|
Written by Annie Clayton
|
 A Sense of Dance
I can't dance; I won't dance; I don't want to dance! Sound familiar? It's been a heartfelt cry from most Freestylers for many years. Perhaps your idea of dancing is a stick thin eighteen year old prancing about in a short frilly skirt on 'tippy' toes and yes, ballet is certainly one form of dance but that's all it is – one specialised form of concert dance performed by thin athletes who have undergone very specialised training.
So what exactly is dance? It's being open to learning new movement patterns – new ways of doing things. It's exploring new ways of expanding your physical options. It's tension and release. In order to walk forward you must tense muscles and release muscles otherwise there would be no movement. But walking forward is not of itself a dance movement. However when you deliberately use that movement pattern for effect, then it becomes a dance movement, so every time you step out in the ring with your dog, you are dancing!
A dance movement is almost any ordinary movement used deliberately to create an effect. A specific hand movement to cue your dog to turn to his left or right can become a beautiful movement the moment you are aware of the shape and pattern your hand makes. This very awareness concentrates your mind on the image you are projecting making it a movement pattern for effect. More dancing and this time without your feet!
Bending your knees can be a comical or beautiful movement depending on the effect you wish to create. Knees apart, bottom stuck out, elbows out to the side, chin thrust forward and you could be a clown. Knees together, bottom firmly tucked in, arms held slightly away from your side and a slight sideways tilt of the head and body and the image you present is one of grace and beauty but they're both still a knees bend! Just a different approach to create a specific effect and it's dancing!
You have the skills and facilities right now to consider yourself a dancer. As you become more aware of the patterns and shapes made by your natural habitual movements you will refine and develop your skills without any need to learn specific steps and yes, you will be dancing. So dance movements when working with your dog become an easy probability rather than an impossible feat.
In my book More Paws To Dance, you will find four particular named dances with footstep patterns, suggested body and arm movements and moves for your dog to fit with all these steps. As music is so important, there are music suggestions also. Indeed everything you need for the wonderful sport of Freestyle/Heelwork to Music – moving to music with your dog.
Click here to purchase "More Paws To Dance"
Copyright © Annie Clayton 2002
|
Offering a diverse range of products
