Remember when we were all kids, and how much we loved to play Hokey Pokey? It had it's basic guidelines . . . putting your right foot in, and taking it out; you know the rest. (Admit it! You're singing it right now!)
Even with the guidelines, it let you be yourself in dance when you got to the Hokey Pokey part. Well this week's tip is all about the Hokey Pokey, or in grown up dance terms - Improvisation!
What is Improv?
Even with the guidelines, it let you be yourself in dance when you got to the Hokey Pokey part. Well this week's tip is all about the Hokey Pokey, or in grown up dance terms - Improvisation!
What is Improv?
Dance improvisation is free and impulsive dance movement, that can inspire creativity. Because there is no right or wrong and no set choreography, your dancers are free to move about however they'd like to, (within your guidelines) of course. But even with that said, an improv class can be quite challenging!
How Do You Use It?
First set your guidelines, with the most important one being, your dancer may not stop dancing until you instruct her to. This means she will have to dance off the top of her head, with very little thought. Another guideline might be, the dancer must incorporate floor work, meaning she can't just stand on her feet. You can incorporate other guidelines as you'd like.
Secondly, have your group stand in a circle, or in a way that gives each person the room to move freely about. You don't want any dancer to stand in one spot, so be sure to encourage movement.
Finally, start the music and let them dance! You may want to call on one team member at a time, gradually adding in (and releasing) other dancers, or let everyone dance at once, but you MUST insist that no one stands still not knowing what to do when called upon! After all, that is NOT how you do the Hokey Pokey!
Do this exercise for thirty minutes to an hour to your favorite playlist (it's okay to repeat songs). This is an excellent rehearsal exercise, especially if you haven't quite figured out the choreography for your next routine. It is SURE to enhance your team's choreography and execution and it will definitely make 'em sweat!
Until next week - put your whole self in! I'd love to hear how this exercise worked for your and your group, so once you try it, drop by our Facebook Page and leave a comment, pic or video clip or leave a comment below.
With a heart of gratitude and agape love,
Kimberly!
PS: There are other GREAT rehearsal enhancement activities wrapped up in The Dance Ministry Manual. If you're ready to take your Dance Ministry to the next level, sign up for The Dance Ministry Manual online workshop! You can even try it out for FREE!
Secondly, have your group stand in a circle, or in a way that gives each person the room to move freely about. You don't want any dancer to stand in one spot, so be sure to encourage movement.
Finally, start the music and let them dance! You may want to call on one team member at a time, gradually adding in (and releasing) other dancers, or let everyone dance at once, but you MUST insist that no one stands still not knowing what to do when called upon! After all, that is NOT how you do the Hokey Pokey!
Do this exercise for thirty minutes to an hour to your favorite playlist (it's okay to repeat songs). This is an excellent rehearsal exercise, especially if you haven't quite figured out the choreography for your next routine. It is SURE to enhance your team's choreography and execution and it will definitely make 'em sweat!
Until next week - put your whole self in! I'd love to hear how this exercise worked for your and your group, so once you try it, drop by our Facebook Page and leave a comment, pic or video clip or leave a comment below.
With a heart of gratitude and agape love,
Kimberly!
PS: There are other GREAT rehearsal enhancement activities wrapped up in The Dance Ministry Manual. If you're ready to take your Dance Ministry to the next level, sign up for The Dance Ministry Manual online workshop! You can even try it out for FREE!
