Release technique is often employed by dancers as a means to balance out the strict discipline of classical ballet and the rigour of performance. It is not to say that Release is a free pass to throw all notions of technique out of the window, however its foundations are focused on ease of movement and fluidity, indicating a technique that is loose and free-flowing, with a mind-body connection. Concepts such as moving in and out of the floor, articulating the body, alignment, balance, being off-centre, the direction of force and energy all rely on these principles.
Release means many dancers learn to minimise the tension in the body to create freedom of movement, as it is important to give the body's weight into the floor and use breath to instigate movement, rather than making shapes and making movement purely external, rather than lead by the body's breathing. Momentum and gravity are large parts of dancing convincingly in Release technique, so it can often be difficult for dancers to 'let go' and dance in a very different way from what they are used to. It is hard to give up control of your body and the exact placements that ballet requires.
Today 'dance' and performance as a whole are made up of an eclectic combination of techniques and practices. Many believe that in order to be a successful dancer it is important to have a knowledge of Release technique and its benefits across dance, vital for an aspiring contemporary dancer. Despite the fact Release is so different to ballet, a certain level of technique must still be adhered to, in keeping the spine long, the head and neck lifting upwards, strength in the abdominals, control in the pelvis; it is not just about learning to relax but creating an awareness of the body.
Release often provides dancers with the empowering process of learning about their bodies and finding new ways of thinking about movement and understanding it from a Release point of view. It then becomes easier to employ those new concepts in other areas of dance and movement practice, finding new mind-body connections through movement.
A spotlight on Release technique
Stacey MacNaught |
Release technique is often employed by dancers as a means to balance out the strict discipline of classical ballet and the rigour of performance. It is not to say that Release is a free pass to throw all notions of technique out of the window, however its foundations are focused on ease of movement and fluidity, indicating a technique that is loose and free-flowing, with a mind-body connection. Concepts such as moving in and out of the floor, articulating the body, alignment, balance, being off-centre, the direction of force and energy all rely on these principles.
Release means many dancers learn to minimise the tension in the body to create freedom of movement, as it is important to give the body's weight into the floor and use breath to instigate movement, rather than making shapes and making movement purely external, rather than lead by the body's breathing. Momentum and gravity are large parts of dancing convincingly in Release technique, so it can often be difficult for dancers to 'let go' and dance in a very different way from what they are used to. It is hard to give up control of your body and the exact placements that ballet requires.
Today 'dance' and performance as a whole are made up of an eclectic combination of techniques and practices. Many believe that in order to be a successful dancer it is important to have a knowledge of Release technique and its benefits across dance, vital for an aspiring contemporary dancer. Despite the fact Release is so different to ballet, a certain level of technique must still be adhered to, in keeping the spine long, the head and neck lifting upwards, strength in the abdominals, control in the pelvis; it is not just about learning to relax but creating an awareness of the body.
Release often provides dancers with the empowering process of learning about their bodies and finding new ways of thinking about movement and understanding it from a Release point of view. It then becomes easier to employ those new concepts in other areas of dance and movement practice, finding new mind-body connections through movement.