5 Rhythms: Stillness & Guest Teacher Yael Schwietzer

 

Unit: 5 Rhythms

Theme: Stillness

I

 Introduction 

Yael Schwietzer is a dance therapist and creative movement teacher. She does a form of mindful movement called Pure Dance. Yael has a grant from the Barbara Mettler Foundation to do workshop/classes. She has chosen our Dance Program to share her knowledge with our students. Yael will address stillness by emphasizing the pause between movement phrases.

 

II

Learning Objectives

• Understand the use of pause in facilitating body expression
  
• Explain  how the pause affects freedom of body expression
• Gain an awareness of how joining other students can inform the process
  
• Experience the creative process through sensing, feeling and expressing movement forms
  

 III

 Main Lesson

Schwietzer's Pure Dance

 

 I. Walking around

Stop. How and what do you feel

Do not judge

Pay attention to your breathing

Think: How do I feel today?

Be aware of who is in the room with you.

 

 II. Walk again

Pause

We will begin with stretches: Any body part you want

Try to listen to your body and feel what part of your body wants to stretch

Close your eyes and notice/sense the difference from having your eyes open

Back to body stretches, but this time focus more on rolling movements of body parts

You can also change levels

Try swings of the arms allowing the swing to take more space

Add energy to the swings as if your are throwing energy around

Shaking...

 

Question 1

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

III. Explanation

We do not use music

We use movement from within

Get closer

We will use movement impulses.

At one point we pause. I call them mindful pause.

There are thousands of options on how to move.

There is no right or wrong.

So, we will do one random movement, then pause.

We will move together.

 

IV. Organic Movement

We will try to produce organic movement

Allow your body to surprise.

 Be led by the movement

It is not about how it looks, but how it feels.

You can close your eyes.

You will recognize the moment is created from within.

Come to the last movement and hold your last position.

 

Question 2

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

V. Looking for the next movement

Move and pause, stay still and feel what is the next movement that needs to emerge

Pause...

Now move again in the same fashion, until you come to a mindful pause

Do not wait for the pause to be called, pause you feel it is necessary and natural

Sense your body

 

Question 3

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

VI. Come Closer

Reflecting

Does any body experienced a movement that was new

These are reflections that allow you to discover new ways of moving

Participants: Nadia, Enrique

 

 

 

VII. Working in pairs

Spread out

We will have a conversation in movement.

We will do one movement at a time.

 Demonstration (Shayla and Yael)

Allow yourself to see what movement comes next

Sense your own body and the other person's body

Come to a final pose and stay there

Pick around to observe other's poses

Discuss your experience with your partner

Say thank you to your partner.

 

 

 

Question 4

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

VIII. Moving Together

Walk Around and find another partner

Demonstration

One person starts, the other follows, bu trying to join the partner

Move together, but synchronizing the movement

Moving with the other person

See if you can continue moving together, but without a leader 

Do not move in the same way. Be with the movement of the other

Allow the movement to lead you

Slowly bring it to an end.

Talk to each other about the experience

Say thank you to your partner

 

 

Question 5

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

IX. Groups of 4

Explanation:

One will lead the group creating a flow of movement

The movement will travel from one person to the next

After it goes around, eventually you will pause, see the group's shape

Then, you move again. 

Work:

Start by bringing awareness to the body

One group member starts, the others follow consecutively.

Transition to more sequential movement

Change the movement as you take turns to lead.

Bring it to an end

Feedback:

Each group did something different which leads to improvisation

How was the experience?

It was enjoyable

 

 

Question 6

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

X. Moving using different movements

This time you are not doing the same movement

Free movement, free dancing and relating to each other

Pause; sense the group, the shape, where do you want to go now?

Moving and pause. Whenever your are ready, begin to move... then take a pause

Continue to move until you come to your final pause.

 

Question 7

What do you think was the purpose of this exercise?

 

XI. Sharing

One group would like to volunteer?

Notice what the pause does to the dance...

Take a moment to talk in the groups about your experience.

 

XII. Final Dance

3 minutes of dance

The class is divided in two big groups

Dance with pauses, in any way you want

Sense the group and continue from there

Evey pause is an opportunity to be mindful about your movement.

 

XIII. Wrapping Up

Any feedback?

Let us create a circle

There is an invitation to touch the other person

Rubbing hands, touch face, head, arms, chest, shoulders, stomach, hips, back, legs, shake it all up

Take two steps in, one more, rub your hands

Turn to the right and now  pat your partners back, shake it all up, repeat to the other side

Spread the circle, look around, appreciate all the members of the group and give yourself a hug

 

 IV

A Note to Remember

We do not use music. We use movement from within. We use movement impulses. At one point we pause to experience what Yael defines as a "mindful pause." There are thousands of options on how to move. There is no right or wrong.

 

V

Case Study

Barbara Mettler and Tucson Creative Dance Center

 

Barbara Mettler (1907 - 2002) continuously searched for the basic elements of dance which can make it immediately available to all people as a creative art activity.

Believing that dance is a basic human need and that dance-- the art of body movement-- is the primary, central art, she explored new approaches to both the body as instrument and movement as the material of dance.

For sixty years Mettler directed Mettler Studios, which in 1963 found a permanent home at the Tucson Creative Dance Center. Through her studio, Mettler offered on-going classes and intensive courses each year. She taught thousands of people of all ages from kindergarten to elderly, including people with special needs. Her intensive summer- long course attracted large groups of students, many of whom went on to teach creative dance in their own communities or integrate her principles into their professional lives. Her way of work emphasized individual and group improvisation as a means of liberating and cultivating the natural creative movement resources which are in everyone. Mettler’s pioneering research, exploration and practice of large group dance improvisation is recognized as a ground-breaking, unique contribution to contemporary dance. 

Question  8

After watching the video above, describe the main points discussed by Mettler.

 

VIII

 Glossary

 

 

IX

Journaling

 

 

X

Sources

 

Roth, Gabrielle (1998). Maps to Ecstasy. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Maps_to_Ecstasy/32dt-2F-sjkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Chaos

 

XI

Students' Work 

 

Make Up

8 days ago

Delaney Brown

1. I think the purpose of this exercise is to wake the body and explore your body's awareness. It wants you to let your body explore organic movements. 

2. I think this exercise is getting comfortable with what a pause feels like. Understanding that a pause is part of dance and let your body feel it. 

3. This exercise is meant to reflect on how you let your body move and reflect on any news ways of moving you might have discovered

4. I think this exercise was to learn how to communicate non-verbally with others through dance. I think it also teaches you how to move based off someone else's movements. 

5. I think this exercise furthers the learning to move with another person. Taking one persons energy and pouring yours into it. 

6. This exercise furthers the connection of dancing with one another and using each-other's energy to dance.

7. This exercise was meant to wrap up all the techniques learned. Dancing with one another using pauses.

8. One key point from Mettler is using group improv to create new movements with one another

 

Oriana Davila

1. This exercise was aimed at exploring your body's instinctive movements. To generate organic motion, you need to lean into your feelings and impulses.
2. This exercise focused on becoming attuned to what a pause feels like in your movements and learning to pause in a natural way.
3. The purpose of this exercise was to reflect on how you created movements and to notice what you did differently compared to previous attempts.
4. This exercise aimed to help you work on moving naturally with another person and learning to communicate without words.
5. The goal of this exercise was to practice the flow of movement between people, to give and receive flow, and to respond to different movements.
6. This exercise encouraged using free movement to respond to and connect with others.
7. The purpose of this exercise was to use pauses and group movements as a chance to practice mindfulness.
8. A key point Mettler discusses is emphasizing individual and group improvisation to foster free natural creative movement.

 

Savannah Park Questions

1. I think the purpose of this exercise was to explore your body's implusive movements. By trying to produce organic movements you have to lean into your feelings and impulses from within.

2. I think the purpose of this exercise is to really get in tune with what a pause feels like in your movement and how to pause organically.

3. The purpose of this exercise was to reflect on how you we able to create and see what you did that was different than before.

4. I think the purpose of this exercise was to work on moving organically with someone else and learning how to use non verbal communication.

5. The purpose of this exercise was to work on flow from one person to another. To give and recieve flow and react to different movements.

6. The purpose of this exercise was to use free movement to respond and connect to others.

7. The purpose of this exercise was to be able to use pauses and group movements to as an opportunity to be mindful.

8. A main point discussed by Mettler is emphasizing individual and group improvisation as a means of liberating and cultivating the natural creative movement.

 

Celeste Pongratz

1. Purpose of exercise: In summary, Schwietzer's Pure Dance exercise is designed to awaken the dancer’s awareness of their own body, their feelings, and their surroundings, all while encouraging a fluid, expressive use of movement. It blends mindfulness with physical activity, aiming for a holistic approach to dance that engages both the emotional and physical dimensions of the participants.

1. Purpose of exercise: Overall, the purpose of this exercise is to deepen participants' connection to their own bodies and emotions, explore movement in a mindful and organic way, and create a space for personal expression and creativity without the influence of music or prescribed choreography.

1. Purpose of exercise: Overall, the exercise is designed to help participants explore and express their movement in a way that is deeply personal, intuitive, and reflective, fostering a greater connection between mind, body, and the emotional landscape that informs their dance.

2. Purpose of exercise: Overall, the purpose of this paired exercise is to explore the dynamics of movement as a form of communication, deepen interpersonal connections, and encourage an intuitive and empathetic approach to dance. It highlights the value of collaboration, mutual respect, and the shared joy of movement.

1. Purpose of exercise: Overall, this exercise aims to explore the dynamics of partnership in dance, emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and mutual support in creating a harmonious and synchronized movement experience.

1. Purpose of exercise: Overall, this exercise aims to explore and enhance the interplay between individual creativity and group dynamics, promoting a deeper understanding of collective movement, leadership, and the spontaneous creation of shared experiences through dance.

1. Purpose of exercise: Overall, this exercise seeks to blend individual freedom with a sense of group unity, emphasizing the importance of mindful presence, personal expression, and the interplay between individual and collective movement within a communal dance space.

1. After watching the video above, describe the main points discussed by Mettler.

• Dance as Essential: Viewing dance as a basic human need for expression and creativity.

• Dance for Everyone: Advocating for the accessibility of dance across all ages and abilities.

• Body as Instrument: Focusing on using the body naturally and expressively in dance.

• Creative Movement: Highlighting movement as the core element of dance creativity.

• Importance of Improvisation: Using improvisation to unlock creativity and connect with others.

• Innovative Group Dance: Discussing her pioneering work in large group improvisation.

• Teaching Philosophy: Sharing her approach to teaching and her impact on students and the dance community.

 

Work

Alejandra Hernandez

I really enjoyed learning from the guest teacher today. I learned how to work with a partner and incorporate forms of human connection. I plan on using these exercises with my day-to-day relationships.