Dance Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Caroleeena's Circles Of Joy

Integrating Armwork into Hoopdance

By Caroleeena January 2, 2015Dance, Gif Story, hoopdance, Uncategorizedarms and hands, armwork, dance, hoopdance, using arms in hoopdance1 Comment

Hoopdance is made up of more than just a hoop moving around the waist. It also includes armwork, footwork, directed gaze, gestures, traveling steps, turns and spins, characterization, beat punctuation, musicality, and, of course, hoop moves. For many hoopers, though, the first question is usually, "What do I do with my…

Dance Hands – My Goal For January

By Caroleeena January 1, 2015Dance, Gif Story, Uncategorized2 Comments

What I thought my hands looked like when I danced: What it turns out my hands really looked like: So I turned to the internet. I mean, apparently it worked for Justin Bieber. Double Dream Hands! I decided to watch videos and look for more creative ways to use my hands.…

Building Strength for Pirouettes … Safely

By Caroleeena December 18, 2014Dance, hoopdance, Movementbalance, demi pointe, half demi pointe, hoopdance, pirouette, training, yoga toes2 Comments

Demi Pointe is a ballet term that means to support the body's weight by balancing on the balls of one or both feet with heels off the floor. Being able to lift the heel or heels is essential for pirouettes because you literally spin on the ball of the foot. Having…

Baby Doll Hands – the Fingerwork of T-Rex Arms

By Caroleeena December 5, 2014Dance, hoopdance, Movement, Performancebaby doll hands, caroleeena, dance hands, doll hands, fingerwork, handwork2 Comments

Baby Doll Hands are the fingerwork of T-Rex Arms and Chicken Wings. They are common among both new and experienced hoopers. This is the hand pose of baby dolls that are made to hold bottles. Baby Doll Hands are slightly rounded with the thumb almost touching, or touching, the thumb.…

Creating A Character In Dance

By Caroleeena October 30, 2014Dance, hoopdance, hoopdance, Hoopdance, PerformanceCharacterization, create character in dance, dance, dance character1 Comment

Characterization is a writing concept that can also be applied to creating a character in dance. It refers to the little details an author uses to convey information about a character's personality, mood, and/or story. In writing, these details can be described. ("Sarah was grumpy.") but in dance, they must be…

Using Performance to Help People with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

By Caroleeena February 23, 2014Dance, health, mental health, Performance2 Comments

I recently sculpted a fire performance for a group of 80-somethings. For this performance, I chose happy songs that were popular in the 30's & 40's. I did this because I know many of our elders are affected by Alzheimer's and/or dementia and I have read that familiar music from when…

How to Break Down, Describe, and Name Hoop Moves

By Caroleeena January 3, 2014Dance, hoopdance, Hooping, Movement, Uncategorizedhoop journal, hoop teacher4 Comments

One challenge of keeping a hoop journal is figuring out what to call a move and/or how to describe it. It's also a challenge for hoop teachers. Hopefully these tips will help. I try to start with a short metaphor or analogy for the name (lasso, stir the pot, infinity, beam…

Pretty silk fans for a reasonable price

By Caroleeena April 29, 2013Dancecaroleeena, class, fan, fan dance, fans, hoop convergence, learn, workshop

I am teaching Fan Dances at Hoop Convergence. If you don't have fans, I have found some at my local Asian market. Right now they have the bottom three colors (red, yellow and pink) for $20 a pair. If you'd like a pair, let me know and I'll pick some up…

Choreography: Tips for Soloists

By Caroleeena March 14, 2013Dance, hoopdance, Uncategorizedchoreography, dance, hoopdance, poi dance, solo1 Comment

Before the show, arrive early, go on stage, pick a spot at the farthest point, in the middle, to spot on and anchor. Project your energy there! Take the Stage. When you take the stage, make an impression. Don't wait til your music starts. Take the stage like a professional. Leave…

Dance Composition – An Introduction

By Caroleeena March 14, 2013Dance, hoopdance, Poi, Uncategorizedchoreography, composition, dance, hoopdance

"Choreography is simpler than you think. Just go and do, and don't think so much about it. Just make something interesting.” - George Balanchine The following is a synopsis of several aspects of the choreographic process. Over time I hope to elaborate on many of these concepts. This is the framework…