By Rachel Droege
Pulse Company Member &
Guest Blogger
Being a dancer for Pulse Dance Company, I am often asked what inspires me to dance. The answer is complicated; everything around me is some sort of inspiration, and I find impetus in things such as the people that I meet on a daily basis as well as the place that I live and how I interact with it. There is, however, one definite thing that pushed me into the art of modern dance, and that is the Israeli dance troupe Batsheva Dance Company.
Founded in 1964 by modern dance pioneer Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva De Rothschild, this dance company pushes all the right buttons and urges the viewers to challenge their own perspectives and live in the given moment. The company is now directed by Ohad Naharin and their works continue to fascinate me.
One of the reasons I find Batsheva so incredible is that they operate in a dance style called Gaga--not to be mistaken with our Lady Gaga—and, interestingly enough, everyone has the ability to do it. The company leads gaga classes both for “people” and for “dancers,” giving everyone who has a passion for dance the opportunity to explore time and space in a new way. You may be wondering now, “What IS gaga? How is it different from any other kind of modern dance?” Ohad Naharin explains:
“Gaga is a new way of gaining knowledge and self awareness through your body. Gaga is a new way for learning and strengthening your body, adding flexibility, stamina and agility while lightening the senses and imagination. Gaga raises awareness of physical weaknesses, awakens numb areas, exposes physical fixations and offers ways for their elimination. Gaga elevates instinctive motion, links conscious and subconscious movement. Gaga is an experience of freedom and pleasure. In a simple way, a pleasant place, comfortable close, accompanied by music, every person with himself and others.”
The most interesting aspect of this style is the awakening of numb areas and becoming aware of your weaknesses; only by overcoming them and realizing that you are alive can you fully express yourself and be conscious in your own body. Even if you aren’t a dancer, get up and dance--move around, become aware, and wake yourself up! If you’re interested in more of Batsheva Dance Company’s works, check out their summer intensives in Tel Aviv or simply watch some videos after the jump.
-R. Droege
"Three" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCaHbOLGXfY
"Deca Dance"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz6nUMwlSqY
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