The Batsheva Dance Company, founded by Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild, has been a powerhouse of modern dance since its inception in 1964. Under the artistic direction of Ohad Naharin from 1990 to 2018, the company developed a distinctive style known as “Gaga,” a movement language that emphasizes sensation, pleasure, and the connection between movement and emotion. For dancers looking to improve their technique, incorporating principles from the Batsheva Dance Company’s approach can be incredibly enriching. Here are 10 tips inspired by the company’s philosophy and practice:
1. Focus on Sensation Over Form
In Gaga, dancers are encouraged to focus on the sensations within their bodies rather than the external form of their movements. This approach helps in developing a deep, internal understanding of movement, leading to more expressive and authentic dance. By tuning into your bodily sensations, you can uncover new depths of expression and improve your overall technique by ensuring that your movements are rooted in a genuine, felt experience.
2. Explore the Depth of Your Movement
Batsheva’s dancers are known for their ability to move with incredible depth and dimensionality. This is achieved by exploring the full range of motion available in each joint and by engaging the entire body in every movement. When practicing, try to initiate movements from your core and allow them to ripple outward, filling your movements with a sense of volume and space.
3. Practice Improvisation
Improvisation is a key part of the Batsheva Dance Company’s process, allowing dancers to explore new ways of moving and to deepen their connection with the music and their fellow dancers. Regular improvisation practice can help you develop your spontaneity, creativity, and ability to respond truthfully to the moment, all of which are essential for expressive and engaging dance performances.
4. Connect with Your Emotional Expression
The Batsheva Dance Company emphasizes the importance of emotional expression in dance. To improve your technique, try to connect your movements with your emotions. Ask yourself how a particular piece of music or imagery makes you feel, and then allow those feelings to guide your movements. This connection will make your dance more authentic and engaging for audiences.
5. Develop Your Physical Strength and Flexibility
The company’s style demands a high level of physical fitness, including strength, flexibility, and endurance. Incorporating exercises that improve these qualities into your training, such as Pilates, yoga, or strength conditioning, will enhance your overall dance technique and prepare your body for the demands of a variety of dance styles.
6. Study the Gaga Method
For those interested in delving deeper into the principles behind the Batsheva Dance Company’s style, studying the Gaga method can be incredibly beneficial. Gaga classes focus on softening the muscles and removing unnecessary tension, allowing for a more fluid and natural way of moving. This approach can help dancers of all levels and styles to improve their technique and expression.
7. Engage in Cross-Training
Cross-training in different dance styles and physical practices can help you develop a more versatile and resilient body, capable of adapting to the diverse demands of contemporary dance. The Batsheva Dance Company’s dancers often engage in a variety of physical practices to maintain their physicality and expressiveness.
8. Focus on the Process, Not the Product
Ohad Naharin’s approach emphasizes the process of creation and exploration over the final product of a perfect performance. By focusing on the journey of discovery and growth in your practice, rather than striving for perfection, you can cultivate a more nuanced and expressive technique that is grounded in your unique experience and interpretation of the movement.
9. Immerse Yourself in Music and Rhythm
Music plays a crucial role in the Batsheva Dance Company’s works, with dancers often moving in complex, nuanced relationships with the score. Practicing your ability to respond to different types of music, rhythms, and silences can enhance your musicality and timing, making you a more compelling performer.
10. Embrace Vulnerability and Risk
Finally, the Batsheva Dance Company’s approach encourages dancers to embrace vulnerability and take risks in their movement. By being willing to be vulnerable and to challenge yourself physically and emotionally, you can discover new aspects of your technique and expression, leading to a more dynamic and engaging performance quality.
How does focusing on sensation impact dance technique?
+Focusing on sensation allows dancers to develop movements that are rooted in a genuine, felt experience, leading to more authentic and expressive dance. It helps in understanding the body's capabilities and limitations, thereby improving overall technique.
Can the Gaga method be practiced by dancers of all levels?
+Yes, the Gaga method is designed to be accessible to dancers of all levels. It focuses on the individual's sensations and expressions, allowing each participant to explore movement in a way that is personally meaningful and challenging.
By incorporating these tips into your practice, you can begin to experience the depth and richness of the Batsheva Dance Company’s approach, enhancing your technique and expression as a dancer. Remember, the journey towards mastery is lifelong, and the key to improvement lies in consistent practice, a willingness to learn, and an openness to new experiences and challenges.
