#23 Dancing Freely: A Journey Beyond Steps

From Essence of Afrocuban · 00:16:13

Show by Alfredo Garcia Gonzalez

Hola familia AfroCubana! Welcome back to the Essence of Afro-Cuban. Today, let’s dive into a crucial aspect that many dancers often overlook: the ability to dance freely beyond learned steps. - The Challenge of Freedom in DanceAfter years of training and countless classes, many experienced dancers find themselves struggling with improvisation and self-expression. Alfredo Garcia shares an insightful observation from a festival in Cyprus, where he witnessed skilled dancers who could perform beautifully on stage but hesitated to dance freely in a more casual setting. This begs the question: why do so many skilled dancers doubt their ability to express themselves? "Your goal as a teacher is not to create followers. Your goal as a teacher is to create independent dancers."- Moving from Knowledge to UnderstandingAlfredo proposes a shift in focus for seasoned dancers. Instead of constantly seeking new steps and classes, consider what you already know and how to apply it. He suggests three guiding questions to deepen your understanding and connection to the music:1. What am I hearing? - Connect with the music and recognize the rhythm.2. What am I doing? - Be aware of your movements and how they align with the rhythm.3. Why am I doing it? - Understand your body’s connection to the rhythm.These questions are rooted in the Yoruba traditions of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, which are essential for any dancer seeking to evolve.- A Practical FrameworkTo implement this mindset shift, Alfredo introduces the: 1-1-15 Framework. Select one rhythm and listen to it for 15 minutes without dancing. Focus on understanding how your body connects with the music before allowing yourself to move. This practice can help you unlock the freedom to express yourself without the constraints of learned choreography.If you could ask Alfredo one question about your dancing, what would it be? Email [email protected]. I will be more than happy to answer it in the next episode.Ashe y bendiciones

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