Leinani Podzikowski Ed Austin Dance 261 Jan 18 2014 Learning Objective #1

Dance is the hidden language of our souls It has been said that to move is to be revealed for what we are. This means that the body is not an external instrument or a thing which a human manipulates, it is his or her very self, in that psychologically and kinesthetically it is a direct agent of his feelings. Dance does not blossom full blown in an instant. We need to first become familiar with the art of dance and its craft. We need to develop the language of movement. Almost any kind of dance combines the mastery of movement with the artistry of expression. It is the combination of the two that makes dance so powerful. Dance can open up for you a new world of knowledge, creativity and selfexpression. Dance can be a powerful tool towards peace. With dance people learn to solve problems, express feelings, cooperate, accept and value individual differences. It allows the individual to gain an awareness of their own and others cultures. They are engaged in an activity that increases rather that decreases self-esteem. When I first started dance it was new and challenging. I loved learning how to move my body in new ways. It felt good to be able to express myself in a new and beautiful way, without the use of words. Sometimes there are no words that you can say to express yourself and it is better or easier to put your emotion into your dancing. I agree I had to first learn the language of dance before I could accurately express myself. I feel with some styles of dance I am still learning the language and perfecting it. Our

Podzikowski 2 bodies hold our entire lifes experiences. Movement is personality and the soul made visible; it is feelings and imagination in motion. Movement/Dance is a way to connect deeply and genuinely; to express the full range of human emotion. You can tell how a person is feeling just by their body language. A person does not need to be in motion for them to be expressive. Body sensations, posture, and gestures reflect our history, our culture and our current ways of living. We develop body language and different postures because of our environment and way of living. When we engage in expressive movement/dance and the expressive arts, the ongoing themes and patterns of our lives are revealed. The way we work and create art as artists teaches us about the way we relate to ourselves, others and the world. It is in our art that we find expression for what interrupts our lives and for what we want to celebrate. As we learn how to work with the principles of creativity and the practice of the arts, we are able to apply what we learn to all aspects of our lives. When we enact positive visions through our art, we create images and models that can become guiding forces in our lives. In Newell Dayleys talk on Centering The Arts in Christ, he talks about what art really is. He says, The arts embody a unique learning process that awakens the very core of ones being to lifes meaning and beauty. Through the arts we can learn to see, hear, move, and feel with greater sensitivity and understanding. They provide both substance and stimulus for learning the creative process and nurture our capacity to explore the infinite. The arts enable us to communicate important realities that can be shared in no other way. The arts must be an essential core component of a balanced education.

Podzikowski 3 He also talks about the arts being a manifestation of the light of Christ. The light of Crist gives life to our creative potential. Art itself appears because there is a spark of the divine nature in Gods children. He cautions on those who remove the light of Christ from their Art. They will be left with only developing the technical skill of their art, because they are unable to receive the power that would give it life and meaning. I am not only a Dancer but also an Artist. I have done many art pieces always wanting and encouraging Christ to guide my hand. I do feel I understand how to create my Art/Drawing pieces using the light of Christ. To be honest I have never really connected dance with Christ. Dance has always been a part of my life and Christ has always been a part of my life. The thought of being able to dance with light of Christ and feeling his power bring my dancing to life and give it meaning may be what I have been missing the whole time I have been dancing. I have always been more focused on my technique in doing it just the right way, rather that the meaning of what I am doing, or what I want to portray. I sometimes envy many dancers that I see in class, on YouTube, and in auditions. In my head I think I want to dance like them and wish I could be as good has them, but it seems impossible for me to even get close to that goal. I really like some of the things Martha Graham says in her I am a Dancer biography. She says, I feel the essence of dance is the expression of man. It is the landscape of his soul. I hope every dance I do reveals something about myself or some wonderful thing a human being can do.

Podzikowski 4 Right there I feel like she is implying that anyone can dance, and anyone is capable of reaching their potential. Even though I realize I have amazing potential, and I am just like everybody else. Its sometime hard to realize my own potential. I dont view myself the same as other people view me. The common quote you are your own worst critic comes to mind. I have to constantly remind myself to be patient with myself. In Elder Russell M. Nelsons talk We Are Children of God. I love what he says about who we are and what we are capable of. He says We are dual beings. Each soul is comprised of body and spirit, both of which emanate from God. A firm understanding of body and spirit will shape our thoughts and deeds for good. Your body, whatever its natural gifts, is a magnificent creation of God. It is a tabernacle of flesh a temple for your spirit. Spirit and body, when joined together, become a living soul of supernal worth. Indeed, we are children of Godphysically and spiritually. Who are we? We are children of God. Our potential is unlimited. Our inheritance is sacred. May we always honor that heritagein every thought and deed I truly believe that we are children of God. Our potential is unlimited, but it is up to us to reach our potential. We are the master of our own ship. We choose what to do with this life and how to stretch our body to do new things. Reaching your potential takes hard work and dedication, many hours of perfect practice, a sore and tired body, and cracked and bleeding feet. The end result is overwhelming; the beauty that comes from all the hard work and dedication is awe inspiring.