Do we realise the benefits our students gain in our classes and studios?

 I have found myself interested in many directions with regards to philosophy and dance, from Katahrine Dunham and her racial, anthropological acceptance and equality to Sondra Fraleigh and her links with movement and healing.

With looking at what other practitioners have achieved as they have looked outward at the communities, countries and philosophical and political effects. I found my self wondering why I was unfamiliar with some these practitioners as they have paved the way for my own learning and teaching. Martha graham and her manipulation of gravity and use of breath has been the foundation of what I was taught and performed and now pushes through within my own teaching, yet I was unaware of the origin. As i start to delve into other literature and start to look at my own interests, the possible effects we have on a child's development keeps pulling me back, I wonder what and how exactly it does benefit the children I teach, if at all?

I think it's something we can overlook as we focus on the routines, the spacing, their technique and how well they're advancing and how to help their progress it can all become localised to within the classroom.
Yet to explore the possibility of developmental benefits as a direct result of what happens within Dance classes is a wondrous concept to me.

This is an article, one of many, that has lit a dozen light bulbs within my own mind triggering heaps of questions and a want to explore these avenues further. Are there any direct developmental effects from my own classes? and is it a direct causation? If their are developmental benefits then would this be enhanced as I am made aware of them and can work towards or enhance any qualities found? Are their exiting methods to use dance as a tool to enhance development? Would that make a difference or would does it occur naturally and exist with no causation to individual teacher?

http://www.ndeo.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=893257&module_id=55419

Embodiment and Dualism

Well hasn't this sparked off some discussions within my household.
Making use of my 'in-between time' I have been reading through the module 2 handbook and reading and researching influential practitioners (currently adoring Katharine Dunham and Sondra Fraleigh).
Yet it was not til recently I thought to ask others how they thought of our minds and bodies. Do they lean towards dualism or embodiment?
As soon as I read both definitions there was no doubt in my mind as to my own opinion. I believe the mind and the body are connected and the body can influence the mind.
Yet having very technological people in my life this has sprouted heated discussions of how their opinions differ, they believe the body and mind are two completely separate entities and we are no different to a computers core processor.
It's interesting to hear others opinions from a modern viewpoint and their own interpretations and explanations.
It has caused me to look deeper into what I believe and why ? Is it because of my chosen profession and my own understanding and connection with my own body through dance and movement that I believe in a link and the influence of the body?  Have I actually read, understood and researched into both embodiment and dualism enough to be so certain about my own beliefs? Did I just to jump to a decision?
Though still leaning towards embodiment I will continue to research and understand both to find out exactly what I believe and hopefully why?
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/a-brief-guide-to-embodied-cognition-why-you-are-not-your-brain/
I found this article really helpful to put things into perspective and help with the debates going on within my family as I feel this puts embodiment into a simpler form and also pushes through clear research (it was also pretty helpful it used references to computers to help my own case while debating).
Wondering how everyone else is getting along and if you have any thoughts or have come across any good articles or books.
I have just started reading moving consciously by Sondra Fraleigh ( recommended on my very first blog post by Helen) so will hopefully feedback on that soon!

Direction and inspiration

The Skype call today at 5 pm was so amazingly helpful and interesting.

Do you ever come out of teaching and dance class so proud of everything that has just happened in that studio? Just like you have no idea what those students ate for breakfast but it worked 110%  You come out inspired and with creative direction for the next week, section or routine. 

This is how I felt with this Skype call today. Through listening to people on module 3 discuss their case studies and us all discuss the blend between personal and professional development, I found myself sitting back and just listening and loving talking to like minded people. Being so interested in everybody's journeys and studying helped me in my own. Prompting thought processes, which wouldn't have occurred without discussion from others who understand the profession. 

I feel like I have so many ideas and inspirations tonight and a clear direction for my writing to go in that I don't need the usual caffeine fix, half an hour of tapping my feet and getting nowhere,before getting to it. 

A lot of things discussed tonight resonated with me and the answers to my confusion of overthinking and maybe previously trying to divide myself are really useful and something I am hopefully going to carry through and use to enhance my writing.

Discovering AOL's

After talking over skype this morning about my AOL'S it was a realization that I hadn't gone deep enough. I had just skimmed the top of my learning and my thought processes need to take a dive to a level of deeper understanding and specificity. I came away with areas of learning that were specific to me and as I reflect on my first attempt it seemed to be a very general list of AOL titles that could have fit many people.I now have a focus and lots of research to do!

I understand that this is a learning process meaning you have to start somewhere to achieve what is desired. The light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. At the start of my call I felt like couldn't even see the tunnel never mind the light. Now I feel I am just at the beginning, with a lot of articles and drafts ahead. The light is definitely there no matter how small. I know it will be a lengthy process and not necessarily and easy one but it is a journey of self discovery, learning and reflection that has now begun. 

Stage 1

Having taught dance for the past 7 years and been able to travel and experience different cultures. I am so excited to start this new journey.

If I ever stop learning I think I'd cease to exist. Working in an industry that is evolving all the time can make it hard to keep up, but that is also the most fun. There is no chance of ever getting bored.
However there is a chance of falling behind. The day a child comes into my class and tells me something I have never heard of will be the day I need to look back and see where I got stuck.

Studying this MAPP course will not only expand my knowledge and allow me to transform and grow as a dance teacher. It also allows me to look back at what I have learned and how I have learned it.
This is so exciting as I feel most of my time spent training and teaching was about looking forward, always wondering what's next and what I can do better next time. To go back and to take the time to reflect is something that is completely alien but I think it will bring a deeper understanding of myself and my teaching.

I know this wont be easy but I'm willing to give it everything I've got.

Here is to many cups of teas, late nights and head scratching!

Elysian

Elysian
A blissful, peaceful and paradisaical place or frame of mind. A place where you lose yourself and feel inner peace and happiness. Is this where we go when we dance? When we don't think about the movement anymore and are so fine tuned with the music that its almost a blur to remember.
At what point do our movements become so natural we no longer remember where they came from.