Contemporary dance: beginners

What is the course about?

Connect to your physical body in this fun class that will teach you how to move in the lyrical flow and syncopated steps of a collective dialogue of dance influences. Learn how to undulate your spine, rotate your hips, energise your body, move your pelvis and engage your soul in a rhythmic resonance of movement and dance.

The course is underpinned by Somatics practice, which is a field within bodywork and movement practice which places focus on deepening one’s awareness of the body and the processes going on within through engaging with internal physical perception and experience.

What will we cover?

You will learn how to develop your ability to express yourself from your physicality. The course will give you a basic physical understanding of Contemporary dance, focusing on: alignment, placement, posture, expression, spatial awareness, musicality, dynamic movement qualities, sensitivity in relationship to rhythm and beat, phrasing and stylistic features. Students will learn how to express their physicality in a dynamic fashion learning fundamentals such as turns, kicks, undulation, co-ordination, isolation, balance, flexibility using body conditioning and strengthening exercises. The course will allow you to lose your inhibitions, and gain confidence while moving, breathing and being.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Gain a basic understanding of the Contemporary dance technique
• Develop and improve your general physical expression in dance
• Use and work with music in a more constructive and embodied manner to fully engage mind and body so as to enrich your physical experience and expression
• Deepen your awareness of the association between rhythm and movement
• Perform and execute dynamic dance sequence and steps
• Develop your co-ordination skills, flexibility, strength and stamina as well as develop your use of weight, breath and core to achieve greater dynamics qualities in your dance.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The class is sutiable for beginners. The skills needed are co-ordination and basic fitness, equally these skills will develop further throughout the course.

In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
• Follow spoken instructions
• Use numbers to recognise rhythms within dance.
• Work within groups and pairs safely.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught within a guided learning, group environment, through a variety of studio based activities, demonstrations, explorations and various reflective processes. Students will receive feedback on a regular basis of their progress during the course through sharing’s, and reflective processes. The learning strategy is very much grounded within the framework of reflective learning, where individuals are encouraged to take ownership for their development under the guidance of the course tutor. The course has a physical approach and is structured to help students take that step out of their comfort zone and into the unknown, through an experiential journey of exploration to unfold discovery.

As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please wear clothing that does not restrict your movement and allows you to adapt to changes in your body temperature. Bare feet or anti-grip socks should be used except in exceptional cases to be discussed with the teacher. We recommend a dance belt be worn by men and all students to tie their hair back if it is long for their own safety and comfort. Please remove jewellery for both comfort and health and safety.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Continue with this class or try one of our many other dance courses.