Self-critical appreciation: stillness

Understanding and Applying Stillness in Dance

Stillness in dance is often overlooked but is an essential part of any dancer’s tool kit. It involves complete cessation of movement, creating a strong contrast to the movement-filled sections of a performance.
Mastering stillness in dance demands intense control and focus. A dancer must keep their body fully engaged even when not in motion. The intention behind the stillness must remain clear to effectively communicate emotion or narrative.

Methods of Improving Stillness

Regular meditation and mindfulness exercises can improve a dancer’s ability to remain physically still while staying emotionally engaged.
Isometric exercises, where the body remains static while the muscles are actively engaged, can also enhance physical control during still moments.

Self-critical Reflection on Stillness

Self-critical appreciation involves assessing the effective use of stillness in performance. The dancer should evaluate if the moments of stillness provided contrast, helped to communicate an emotion or idea, or added dramatic impact to the performance.
The dancer should also consider their ability to maintain stillness. This includes assessing whether their body remained fully engaged, and if they maintained a connection to the performance while physically still.

The Role of Stillness in Different Dance Forms

Different styles of dance utilise stillness differently. For example, in styles like hip-hop or lyrical dance, stillness could be used to punctuate movements for dramatic effect. In more narrative forms like ballet or contemporary dance, stillness could be used to provide a moment of tension or to convey deep emotion. Understanding the use of stillness in the particular dance style is crucial.