SPIRITUALITY IN DANCE

Afro Cuban Dance!

As the owner of Metamorphosis Dance Theatre; dance and spirituality has always been an interwoven presence in my life - professionally and personally.

Dance and spirituality has always been an interwoven presence in my life – professionally and personally. The shape and tone of how this weaving is expressed shifts over time, with the changes that life experiences bring. I’d like to open with some words that came to me spontaneously when I first thought about this theme for today. When I look at the body as movement, I think… the earth body is movement, the space, the universe is movement. So then I ask, what does it mean to dance?

FUNDAMENTALS IN DANCING

5 STEPS TO THE FUNDAMENTALS IN DANCING:-

1.  Learn the basic rhythm of your dance style and learn to move to it. Getting your feet and arms used to the movements with the rhythm is actually the most basic aspect of any dance.

2. Get used to moving your arms. If you watch yourself in the mirror, you might notice that an absolute lack of arm movement looks unnatural. So once your feet have the beat, get your arms working!

3. Watch your kicks. Practicing this in front of a mirror can help you reduce your movements and to learn to kick in time with the music. 

4. Ground yourself for turns.Nearly all dance styles include turning and spinning. You need to make sure you find your balance and pick a point of reference for the turn. 

5. Be confident.You will make mistakes, and yes, you probably will look silly when you start, but you have to learn to commit to your movements. Confidence is everything, even when you’re not sure of the steps! 

AFRICAN BEATS

African culture have left an indelible mark on Caribbean culture. Let us look at dance. Our folk dances evolved from the original dance forms that came with the African slaves. Dances like the Bongo, Shango dance  are directly related to Mother Africa. The dance form varies and they all have different movements, this is evident when you watch the various dances.The hip, torso  and  hand and feet movement is also very similar to African dance. 

At Mimi-Metamorphosis Dance Theatre, we focus mainly on the Bongo dance which is a dance of strength and is done by males. This dance was dance in the village to settle disputes as well as when someone dies at the home of the deceased (Wake) to allow the passage of the spirit from one world to the next.

We have recently introduced the Pique dance which is a fast creole dance for couples choreograph by African movements. This dance has strong sexual movements mainly hip and pelvic movements by both male and female dance. Due to the sexual content of the dance, this dance is not appropriate for children.

Taking dance to another level...total workout, complete concentration...Do you have what it takes? I challenge you to join this dance school.

CARIBBEAN FOLK

"We go dance de Bélé...we go dance de bélé...I neah-neah no...we go dance de Bélé!"

In the late 18th Century when the French plantation owners and their Creole slaves came to Trinidad and Tobago, they brought with them a life style of "joie de vivre" to their plantations. The house slaves, in their moments of leisure, took the dance to the field slaves and mimicked the dance of their masters. The slaves who worked in or around these houses quickly copied the style and dress. They showed off by doing ceremonious bows, making grand entrances, sweeping movements, graceful and gentle gliding steps which imitated the elegance of the French. The rhythmic quality of the bélé drums added spicy and yet subtle sensuality to the movements. There are more than 14 types of bélé dances. The movements of the dance are very soft and flirtatious.

THE ANATOMY OF DANCE

Human anatomy is the branch of science concerned with the structure and function of the body.

The human body is the dancer's instrument of expression.

Understanding how the body works can help a dancer stay in shape, improve performance, increase confidence and add longevity to his or her performing career. It can also help a dancer avoid injury. If an injury does occur, knowledge of human anatomy can contribute to a safe process of healing and recovery.

At Mimi-Metamorphosis Dance Theatre, principles of exercise physiology, fitness and nutrition to help you on your journey toward maximum health and longevity is focused upon to ensure all-round dancers.

DANCE IN FULL FLIGHT

                                                    

                                                     GLIDE....LIGHTLY..... FEATHERY

Confidence -  you either have it or you don't. But what is confidence?

Confidence is an eagle in full flight. Once it hits the sky, you have to stop and look. I glides with a certain degree of assurance. There is grace; there is poise; there is majesty in the glide of an eagle. It does something to your spirit...that eagle in full flight.

At Metamorphorsis Dance Theatre you become like an eagle flying in the sky. Let us help you build your CONFIDENCE through dance!