Ballet Tea

Body aches to the core.

I am on break from work this week, though not resting from everything else. This week is all for dancing - Contemporary to be exact. 

Last month, I signed up for a membership with Dance House, which is barely a ten minute walk down from where I live. As a new member, I get to do all the classes and workshops during this Tertiary Dance Week for free! My first class was yesterday morning with Russell Dumas. He spoke mainly on the fundamentals, the body, with very little/no dancing, which frustrated some participants as they were expecting a session that will make them move, not a lecture. I, on the other hand, find it really informative, and have been trying to apply it on my body. The most difficult thing about doing Contemporary Dance again after so long is having to break my ballet posture (also mentioned in Russell's talk as he was a professional ballet dancer).

Following the morning class, I stayed on for the workshop session with Steph Hutchinson, having no clue what I was about to receive from those two hours. Well, I briefly read the workshop details but did not plan to participate, hence did not have much of a thought about it. She started off with a bootcamp - great way to wake up my lazy ass and start my week, followed by .. TUMBLING!! It was my first time tumbling, and man, it is addictive!! I always have this fear of doing a handstand, though I just kicked up and flopped onto the mat (not gracefully, yet, unfortunately). Maybe it's because I knew I was in good hands, or maybe I felt pressured that the four other participants were actively going at it. Either way, I had to suppress my 'fear' and just went for it. No regrets! Then she gave us two highly advanced (for me) choreography, which I tried my best to catch up though my mind felt like mush at that time. Overall, it was a great session.

This morning, I did a class with Becky Hilton. She is HILARIOUS!! I wonder if she teaches regularly, I would love to do her class. I shall look on that in a bit. Google has been my best friend since I got here, that's how I discover all these workshops/classes. No doubt, I find it so much easier to move when I 'let go'. However, I am so used to having this sense of control over my upper body (especially), like what we were trained to do in ballet. I still lack coordination, though I am definitely improving (a lot!) from before.

In addition to Tertiary Dance Week, I am also rehearsing for Bounczn Dance Company's end of the year show, Depart 3. Last night, I opened up to the group on some struggles I am facing, having to literally drop everything I had back in Malaysia to move here with so much uncertainty. As highlighted briefly in my previous post, I have developed more than I did in the first half of 2013, which is pretty amazing, if I may say so myself. We are working with two great choreographers for the show. I admit, I lack the stamina needed and have to continue building my strength. Nevertheless, I am glad these guys pushed us beyond our limits. Did I tell you they are extremely welcoming and encouraging? It feels like being in a big family of dancers from different backgrounds.

That pretty much sums up my dance journey for the past two months. I am trying to upload some photos, but the internet connection in the library is pretty sucky at times (when some inconsiderate person watches Youtube or does something that requires heavy bandwidth).

Till then, I will continue updating about Depart 3 in weeks to come. 

If you are in Melbourne on the 13th and 14th December, you should come watch us. Pre-sale tix will be released soon, and there is only a limited number of tickets due to seating. Guess where it's gonna be held? Dance House!!  :)