Till The Next Song Plays

I ended the "Best of Jazz" Dance Workshop series on the evening of Mid-Autumn's night. In a way, it's symbolic for it's come one full circle. My greatest joy as a coach is to see my students grow, in mind and in spirit. My soul sings when I see them progress. It's the greatest joy that any instructor can get.

Today, I'm going to share with you a note which another one of my dance students sent me... she's basically asking if we are all born to dance. Here's our exchange.

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Dear Bill,

I've been thinking about this all night and need to get it off my chest because I will otherwise go insane(r). This was prompted by your class last night where I saw how challenged I was in terms of co-ordination.

What I'm wondering after all that is - Are dancers born to dance? I'm thinking some people have that grace and the uncanny knack to just be able to move - fluidly and languidly in such an effortless way whereas others (i.e. me) move like an old puttering station wagon (heavily and in a very slothlike/constipated manner).

Second part to this is, even if we aren't born dancers, can we train ourselves to get better at it or will there always be limits as to how much a person can do (the barrier being the shortcomings in one's natural abilities and talents)?

Sorry I'm analysing this ad nauseum. All of this is leading to a bigger question which plays in my head - are we all born with a purpose and if so, what is mine on this planet?

Musings on a wicked Wednesday...

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To all my dancing divas reading this:

There are no born dancers. We are all born to move...dance.

I have seen -- time and time again -- individuals that momentarily failed at all sorts of performance art to later become supreme in their trade. It is not so much the plumbing of the body as it is the wiring within the head.

You have all progressed from all kinds of awkwardness to that which you achieved in my workshops.

You don't see it because you are blind to your own progress - its like driving in a car and looking out the side window -- at the landscape/horizon -- and having it appear as if you aren't moving. If however, you were gazing, from the horizon, at the speeding car, you would see the progression. You, like others are the car. I am viewing from the horizon.

I have found that it's got to do with one's lack of self-belief that deters them to achieve and to reach greater heights. It really is no different to any other pursuit. Physically, of course there are certain limitations - inherent flexibility for instance. Aside from that though there is little else that cannot be strengthened.

You see, the mind controls a lot of what goes on while dancing. Turns, tempo, retention of choreography, height when jumping, feelings, reaction, forcefulness and the like are all processes of the mind. Unless you are mentally challenged there are few limitations except those that we set upon ourselves. That's why I go on and on about letting go and allowing the music to get inside and stop the inner-analysis - for the more you think, the less you can do. It really is the truth!

It's a bit like how you deal with challenges at work, in daily life, in inter-personal relationships - apply that to the dance floor and you'd be able to draw parallels - its all about how we view ourselves and our abilities.

See you all, on the dance floor soon.

Later--

Moon Festival

I know, I know ... it's called the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Why do all these paper lanterns burn so easily?!
I am not trying to imitate the monkey god.

This is more predictable

This stuff is really too sweet but I was told it is a must-have for mid-autumn.

Staying on Track - Mind, Body & Soul

I tell my dance students when they are dancing progressions across the studio floor to always be mindful of the direction they are traveling; to listen to the music, get the tempo before taking the first stride.

The next thing that I usually reiterate to my students is NEVER to copy the moves of the person next to them - as copying throws a person off his/her natural rhythm. It's similar to losing one individuality when one copies... You'd never develop your own style/ character.

A dancer (versus a non-dancer) in day-to-day life — should strive to focus and dance along their own path and endeavor not to try to emulate the person next to them, not to mention, get caught up with the habits of those around them.

Keeping to your own path and focusing on your goal is essential for maintaining continuity of music and movement - how one gets there, independently, is what adds the color and spice.

Eat like the Romans Do... But Only in Rome

Just munched on a morning meal of Kaya toast and hard boiled eggs. I’m open…I’m adventurous…I’ll give anything a try.

The coffee was too sweet... really don't understand why locals like this stuff.


The toast was… well, not very eventful. As far as toast goes it was a bit thin; sort of like eating a brown soda cracker, only softer. The kaya was good…I guess. Reminded me of the gooey stuff inside a hard-cased jelly bean but, not as chewy.


And the egg…

Well, it was an egg. Not too much to fuss about. However, I was then told that the best way to eat the egg was to squiggle a bit of this black sauce on the thing. And I sitting there wondering why they had soya sauce on the table.

That’s when I kind of lost it. My conventional western wisdom short circuited. You see, in the west we just leave the perfectly yellow-centered, bouncy pristine white outer skin oblong eggie along. We just shake a dash of salt and pepper and put it into our mouths or suck the whole thing in at once. Sloshing this black sauce on seemed a bit…a bit blasphemous. Here, this perfect colored morsel was now drowned and discolored in a muckiness that resembled black crude oil on one's white dungarees.

Buuuuuuuut, it actually didn’t taste too bad (with the black sauce, that is).

Hmm.

Nevertheless, on my trash day I think I’ll stick to my Mickey-Dees, fat, piping hot flap jacks — swimming in butter and oozing maple syrup—side-swiped with overly cooked, much too rubbery scrambled eggs.

Kaya? Just don't do it.

The Art of Learning

Richard Bach implied in his book ‘Illusions’ that those who impart knowledge are teaching what they need to learn most…

Initially I'd thought, ‘What Hogwash!’.

I’d been proven wrong.

In my workshops, stage direction and choreographic assignments I’d often been praised for my patience, non-judgmental approach and kindness when working with amateurs and professionals. This, apparently, is the gift I’ve been bestowed to motivate and improve participants in ways they are unfamiliar with.

However, I’d realized I’m a stick in the mud when it comes to considering partners within my personal life. I’d always been so fussy about whom I associate with and consider some behavior unworthy of my time to pursue and had often sought only those individuals who share my values, morals and observations.

It just dawned on me, whilst lounging in my hammock that I do need to learn most of which I teach…

I have inadvertently become a student of life.

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“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”

Chinese Proverb

Far Far Away

Nothing beats chilling out away from the crowd after a frantic week. Presenting food visuals from my new-found secret hideaway.

My first time drinking soursop juice - it's really refreshing!
Claypot Toufu with Seafood...
Hotplate Chicken. This is nothing fantastic but being by the water and the sight of the airplanes descending makes up for the mediocre food.