A personal story told many times over on this podcast is my journey into dance which commenced gradually through the popular reality TV series, "So You Think You Can Dance." While the show's drama took center stage for many, what captivated me was the dancers' adaptability across various styles and techniques. It revealed that each dance style was rooted in fundamental technique, a pivotal aspect for any dancer unlocking their physicality.
One recent development in the vast history of dance techniques is Countertechnique, a mischievously named yet transformative approach developed by Anouk van Dijk. Let's see what she has to say!
1. Let’s start by doing nothing
In our era of information overload, education often emphasizes breadth over depth, leaving little room for crucial life skills. This holds true even in the world of dance education. As contemporary dancers, we're equipped with an extensive array of techniques—from Graham to Cunningham, Limon to Horton — a wealth of knowledge that often falls short when we step into the professional realm. The reality? How many of us emerge from these educational institutions knowing how to tackle something as essential as filling out income tax forms?
Enter Countertechnique—an innovative departure from traditional dance techniques. It's not merely another dance technique; it's a holistic movement system devised to guide both body and mind through the complexities of 21st-century dance. Unlike rigidly codified methods, Anouk's creation offers a theoretical foundation, a framework for dancers to absorb information and translate it into action. It's less about accumulating techniques and more about leveraging a comprehensive toolset to adapt and learn new approaches in the future.
The name may mislead, but Countertechnique is an ode to simplicity in complexity — a philosophy that advocates doing nothing at times as the starting point. Anouk's revolutionary approach challenges the norms, reminding us that sometimes, less truly is more.
2. Energy is innate. It is our job to find out how to access this.
When Anouk made her visit to the HKAPA in 2019, my schedule allowed only a fleeting participation in her workshop. Nevertheless, those brief moments were enough to witness the transformative power of Countertechnique. In that solitary class, a few exercises initiated a significant shift — I found myself moving with increased strength, fluidity, and spatial dynamism. ThHAT encounter left me eager to delve deeper into this innovative approach.
At the core of Countertechnique lies a profound understanding and utilization of energy — the life force that propels every dancer. It's not just about physical prowess and musicality; it's about becoming a vessel that masterfully channels the abundant energy swirling around us. Imagine embodying every dance move as the very manifestation of energy, transcending the role of a mere host.
The brilliance of Countertechnique unveils itself through strategic manipulation of the body in space. As parts of the body sequentially move away from each other, a dancer engages in a dance with dynamic balance — an ever-changing interplay that significantly reduces pressure on the body's structure. This dynamic equilibrium empowers dancers to shed fear, embrace risk, and swiftly change directions. The result? A dancer who consumes less energy while moving more naturally, tapping into the infinite wellspring of this primal force.
Countertechnique is a revelation, teaching us that energy is not just a commodity to be expended but an innate essence waiting to be harnessed. In each dance move, it beckons us to explore how we can access and express this boundless matter.
3. The sky continues underneath our feet (Carlo Rovelli in ‘The Order of Time’)
In his thought-provoking book "The Order of Time," Carlo Rovelli beckons us to reevaluate our understanding of reality, provocatively suggesting that "the sky continues underneath our feet." - a metaphor encapsulates the idea that reality is far from straightforward, inviting us to consider the intricate complexities that underlie our perception. Rovelli, Italian theoretical physicist known for his work in quantum gravity and his popular science writing, urges readers to focus not on the absolute truth of theories but on the reasoning process. Science, he contends, revels in uncertainty, and its true essence lies in acknowledging our vast ignorance about the world around us.
Similarly, Anouk's journey with Countertechnique began as a personal quest to maintain her conditioning and dance with a more adaptable body. The evolution of Countertechnique mirrors the subversive nature of scientific inquiry. Harmonizing with Alexander Technique, formulating principles like The Toolbox and Scanning, Anouk crafted a method that resonates not only with her but also with diverse physicalities. Countertechnique, in its infancy, holds the promise of a transformative future.
Much like Rovelli's stance on science, Countertechnique challenges preconceived notions and invites dancers to traverse uncharted territories. Anouk's teaching approach encapsulates a process-oriented method, allowing dancers to interpret and internalize the technique based on their individual sensations. Embracing the unknown within the technique fosters a subversion of established dance norms, enabling dancers to push boundaries and explore diverse movement possibilities. Indeed, the sky does begin above our heads and continue beneath our feet.
Check out the full episode here
| 07.10.2024 |
