Whether you are a solo kitchen dancer, a weekend raver or you haven't danced since high school, you've still probably had that self-consciousness feeling that kicks in when you start dancing at a social event. It's an interesting part of our social world that involves showing off our coordination (or lack there of) to music. Dancing in this context is a social activity and very connected with how we present ourselves and relate to others.
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Dancing can also be pretty enjoyable, for example, the rush of endorphins from a dance exercise class or the euphoric feeling of loosing yourself in a piece of music. It's a great way to let off steam and relax.Ā
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It starts to get a little more complicated when you start to talk about dance as a profession. Dancers may have lost connection to some of these more positive aspects due to repetitive training and injury. They may have even lost the sense of joy that drew them to it, due to the culture of competition and criticism in professional dance education.Ā
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Because of this it's important for dancers to continue learning about and caring for themselves, so that they can stay connected within and retain their joy of dancing.
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This month we speak to two accomplished FeldenkraisĀ® practitioners, Alice Friedman and Daniel Burkholder, both of whom integrate their knowledge of being professional dancers into their work. We find out what wisdom the Feldenkrais Method can offer to dancers, both professionally and casually which can help them express themselves authentically.Ā
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Alice Friedman is an assistant FeldenkraisĀ® trainer who started life as a dancer in New York, she is also a trained psychologist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner. In the interview Alice shares what brought her to the Feldenkrais MethodĀ® of somatic education and how it has impacted her own journey as a dancer, also how she integrates that knowledge when working with clients and students.Ā
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Daniel Burkholder is an award-winning choreographer, improviser, performer and teacher who works at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Due to his own preferences for spontaneity and improvisation he has created a unique way of teaching dance that draws on the Feldenkrais MethodĀ® of somatic education. He discusses two aspects of his teaching, 'un-mapping' and 'the spontaneous self' which are designed to encourage finding new options to existing movement challenges, and bringing your newly resourced self into your dance performances.Ā
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We hope you enjoy the contributions and keep on dancing!
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FeldenkraisĀ® Communication Team
Jane, Michelle, Seth and Joe
