12 Months 12 Dances/Task Tuesday 2021

 

This is a project started by https://www.instagram.com/sydneylozier/. I saw her share this idea on Instagram and she was looking for dancers or artists to join her in her year of explorations. I thought these ideas would set a nice structure for Task Tuesdays this year. 

Each Tuesday, I will explore an aspect of these monthly dance exploration tasks. At the end of the month, I will edit together pieces from each Tuesday to make a 1-2 minute video. I have tentatively set up the rule for myself that I will not go back to re-film anything and that it must be a short 1-2 minute video. We will see if I obey my own rules. 

JANUARY: The Light

Explore light sources and light shifting to affect the look, tone, and direction of your dance film.

I think the main thing I started to think about when thinking about the light was the dark or amount of dark. That is pretty interesting right? I can see the light source better in the dark. But there is light without dark. It is just too light. I like the contrast of the darkness with the light. I also noticed my affinity to natural light and outdoor settings. I contemplated going in the theatre and having Dax play with some lights, but I was drawn to being outside in the nature. The only indoor dance I did this round was in the elevator. 

I used the same music for all of these pieces. I used Jonny's new track for NOFVNCITY. That way, we are collaborating without him really knowing it. I also can post my videos with the music and not have them taken down because I have permission from the artist. 

Task Tuesday #69: January 5, 2021: Under a street light at night

This was not at night. This was on my way to the gym in the morning. I looked for a street light that didn't have cars near it. I set up my camera up in the alley and walked over to the light. I moved in my usual movement patterns. I did not put any thought or try any exploration tasks with my movement. This was more an experiment to see what this kind of light would look like on camera. I had done something similar in Vancouver outside our back door in the alley. (In the pee staircase.) I liked the effect of the lamp in the darkness and wanted to recreate something similar here. 

My camera did something odd. It did not record the full movement. I tried downloading it again and still only the start and end were there. However, when I downloaded it for this second video, the movement was there. Isn't that strange? Mysterious street light movements. Sometimes there, sometimes not. 

Day 5_2021dance365_Task Tuesday#69_Jan5_2021_Dance under a street light_Upbeat Background Music For Videos The Drums from Paula Bridget Johnson on Vimeo.

Task Tuesday #70: January 12, 2021: Sunrise

I took this one walking home from the gym in the morning. The sun was looking beautiful with the light snow on the ground. I could see the colours of the sunrise coming through the trees. 

Day 12_2021dance365_Task Tuesday#70_Jan12_21_Light_Sunrise_NOFVNCITY from Paula Bridget Johnson on Vimeo.

Task Tuesday #71: January 19, 2021: 

Dark outside, light from inside shining through window. These are the windows along the pool in the dark alley.

This was also taken walking home from the gym. I walk through the alley out the security door. (When I say alley, I mean the really nice part in between the schools not an alley like Vancouver.) Someone must have been having a swim because the pool lights were on. This made a runway of lights, a pathway for me to follow. I filmed this in both directions but have an affinity for the side without the white line painted on the street. I took a video of me walking with the camera along the line of light. So, I filmed the light as I moved. I liked placing this over top of a video of me dancing. Having one still and one moving created a cool effect. 

Day 19_2021dance365_Task Tuesday#71_Jan19_2021_Pool window light in the dark alley from Paula Bridget Johnson on Vimeo.

Task Tuesday #72: January 26, 2021: 

Elevator (lights out/flashlight) Lights do not go out in this elevator but there was a cool ceiling light.

I filmed this before I worked out. I expected the lights to go out in the elevator if I stayed still long enough. They did not go out. I had my phone ready with the flashlight on and I was going to dance in the light of my flashlight in the dark square box. 

I tried dancing in the box in the light that was there. Then I noticed the ceiling lights looked cool. I placed the camera on its back facing up. It has a gimbal and started to shake because it doesn't like to be locked in place like that. That created a really cool effect until it stopped recording. I used that in the video. I placed it on top of my phone so it could face the ceiling but still have the space for its gimbal head. I liked the video footage I got from that direction. I edited it in with the others. I would have liked to spend more time editing this making tighter cuts... something for next time. 

Day26_Task Tuesday#72_Elevator light_Song by NOFVNCITY from Paula Bridget Johnson on Vimeo.

February: The Colour

Maybe in costume, set design, post-production - or all three.  Use color as the “storyteller” this month.

TaskTuesday #73: February 2, 2021: Blue: Slow motion

Task Tuesday #74: February 9, 2021: Green: Reverse

Task Tuesday #75: February 16, 2021: Yellow

Task Tuesday #76: February 23, 2021: Multi-colour

March: The Prop

Let a prop be the focal point of this project.  In the context of your project, discover the prop, engage with it, and then build it an exit.

Task Tuesday #77: March 2, 2021: Thick, purple mat

Task Tuesday #78: March 9, 2021: Hat

Task Tuesday #79: March 16, 2021: Chairs

Task Tuesday #80: March 23, 2021: Ball

Task Tuesday #81: March 30, 2021: Mop

April: The Site 

Your classic site-specific dance gone video.  Find a new site (or a familiar site, newly explored) to deeply investigate.

Task Tuesday #82: April 6, 2021: Jungmun Stairs

Task Tuesday #83: April 13, 2021:Jungmun Windmill 

Task Tuesday #84: April 20, 2021: Jungmun Bridge

Task Tuesday #85: April 27, 2021: Jungmun Beach

12Months12Dance_April_The Site_Jungmun_Blonde Redhead_For the Damaged Coda from Paula Bridget Johnson on Vimeo.

May: The Homage

You’re not the first, nor the last.  Research at least 2 dance filmmakers and their methods.  Create an homage to their most notable innovations this month.

Task Tuesday #86: May 4, 2021: Naporn

Task Tuesday #87: May 11, 2021: Tanja

Task Tuesday #88: May 18, 2021: Marianela

Task Tuesday #89: May 25, 2021: Event Horizons/Ana

June: The Angles

Use multiple shots of a single sequence to direct your audience’s attention.

Task Tuesday #90: June 1, 2021: Low angle through flower White bridge

Task Tuesday #91: June 8, 2021: DRONE Gwakji

Task Tuesday #92: June 15, 2021: Behind, Side, Above Studio 2

Task Tuesday #93: June 22, 2021: Right and Left Sagye

Task Tuesday #94: June 29, 2021: Croping Gwakji - left video in school computer! D'oh!

July: The One Take Wonder

No cuts, minimal edits this month.

Task Tuesday #95: July 6, 2021: TLC, Waterfalls starring Biggy and Fluffles

Task Tuesday #96: July 13, 2021: Mumu Fresh, Reparations Task: Draw a pathway with finger and trace it with different body parts

Task Tuesday #97: July 20, 2021: Method Man, Jones Ink: Day Ones

Task Tuesday #98: July 27, 2021: Doja Cat, SZA, Kiss me More

August: The Music Video

You know you want to.  Pick a song - a section if you must, but a whole song if you can.

 

ANIMA (2019) - Film Analysis

 

 

https://m.vk.com/video-72725457_456242498

Task Tuesday #99: August 6, 2021: ANIMA 1:20 Falling asleep on the train.

Task Tuesday #100: August 13, 2021: ANIMA 3:25 Walking against the people into the darkness/light

Task Tuesday #101: August 20, 2021: ANIMA 4:53 tilty wall

Task Tuesday #102: August 27, 2021: ANIMA 10:40 heads and partner part with Biggy…. Couldn't get a partner to work with me. Skateboarding and standing…. Couldn't get a partner to work with me. Skateboarding and standing in the dark added.

Task Tuesday #103: August 21, 2021: ANIMA 12:24 on the bus together. Lean back, alone, light with bird shadows

September: The Silent Film

No music allowed this month.  Environmental sounds (without manipulation) okay.  Make a dance to the *rhythm of life* (assuming that’s what that musical song is about...otherwise disregard).

Task Tuesday #104: September 7, 2021: In front of new school: car sounds

Task Tuesday #105: September 14, 2021: Britannia beach area: the ocean

Task Tuesday #106: September 21, 2021: Sun, mist, mountains: morning cars, bike, birds

I was also playing with go somewhere and return. It was slow.

Task Tuesday #107: September 28, 2021: Shannon Falls

October: The Habit Breaker

Make your own personal “no manifesto” this month.  List all your favorite habits, stylistic choices, and movement preferences...and do the opposite.

Task Tuesday #108: October 5, 2021: Opposite of smooth and flowy is sharp, strong, and staccato

Task Tuesday #109: October 12, 2021: Props - confined to English chair.

Task Tuesday #110: October19, 2021:  Upside down

Task Tuesday #111: October 26, 2021: Dark, short repetitions, reverse, no turns

November: The Chance

Make Merce proud this month with a good old-fashioned chance dance.  I’m talking the buy-a-big-dice-online-and-roll-it kind of chance dance. Let chance decide lighting, color choice, movement sequencing...and record your process to show your work.

 

Task Tuesday #112: November 2, 2021: Right elbow, right hand, nose & backwards, right, left back diagonal & 2, 1, 6

Task Tuesday #113: November 9, 2021: Open Slide Diagonal Drop/ 1 1 2/ Jump Fall Slide Run

Task Tuesday #114: November 16, 2021: Swim, horn, dinosaur_Fall, shake (https://wordwall.net/en-us/community/dance-wheel)

Task Tuesday #115: November 23, 2021: Robot taking shots, My neck my back, Riverdancer, I am a Barbie Girl, Swiffer the Floor, Shopping cart_Northwest, west, East northeast, south_6, 5, 2, 5, 8, 4

Task Tuesday #116: November 30, 2021: Rajan, Brian and I throwing random words at each other.

December: The Story

Tell a story in its entirety.  Use all the elements you’ve dabbled in this year to communicate its message.  (you can do it!).

Task Tuesday #117: December 7, 2021: The beginning. Repetition. Daily grind.

Task Tuesday #118: December 14, 2021: The rising action_rolling on the floor

Task Tuesday #119: December 21, 2021: The climax_Crab Park_dance walks - on holiday - not at work

Task Tuesday #120: December 28, 2021: The conclusion_Bed and pillow_end of day and get ready for return to work. 

#2021dance365

January 2021        February 2021        March 2021            April 2021             

May 2021               June 2021             July 2021                 August 2021         

September 2021    October 2021        November 2021        December 2021

Today is day 356/365. I am almost done the 365 challenge for 2021. I really want to keep going. I was thinking about continuing, thinking about making a post about continuing and seeing what other people thought, are they sick of seeing my dances everyday? Anyways, I was thinking about it when Jonny said that I waste so much time making dances. He doesn't see what I see. He doesn't know what I am thinking or feeling or getting from making these dances. He suggested that I just make a few and put more effort into them. That is an option. I could go that way. But... I really like making time each day to dance. Here are some of the reasons and thoughts behind.. keeping it going: 

• I like making time to dance each day
• I am in the habit of doing it now and it doesn't take that much time
• I do like having that time to myself. 
• I like learning new tricks for editing videos
• I like taking the time to listen to new songs and having music ready
• I like looking around the world and seeing spaces that dances can happen and making them happen
• I like having these memories of where I have been to look back on. I like watching my own videos. I like seeing my life in dances. Why wouldn't I want to watch my life evolve through dance.. as I age and change? 
• Covid
• Korea
• Quarantine in Jeju
  
• NLCS
• Jeju adventures
  
• Quarantine in Vancouver
• New school in Squamish
  
• I like to explore new moves... I know this would be even better if I had longer sessions each day.. but at least I am making time every day to move and explore.  
• I don't get to teach dance all day like I used to - so this is a way to keep me connected to dance each day. 
• It forces me to take time for me each day - it seems like more work - but it is relaxing for me to do these videos - to turn on a song and dance in the trees or go for a dance walk - I even like editing videos and am really happy when I have time to play with editing instead of just adding a cover and sharing. 

 I guess the real question is, why wouldn't I keep on going? 

The Journey & Event Horizons 2021

EventHorizons2021 

Vimeo Showcase: The Journey 

Press from Greece, Athens QR Code Gallery

The Journey started in Jeju, South Korea at the start of the school year at NLCS. I knew I was going to create a project for Event Horizons with Ana, but I didn't know what I was going to do yet. Stella, the department head for dance at NLCS, said we would be doing the theme of Journeys for a dance. I took that idea and ran with that even though, at some point, she changed the idea to David Bowie. This is how The Journey was born. 

I imagined The Journey as an explorative unit for young dancers that would travel from one school to the next. We started with a bunch of interested teachers, but Covid was a difficult year to navigate, for everyone. Instead of passing along in a line, we worked on what we could as we went. 

Gladstone, from Vancouver, was the first school to complete The Journey. They even made a final show out of it.

There were 13 questions made by Amanda Kay for EventHorizons and I used those for the mini-interview. 

13 Questions:

 

1. How do we forge a future together?
1. 13 EXCHANGES -Tanja and Harpa
2. IVANA LONDON /DEMY ATHENS
3. Nadra Assaf and Jimmy Bechara

 

2. In what ways do we experience duration or the passing of time?
1. DAMARIS FERRER - MIAMI

 

3. How do we make our creative work visible and what remains invisible?
1. Paola Escobar y Natalia Orozco

 

4. What generates equity and diversity?
1. Paula Bridget J
2. Naporn Wattanakasaem, Bangkok

 

5. Who you are at the moment vs who you become through process?
1. Dimitri
2. Paola Escobar y Natalia Orozco
3. DAMARIS FERRER - MIAMI
4. IVANA LONDON /DEMY ATHENS

 

6. What is the dialogue between our internal rhythms and our outward rhythms?
1. PAOLA Y RENE

 

7. What were you given at birth?
1. Dimitri
2. Naporn Wattanakasaem, Bangkok

 

8. How do we choose to appear to the world and to ourselves?
1. IVANA LONDON /DEMY ATHENS

 

9. What are we able to transact and transfer through distance?
1. 13 EXCHANGES -Tanja and Harpa

 

10. What does it take to be an artist?
1. Marianela Boan
2. JOE LANDINI SAN FRANCISCO

 

11. What connects and transforms us?
1. Paola Escobar y Natalia Orozco
2. PAOLA Y RENE
3. Paula Johnson, Jeju/Vancouver

 

 

12. How do we tether our understanding of ourselves to the experience of others?
1. DAMARIS FERRER - MIAMI
2. Paula Johnson, Jeju/Vancouver

 

13. What are the ways we can expose the bodily experience?
1. Marianela Boan
2. Paola Escobar y Natalia Orozco

 

 

 I was hoping to interview more of the completed students, but I think my project was too long and confusing. I only got to do one interview and that was with Arwen from Gladstone. 

After participating in Naporn's project with the traveling package, I understood how I could have improved my own. However, they are both different. Mine was designed as a unit of lessons for students. I wanted to it to be more collaborative and flexible for the teachers that were participating so they could make it work for their classes. (Especially during Covid.)

Consent forms were another issue. I had one that I got from the internet that I added to a Google form. That one wouldn't work for Ana's website. I had to use Theatre EnCorps version. Moving forward with the Journey, I will put the Google Form back in and tell teachers they need to check with their schools for what the rules are - and have their own media consent forms signed. Every school is different. 

Connections were the biggest issue. I really wanted this to be about connecting students around the world.. and I was not effective with this. I tried making mini-journeys that people could join in on... smaller more manageable connections - but that didn't really work either. However, I do have some fond memories of kids at NLCS dancing at me in the hall - they had learned the dances and did them for me. There were some connections - it did work somewhat. It worked more me to them not them to other kids around the world. 

I did an assembly, speech about Global Artistic Collaboration for Arts week. I spoke about Events Horizon and had Caitlin, Lipda, Rajan, Ginger, and I dancing on the stage and through Zoom. That was a good connection. That was fun and memorable. (Although, I had Rajan in tech rehearsal but somehow didn't get him connected for the actual show - even though he was there waiting... argh.. that was my fault!) 

Finally, at the end of the year, I was able to make some connections between my students and Tanja's students in Stockholm. We both only had a few students but we were able to go back and forth with them for some connections. 

I have four dancers from Sweden who would like to collaborate with you!  

 

Let me tell you more and if you want to go for it, I will send you a file with their life events, photo, and video. 

 

You would need to: 

• read their life events and watch their video
• Record your voice saying (can be video or audio): 
• My name is (your name) 
• I am from (city, country) 
• I saw your video and read your life events. One thing that I noticed that is the same for me is... 
• One thing I noticed that was different is... 
• Record a video of: 
• Your movement - watch their video and see the moves that they did (They were going though the pathways of their morning routine.) How can you take those and make those your own? You don't have to do their moves - just build something and dance back to it. Does that make sense? 
• Send them your favourite song to dance to. 
• Send them one question. 

An email to teachers I sent at the start of summer:

For me, this was a difficult year to try and implement this project. I was at a new school, in a new country, teaching a new curriculum. I had students at home that were missing dance and I was trying to find a way to stay connected. I wanted to have opportunities available for my dance kids to connect without pushing them because I knew the struggles they were going through with Covid. Maybe I should have been more pushy because I did not get a lot of interaction with my kids at home or at the school I was at.

 

As I try not to feel disappointed, I put this year in perspective and am grateful for the creation of the unit and the moments of connection that did happen. In my mind, I know that this is just the beginning and while Event/Horizons is a project that ends in November 2021, The Journey, is something that could continue to grow and travel.

 

Highlights

 

NLCS in Jeju, South Korea (Paula)

• Created the unit with a small group of dancers to explore activities.
• Lecture with Lipda in Bangkok and Ginger and Caitlin in Korea (Rajan in Vancouver in the rehearsal.) Global Artistic Collaboration: Let's connect the world through art
• Starting to connect with Tanja's dancers in Sweden.

 

Gladstone in Vancouver, Canada (Cynthia)

• completed the unit
• made films
• created a dance showcase
• Mini-interview with Arwen: https://www.eventhorizons2021.com/the-journey-project

 

OSCARTS in California, USA (Amanda)

• Explored some of the unit…

 

Bangkok City Ballet in Bangkok, Thailand (Naporn)

• Lipda explored some of the activities
• Lipda joined the live stream lecture in Korea sharing her beautiful freestyles. Global Artistic Collaboration: Let's connect the world through art)

 

Järfälla kulturskola in Järfälla, Stockholm, Sweden (Tanja)

• Explored some of the activities
• Starting to connect with dancers in Korea
• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wkexhxHUk9ZJn7OOvI76dZb6yU3hePTn

• Created a final video with this group

 

 

As I reflect on some of the highlights from this year, I am interested to know any thoughts and areas for improvement as we move forward. Is it too much? I went in with the idea that teachers would pick and choose what they want to try and adapt for their own students and in their own styles. I am also open to teachers adding their own activities to the document. (A living, breathing document.)

 

I attempted to make the mini-journeys for students that didn't have a lot of time to connect. I don't feel those were that successful. I feel as though, they might have been confusing. I also feel, like maybe they are something that could be more student driven. They could create mini-journeys and share them on the Instagram. (Although that IG does not have very many followers - and growing it takes effort I am not totally fond of.)  However, I do feel like I did get some interaction with my students. Some of my students learned the dance and shared their food but were not allowed to share them online. I had students come up to me in the hall and share their fancy footwork. So for that, it did help share the idea of the Journey.

 

With this in mind, I think about the possibilities for the future and the connections that could be made. I would love to hear your thoughts, anytime throughout the summer. No pressure. Enjoy the break. I thank-you all for joining the Journey with me this year, for your time, support, and feedback. I hope you will continue to collaborate with myself and my new students 2021/2022. Please share it with colleagues that might also be interested. Let's keep the Journey going. I would love to see where it is in a decade!

 

 

Reflecting on the Sand Dance Project Collaboration

I came across The Sand Dance Project while scrolling through Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/sanddanceproject/?hl=en

I immediately fell in love - stopped scrolling - beach and dance - two of my favourite things combined in one beautifully ephemeral swirl ... I had to find out more about this Sand Dance Project. I am sure I left some hearts and probably a comment before scrolling up and finding the website: https://sanddanceproject.com/

I wanted to be part of this Sand Dance Project. I thought, they should run a workshop during spring break and my family and I will drive down there. We always drive down the coast. It is our favourite thing to do. This would give us another reason to go.

I reached out to Holly at the Sand Dance Project and she was down to make a workshop happen during spring break. Awesome. What could go wrong?

It is the week before spring break. I am standing in my studio at Frank Hurt with my principal, Mike Stickley. (#stickitcancer) We were talking about Covid and Sars and how we didn't think it would be that big of a deal and everything would be the same after spring break. Well, as we all know, it wasn't the same. We didn't even go back to school at all after spring break. We all quickly got familiar with Zoom meetings and teaching from our living rooms. The borders closed down and non essential travel, anywhere was shut down. The farthest I got from home was a run through the Stanley Park trails each day. The Sand Dance Project plan was put on hold.

That isn't entirely true. I did get farther than Stanley Park. After an intense interview process, a husband who wouldn't go for two years, and an accepted contract change to one year, my family and I moved to Jeju, South Korea. North London Collegiage School had a dream facility. I met some amazing teachers, staff, and students. I said yes to every opportunity and made up my own projects to fill my memories.

After Covid chills out a bit. When I say that, it was probably once Californians started to get vaccinated, The Sand Dance Project started becoming more active on Instagram. Americans got their vaccinations before we did in Korea... actually we didn't even get vaccinated in Korea that year. We were first in line after our two week quarantine in Canada though. I am still waiting for my booster as I write this - it is December 29, 2021.

I digress... back to the story: I want to dance all over this school and this island. This school had everything. It even had a drone. It is on an island - there are beautiful beaches. BING! I had an idea. Holly was down with my idea. She was open to collaboration and sharing her choreography.

This was going to be a true international collaboration. We were learning choreography from California. We had dancers from Canada, Ireland, New Zeland, and the UK. We were dancing on a beach in Jeju, South Korea.

I was super happy that Stella, Natalie, and Caitlin were down with another of my crazy ideas. (Although, I was slightly more excited about it than they were.)

Once I got the choreography from Holly, I chunked it and started learning it on my own. Caitlin joined me when we had breaks together and we started learning it together.

 I had one class with one year twelve student in it, Ginger. Ginger and I loved rolling around on the floor, so I taught it to her as well. We also played around with dancing it to different songs. We even used the NLCS collaborative song made with the students and teachers from all three campuses of, All Night Long.

 

Ginger and I also tried it to Oasis's, Champagne Supernova. 

 

I taught some of it to Natalie and Stella, but they had different schedules and would learn it on their own time.

On Monday, May 31, 2021 we met in the morning at Gwakji beach. Stella husband, Jonathan had his own drone and filmed for us.

We filmed it once all together. We moved down the beach a bit and filmed it again. I think we had decided to slow it down a little bit. You can't tell from the drone, but the incline of the beach was steeper than it looks. The forward roll up the hill was a struggle. I think I was calling out and counting too so we could all be as the same time together.

Really, this was our first time dancing it all together and it was our first time experiencing it in sand. All I can say, is thank goodness for the magic of editing.

Stella and Natalie didn't really learn the second half. They wanted to adapt the choreography and make changes. I am flexible but this bummed me out a little bit. I wanted it to stay authentic to the original choreography. 

Since Caitlin and I knew the entire choreography, we filmed the whole thing again just the two of us. The drone ran out of power before Caitlin and I finished our set. Again, thank-you editing.

Sand Dance Project is textural dance. Let's talk about the experience of dancing in the sand. The sand gets everywhere. You have to be ok with getting dirty. It was like being a kid again. Swinging and rolling through the sand leaves tracings of the movements. Changing the resistance of your body weight, also changes the depth of the swirls and patterns. Your body melts into dry sand different than it does wet sand. The resistance of the sand makes it more difficult to keep the speed of the original choreography done in the studio.

When looking at the drone footage, it looks like we were farther away from the water line. It felt like, at any moment we were going to be in the water, or it was going to lap up and get us.

This first run with the dancers definitely required more rehearsal. I should have organized more formal rehearsals in the studio to make sure everyone knew the choreography. We should have taken more time with our filming. I imagined driving around to different beaches and filming all morning, maybe even multiple mornings. However, I am happy and grateful for the time that the other teachers did give me. They took time out of their work days to learn the choreography. They took time out of their half term break to meet me on the beach. For me though, this felt like the start of something.

After we were all done that morning, I won't ever forget running into the ocean with Stella. Running. The Irish girl and the Canadian girl racing into the water to wash off the sand. Soon we were all in the water. Stella's kids came out with us too. I swam and swam, smiling and happy that I got to be part of this project... that I was here on this beautiful island and having this experience that was so different from what I would have been experiencing back home.

Here are some reflections that we recorded right after our drone filming.

Jonathan sent me the drone footage and I made a first edit of the video. I found a really cheesey copyright free song. I did not particularly like that edit and I did mean to go back and make a different edit with a different song. I still haven't done that. 

 After this first experience in the sand with this choreography, I visited other beaches and danced in different sand. Each beach had a different texture, level of resistance, and slant to the beach.

June 6, 2021

There was no surf at Jungmun this morning. I took the trail and walked above the beach. I did ballet on the bridge and contemporary in the sand. 

When the water would touch me and get me from behind and it was cold. I would forget my next move, lose my breath in surprise for a second. The water came up right when I did the swim move with my arms in a ball... that one didn't record. I remember that moment though be in time with the ocean. 

The deep sand. Sinking in. 

The steeper hill.

The realization that this is the beginning... not the finished product. Knowing that I am going to keep dancing this choreo ... getting into the sand... as many times as I can before I leave here...

Sagye Beach June 19, 2021

I am back in Vancouver now. It is winter. There is actual snow on the ground. That doesn't always happen here. Are you thinking what I am thinking? Snow dance? Brrr....

The studios and gyms have just shut down here in Vancouver again, this time for the Omicron strain of Covid. This virus is in its second year of disrupting life. However, I know that one day, I will make it back down the coast to California and I will join the Sand Dance Project in a real live collaboration.

Thank-you to everyone who made this dream idea come to life. Who knew scrolling through Instagram could change the pathways of your life in a meaningful and creative way?

Let's connect the world through art. 

Global artistic collaboration.

Random Yoga Quotations Dance

While participating in YYoga's, "30 Days to Reconnect" challenge,  I had this idea to take random quotations from each class and turn them into a dance. I would turn on Quick Time Player audio recording and press play on the YYoga video in a random spot. I saved all of the audio clips and turned them into one long recording in IMovie. Using the words as stimuli for my movements, I played around until things started to settle. I definitely could have spent more time on the dance but I enjoyed the exercise of it and see its value as an activity for my students. They could collect random quotations from a show, teacher, parent or whatever they are interested in. 

Date	Class	Link	Quotation
Monday, March 1, 2021	Quick Flow for People on the Go (35 min) - with Mari Dickey	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/210224-flowexpress-mari	"Exalt right arm to sky, right side body long."
Tuesday, March 2, 2021	Hip Opening Power (45 min) - with Mikaela Millington	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/210225-power-mikaela	"If you feel like there is pent up energy, then you need to let it go, big sigh out of your mouth."
Wednesday, March 3, 2021	Flow Yoga: Sweet Hip Opening Flow (15 min) — with Mari Dickey	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/15-20-minutes/videos/flow-yoga-sweet-hip-opening-flow-15-min-with-mari-dickey	"Get nice and grounded through your back foot…"
Thursday, March 4, 2021	Intermediate Power (45 min) - with Jasmina Egeler	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/februaryreleases2021/videos/210206-power-jasmina-1	"Feet together, legs together, squeeze into your center."
Friday, March 5, 2021	Power Yoga for Positive Energy (20 min) — with Hillary Keegan	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/15-20-minutes/videos/200923-yyoga-poweryoga-energypositivity	"… place hands on shoulders… as we come into eagle, starting to come forward, hinge at the hips.. Whoa"
Saturday, March 6, 2021	Full Body Power (50 min) - with Jayme Burke Fixed my left hip!	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/210301-power-jaymeburke	"… let your right thigh kind of get heavy and earthy."
Sunday, March 7, 2021	Side Body Flow Yoga (45 min) — with Jayme Burke	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/side-body-flow-yoga-45-min-with-jayme-burke	"Fully inhale, halfway lift"
Monday, March 8, 2021	Hatha for Hips Yoga (30 min) - with Jayme Burke	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/februaryreleases2021/videos/210225-hatha-jayme	"…come into fingertips, turn your right…"
Tuesday, March 9, 2021	Hip Opening Hatha (30 min) - with Katherine Moore	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/februaryreleases2021/videos/210221-hatha-katherinemoore	"… and then bow in as you exhale."
Wednesday, March 10, 2021	Power Yoga (20 min) — with Crystal Rainbow Borrelli	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/videos/power-yoga-power-for-newbies-crystal	"… feet hip width and parallel.."
Thursday, March 11, 2021	Flow Yoga: Mid-Day Rejuvenating Class (20 min) — with Crystal Rainbow Borrelli	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/videos/flow-yoga-mid-day-rejuvenating-practice-20-min-with-crystal	"… a gentle squeeze, a little sway from side to side."
Friday, March 12, 2021	Fiery Flow for Balance (45 min) - with Mikaela Millington	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/210303-fieryflow-mikaelamillington	"… little lift of the chest, hold it here, shoulders away from the ears.."
Saturday, March 13, 2021	Front-Body Opening Power (50 min) - with Jasmina Egeler	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/februaryreleases2021/videos/210220-power-jasminaegeler	"… release your bind, back to dog pose…"
Sunday, March 14, 2021	Nourishing Flow (45 min) - with Mari Dickey (with Carrie!)	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/videos/210209-flow-maridickey	"… to high plank pose, from the top of your push-up.."
Monday, March 15, 2021	Rejuvenating Power-Flow (45 min) - with Cathy High	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/210309-rejuvinatingpower-cathy-high	"…and letting the chest lift, you really want to go for a proud chest, a tall spine."
Tuesday, March 16, 2021	Wellbeing Hatha Yoga for Working from Home (20 mins) — with Rachel Scott	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/20-30-minutes/videos/wellbeing-hatha-yoga-for-working-from-home-20-mins-with-rachel-scott	".. Then roll the chest open…"
Wednesday, March 17, 2021	Ocean Flow (45 min) - with Mikaela Millington	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/week-2-march-30-day-challenge/videos/210202-flow-mikaela-1	"… to the right side, keep your left hand grounded…"
Thursday, March 18, 2021	Smooth & Steady Pilates Flow (45 min) - with Alison Lloyd-Nijjar	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/newreleases/videos/210219-pilates-alisonlloyd	"… curl forward through chest lift.."
Friday, March 19, 2021	Hatha Yoga (30 min) - with Jayme Burke	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/20-30-minutes/videos/210218-hatha-jaymeburke	".. Light up your glutes, as you lengthen your tailbone, hug your navel in…"
Saturday, March 20, 2021	Live Stream Dancerly Flow (60 min) - with Krystina Simes	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/week-3-march-30-day-challenge/videos/tue-12-01-12-00pm-pst-dancerly-flow-60-min-with-hillary-keegan	"… over toward the heal in a one legged squat…"
Sunday, March 21, 2021	Side Body Flow Yoga (45 min) — with Katherine Moore	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/week-3-march-30-day-challenge/videos/power-for-stiff-people-45-min-with-katherine-moore	"…bring your back knee down to the floor, bring both, both hands up to your right thigh."
Monday, March 22, 2021	Flow Yoga: Feel Good Flow (30 min) – with Sasha Smith	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/week-4-march-30-day-challenge/videos/flow-yoga-feel-good-flow-30-min-with-sasha-smith	"… lift the arms up, go from Sun B, exhale forward fold."
Tuesday, March 23, 2021	Apartment Hatha Yoga for Small Spaces (20 mins) — with Rachel Scott	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/20-30-minutes/videos/apartment-hatha-yoga-for-small-spaces-20-mins-with-rachel-scott	"… up the wall. Come into down dog so the ball of my foot is on my mat…"
Wednesday, March 24, 2021	Cardio Barre Intermediate (40 min) — with Mandi Von Alkier	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/week-4-march-30-day-challenge/videos/april-26-cardio-barre-intermediate-45-min-with-mandi-von-alkier	"… keep breathing for four, for three, if the knees are…"
Thursday, March 25, 2021	Flow Yoga: Daily Maintenance for Runners (10 min) — with Katherine Moore	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/videos/flow-yoga-daily-maintenance-for-runners-katherine	"… they tend to get tight, when we work out."
Friday, March 26, 2021	BEACH
Saturday, March 27, 2021	BEACH
Sunday, March 28, 2021	Live Replay: Power Hour (60 min) - with Mari Dickey w/Carrie	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/week-4-march-30-day-challenge/videos/fri-12-11-8-30am-pst-power-hour-60-min-with-mari-dickey	"… hand down to the floor, or if you have a block handy, to a block."
Monday, March 29, 2021	Flow Yoga: Sweet Hip Opening Flow (15 min) — with Mari Dickey	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/15-20-minutes/videos/flow-yoga-sweet-hip-opening-flow-15-min-with-mari-dickey	"… exhale forward fold.."
Tuesday, March 30, 2021	Flow Yoga: Improving Your Balance (10 min) — with Jayme Burke	https://yyoga.vhx.tv/10-15-minutes/videos/may-24-flow-yoga-improving-your-balance-with-jayme-burke	"… to your feet. Make sure that you have a drishti, a focal point to look at, one that is steady and at your own eye level…"

 

2021Dance365: March Reflections

 

For March, for the most part, I made each video on the day. Towards the end of the month, when the break started, I was able to go for some beach run, yoga, dance drives and make a few at once and get ahead. It has been a busy month at school and this break is feeling good. I am catching up. 

... maybe I will think about what else to say and come back...