Iris Professional Practice Blog

THE "AND" IS WHERE MAGIC HAPPENS


Fresh out of the MAPP conversation I'm positively aware of the challenges ahead in module 2 and 3 from the input of other students in our Skype call.
There were a lot of points made about allowing ourselves enough time to think in between modules, in between interviews and data analysis to be able to process and reflect on our own ideas. Why?...well, the "in between" time is where magic happens.

In Salsa the counting of basic steps is called as: 1, 2, 3 AND 5, 6, 7.
If you study the genre in depth you will discover that in fact, it is the seemingly insignificant "and" timing that holds so much of the movement dynamic and expression. It's in that "in between" where magic happens and where dancers add a plethora of steps and body contractions, pulsations and footwork just to be able to interpret that "and" beat, or more accurately, the silent beat. The beat is silent yes, yet, the expression dancers seek to put in that silence has infinite possibilities.

In my reflection and evaluation of learning I realised that I often learnt the most when I failed. That moment in between achievements and small or big successes was were I seemed to have made the most reflection.

At some point when studying basic physics at secondary school I learnt that energy is never lost, only changes and/or is transformed. If one allows oneself to accept that transformation and adapt accordingly, we'll have a faster rate of progression and self improvement rather than when resisting change. If you resist change, you don't transform, you stagnate. Stagnation doesn't bring great reflection or adaptation to new learning. It stifles progression. It's like you've reached a lake rather than carrying on the flow of the river.
I read an amazing book years ago called "Who moved my cheese" by Dr Spencer Johnson on change. Simple, small book but very enlightening, I highly recommend it.

The conversation on communication and finding our voices was rich, and many of us are having common issues and sharing similarities in the realisation of how our voices have changed, evolved or are finding themselves amidst a million of other voices.
My feeling is that no matter how many voices are there exploring similar topics to mine, my voice is unique only to me and my experience, so, I need to be able to hear my own voice in between all the noise, in order to find myself and allow it to be confident enough to explore, develop and express its own ideas.