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I was showing some FatChance and other ATS troupe videos to my fiance the other day. He commented that none of the groups I showed him had consistency in posture throughout the troupe, mainly angles of arm carraige. He tried explaining that from his perspective as an audience member, the inconsistencies were distracting, and that he was surprised the more famous troupes also had inconsistent arm carraige. He asked me why ATS groups don't make a point of focusing on this aspect of performing, and I honestly didn't have an answer him. Does anyone have any insight as to why arm angles aren't stressed in rehearsals? I know there's a lot of material in the ATS format to teach and polish, but why don't posture and arm carraige factor in?
Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject! I'd sure appreciate it! :)
Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject! I'd sure appreciate it! :)
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Mon, February 27, 2012 - 9:20 AMI know in classes at FCBD we do work on arm posture, and trying to match up. Could it be that what he is seeing is differences in individual anatomy that make the arm postures look different? Do you have any video examples for reference? -
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Tue, February 28, 2012 - 5:50 AMWe were watching the DVD of the hafla we just had in St. Louis on Friday, which I can't upload due to copyright infringement. I think he was mostly noticing differences in moves with the arms overhead, where dancers would have their hands held further apart or closer together, or they would have different angles to the bends in their elbows. I'm thinking it's more just anatomical differences than anything else, but I was having a hard time getting him to understand that. -
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Tue, February 28, 2012 - 9:05 AMIn many dance troupes, all of the dancers have a similar physical build, which gives uniformity. ATS is one style that allows for different body types dancing together, so there will be some variation in body type, but all dancers should strive to maintain the same arm posture throughout. But what he is probably seeing is the difference in body types. -
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Tue, February 28, 2012 - 12:23 PMAlso, ATS is not meant to be militaristic in style. We are allowed to bring our natural movement into it to some extent. It is supposed to look comfortable on each of us so not every detail will be exactly the same on each person.
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Tue, February 28, 2012 - 2:15 PMThanks ladies! I feel like I can relax a little now! :)
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Wed, February 29, 2012 - 2:53 PMI think it has to do with differences in the range of motion & flexibility in individual dancers. I tend to notice that in moves with elements of arms up overhead (especially Arabic), that my arms are held a little wider and have a bit more of a bend at the elbow than the other girls I dance with. We've talked about it, and thats just how my arms are comfortably held up in order to keep the shoulders back and down. I just don't have the same rotation in my shoulders as others, and often makes me feel like our "lines" don't always match up.
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Re: Uniformity in posture
Thu, March 1, 2012 - 1:50 PMI'm the same way. But I'd rather have the shoulders down with wider arms than weather my shoulders as earrings.
If anyone has suggestions for correcting that I would so love to hear it!
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