful when embracing dance improvisation?

Her innovative approach to dance improvisation is influential. She emphasizes the exploration of movement as language She also does this as a everyday movement,  Her work encourages dancers to physical vocabularies, making dance more accessible and personal. Forti introduces improvisational "Dance Constructions" to show a framework 

 CLASS

Claire Llewellyn

The biggest take away I took from this class was during the period of stretching/yoga. As we were stretching ourselves, Professor Morejón said something along the lines of "when you take in oxygen and breath you can grow your flexibility." I thought this was a pretty neat way to look at it and it inspired me to try to grow my flexibility so that I can maintain it, even when I am older in age. 

Meng Wang

 

In today's lesson, we started by stretching our bodies and doing some simple movements. Next, an animal was chosen to mimic its shape and characteristics. A relaxed performance is more natural.

 

 

 

Enrique  - Carlos Santos Ortiz

Animal exploration

 

Connecting to unnatural movements sets me free. I am not stiff or move as a human. It is unnatural to feel natural because growing up I stop moving freely. “Unnatural” movements allows me to connect with my natural side.

 

 

Gabi Ramsamy

During the warm up I very much enjoyed it. I'm not that flexible and usually very clumsy so I enjoyed the warm up as it has been able to help more become ore flexible and truly focused on my movements. This warm up also showed me that everyone has their own limits with flexibility and do what you can do and not look at other. The animal dance also showed me to embrace very simplistic movement even if them see easy and appreciate them, and also to let loose and not be so serious or worried about my movement. 

 

Claudia Crespo Marhuenda

Crab

I liked the most the activity were we had to dance like an animal, without worriyng too much about if we are doing it right. It was my first class and I really enjoy it. I didn´t feel awkard, instead I was feeling comfortable and confident. 

 

Al Jacobs

Animal movement exploration -Aj

For my movement I chose a Lion. It's strength poise and demeanor all of which I consider quite admirable. The class as a whole had a great collection of animals for the exercise. Felt nice to not engage in all the usual thought processes we as people engage in so often.

Daniel Bron

My Thoughts

Today’s dance class was unlike anything I’ve done before. As a tech and business person, I’m used to structure and predictability. So, this was a leap – my first dance class, and we dove straight into improvisation, embodying a bird.

Initially, I felt out of my element. But as I started moving, something clicked. I focused on how I imagined a bird would move – light, with swift, fluid motions. I found myself paying attention to the subtleties of movement, something I rarely think about in my day-to-day life.

The challenge of expressing a bird’s essence without words or technology was surprisingly liberating. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, both physically and mentally. I had to tap into a part of my creativity that’s usually dormant, relying on instinct rather than logic.

The class atmosphere was supportive, which helped. Everyone was experimenting and exploring, just like me. It felt like a shared journey, even though it was deeply personal.

Reflecting on it, this dance improvisation class was more than just an exercise in movement. It was a lesson in adaptability, creativity, and embracing the unfamiliar. I left the class feeling unexpectedly invigorated and inspired. It’s something I’d never imagined myself doing, yet now, I can’t wait for the next class.

 

Katerina Molina

 

I enjoyed today's class. I found interesting how there were multiple interpretations of the same animal. Also when mimicking animals, the movements tend to be more fluid and natural.

 

 

 

Lauren Tedesco

I thought that it was not hard to do animal movement. I have never taken a dance class before and was a little bit nervous but it ended up being super fun and light hearted. As the class went on, I felt more and more comfortable dancing. I also was caughy by suprise that I was a little more flexible than I thought I was. 

Adaria Fennoy

 

Loved the warmup!! Very thorough and enjoyed dancing and improving with multiple people. I decided to be an elephant for todays class topic. It was super interesting watching a video and actually putting it into my body to showcase. At first, it felt really awkward and weird, but once I realized it is just class, I got more comfortable just being myself!

 

 

Shayla Modi

I felt energetic in the first part of the class, and then the stressing and meaningful movement helped calm me. These movements helped me breathe better and with more intent. I enjoyed attempting to replicate the movement of an animal, as it allowed me to do movements I normally wouldn't. Improvisation should be freeing, and should not be taken too seriously.

 

Sofia Kauderer

This class made me feel free today and relaxed after a stressful day. It made me feel alive embodying the horse and being able to improvise on the spot. I hope to become more flexible by the end of this semester.

Alejandra Hernandez

In today's class I felt like I came out of my shell by not taking everything so seriously. I tried to embody a lion through this activity and I really enjoyed having to think in primitive ways. 

Emma Tishler

Iguana movement

Today I became an iguana like the ones on campus. They move sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly and I could feel myself creeping around like they creep up to me while I’m studying. I tried to embody the iguana from the inside out by making my eye movements sporadic. It was fun getting to be an animal and explore the different levels of space.

 

 

 

Yiyun Yang

The first part of class is tired but really stretch my body and made my body more flexible. In the second part, I imitate the peacock. I think it’s very interesting and build deeper connection between my body and nature.

 

 

 Lauryn Lee

Today we explored animal interpretation for improvization. I performed that of a flamingo I honed in on one aspect of how it stands on one foot. I feel like it was hard if i wanted to incorporate more detailed and unique aspects of the animal and if i had to tie it together for choreo.