What happens on the dancefloor?

Classes often begin with a warm-up.Different styles and tempos of music is played and you have the opportunity to stretch and generally prepare your body for the class ahead. It's very helpful for both you and the group if you arrive on time. This will help everyone to sink in to the practice without distractions and lessens the chance of injuries occurring. It also gives me more opportunity to read the energy in the room and see what the group might need that evening.

For a few tips and encouragements for the warm up section of our class ( which can sometimes be a whole wave ) see the following -
For some people teacherless free space is a delight but if it isnt then this is for you.

I suggest that unless you really cant i.e transport, prior engagement - be ready to move on the dance floor at six forty five.

Put everything that you have arrived with in to motion - sore muscles, relief,the bad journey,cluelessness, joy at seeing friends. Imagine that you are a great choreographer that can dance every one of these states of being even if you cant name them. Keep dancing with whatever arises and notice and move with the changes of music. Notice which rhythms feel good and which feel too loud, too fast, too slow and physicalise each moment. Allow yourself to be moody - breathe and give everything, even thoughts, space for expression in movement.

If you find yourself continually arriving later see if you can get to the bottom of it. There are so many variations of the examples below. Watch yourself next time you arrive for a class and dance the story.

e.g " The beginning is too slow - I cant dance without a beat "

Turn up at six forty five anyway and engage with that nothingness - find the slouch, or the impatience in movement - dance it 100 times until that still quiet part of you begins to speak back to you and leads you in its own way in to the dance. This is such a hard place for so many of us in our culture, yet so loaded with potential.

e.g " I dont want to be the first one here".

Someones got to be ! Find a corner , pull your hood up and dance your shy, dont look at me dance.

e.g " Two and a quarter hours will wear me out, so I will come a bit later "

Check this one out in movement - see what happens if you truly follow your energy moment to moment.

This is usually followed by a "wave" or two (read the"five rhythms" page for an explanation of this). I love to experiment musically so you will experience a range of styles. As you begin,

listen to each instruction as if you could hear it with your whole body and then ask yourself to move! Whatever your body offers you, take it as a starting point for exploration. You can't do a wrong dance in this practice so feel free to explore. I will be there to help guide you through the structures.

During the wave you may be asked to dance with partners or work in groups. Stay alive to how near or far away you want to be from someone. Trust your instincts.

Practically speaking, it's good to bring water to drink and wear loose clothes. Chewing gum and sharp jewellery are hazardous in the dance with a lot of moving bodies around so ensure you don't bring either on to the dance floor and please, no socks - our floor is quite slippery. Try trainers or experiment with dancing barefoot. Lastly, no chatting in the dance space - use the urge to speak as a wakeup call to get a little more physical and dance a little deeper. Enjoy!

Click the link below if you would like to watch people dancing a wave.