Thursday, June 4, 2009
More Bootcamp News!
Thanks to a superhuman, pro-bono PR machine, here's the latest coverage in Her World, Singapore.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
In Perfect Synchrony
About four weeks ago, I made a decision to put up a choreography for the studio's recital. And I gave this opportunity to my Broadway Jazz group. Now, the first thing you need to understand about the demography of this group is that, it is mostly made up of professional white-collared females and most of them are working in demanding full-time day jobs.
Over the last four weeks, the girls turned up, night after night at the studio, lugging their laptop cases, shedding their office gear, tired faces and a day's worth of work stress only to take on a completely different persona of Broadway dancers. They danced, kicked, performed their jettes and complex choreography which I gave them, with no complains.
Most nights, they left for home close to midnight and returned again, the following evening, to perform the same routine, working to perfect every step, turn and bits that would form the perfect choreography which we all saw this afternoon at the dance recital.
As their instructor and choreography, I felt my heart swell with pride and joy when I saw them on stage. I know fully well how much work they'd all put into this. I saw in them personal gifts of spirit, unity, passion and dogged-determination and I know that one day, many of these girls will look back in retrospect and say: I am so glad that I did this.
Here's a BIG thank you, to my seven gorgeous super troupers. This post is dedicated to you, who performed like real professionals on stage today. I am very proud of you.
Here's the video of the dance...
This piece is a medley from West Side Story, Chicago and Chorus Line.
Over the last four weeks, the girls turned up, night after night at the studio, lugging their laptop cases, shedding their office gear, tired faces and a day's worth of work stress only to take on a completely different persona of Broadway dancers. They danced, kicked, performed their jettes and complex choreography which I gave them, with no complains.
Most nights, they left for home close to midnight and returned again, the following evening, to perform the same routine, working to perfect every step, turn and bits that would form the perfect choreography which we all saw this afternoon at the dance recital.
As their instructor and choreography, I felt my heart swell with pride and joy when I saw them on stage. I know fully well how much work they'd all put into this. I saw in them personal gifts of spirit, unity, passion and dogged-determination and I know that one day, many of these girls will look back in retrospect and say: I am so glad that I did this.
Here's a BIG thank you, to my seven gorgeous super troupers. This post is dedicated to you, who performed like real professionals on stage today. I am very proud of you.
Here's the video of the dance...
This piece is a medley from West Side Story, Chicago and Chorus Line.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
In Sync
It’s my first class for over one year. I don’t really know why I started teaching dance again, because it was not in my plans. Think its something unspoken. A mission I’ve to complete. Fitness Bootcamp is fine and all but, there’s something else that’s calling out. Something else I’ve been tasked to share. So, here I am. I’m back. So, lets get right into it. My first class today—actually it was 12-weeks ago but; I’m just now getting to blog about it—a dance member tugs my arm after class today, stares me down and blurts “Bill, I had a tough time with the warm up but, when it came to the across the floor I just couldn’t do it”. She went on to explain she felt like everybody was looking at her “mess-up”.
My retort to all of you out there with the same thoughts is: other dancers haven’t the interest nor time to look at you in class. They’re busy struggling with their own inner dancing demons towards what will someday become a journey accomplished. It’s like life. One needn’t worry about what others think or you’ll end up being a very, very unhappy person. How the heck are you supposed to please everybody? You can’t. You miss the beautiful moments in YOUR life. So, don’t care two-hoots about what others think. That’s the ego talking anyway. If you’re so concerned about your appearance — or in this case, performance — you’re already lost. You haven’t got a handle on what its all about. The joy of dancing isn’t about what’s outside you. Its about what’s within. So, dance to your own rhythm and beat…nobody else’s.
My retort to all of you out there with the same thoughts is: other dancers haven’t the interest nor time to look at you in class. They’re busy struggling with their own inner dancing demons towards what will someday become a journey accomplished. It’s like life. One needn’t worry about what others think or you’ll end up being a very, very unhappy person. How the heck are you supposed to please everybody? You can’t. You miss the beautiful moments in YOUR life. So, don’t care two-hoots about what others think. That’s the ego talking anyway. If you’re so concerned about your appearance — or in this case, performance — you’re already lost. You haven’t got a handle on what its all about. The joy of dancing isn’t about what’s outside you. Its about what’s within. So, dance to your own rhythm and beat…nobody else’s.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Hear Say
The fundamental difference between a statement and a query, essentially is the question mark at the end of the sentence. Whenever I teach class, I have a bunch of women who comes up to me all the time to make statements that sums up to, "I cannot do this". I usually give them a blank stare and frown - my version of a reply. Reason for my attitude is because I personally feel that such a no-brainer statement does not warrant an intelligent respond.
Making a statement such as the above is a very dangerous subconscious denouncement. Uttering this statement leaves no room for improvement. It’s final, definitive and negative. Don’t shut yourself down. Try to see the other side of the equation, think positive and imagine the cup half full. Positive affirmation is important.
Instead, try believing and saying something such as, "I’m having difficulty with this, can you explain how I can do it better", or "this is really tough, what can I do to perform it better?"
Most times, it is a matter of tonality. Positive tonality, even to oneself, results in positive output and like my pro-bono publicist's mantra, "it's not what you say, it's how you say it".
Making a statement such as the above is a very dangerous subconscious denouncement. Uttering this statement leaves no room for improvement. It’s final, definitive and negative. Don’t shut yourself down. Try to see the other side of the equation, think positive and imagine the cup half full. Positive affirmation is important.
Instead, try believing and saying something such as, "I’m having difficulty with this, can you explain how I can do it better", or "this is really tough, what can I do to perform it better?"
Most times, it is a matter of tonality. Positive tonality, even to oneself, results in positive output and like my pro-bono publicist's mantra, "it's not what you say, it's how you say it".
Friday, May 15, 2009
20 Minutes
Its been 15-minutes since I’d rehearsed my recital item in my Holland dance studio and droplets of perspiration are still snaking down my spine and underneath my clothes. I’ve got my shirt crimped up in the back and front trying to let some air in to dry myself.
I declare that dance is one hell-of-a workout. I rehearsed for only 20-minutes and I’ve burned more calories on the dance floor then I do spinning intervals on the stationary bike. But, why doesn’t it feel the same? Because its fun! When your passion is activated and you’re not just mechanically engaged in benign exercise routines your soul soars. You don’t feel the weight of gravity. You don’t sense the effort. The clock has no meaning, time is infinite. When you soar (dance) you rise above consciousness…and burn a heck-of-a-lot-of-calories.
If you can’t dance…well, there’s always my bootcamps!
I declare that dance is one hell-of-a workout. I rehearsed for only 20-minutes and I’ve burned more calories on the dance floor then I do spinning intervals on the stationary bike. But, why doesn’t it feel the same? Because its fun! When your passion is activated and you’re not just mechanically engaged in benign exercise routines your soul soars. You don’t feel the weight of gravity. You don’t sense the effort. The clock has no meaning, time is infinite. When you soar (dance) you rise above consciousness…and burn a heck-of-a-lot-of-calories.
If you can’t dance…well, there’s always my bootcamps!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Frustration? Look Within
This incident hit me like a freight train the other day.
A student asked me to come outside for a chat and there she was crying, tears streaming down her face. Between catches of crying—convulsions—you know the ones you get when you’re a kid after having a really big slobber—she said “I’m the only one who can’t get the steps”.
There I was thinking that this 30-odd year old woman had been devastated, crushed by a mere dance routine…in a dance class that was suppose to be fun. I told her she wasn’t the only one and that in time she would improve. Of course we talked about more and I assured her over and over again but the point is that she was so hooked into the moment of passion that it shook her inner being. It wasn’t just about the steps she couldn’t get. Something inside her was deeply shaken with having gone through the hour and a half long experience of Broadway class that day. At that moment in time dance ceased to become an exercise in movement. Dance had leapt over into that place I’d so worked to get people to for so long.
Dance had shakened her soul and told her something about herself. Now I know why I’ve come back to teaching, after so long. Its time to move souls again…
A student asked me to come outside for a chat and there she was crying, tears streaming down her face. Between catches of crying—convulsions—you know the ones you get when you’re a kid after having a really big slobber—she said “I’m the only one who can’t get the steps”.
There I was thinking that this 30-odd year old woman had been devastated, crushed by a mere dance routine…in a dance class that was suppose to be fun. I told her she wasn’t the only one and that in time she would improve. Of course we talked about more and I assured her over and over again but the point is that she was so hooked into the moment of passion that it shook her inner being. It wasn’t just about the steps she couldn’t get. Something inside her was deeply shaken with having gone through the hour and a half long experience of Broadway class that day. At that moment in time dance ceased to become an exercise in movement. Dance had leapt over into that place I’d so worked to get people to for so long.
Dance had shakened her soul and told her something about herself. Now I know why I’ve come back to teaching, after so long. Its time to move souls again…
Saturday, April 25, 2009
It’s All Behind You…Dance
We’re rehearsing for the recital and I’ve thrown a tough item at the dancers.
Today I added newer and more challenging steps to the routine. A verrrryyy interesting and wonderful thing is happening. In the beginning the dancers couldn’t get the counts, couldn’t get the steps. They were all over the place. I knew this would happen, predicted it and told them—in the beginning—to be prepared for it.
Now, with the new steps - the previously challenging steps are a breeze. And it keeps happening over and over again. As I watched them digest and run through the new choreo, I witnessed their ease at performing past choreography. Previously difficult moves ceased to become a concern… left behind to allow for new beginnings. What was… has now become the past! Forget it. Let it be.
Once the lights come up and the music starts, there’s no going back. Keep dancing until the song ends…towards the applause.
Today I added newer and more challenging steps to the routine. A verrrryyy interesting and wonderful thing is happening. In the beginning the dancers couldn’t get the counts, couldn’t get the steps. They were all over the place. I knew this would happen, predicted it and told them—in the beginning—to be prepared for it.
Now, with the new steps - the previously challenging steps are a breeze. And it keeps happening over and over again. As I watched them digest and run through the new choreo, I witnessed their ease at performing past choreography. Previously difficult moves ceased to become a concern… left behind to allow for new beginnings. What was… has now become the past! Forget it. Let it be.
Once the lights come up and the music starts, there’s no going back. Keep dancing until the song ends…towards the applause.
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