Something I LOVE about the process of creating embodied choreography is really mucking about.

Turning up the music on my head phones LOUD! Playing the song on repeat, over and over again (hearing my daughter’s childlike voice in my ahead saying “again! again!” as she would when she was little, joyfully playing with something “in a loop” like she never wanted it to end),.

I’ll run for miles, playing with how to pace my stride to the rhythm of the music. Meanwhile, I’ll explore expressive arm and hand movements with the beat, melody, harmony and meaning of the words. This random, unabashed, self engrossed play, whilst running in public places, is likely to the point of looking very weird to anyone passing by!

In the privacy of my own body-mind experience, I feel as if I can do absolutely no wrong. These special moments in time feel radically healthy, restorative, freeing, liberating, self-confidence building and joyFULL.

Today, I filmed a rough first draft after running to the song “we can do better” by Stuart, for about 40 minutes, (10 plays!). I love the delicious details like

the precision of the percussion in the intro of the song,
how Stuart provides a fun pattern of 3 then 2 then 1 (or none?) in the lead up to the 3 choruses “we can do better”,
fun to observe how the middle section “solo” could be a freeDance Yet it also fits into the predictable Verse (storytelling) section.
I’m amused at how Stuarts T shirt design (one hand print on chest) keeps coming up in my clicks... (movement music matches - we call in Nia “the accidental click”. fun fun fun.

Curious to hear the song?

Check out Stuart.FM

Receive FREE DOWNLOAD of “We can do Better”

Now I want to craft adding kicks somewhere somehow. I also have a ridiculously crazy creative idea about something to do when filming this “for real” shhhh it’s a secret for now.

Can you tell i’m jazzed?!

This is likely the first of several posts where I share my process. I hope it at least amuses you and hopefully inspires you to go get your head phones on and get lost in a good song.

Here’s the first 2 VERY rough explorations. These light, singing along, having fun, “loose” mucking about movement moments are how the embodied process begin. There’s a funny moment on the lower (without music) clip. I was so in the experience I dropped one of my ear buds and am so thankful it didn’t fall in the lake! TBC