by Rob McWilliams | Jan 22, 2010 | Uncategorized
I was part of a panel discussion on the arts in Boulder last night, held at the Center for Conscious Living. Marj Hahn did a great job raising an audience of about 80 people, and of moderating and stimulating discussion. I really enjoyed being there, to listen and offer my thoughts, based on many,many years touring, performing, teaching in dance and Dance Theatre. I have worked at all levels, from City Center in New York City to physical theatre piece in a converted factory in Europe. Anyway, it came up that, for me, one of the difficulties with Dance ( capital “d”) as an art form is that most people have never seen “great dance” in their lives. I didn’t mention it, but many, or perhaps most, wouldn’t recognize it when they did. I was referring to the works of some of the usual suspects: Balanchine, Cunningham, Graham, Nikolais, Taylor, Tharp, and Brown, to name a few. I hastened to add a reference to Snake Hips Tucker, a name most haven’t heard of unless you have studied Black Dance history. He was renowned his erotic dancing with a tassel dangling from his belt, for one, but there is something about his highly-articulate sense of grace, understated style and commitment to the movement that leaves the viewer with something more. He was a great artist, and was actually part of an influential group of black dance artists who worked outside of the concert world. Here’s a taste, radically toned down, of his work. Enjoy!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U4ww-MmAY4
by Rob McWilliams | Mar 19, 2009 | Uncategorized
How many of you actually have room to stretch on the floor, and also stand up with your arms stretched up over your head? A minimum of space is required to do Yoga and other somatic disciplines. That doesn’t exist where I am staying in Oklahoma City, for example, where I have a Rolfing practice when I am not in Boulder, Colorado, my home. A fairly low ceiling fan blocks the overhead stretch, for me, and I’m not that tall (5’10+). If you want to commit to feeling better in your body, you need to make space for that! A minimum of say 7’X7′ of empty floor space, and clear over your head . Perhaps some people just don’t include taking care of themselves that way in their interior design concept. I don’t know. Try it..you’ll like it!
by Rob McWilliams | Mar 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
I’m sure most of you know that you need a strong, flexible back to gain a higher arabesque. I’m sure you have also wondered why the leg just won’t go any higher, to the back. One reason may be that the inner thigh muscles that many of you spend countless hours tightening up, can actually block higher hip extension, with turn out, if they are too tight?The trick, as I see it, is not just to stretch them, but to get them to relax and “let out” when you need them too. Also called an “eccentric contraction”, imagery work with imagined movement ( ideokinesis) often works well to help you learn this. Check out the old Ideokinesis resource books: The Thinking Body, by Mabel Todd, Human Movement Potential, by Lulu Sweigert and Eric Franklin’s works.
by Rob McWilliams | Mar 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
You have bunions? Here are the simplest instructions I can think of right now:1. Buy “Yoga Toes”. Find them on google.2. Buy a “Theraband” and strengthen the toes one ( Big Toe) and two ( all the rest) at a time.3. See a Rolfer, and address the overall postural/gait pattern that helps perpetuate this problem.There’s more, naturally. Contact me at robmcwilliams@mac.com for more exercises and information, if you wish.
by Rob McWilliams | Mar 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
So you got out of shape. Okay..it’s time to get things moving again! You need to start with basics: balanced, released strength and flexibility. You don’t want to just tighten up some muscles without also easing them, which is what can happen from following a straight balletic regimen. Over the years, all that work in the hip muscles in the turned-out direction can really impact the health of your spine and lower back. A good way to keep in balance AND regain strength: mix together a ballet barre and a full yoga sequence. I prefer Ashtanga-style or a method that emphasizes Vinyasa, but that can be left up to you.Think of weaving the two sequences together like a braid. This is good for your brain, too! After a while, notice how nicely Sun Salutations connect with plies or how the sturdy Warrior pose can somehow balance the fluid strength of a Fondue. I prefer to alternate modalities, generally, but sometimes will get inspired to emphasize one over the other. Yoga can help you round and release those Lateral Rotators, and the balletic line can help to remind you to fully extend. Okay, so this brings up another thing: Yoga and Ballet both tend to emphasize extendedness. It’s a good idea, eventually, to balance this out with flexion. If you have some Modern Dance training, you’ll know what to do. If not, try to use some weighted qualities, deep spine, hip, knee and ankle flexion and rolling up through the spine, too. Personally, I have found that weight training can be helpful, too, to continuer to challenge your self. Once you feel confident that your ankles and knees can withstand the stresses of jumping again, that’s ideal.All the best!!
by Rob McWilliams | Mar 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
Feet got you down, so that you can’t get up? Try a couple of simple moves:1. First thing in the morning, and last thing at night, massage and loosen your feet. A five minute investment of your time can help your whole day! There are a lot of complex systems of myofascial/joint release and reflex point stimulation. You don’t have to go there. Just take the time, work vigorously to get movement where it is stiff, and only massage gently where it hurts. Make up your own moves!!2. Take a tennis ball. Use the above advice re: gentle, where it hurts, vigorous, where it is stiff. Most of us benefit from deep pressure on the outer edge of the bottom of the foot. Anatomically speaking, I mean the area between the lateral tip of the calcaneus ( heel bone) and the 5th metatarsal ( the little bump on the outside of your foot, a little ways towards the toes from the heel.) This gets tight from wearing shoes that don’t move fully when we walk, and we lose the ability to coordinate our foot fully. Getting this released helps our walking a lot!Doing one or both of these everyday can really help ease your feet. Easing your feet helps you channel better support up through your body. This, in turn, will take strain off your back!Enjoy.
