People from all walks of life take Gyrokinesis classes, including accomplished athletes, fitness enthusiasts, senior citizens and people recovering from an injury or dealing with a disability. By the end of a Gyrokinesis session, one's entire system is awakened and brought into greater balance. Focus on the breath stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in a sense of calm, well-being and mental clarity. This method systematically and gently works the joints and muscles through rhythmic and undulating exercises. Movement stimulates the body’s internal organs and different coresponding breathing patterns are integrated. Fluidity is the key. Postures are not held for long time. Instead, postures are smoothly and harmoniously connected through the use of breath, making exercises appear and feel more like a dance than traditional yoga.
This course will examine various methods of formatting and creation of a jazz dance class. The primary focus will be on pedagogic approaches, music mapping as well as creating technical exercises and movement phrasing geared toward teaching beginning to intermediate level dance students. The seminar will involve a presentation of informative teaching techniques and collaboratively working as a group to explore personal stylistic choices of the jazz dance genre.
My classes are based on the Vaganova Method, but I personally like to give extra focus on the coordination between the upper and lower limbs, starting with the exercises at the barre, which usually concentrate mainly on foot and leg movement. I like to challenge dancers to think actively to what they are doing and why, and to be aware of the work behind the movement.
