Get Your Basics In Order

Master Your Basics. That is Fundamental.

“You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise” - Michael Jordan

By now, you’ve probably realised that I am a sucker for quotes.

(a true story - I once dressed up for Halloween as ‘a bunch of inspirational quotes’. Nothing quite like an overdose of positivity to scare people…)

I believe that quotes works its magic through carefully selected words to effectively communicate its message. Whilst they are aimed to motivate you, quotes holds a space for introspection so we can continue to grow.

With that in mind, today’s topic is about fundamentals, and why it is so important to work towards mastering the basics. This is a key concept that encompasses my belief in teaching and sharing my craft to empower and inspire them to reach their potential through dance and movement.

So often, I have been asked on the duration that they will need to practice in order to move to a more difficult level, or to execute this advanced choreography they’ve seen on Youtube/Tik Tok. At times, I am usually faced with very interesting questions about my background and whether I am ‘qualified’ to be teaching what I am about to teach. So, here’s just my two cents worth on why I am very adamant on strong foundations in whatever you do - dance, sports, learning, etc.

The Jenga Metaphor - Laying your Foundations

One of my most beloved imagery that I offer to people is the Jenga metaphor. It is a physical game where each participant takes turn to remove a block and places it on top of the tower without knocking it down, thus building the tower higher and higher. The problem with Jenga comes with a progressively unstable base as you slowly remove the blocks. Critical thinking and decision making comes into play. The smaller base struggles with a heavy top until it eventually collapses.

The word ‘jenga’ is derived from a Swahili word kujenga which means ‘to build’. In this seemingly simple game, there’s many layers that we are able to uncover that directly reflects our societal values. Now, how does this relate to basics and fundamentals?

When we first begin learning something new, we are exposed to a different language and scope. What seems familiar somehow feels unfamiliar, and you find yourself attempting to learn and keep up. This means that your mind is more nimble, ‘firing’ your body to be ready for any challenges that is thrown your way. You’re laying the foundations of your jenga tower, ready for any new blocks that are ready to be stacked onto. Learning is progressive, and continuous. Professionals spend most of their lives dedicated to learning that craft, and they continue to learn even when they have acquired that knowledge to progress.

Technique Is Not Choreography

Over my career, I have advised people to take dance technique classes instead of dance choreography as I believe that the measure of a good dancer lies in the details and foundations. Choreography is fun and fresh, but technique ensures the safety of the dancer and essential to the ‘success’ of that dancer. In this context, my definition of ‘success’ refers to the longevity of the dancer, minimal injuries and acute bodily awareness. Technique provides the solid foundation of the ability to dance using correct body placement, alignment, muscle engagement and appropriate movement quality.

Therefore, technique is not the same as choreography.

Public Service Announcement: Technique is NOT THE SAME as choreography.

To break it down, choreography refers to the sequencing of steps to create a phrase. Technique looks at the building block of these steps to execute the movement correctly and safely.

Without proper technique, there is a much higher risk of injuries which will significantly reduce the longevity of your dance journey. None of us wants that.

If you have the proper technique, not only will it aid in the artistic delivery of your choreography, it will also help in your flexibility, strength, proprioception, bodily awareness and prevention of injuries!

Let me tell you a story to illustrate this:

I had a trial student who entered my Beginners Ballet Class, let’s name her A. A has taken 2-3 ballet classes with other studios, so she is looking for a class that allows her to learn the technique of Classical Ballet. I conducted my class, and she had a dismay on her face throughout the class. She was clearly struggling and I tried my best to guide and correct her without overwhelming her. After class, A questioned my background and told me that what I just taught in that class is not Classical Ballet because her perception of Classical Ballet is soft, graceful and easy. Additionally, she showed me a video that she saw on Youtube that reinforces her perception of what it should be. The video that she showed me was a choreography en pointe with the dancer doing port de bras and high extensions of arabesques, developés & grand jetés. I politely thanked her for her constructive criticism, and recommended her to try out choreography classes instead.

To my dance friends, you might probably feel infuriated hearing this. To others, you might think lesser. I explained to her kindly that a technique class focuses on the steps and executing it in the correct manner. Although this situation was not the most pleasant, it pointed out a bigger issue where her perception of what she saw on media is challenged in a physical class.

This is not only dangerous, it is a disservice to the art form. My intention in narrating this story is not to embarrass her, but to shine a light that a technique class is very different to a choreography class.

Basic skills needs to be analysed, practiced and executed properly.

Performing these exercises and steps consistently continues to condition the muscles, and muscle memory. Additionally, students will find new insights and approaches to executing the same steps. As an example, let’s break down a demi-plié:

A demi-plié simply translates to a ‘half-bend’ where the knees are bending over the toes. This is one of the fundamental movements of dance, but more specifically Ballet. The dancer usually prepares from a turned out position (either 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th) and performs a half-bend with her heels together and forwards. Her pelvis is remained in a neutral alignment (the tailbone is lengthened downwards vertically to the floor, and the front of her hips is facing forwards). As the knees bend over the 2nd and 3rd toes, the torso is lengthened upwards to create a sense of length originating from her core and back extensor muscles!

Phew! Who knew that would be so much to think about in executing a simple movement with such detail. However, it is fundamental that these details are often practiced, analysed and executed properly as this will have a great impact when she progresses to more difficult steps like a sauté (jump). Otherwise, over time, it may result in shin splints or postural issues which are far more complicated to correct and fix.

However, mastering these basics will require time and consistent practice.

When you take the time to learn the basics, you are also learning self-discipline, structure, etiquette, dedication and determination. These life skills translates outside of the studio and into other aspects of your life. Even the smallest skills can have a profound impact, which is why I am highly adamant on the basics. Fancy technique and stylised movements are nice, but the basics are even foundational and fundamental. It trains your character which are even greater lessons than the steps itself.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoy the process of seeing the dancers’ progression, just as I enjoy seeing progression in myself of becoming one. If you are committed to learning dance, you must realise that dance in itself is a journey and not a destination. For whatever reasons you decide to pick up dance, you have picked another approach to learning at life. So why not enjoy the learning process whilst you’re at it? Is there a reason why Tiger Woods always practices his gold swings so many times, or why a professional dancer always does a technique class to ‘reset and prepare’ the body through repetitive movements like a demi-plie? Not everyone will like it, or love it, but maybe we might each gain a new perspective, understanding and appreciation of how vital the basics are to the success of dancers, artists, athletes and people.

With this in mind, I have decided to dedicate each post over the next few months to breaking down movements and concepts that you might hear your instructors say repeatedly. This is also a great opportunity for me to test myself on how well I know my technique and breaking down into simple bite-sized chunks that you can practice in class or at home.