Step 13: Dance Response

Pat:  Become interested in some movement outside of you.

Mike: [I watch Pat’s hands as he talks.]

Pat:  Mimic with different parts of your body how my hands are moving.

Mike: [My feet mimic Pat’s hands.]

Pat: Contrast in size of movement.

Mike: [I take big strides with my feet to mimic the small moves of Pat’s hands.]

Pat: Contrast in tempo.

Mike: [As Pat raises and lowers his arms slowly I raise and lower my feet twice as fast.]

Pat:  Be very serious about your own movement. It’s the only movement you have.

Mike: [I go down on my knees and pray.]

Pat:  Once you are serious you can be light.

Mike: [I stand on one leg—hands in prayer position. ]

Pat:  Emotionally respond to your partner’s movements by letting different parts of your body express your emotions

Mike: [I take both of Pat’s hands and raise them toward the ceiling as high as they can go while I lead our feet to move in a circle.]

Pat:  Raising hands could be an idea of how you’d like to move.  But what is your body emotionally feeling right now?

Mike: [My head goes down.] I don’t really know.

Pat: Not knowing is a great state to get to. Wait for an impulse.

Mike: [I begin to lift my head and look at Pat.]

Pat and Mike: [Pat’s head nods.  My body bows.]