Dance - A Trinity of Mind, Spirit and Body

Boy oh boy, it's hard work coming up with a brand new series of sampler classes for future stars and slim-n-fit followers to be. I was doing two-a-day (this is what we say when, in the midst of American Football season when one has to practice intensively in the morning AND in the afternoon) for the past two weeks in preparation for this week's classes...it completely trashed my body and mind. But, my soul's still intact. That, of course, is fed by the enthusiasm from my students.

AND... No matter how thrashed I feel -- just prior to heading down to Dance On Us --it all goes away once the music pumps and I see my loyal comrades smiling and having the time of their lives. THAT is what makes it all worth it. If not for them I'd be a wet, wiped-out bag of bones and flesh.

I received an email from one of them this morning and I thought I'd share it on my blog...

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I had a really good workout last evening (and God knows I need it!). Dancing - that’s what I am addicted to.

You see, I’m one of your faithful followers. Over the last six months or so, your classes have become so much more to me than a class to learn how to manipulate my body which can at times refuses to cooperate. I started attending your classes because they are an athletic outlet (I love your blend of dance with physical fitness) and you are a wonderful teacher in addition to being a fantastic dancer (some dancers can’t teach for nuts). I wanted to get into shape physically, less out of vanity and more for my own sanity. When I started, I had no idea that this would evolve into an emotional journey for me and the profound impact it would have on the outlook of my life on the whole.

Through your classes, I found the door to a brand new world, one where I could be anyone I want to be, without guilt or shame; one where I feel a connection with my inner voices and soul. Your repetitive instructions to “listen to the music, don’t think, just feel and your body will follow” may sound simple enough but it isn’t as easy as it seems. It involves evoking almost all our mental and physical faculties simultaneously. It requires one to let go of the many inhibitions we have locked ourselves into, to demolish and/or ignore the rules we keep mentally. We need to break down the walls around us (inside and outside) before we can truly connect with ourselves, the music, the lyrics and our surroundings. We need to learn to listen to our bodies, have a conversation with it while gently coaxing it (or sometimes forcing it) to do things you never imagined to be possible.

In your dance world, I feel free. Free to make mistakes, free to be proud, free to be moved, free to laugh at ourselves. In this space, I have a free-flowing conversation with my body, spirit and mind. It is very private yet extremely liberating. It’s a poignant state of self awareness and consciousness.

The time I started taking your classes coincided with a rehabilitation period of my life. I carried a lot of pain and negative grounding and it is through dance I found a way to release these and re-connect with my inner self again.

You make dance come to life and attainable. What you don't realize is that you have has breathed new energy into my life with your passion and showed me a path to self-heal, all the while having fun and enjoying the new friendships I made through your workshops and classes. For that, I am eternally grateful.

JJ

Realization Revealed

Today I’ve come upon an epiphany. Something happened to me this past week that moved me so disturbingly that I have now reassessed my life direction and reason for being. Curious?
If I get 10 inquiries from legitimate readers I’ll let you in on my life-changing revelation

Women in My Life

This week’s been enlightening.

I’ve had discussions with friends (all women) that have been going through all sorts of life changes. One is still battling with a never-to-have love; the other has decided to return home after thinking she found her life partner (in a foreign country); another is suffering admirably a true passionate love that both have decided will never be; another is battling passion-haunts of glory and long lost marriage obligation of the abyss; and the final woman has found a love of self and partner long past denied. But what wonderfully whole women they are.

Geez... I should consider writing a "What men think" column...

Why I love Diane Lane...

- She's captivating on-screen
- I'm hypnotized by her features and flawless performance
- She's talented and has the X-factor
- Her beauty is understated and I personally think she is truly gorgeous...

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Afternote: And believe it or not, I met someone who looks just like the Asian version of Diane Lane … hmmm! Now, isn’t THAT intriguing?

Healthy Hearty Breakfast

It's my official binge day but it's always good to start a Sunday with a healthy, hearty breakfast... My new found favourite joint. Cedele @ Wheelock!

And... these guys sell gluten free bread!

Let's Groove This Christmas!!!!!!

Hey peeps!

Here's the latest on the cards for dance workshops... a pre-festive holiday weeklong dance and fitness program which starts from Monday Dec 10 - Saturday Dec 15, 2007

This series would include 2 hour sessions of the Awesome 80's Dance, Afro Jazz, Cardio Dance Blast, Dance of the Decades, Soft-N-Sexy and Latin Rhythms. The workshops would give everyone the opportunity to "sample" the various dance genres that I teach and for those that have experienced my workshops before, you'd know that my classes are guaranteed to be loads of fun - not to mention fantastic workouts! (think LBD)

Details:-

Who's teaching?
Me! Bill Calhoun =)

Where:-
Dance On Us (8 Claymore Hill #01-03 - next to the Amerian Club/near Shaw Centre).

Fee:-
Each 2-hour session costs $55. For those who sign up for ALL 6 sessions, a special rate of $300 applies. Registration Deadline: 30 November 2007.

To register/make payment, please contact tilly@danceonus.com or call 6737-4466.

Description of the Dance and Fitness Sampler Series:-

Mon, Dec 10 - The Awesome 80's!
Time: 8.15 - 10.15pm
Jump back to the 80's with hot new routines to classic dance tracks. Learn to Pop and Lock, Freak, Smurf, Hustle and Shake your Groove Thang - burnin' calories while still looking cool.

Tues, Dec 11 - Calhoun's Cardio DanceTime: 8.15 - 10.15pm
Calhoun's Cardio Dance Blast A hot and sweaty dance party with the best hip-hop, reggae and popular music. This non-stop workout will melt away fat and trim abs while boosting your dance skills like never before.

Wed, Dec 12 - Lyrical Jazz (aka Soft & Sexy)Time: 8.15 - 10.15pm
Soft-N-Sexy A lyrical dance-based class utlizing pop music hits from the slow and sexy genre. Slow songs from Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Tata Young, and the Pussy Cat Dolls, to name a few are used with supple, sexy, undulating choreography to lend an entirely different approach to sweaty and sexy. Emphasis is on lengthening of the muscles, balancing, and sustained contractions.

Thurs, Dec 13 - Afro JazzTime: 8.15 - 10.15pm
Afro Jazz Dance Learn actual dances of Africa in this high energy Cardio workout that will get you sweating, while learning dance steps. A great class for all dance and fitness levels.

Fri, Dec 14 - Latin Rhythms Salsa
Time: 8.15 - 10.15pm
Latin Rhythms Salsa, Mambo, or Cha-cha. These are just a few of the dance moves that you'll learn and use in this "sizzling" south of the border workout. The combinations are "hot", and the rhythms are "Strictly Latin"!

Sat, Dec 15 - Dance of the Decades
Time: 2.30 - 4.30pm
Travel through time with this dance class inspired by the past five decades. Swing into the 40's, twist into the 50's, shake your groove thing in the 70's, Le Freak your way through the 80's, and Running-man into the 90's.

Call Tilly at Tel:6737-4466 or E-mail: tilly@danceonus.com for more information/ registration OR to purchase dance packages/ sessions for your loved ones (let them dance to the tune of happiness this Christmas).

See you on the DANCE FLOOR!

Mussing at One Night Stand

I spent Halloween at One Night Stand, Clarke Quay catching one really talented musician in action. If you’ve got only one night in Singapore you’ve GOT to catch Muss The Man when he jams at One Night Stand.

The guy slams a mean drum and slashes a sizzling guitar. He’s got more showmanship than any performer on the Clarke Quay strip. No shit, this guy and his band are AWESOME. Just go check it out. If you don’t feel the same buzz I got then hit me back on my blog.

A little belated but ... Trick or Treat?

There's Always A First

This tastes good... My first time eating Bak Kut Teh

Cautionary Lust

I was literally dragged to the cinema over the weekend to catch the 'very censored version' of Lust, Caution. After reading so much about the edits of the scenes, and the numerous calls for boycott of the film in Singapore, I was seriously reluctant to watch it.

However, after sitting through the movie (armed with a packet of salted popcorn), I was really glad that I relented, for Lust, Caution is, in my humble western opinion, a dynamic display of directing, sensational cinematic showcase and believable acting delivery. Lust is a sensitive screen study of Chinese culture and emotional turmoil.

A bit of background here... Lust, Caution, a film based on Eileen Chang's novel 色，戒 showcased the sentiments, politics, insecurities of people in China during the Japanese occupation. The film was beautifully constructed and captured the history and culture of Shanghai and Hong Kong during the 1930s - 1940s very well.

I have no idea what the fuss about censorship is all about - does all the sex (or lack of) mean a great deal to the film? I think not, for Lust is overall a budding cinematic gem that comes close to other historical film masterpieces and epics with the likes of Judou, Raise the Red Lantern, Seven Years in Tibet and The Last Emperor.

As I waited for the crowd to disperse, I sat in the dark and pondered... if film critics and members of the public alike feel this movie lacks any integrity due to the de-emphasis on sex then there is something terribly, terribly wrong with their historical appreciation and artistic consideration. Have we come to the point were our sensitivities are limited to images of violence, gore, mayhem and flesh-flashes? If so, then I feel saddened about the future of truly meaningful film.

Be cautious about lust, least you succumb to brain-dead movie mush…

Jazzing Up Health & Fitness Tips

Surprise! Go grab a copy now to have a read or click here to view the cover story.

5, 6, 7, 8 and ...

As some of you know, I'd be starting the Best of Jazz dance workshop series come October 23. One thing I never did realise is the level of positive impact that my workshops have on my students. I'd received emails during the period where I was busy with the President's Star Charity to ask when my workshops would be starting again because my students were getting 'withdrawal symptoms'.

And there I was wondering why... until I received this note from one of my students who'd faithfully followed my workshops from studio to studio...

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Dear Bill,

I remembered how traumatized I was, when I seemed never to get the jazz walk done properly! I told you I’d forgotten how to walk, because I really did freak out, wondering how I could how danced all this while if I didn’t even know how to jazz walk properly…

But you were an absolute angel, constantly encouraging us, reminding us that what we really needed to do was to dance, to feel the music and not analyze too much. You never gave up on any one of us, no matter how awfully we performed that day. I know I have been awful in class, on more occasions than I dare to count!

I felt I only started dancing towards the last 2 weeks before your previous workshop series ended. Finally, I could let myself go, felt the music in my soul and enjoyed myself without worrying if I got my steps right (though I think my timing still sucks!)

I found comfort reading your blog at least once a week – so much inspiration and support from there! You’ve encouraged all of us not just in class but out of it and I have always been proud to be your student.

I have lots more to learn from you and I know you have a lot to teach. Many, many thanks for being such a wonderful teacher (the absolute best!) and I certainly look forward to being in the next Best of Jazz workshop series!

Thanks once again and see you soon.

Lots of love

Closet Dancer

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Dear Closet Dancer and all my Dancing Divas reading this entry...

I look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday, October 23 at Dance On Us!

Later--

Dancing Through The Value Chain

One of my dance students told my group in jest last week that she thinks that I am secretly trying to build a dance empire. So... to affirm her story, I am pleased to announce that I will be starting Master Dance Workshops in mid-October!

The Master Dance workshops would be a fantastic refresher for advanced-level dancers, performers as well as dance instructors. If you have prior technical background in dance such ballet, jazz, chinese, tap, modern, give the ladies at Dance On Us a tinkle to ascertain if these workshops are suitable for you.

More details below:

Click here for more information or call Tilly from Dance On Us at 6737-4466 if you require more clarification.

See you on the dance floor!

On Biomechanics

The dance, just as the performance of the actor, is kinesthetic art, art of the muscle sense. The awareness of tension and relaxation within his own body, the sense of balance that distinguishes the proud stability of the vertical from the risky adventures of thrusting and falling – these are the tools of the dancer.

Rudolf Arnheim

President's Star Charity

After weeks of hard work, tonight's finally arrived - presenting the President's Star Charity 2007!

Tune in to MediaCorp Channel 5 at 7.30 pm tonight and enjoy an evening of musical extravaganza!

Donations can be pledged from 6 pm this evening until October 6, midnight. Click here for more details

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Post note:

A million thanks for your generous support! For those who enjoyed the programme but didn't get a chance to call in, please note that the lines to pledge your donations to the needy are open till October 6, midnight.

We all play a small part to make this world a better place.

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.