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xoxo
Yannori

ShadowStyle Improv - Different as Night & Day

Sometimes it’s important to shake up your daily routine to give yourself a reason to excel and develop your skills in a new situation. This week, carve out some improvisational dance time that’s different than your normal schedule. If you’re a night dancer (like me), find some time in the morning or early afternoon when the sun is high and give your sparkling pole a twirl. If you’re a morning dancer, schedule a late night date with your pole and fly with the moon instead of the sun.

Initially, when I thought this one up, I wasn’t sure if I could actually do it, but I gave myself the challenge and gave it a try. I found that I my movement was slower and more about the detail of each pelvic circle. I loved how the slightly higher temperature of the room changed the texture of the pole and gave me a completely different grip sensation. And I really enjoyed play in the sunshine streaming through the windows. This one was a great reminder for me that Life really is Just a Dance in the Sunshine. How did it affect you?

ShadowStyle Improv - Clean Out Your Closet

Do you remember what happened to that old college sweater, or when you last wore those bell bottom pants? How long has it been since you pulled out those shoes from years past? Take a few minutes to travel through all the memories trapped in your closet in the form of old clothes, old shoes, and old jewelry. Maybe you’re ready to let go of some memories and maybe there’s a few you’d still like to keep. Either way, choose one item filled with memories of the past and wear it for your dance.

As you begin your improvisation, notice how much you have changed since you last wore the item; how much you’ve grown, how much you’ve learned, and how much more you understand your inner self. Then, as the music draws you into movement, allow yourself to pull and tug at the item. Remove the item completely if you feel the impulse. Throughout the song, pay attention to how simple it is to separate the item from your body. Know that you are not limited by the past and can let it go, shedding it as easily as an old sweater.

For this challenge, I found a thick red Spun Silk Ribbed Turtleneck
I wore during my undergraduate years in college. I used to wear it to my early morning physics exams when I was afraid to fail and just wanted to hide away. Although it still has a comforting warmth, as I danced, I found that I just didn't want to hide anymore. By shedding its false comfort and memory I was able to let go of that fear of failure from the past. What memory did you shed during your dance?

If you are a BE Online Classes Monthly Subscriber, you can find the "Clean Out Your Closet" videos for the Beginner/Intermediate Routine and Yannori's Advanced Improvisation Demo.. HERE. Plus, here are the bonus video clips of my training session with this challenge...

And here's this weeks playlist of songs to help you shed your past...


Or download the songs directly from itunes. Clean Out Your Closet

Permission to Wander

When I was in high school, my friends and I used to pile into the car on Friday nights and deliberately try to get lost. We would simply choose a freeway, drive until we didn't recognize any of the street names, and then get off at a random exit. Then we'd either drive around some dark small town telling ghost stories or try to figure out why people were always moving their sofas in the middle of the night. (I swear we saw somebody moving furniture at least once a month) Eventually we'd stop at a well-lit greasy spoon for a midnight snack and ask around for directions back to the freeway. Basically, it was a cheap form of entertainment (back when gas was only 99cents a gallon). But, years later, I realized those "cheap" Friday night trips had taught me to enjoy wandering and the process of discovery.

Back then, that old beater car didn't have power steering, let alone an internal Bluetooth cell phone, on-star, or GPS Navigation. But instead of feeling afraid that I might get lost, I always felt excited to see some new town (under the moonlight of course). Instead of worrying about what time I might get home, I looked forward to finding a new place to get great midnight pancakes, that I might never find again once the sun came up. As a group, we spent the drive sharing experiences, learning from each others mistakes, and laughing at our ridiculous love lives. Every outing had a simple purpose, to find adventure in the ordinary and to find ourselves on a late night drive.

As we get older, sometimes we forget to take the time to wander. We're always trying to keep up with the neighbors or whatever the media tells us our neighbors are like, instead of taking the time to discover what simple pleasures we really enjoy in life. Don't you think its worthwhile to give yourself permission to wander? Give yourself permission to get a little lost in life, try new directions, share life lessons with your friends, and laugh together? What have you got to loose, except a little sleep on a Friday night? More importantly, consider what you have to gain. You might learn to face some of your fears, like laughing off a scary ghost story while lost in an unknown town or asking a stranger for directions. You might discover how amazing your friends really are, or at least which one has the best dating advice. You might even realize that you want to walk a different path than everybody else. I discovered that I don't like syrup on my pancakes (just fresh strawberries), and I hate moving furniture in the middle of the night. I also discovered that I loved telling ghost stories and trying to understand why normal people did crazy things... which has lead me to what I love doing now, exploring personal growth and fiction writing.

Its time to give yourself permission to wander and remember the joy of personal discovery. Because finding your new path could be as easy as taking a drive for midnight pancakes.

ShadowStyle Improv - Scent of a Woman

One of the best ways to engage the emotions is with the senses.
Although often overlooked, the sense of smell can cause a deeply buried emotional response, usually related to a past memory. Before you dance, add a luscious or irresistible scent to the space around you by lighting a scented candle or wearing some of your favorite perfume.

Breathe deeply and accept any emotions or memories that arise. Let your
feelings mingle with the music; let your sensuous presence fill the
room; and then-- let your body fly.


For this improv and all the attached videos, I used my favorite perfume BVLGARI. I love how it smells like a blooming exotic flower from a lover; full of life, hope, and the anticipation of more to come *wink*.




If you are a BE Online Classes Monthly Subscriber, you can find
the Scent of a Woman videos for the Beginner/Intermediate Routine and
Yannori's Advanced Improvisation Demo.. HERE. And just for kicks, I posted an uncut intermediate video to youtube. Please enjoy!




Either way, check out the playlist for this Improv at Amazon.com.


Or you can download all the songs directly from itunes. Scent of a Woman Playlist