Saturday, January 19, 2008

Here's Looking at You

I was once conducting a dance rehearsal, and I did an exercise in which I asked the group to demonstrate various expressions in front of mirrors. When one of the last dancers came forward, she replied with her head down, "I can't..." Because of the way she saw herself, she could not comfortably face herself in the mirror.

Taking a look at ourselves helps us to improve. We should make a habit of taping our movement presentations and then watch them to discover ways we can enhance the work. Even professional athletes watch games in which they have played to see where improvements can be made. Look at pictures of yourself in motion. Are your hands and feet in the right places? Do you look angry when you are dancing to the word "rejoice"?

DVDs and photos have greatly helped me "clean up" some choreography and continue to present excellent in movement. Rehearsing in front of mirrors also helps tremendously, but when we see ourselves in action in an actual setting, we can see where changes may need to be made. Don't be afraid to face the fact that many of us are still learning and growing. One of my favorite inspirational scriptures is Proverbs 22:29 "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men." (NKJV)

The following is a video that I have enjoyed time and again. Take a look...

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