Dance anthropologists have cited the challenge of capturing, in words, the feeling of the movements and expressions of what it is to dance. Dance anthropologist Dierdre Sklar (2000) says:
"[Dance and movement] ethnographers rely on personal movement experiences, not so much to facilitate description of particular steps or choreographies, as to understand the way sensation itself is organized..."
​
In this section, I invite you to explore movement. My hope is you'll experience both the limitations and comparative freedom that dancers, the teacher and I experienced. No ballet or dance training is needed to participate in the activities below! Just give it a go and have some fun!
GIVE IT A TRY
FOLLOW THESE STEPS
STEP 1: Set up your favourite song to move to
Any song will do, but if you're stuck for a song, check out this playlist of 25 songs to dance to
STEP 2: Take a seat
Any chair will do, really.
STEP 3: Dance in your chair!
Hands in the air. Shimmy your shoulders. Kick your legs. Make up your own moves!
STEP 4: Get up and dance around the room!
Let loose and take up as much space as you can!
STEP 5: Reflect on your experience
What did you notice?
References
Potter, Caroline. 2008. “Sense of Motion, Senses of Self: Becoming a Dancer.” Ethnos Journal of Anthropology 73 (4): 444–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00141840802563915.
Sklar, Deidre. 2000. “Reprise: On Dance Ethnography.” Dance Research Journal 32 (1): 70–77. https://doi.org/10.2307/1478278.