From one Millennial to another: Go. Do. Be.

As one of the Millennials. . .

I was born on the cusp, just inside the millennial generation (you can do the math). And, I am teaching in essence my own generation at the college level. This both gives me insight into the student perspective and poses an interesting challenge for me, because I am at times trapped by the same conditioning.

First of all, who are the Millennials? We are a generally highly motivated, optimistic group of people who find learning and success relatively easily. However, because we are born of the digital era we have one folly, a disassociated sense of physical self.

(A beautiful example of this is the fact that even as a dance teacher I am sitting here blogging, perpetuating an identity that is unrelated to my physical presence— oh the irony).

Although I teach dance (at least that is what my course numbers say), my primary goal is not dance related at all. It is a process of self-discovery and self-empowerment, a reconnecting to one’s identity through action.

In my classes I aspire to teach others to how redefine themselves through movement. And, trust me there is nothing harder to change than physical habits; neuromuscular connections that have been subconsciously driven home day after day are hard to let go.

Dance allows movers to reinvent themselves through posturing and physical action. You can actually change who you are by how you move. But, be warned, it is a little more challenging than changing the default image on your homepage. Check your posture and what it says about you. Is that who you think you are? Is that who you want to be?

We have the choice to change our mental and emotional landscape through our physical make up. The millennial generation suffers from a shifting identity, a sense of self that is extracted from one’s physical make up and has been siphoned into cyber-identities. You become your projected avatar, but what of the physical body behind the screen?

Dance is an opportunity for one to reconnect with the physicality of identity and actually BE one’s desired identity. It takes Olivia Newton-John’s “Let’s Get Physical” to a whole new level.

So if you are a millennial like me. . . my advice for you is:

Go.
Do.
Be.

Dance.

Beth

Political Music redux

I can see it now. I have pols to match everyone in Spinal Tap:

Nigel -- Bush (mine goes to 11)
Drummers that spontaneously combust -- Gonzales
Interfering girlfriend -- Hillary
Bass players with cucumbers in their pants -- Cheny
Incompetent manager -- Pelosi

Just another dysfunctional band.

Dave

Political Music?

We are in the middle of a political season. The Dems are all attacking Hillary and the Reps are trying to deal with the popularity of Ron Paul. It is great entertainment but where is the music? No one has a theme song. There is no melodic motive associated with anyone? Remember the power of Jaws? and that was only two notes.

This shows that there are no creatives in this race. At least Gore got a Nobel Prize for doing a MOVIE and he isn't even running. Now that proves he is a smart man.

I think I might just start pumping out motives for each candidate. How about the powerful motive from Beethoven's 5th? Da Da Da Dum. Hillary? Giuliani? Nah, too profound for either of them.

This might be hard.

I'll get back to you.

Don