Skip to main content

7. Emma’s lyrical

 Rehearsal log 7-

Emma’s Lyrical

Session Summary:

In this rehearsal, we focused on resolving spacing and entrances due to the absence of a company member. Emma also took time to explain the deeper meaning behind each section of the piece, providing more context for the storytelling involved. As an ensemble member, my role isn’t to portray the central story but rather to amplify the atmosphere by supporting the main characters through facial expressions and dynamic movement. While I’m beginning to understand the timing better, my entrance has changed due to the new spacing. This means I need to anticipate the timing more carefully, so practicing it throughout the week will be important to get it right.

Personal Observation:

Emma encouraged us to draw upon personal experiences to enhance the authenticity of the storytelling. Once I did so, I felt much more expressive and connected to the piece. However, I did struggle with some of the jumps, particularly with elevation. I believe I was dealing with DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) from overexertion the day before, which made my muscles stiff and hindered my performance. Emma’s style blends a balletic technique with jazz, requiring significant turnout, precision, and technical strength, and I found it harder to execute these elements today due to my fatigue.

Research:

As a full-time dancer, I’m no stranger to DOMS, which typically sets in 24 to 72 hours after intense or unfamiliar physical activity. This deep muscle soreness can make even simple movements uncomfortable, especially after a tough rehearsal or trying out a new technique. While DOMS is a natural part of muscle recovery and adaptation, it’s essential to manage it properly to maintain consistent training and avoid injury. To aid recovery, I focus on active rest, such as light stretching, walking, or a low-impact barre, which helps increase blood flow without overloading the sore muscles. Proper hydration, nutrition, and sleep are also key to my recovery.

Foam rolling, Epsom salt baths, and self-myofascial release have been beneficial in relieving tightness and speeding up recovery. I avoid pushing through the pain and instead listen to my body, giving it what it needs to stay strong and injury-free in the long run. A portable massage gun has also been a game-changer for relieving stiffness, especially on the go.

Here are a few other recovery strategies I’ve looked into:

  • Active Recovery: Low-impact activities like walking or yoga improve circulation, reduce muscle stiffness, and assist in clearing metabolic waste.

  • Foam Rolling: Though not proven to significantly improve physical performance, foam rolling can alleviate the perception of muscle soreness, offering psychological relief.

  • Nutrition and Hydration: A balanced post-exercise meal with carbs and protein supports muscle repair, while staying hydrated is essential for recovery.

  • Sleep: Rest is crucial for muscle repair and overall recovery, as sleep facilitates the body’s recovery processes.

  • Vibration Therapy: Whole-body vibration therapy has shown potential in reducing pain and accelerating muscle recovery after intense exercise.

What can I do to progress for next lesson:

  • Research Burt Bacharach’s background and songwriting inspirations to bring more depth to the rehearsal.

  • Manage self-care more effectively, especially in relation to muscle recovery.

  • Listen to and practice with the music for more precise timing and synchronization.


    References:

    -Wicks, J. (n.d.). Everything You Need to Know About DOMS. [online] The Body Coach. Available at: https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-doms/.

    -Sartika, D. (2021). COMBINATION OF STRETCHING WITH IMMERSION SYSTEM (COLD AND CONTRAST) ON DOMS PAIN TOLERANCE. Sport and Fitness Journal, 9(2), p.118. doi:https://doi.org/10.24843/spj.2021.v09.i02.p04.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1- Macy’s Jazz (Money)

 Rehearsal Log 1: Macy’s ‘Money’ – 22nd April Summary of Session: Today, we resumed our rehearsals for Macy’s jazz piece to "Money" from Eddie Redmayne’s live recording of  Cabaret . We spent most of the session working on new choreography and adjusting to the change in pace of the music. Since I’m playing the role of the  Emcee , the rehearsal required intense character work. This role involves intricate movements and precise musicality, as I’m miming the lyrics while dancing. It’s been a fascinating process not only learning the lyrics but also being challenged by Macy to sing while dancing. This, she said, would help with the authenticity of the miming. We also addressed some spacing issues I was facing with the chair and the steps, particularly when traveling through the crowd of people and chairs. Given the large rehearsal studio compared to the actual stage size, I had to adjust my movement to avoid overextending. Additionally, we began the chair hand-clapping secti...
Post a Comment
Read more

9- Emma’s Lyrical

Rehearsal log  9~ Emma’s Lyrical Session Summary: This rehearsal focused primarily on developing character through dynamics and breath. Halfway through, we watched a video of our performance to self-correct any visible mistakes or irregularities, which proved to be a helpful time-saving tool during the cleaning process. Emma made some adjustments to the timing of the final cannon, making it more manageable and allowing the ending to flow better. She also changed the direction of our exits to add a sense of spontaneity to the piece. Personal Observation: I struggled during this session with executing turns, spins, and sliding motions, as the floor felt rough on my bare feet and aggravated my blisters. Emma advised me and others dealing with the same issue to wear socks to prevent further damage to the soles of our feet. This experience made me realise that I need to incorporate better foot care into my weekly routine to avoid these issues in the future. Research: As a dancer, I’ve c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Show Performance Review:

Show Performance Review:  Robyn’s Jazz – “Big Time”: Because this number opened the show, and it required high energy, slick execution, and performance precision this had the pressure of starting off well. I found the tight formations and group unison sections especially challenging in earlier rehearsals, but during the show I managed to stay connected to the group while still performing with projection. One thing I noticed was how easy it is to let facial tension or over-concentration show when you’re trying to hit sharp movements and I'll continue t keep working on this. That said, the routine felt tight, and Robyn’s feedback about dancing “bigger” in space finally clicked for me on stage. I pushed further with performance energy and really tried to fill the space especially as the stage was larger than I'd anticipated. Because hadn't been able to settle nerves yet properly, I found some sections became more wobbly than they are usually are, such as the turns and unison d...
Post a Comment
Read more