1/21/2026 - Week 2 / Meeting 3: The Body: Animal Movement

 

 

 Unit: The Body

Theme: Animal Movement

 

I

Introduction

Humans have always imitated animal movement in dance. Early human societies embodied animal characteristics and behaviors in a symbolic way to empower themselves. Currently, dancers research animal movement in a studio by interpreting the movement qualities of different animals as an aesthetic response. Today, we will see several examples of how this can be done.


II 

Learning Objectives

 

  • Understand the connection to animal behavior through movement
  • Explain the creative process involved in the study of animal movement
  • Gain awareness of the complexities of animal movement when embodying them as a dance
  • Experience the abstraction of animal movement by creating a dance improvisation
  • Reflect on the creative process at the end of the process

 

III

Warm Up

Stretching



IV

Main Lesson

 

Videos

1


Heron Dance
 
 
2



3

Deer Dance
 
 
4



I. Watch the Above videos

Activity 1
 
Discuss with your group your reflection on these videos.
Write a statement in which you reflect on the value of observing animal behavior for the purpose of creating dance improvisation.
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
V
 

Open the links and read. 
 
 LINK:
 
Question 1
 
Which dances are the closest cousins of primal dances? Why?

 
 
 
LINK:
(Paragraph 8) 
 
Question2

In which way are Simone Forti's ideas useful when embracing dance improvisation?

---------------------------------
 
 
VI

  

Activity 2



  • Choose an animal of your preference

  • Observe its movements through videos & poses through pictures

  • Begin to pay attention to each part of the animal's body

  • Extend your own movement capacities

  • incorporate the animal's forms of locomotion

  • Strive to move non-stylistically

  • Challenge your upright human body by adopting the animal's movement

  • Explore your capacity to express abstract animal movement
---------------------------

VII

Based on you exploration:

Create an eight moves (or more) phrase; find music for it; record it and post it on Discussion Board.

----------------------------------- 
 
VIII

Write a brief reflection on your process.
 
 
 
IX
 
Glossary

 

 X

Students' Work 

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