2/24/2026 - Week 7 / Meeting 13: Flow / Combining Bound and Free.

 



 I

Unit: Flow

Theme: Combining Bound and Free 


Introduction

In dance in particular and performance in general, contrast in key. It grabs the attention of the audience as it surprises the spectator every time there is a shit in speed, energy, space. Flow is not different. It goes from bound (limited, constrained, with defined beginning and end), to free (open, in restricted continuous).

 

 II

Learning Objectives 

 

  • Understand the concept of flow
  • Explain how it applies to dance
  • Gather an awareness of the  universal quality of flow
  • Experience both, bound and free flow, as you put them together in a group phrase.

 

III

Warm Up

Stretching

Tai Chi

 

IV

 Main Lesson

 

1

Video

 https://youtu.be/JtGtqmC5wU4

 


Question 1

Make a comment about the universal quality of flow
 
 2
 
FLOW
(Pg. 118) 

Question 2

Go to pg. 118, middle column, second paragraph.
 Rephrase the concept of flow in your own words.
 
Activity 1
 
Individually apply the concept to your dance/movement by improvising with the props (sticks and scarfs). Then, let go of them and continue improvising. Create a movement phrase.
 
 Illustrating the Concept

 Home Practice is a self-guided programme of inclusive contemporary dance class and workshop that introduce a variety approaches to inclusive dance practice. As the name suggests, all sessions are suitable to practice at home, wherever that may be. Home Practice is not about imitating what happens in the studio during a typical contemporary dance class but aims to support dancers' continued process of learning whilst at home. All content is intended to be inclusive whether you are disabled or non-disabled. 
 
Home Practice highlights the solo experience in a class context, encouraging participants to own their own contemporary dance practice - free of over-critical comparison to others. It aims to build confidence for individual dancers to return to the studio when the time is right. In this Home Practice, Christian will guide you through a visualization and improvisation based exploration, discovering how energy can travel through the body sequentially. He will then take you through an investigation into specific pathways through the body and how we can unlock our flow. The session with culminate in a phrase of movement that encourages a seamless flow into small shifts of weight.

What elements of flow do you see in this piece?
 
 
 
V
 
 A Note to Remember
 
Flow is the aim of a dancer who wants to attune his/her body to his/her ongoing live energy. 
 
 

VI
 
Case Study
 

Isadora Duncan Dance Technique & Repertory Screener

 
 Read
 
 Question 4
 
After reading the first paragraph, what was Duncan's vision of American dance?

Question 5
 
After watching this video, what element of flow is most predominant in Isadora's style?


VII

Activity 2

After reviewing both free and bound flow using the props, let go of the props and continue exploring free and bound flow. Alternate the two and gradually begin to mix them in a continuum.

Create an 8 movement phrase (with your group) in which you use the two types of flow.  
 

Record and post your phrase on Discussion Board.
 
VIII
 
Journaling
 
 
IX
 
Glossary
 
 
X
 
Sources 
 
Barba, Eugenio (2011). A Dictionary of Theatre anthropology. Routledge
 
Duncan, Isadora (1928).  The Art of the Dance. New York Theater Arts Inc.

XI

Students' Work
 

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