“One’s dance
is fed by one’s life.”
Patricia Stokoe
Corporal
expression, also known as "free dance", is an art in which the body is the
medium used to tell stories, express emotions and thoughts, and interact with
the environment.
It unleashes the creative forces that lie
dormant inside the body.
Why can a
writer be passionate about corporal expression?
Corporal expression is an art, just like music, painting, writing and many others. The different kinds of art are not separate entities. They are woven into a universal language; they feed on each other.
Corporal expression is an art, just like music, painting, writing and many others. The different kinds of art are not separate entities. They are woven into a universal language; they feed on each other.
Corporal expression is a transformational force. It releases tension stored in the body and uses this energy to mold something meaningful.
It has three branches:
-Artistic
-Therapeutic
-Educational
Emotions may not be visible, but they are
locked in your body. They can stifle your mind and bridle your creative potential. Through body movements, we can materialize these emotions, and let them flow
into other creative activities.
Take your hand, for example. Explore all the
movements that you can make with it. Let your
arm and hand explore the infinite spectrum of movements that you can create. Try different rhythms and choose the ones that suit you. You can use music if you want.
Now imagine that the source of your creativity
is an imaginary object. Imagine a shape and a color for this object. Pretend
you are holding this object with both hands. Rock it, sway it; let your body
follow your hands. Discover the story that your hands and your body want to
tell while they play with this imaginary object. Invite your body to follow your
hands and dance to the music you selected.
Now release the object and let your hands
touch each other and draw something in the air.
Are you having fun already?
Here’s
another secret: your creative body movements are a personal seal of your own
life story; by the same token, a poem is the personal seal of a poet
Your body can create its own poem through a unique combination of movements.
Don’t you think this is fascinating?
Your body can create its own poem through a unique combination of movements.
Don’t you think this is fascinating?
Who created corporal expression?
Patricia Stokoe is the person who has been officially recognized as the creator of this
art.
Patricia Stokoe (1929-1996) was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but her native language was English. When she was ten years old her parents sent her to London to visit her relatives. In England she studied classical dance in the Royal Academy of Dance. She also studied modern dance. Years later she studied many different kinds of dance. In 1950 she returned to Argentina.
Patricia Stokoe developed methods that facilitated the search for movement and expression with personal meaning. She gave several lectures and conferences in the United States, Latin America, Spain, Japan and Israel.
During her life she worked to incorporate corporal expression in schools and to make sure that everybody had access to this art.
Patricia Stokoe (1929-1996) was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but her native language was English. When she was ten years old her parents sent her to London to visit her relatives. In England she studied classical dance in the Royal Academy of Dance. She also studied modern dance. Years later she studied many different kinds of dance. In 1950 she returned to Argentina.
Patricia Stokoe developed methods that facilitated the search for movement and expression with personal meaning. She gave several lectures and conferences in the United States, Latin America, Spain, Japan and Israel.
During her life she worked to incorporate corporal expression in schools and to make sure that everybody had access to this art.
