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Task 3: Somatic approach

This task will help you to start thinking about a practice of dancing that is characterized by reflection on the moving body based on a somatic approach. Here you are going to think of a range of somatic techniques.

This is a colour photo of a ballet couple rehearsing in a studio. They are moving unison with their right leg bended in front and the left leg extended behind. their right arm is extended to the side and the left arm is raising up from the front. They are looking towards their left sides. Both are wearing ballet shoes. He is wearing white trousers and a blue t-shirt. She is wearing a burgundy leotard, black tights and blue shorts.

Activity 3.1

Before you start reading, think and respond to this question.

1

What do you understand by a somatic approach?

A somatic approach encourages thinking about the body from the first person perspective, that is, my body as I experience it from the inside, rather than my body as an object, observed from the outside.

In the words of Anna Paskevska:

"Many dancers draw on somatic and body/mind techniques in their training. The term "somatics" can be broadly defined as the body perceived from within, that is, a subjective apprehension of the effect of movement on one's body." (2005, p. 4)

You will come across further readings and references later on.

Check your answer

Activity 3.2

In the introductory pages to her text Anna Paskevska mentions that:

"There are a plethora of somatic techniques that are available as resources for dancers -including yoga, Pilates, Alexander Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Body Mind CenteringTM, Feldenkrais, and the work of Irene Dowd and Eric Noel Franklin in Ideokinetics" and explains that the basis of her training is the Limón technique "because they deal with quality of motion as contrasted with neuromuscular repatterning, which concentrates on alignment, freedom of the joints, and flexibility."

(Paskevska, 2005, p. 4)

Are you familiar with any of these techniques? Can you think of any other movement or dance technique that is also somatic? Go to the mind map "Somatic techniques" in the internet and contribute to the map by adding at least one piece of information about a somatic technique. For instance, you can add the name of a different somatic technique, a definition of one of the techniques already on the map, a quote, a relevant image or a link to a video.

Note on using mindmeister

mindmeister is an online mind mapping and brainstorming tool that you will be using in this module. You will receive a message inviting you to contribute to this mind map. For this you will have to sign in with your Surrey email and a password of your choice. In order to access the map from the link provided above you need to right click on the link and choose "Open link in new window". You will be able to sign in from that window.

To start using this programme, click on "help" icon Help icon image on the blue bar at the top of the map and then choose "Online help". Here you can find tutorials on how to edit the map. All you need to do for this activity is in the section "Basics".