This time - with mirrors

We often don't get studios with mirrors. This is mostly a financial issue since the closing of Evergreen Studios. I used to have such a hated relationship with mirrors. Through many years of dancing I realized that they are tool to be used when needed and weaned off - of so as to not create a dependance on the tool. I remember coaching inter-disciplinary groups as a TA and I took the mirror away once and it was interesting to see who relied on it for visual feedback and those who relied on it for cues/following instead of remembering the choreography for themselves. 

I like using the mirrors when working with powwow dancers as they can see how they look and change their style up to match what they see in their minds. For first-time-in-studio powwow dancers the mirror can trip up as well. Mirrors are not an accurate reflection of who you are as most of the time they are warped. Moving from the use of the mirror as self-reflection to a tool to analyze movement and purpose of movement is a difficult journey. 

For the first time since starting my orchestral project I was able to use the mirror. Now - what I thought I was doing was not what I was doing. 😂 This is where I am going to look forward to maximizing my time with a mirror. I can create and move with intention but I will need the mirror feedback as I get back into dance. My brain and body need to match up and until they do - leaning on the mirror for movement analysis and body-picture-making is going to be key. 
     
​       - Virginia

The mirror is the tool of the outside eye
until ...
I ask a human to come into the studio to be my outside eye. 
​- Vee​