Okay, so as of now, we're using Kelly Clarkson's "Addicted" as our major choreography piece.
Today's class will be a little on the short side (I'm helping with dance team tryouts this week), but we'll start on the choreography next week.
Floor Warm-Up
Almost Lover-A Fine Frenzy
www.youtube.com . . .
Start in straddle. Hold your straddle for 8 counts, sitting up completely straight with your shoulders over your hips.
Reach over your head to the right and hold for 8 counts.
Rotate to the center, hold for 8 counts.
Rotate to the left, 8 counts.
Sit up in your straddle for 8 counts.
Reach over to the right, nose-to-knee, 8 counts.
Rotate to the center again, 8 counts.
And to the left, nose-to-knee, 8 counts.
Bring your legs in to a pike. Hold for 8 counts with your feet pointed, knees pushed into the ground.
Point your toes, reach up, bend over, and hold for 8 counts.
Flex and hold for 8 counts.
Come up, alternate pointing a flexing your feet for 2 counts each.
Bring your feet in to butterfly position.
Hold for 8 counts with your back completely straight, shoulders pressed down.
Twist your left arm to your right knee and turn to the back for 4 counts.
Switch to your left knee, 4 counts.
Bend down, nose-to-toes, 8 counts.
Stretch on your own until you feel stretched enough to do your splits.
Then, hold each splits (right, left, center) for 8 or 16 counts each, depending on your ability.
Pirouette Practice
Storm-Lifehouse
www.youtube.com . . .
Run single, double, and triple pirouettes, four times each, left and right.
Ex. Four right singles, four left singles, etc.
Leap Practice
What If?-Coldplay
www.youtube.com . . .
Chasse, Step, Grade Jete
Twice on right, twice on left.
Chasse, Step, Developpe.
Twice on right, twice on left.
Chasse, Chasse, Run, Run, Side Leap.
Twice on right, twice on left.
Run, run, run, run, switch leap.
Twice on right, twice on left.
Basic Technique
I'm Not That Girl-Idina Menzel
www.youtube.com . . .
Step, Battement Right, Step, Battement Left. Across Floor.
Chasses across floor.
Chaine Turns across floor.
Chaine-Chaine-Pique across floor.
Emotions
No Music.
This is very similar to an exercise we used in Week 3.
First, walk slowly across the floor, focusing on the emotion of anger.
Although your individual interpretation will differ, you may choose to use violent, jerky gestures and very heavy steps.
Walk across the floor again, this time focusing on sadness. Your motions may be very fluid and mourning, and you may stumble or fall into the floor.
Walk across again, focusing on happiness. Walk lightly and gracefully, taking great care with the little motions of the head, shoulders, feet, and hands.
Now, we're going to move into some more complex emotions that are more difficult to portray. Don't worry if you can't seem to get anything; these exercises are just to help you understand your body and how it relates to emotions portrayed in dance.
Let's start with jealously. Some ideas: flashing backward glances, something very serpentine or snakelike, whatever. Just let your imagination run wild.
Also repeat this exercise with the emotions of Awe, Heartbreak, Boredom, Defeat, and Confusion. Really focus on using all of your body:
Head-Up, down, tilted, looking, turning.
Shoulders-hunched, pushed down, one forward.
Arms-bent, out, in, straight.
Hands-fists, "ballet hands", blades, clenched.
Wrists- "broken", strong, loose.
^^And that's only the beginning of all of the motions that you can use to communicate your emotion.
As a little bit of a homework assignment, I want each of you to pick an emotion. It can be one of the ones I listed above, or one you came up with on your own. Please don't use Happiness/Sadness/Anger; make it a little harder than that. Then, post your emotion along with three body movements that you used to express your emotion.
For example, if I used Happiness (Which you cannot use), I might respond with.
Shoulders-Pressed down, One slightly forward.
Feet-pointed as I walk, very light steps.
Hands-very graceful, but relaxed.
Get it? Okay.
Cooldown
Amazing Because It Is-The Almost
www.youtube.com . . .
Stand straight, feet in parallel second, arms straight out to the sides.
Reach your Right arm over your head to the left.
Continuing the motion, rotate your back and bring your Left arm up.
Both arms should be in fifth-position, and your back should be flat (horizontal).
Keeping the motion flowing, reach your left arm over your head to the right.
Return to standing position.
Bend into a deep grande plie, heels on the ground.
Put your arms on your thighs.
Straighten your right arm, twisting your body to the left.
Bend your right arm again, and straighten the left.
