June 21, 2003
Noticing
I received an email today from a close friend, where the word “noticing” stuck out at me. The reference was in regards to sensations in the body brought about by various ways of breathing, in a process called Continuum Movement, which we both practice. Emilie Conrad, the founder of this process, in an article, entitled “Movement”, wrote, “My concern has always been with the ingenious ways we become self-limiting; and how all our various cultures define the parameters of what is knowable. Western culture, in particular, has brought about the industrialization of the body, with a devastating and alienating effect. For us, mechanical, repetitive movement is accepted as desirable, and this mechanization lies at the core of how we live and describe our world. Does this have any connection to a flowing vital process called a human being, whose form is based on the movement of water?”
The message our culture gives us or what it asks of us, is to not notice or pay attention to what is inside of ourselves. Even in going to the gym, with its emphasis on fitness and health, it is common to see people on the treadmill or stationary bike, reading or watching television while their bodies are getting “done.” It is obviously a way to tune out and disconnect from ourselves. Instead, within the body there is a world of sensation, with so much information to dance life with, waiting for our attention.
Aaron Osborne, one of my most inspiring dance teachers and friend, after his death, returned to remind me to dance life. Below is a painting I make in homage to him. It is entitled, "Danzare la Vita".
Posted by Barbara at June 21, 2003 11:20 PM | TrackBack