Personal Dance Philosophy December 2013 Charis Dexter Dancing Heart As I define dance do not think that I am speaking

for anyone else; I am not attempting to give an overarching definition that fits into the context of a dictionary. Rather, I am giving you a glimpse into the space into my mind and my heart. Maybe dance has different definitions for everyone, or maybe we are fundamentally the same. As you look into this window of my soul and maybe even try to enter the room that you see, you can explore that possibility in comparison with the room in your soul. Or, you can simply enjoy what I show you for what it is without needing comparison, just know that I am not thinking of comparison rather I am about to write these thoughts as if no one were reading, just as I sometimes dance as if no one is watching. Memories Wearing dresses in my childhood just so I could spin in them whenever I spontaneously needed to. Playing cassette tapes of Saturdays Warrior and My Turn on Earth to that I could dance and sing with every song. Being sad when the last song ended because I didnt know what song to dance to nextchoreographing dances with friends and cousins and finding it to be the most entertaining possibilitycrying when I had to miss a ballet class, feeling it was a tragedy, even when it was an extra class I was not required to takegrowing out of childhood, but never growing out of being a ballet dancer.

Singing heart Dancing has strong associations with light, energy, excitement, a bubbling inner joy, and a beauty and softness. Im thinking of movement that is graceful and uninhibited; it looks to be naturally flowing out of the person, it does not look choreographed.

My heart dances the classical ballet, and sometimes my own variation of it. Dance is the visible song of the heart. Performing gives the viewer a glimpse of the dancers spirit. One cannot speak through the means of dance without exposing what is inside of them. A wise person once said: One cannot hide the heart when the mouth is open. The same is true in dance as a language. In the movement is evidence of their heart. This is especially apparent in dancers who are strong technically because their medium of expression has been refined. The refinement process is like giving them a greater vocabulary with which to express themselves; it makes the glass on the windows to the soul more transparent. Every person carries a light with them; the degree of its brightness is determined by their choices. Every choice leads to a brightening process or a dimming process, no choice is neutral. When a passionate dancer performs their light becomes more apparent, especially dancers who have mastered technical elements they can reveal their light with greater ease. Some have the ability of sharing their light while dancing so that it leaves a strong impression on those who see them. This is a gift. This ability does not come only from years of hard work. The gift comes from a higher power; it is also a blessing resultant of good choices. I believe that every living body is united with an eternal spirit, when we say I or Me we are referring to our spirit selves. That is the part of us that makes us feel alive. Anytime we feel something at our deepest core we are aware of our spirit. Before my body ever danced as a mortal I danced as a spirit. I danced for joy and other intents, but sometimes I just dance because that is how I like to best savor the gift of existence. Sometimes I dance to enjoy the gift that my body is. Yet, I will dance when I leave earth, I will not be in this body then, but I will dance as a

celebration of this existence and a joyful welcoming of the continuation of existence where there is more light. Dance is to my spirit, as a deep breath is to my body. Pure dance is requires movement and emotional expression, it requires a truthful reflection of the self. Pure dance is in harmony with light and truth; it involves choices that bring brighter light. There are many demonstrations of what people call dancing that are not inviting light. These are counterfeits of the purest form; they serve darkness rather than light and they do not serve the soul. There are also minimalist forms of dance; these belong in a category of their own. Dance is the process of reaching to ones limits not staying as withdrawn from them as possible. Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. -Edgar Degas. Dance is meant to be performed; it shares common ground with virtues such as love, in that it is multiplied when it is shared. An individual can feel love and that in itself is a beautiful thing but think about how the love can spread through chains of individuals and lives when that love is given away. Dance is a gift, given to the holder of the talent for the benefit of everyone else. With this in mind, performances should be geared for the uplifting of the audience. Sometimes a dance is made by focusing on the inner experience or a hidden struggle, I dont believe this fulfills the full potential of dance because it leaves the audience outside of the discovery; ultimately they should be included. I do believe dance is valuable as therapy and studio experience even though these are not presentational. The showy presentation is not what I think the pinnacle is. I believe the top of the mountain of fulfillment and purpose is when dancing becomes an unselfish endeavor. A single person can dance around in the privacy of their own walls and it can still be pure dancing because it is a dance of praise to a higher power. Dance as therapy is beautiful because it can

change people so they can turn around and lift others who are in the dark place they just left. Dancing onstage can be the ultimate experience as the dancer chooses to be there with the intent of bringing beauty and light to the audience. As a teacher and choreographer I do not believe anyone should be turned away or discouraged to dance. I do believe they should have exposure to enough aspects of dance to find where their match is. Teachers do not introduce it for the first time, their job is one of reminding the person of something their soul is already familiar with. I believe in respecting the art form by teaching in a manner that builds proper foundations before adding the movements that look more impressive. Dance is not an art to be played with like a common toy. Those who take on the title of teacher must understand and respect the dance and what it requires for mastery. Even the title of student should be respected it is an honor to be a pupil of the arts, it should not be taken lightly. Because I am a dancer I have learned to be comfortable in my own body, as a result I am comfortable in my own body even in front of large groups of people. Because I am a dancer I am comfortable taking risks, I have learned that the worst thing that can happen is I fall, and I have learned how to get up and go forward again. Because I am a dancer I have real validity behind the fact that I have the gift of being a hard worker. Because I am a dancer I have a keen awareness of my physical body even in relationship to my spirit and how they work together. Because I am a dancer I know by experience what it means to give of myself.

Everyone can dance, everyone who wants to should dance. Dancing is for giving, it is a function of the soul. If one does not want to dance it simply means they do not understand what to dance means to their soul.

The spirit is eternal Dance is not everything that has ever been put on a stage in a modern dance concert Especially strong dancers their personalities show in their movement quality and attitude as they dance Stronger dancer=greater ability to show who they are through medium of technique

No big deal Sacrum tucked energy direction in cambre derriere