dancing-frank-lee

[dancing-frank-lee]

Why women shouldn't dance Dance bans are tools of oppression. As with the persecution of witches in the Middle Ages, emancipated and independent women are a great danger to totalitarian regimes, such as those in Iran today. The goal of totalitarian regimes is to prescribe a certain way of life and thinking to people. The less a person thinks independently and has forgotten who he is, the more uncritically a person accepts these regulations. Whoever dances comes into contact with himself. The person feels himself, knows who he is and what he really needs. That is why dancing people are difficult to manipulate. Dancing is a catalyst for civil disobedience and makes dictatorship more difficult. Throughout human history, dictatorships have banned dance or prescribed how people should dance. According to legend, Irish tap dancing originated during a ban on dancing. Stiff as a board with arms hanging down, people danced with their feet because the police controlled the pubs through the windows and could not see their feet. In patriarchal dictatorships such as the one in Iran (not only there), dancing women are logically something like “glitches in the matrix”. I personally think that now more than ever it is important for women to regain access to their bodies. Considering the public control measures that are being installed in the course of the pandemic, Pina Bausch’s famous quote, “Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost,” takes on the relevance of existential importance.

[dancing-frank-lee]

Why women shouldn't dance Dance bans are tools of the oppression. As with the persecution of witches in the Middle Ages, emancipated and independent women are a great danger to totalitarian regimes, such as those in Iran today. The goal of totalitarian regimes is to prescribe a certain way of life and thinking to people. The less a person thinks independently and has forgotten who he is, the more uncritically a person accepts these regulations. Whoever dances comes into contact with himself. The person feels himself, knows who he is and what he really needs. That is why dancing people are difficult to manipulate. Dancing is a catalyst for civil disobedience and makes dictatorship more difficult. Throughout human history, dictatorships have banned dance or prescribed how people should dance. According to legend, Irish tap dancing originated during a ban on dancing. Stiff as a board with arms hanging down, people danced with their feet because the police controlled the pubs through the windows and could not see their feet. In patriarchal dictatorships such as the one in Iran (not only there), dancing women are logically something like “glitches in the matrix”. I personally think that now more than ever it is important for women to regain access to their bodies. Considering the public control measures that are being installed in the course of the pandemic, Pina Bausch’s famous quote, “Dance, dance, otherwise, we are lost,” takes on relevance of existential importance. Music Credit: @sophiehunger - There Is Still Pain Left (Laolu Remix) Tribute to @nargesmohammadi_narges @mohammad.khordadian @masih.alinejad

[dancing-frank-lee]

Expectations create shame We feel shame when we fail to meet expectations. It’s a protection mechanism that ensures, that we behave in a way that is accepted by society. Because we live in a competitive society, we feel the pressure to deliver great performance at any aspect of our lives and be perfect humans. Authenticity is less accepted than a fake flawless image. We pay the price by being in conflict with our soul. Humans are foolish by nature Considering the complexity of life on earth, even adults are nothing else than aged children that continue to make stupid mistakes and behave foolishly. The expectations we have on us don’t match our human nature. We have to hide vulnerability and foolishness. We take ourselves too seriously. Expressive dancing doesn’t allow faking In a competitive environment, faking can be a stepstone to success. But if the reason why we dance is the expression, then faking is logically the opposite of what we are looking for. Expressive dancing is about authenticity. Progression comes by unlearning the idea that we have to dance well and eliminate the of feeling shame if we fail, make mistakes and look stupid. Music Credit: Zeca Veloso - Todo Homem (Nacho Varela & Cruz Vittor Edit) How do you manage to be authentic when you dance?

[dancing-frank-lee]

If someone enjoys being alone, he is free. The ecstasy of dancing in solitude comes when one is no more frightened to be alone. It comes silently and opens up the path of total artistic freedom. Solitude indicates a fresh, innocent mind. Practicing in solitude helps the mind to see itself clearly as a mirror and to free itself from the futile pursuit of ambition, with all its complexities, fears, and frustrations. Only then one can discover one’s own unique, authentic way of moving. One relies on authority because one is afraid to stand alone. Style is something that cannot be given to one. One has to find it out for oneself. And to find it out, one must be a law and the measure to oneself. And therefore no teacher or role model —which means having no fear to stand completely alone. Music Credit: Montoya - Iwa Do you prefer to practice alone or in a group?