REFLECTION JOURNAL #1-BODY

July 24, 2017

REFLECTION JOURNAL #1-BODY

7/24/17-Session 1
Theme: BODY

During today's exploration of the Body Element, I found that my prior knowledge and experiences with the material guided me through both the physical/creative process as well as the written/analysis work, which helped me feel somewhat comfortable. For example, I used prior knowledge from past LMA/LOD exposure during the improvisations and when deciphering the Motif symbol meanings in our groups. However, I also felt I challenged myself to make different movement choices and make an effort to move out of habitual patterns, for ex. when working with the smaller body parts, such as hands and fingers and initiating arm the hands, this allowed me to focus on this area vs others and investigate a choice I may not have utilized or explored before. I also appreciated creating the four movements based on our chosen motifs and then having to change how they were initiated and lead with the written score. I felt this changed the dynamic of the movement and allowed me to think about the movement in a new way stimulating the idea that there can be limitless variations of the same movement!!

The sequential lining up of the symbols was also an "AHA" moment because I did not know this was possible in Motif score writing and added a new layering possibility. In addition, the idea that a gestural rotation of the wrist is actually a different symbol vs the full body rotation. I would like to learn more about this within motif score writing and analysis for movement.

Moving forward with the course, I am hoping to become more connected with the LMA language and usage (for ex-the Body Connectivity patterns) as I would like to help students use more detailed language when observing and critiquing work (self, peer, professional). I am constantly trying to find time for more of this type of discussion work without losing the study and exploration of the technical and creative work being done in class. I try to instill a love for dance and its diversity, which I feel also includes the fact that dance can also be "academic" or a "thinking art" form, similar to Laban's concept of the "art of movement".