Thread: Keeping a dance journal?

This is an idea found toward of the end of Michele's trailer.

I find myself getting dull, as I am using my tools a lot (teaching) but not able to take the time to sharpen them after prolonged use (workshops or privates). Too much energy out and not enough energy in. I used the journal last night after I taught class. Sometimes, while drilling a basic move, a very cool variation will spontainiously (sp) arise and be promptly forgotton 5 minutes after class. I wrote down 3 variations last night before the sweat cooled! How many of you keep a journal?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0_uaqkJuo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU0_uaqkJuo[/ame]

I do. I use it mostly for recording choreographies but I also make a habit of jotting down anything else that I see/do that inspires me.

Its not a daily activity or anything but I find it a very positive activity.

A dance journal?

I have a dance filing cabinet now. :) Notes, thoughts, lyrics -- it's an organized mess, but I treasure it. I'd like to get it all in a Word doc or spreadsheet or something, but it would take forever.


Somebody once told me that all students should keep a dance journal. I tell my students to do so. Only one has ever given me feedback on it, but she was very motivated by looking back at the things she was having difficulty with a year ago, that now come easy to her.

I also have a white board in my studio where I can take notes of "cool stuff I discovered" and things to remember. That's been helpful to me too.

I have to, everything I do not write down is lost forever..