[sunbug]

I knew you were not broad brushing with the term “messy.” It is very accurate. Some myths in a literal sense can be erg! But there are so many more levels to that as you explain very articulately!
I agree about intuition and it’s funny but that’s the second time today something synchronous has happened in relation to the JCF message boards…where my own inner thoughts caught a reflection back…Shaahayda Rizvi in a separate posting and now you in this. Glimmer of collective consciousness? Why not? Who am I to question that.
As for messy, when you mentioned going off the trail and discovering your own literal paths in the forest, I also thought about “ticks!” Yes so there it is! And I imagine if Mr. Parzival’s horse was in warmer climes he’d be picking ticks off his steed as well!
It’s always something in these journeys but you know there is some risk stepping out that door…

But ticks aside…

I love the way you describe your discovery of mini grail kingdoms!
It is true.
And I would say grail moments too.
Even being still and seeing a doe walk down below my front yard is thrilling.
Or appreciating the rhythm of the rain after a long spate of sun.
The hawk’s cry clear and piercing the blue…

As for rhythm and speaking of dance, no you did not offend me.
Intuitive movement is a good description. There are some excellent threads relating to Jean Erdman describing all that journey.
I would add and now here comes the tangent…that discovering the ability to improv…is hugely freeing (done in respect when dancing to live bands)

And it’s wonderful when people dance to music regardless of training. I make no judgement on that…we all feel the music one way or another or make our own rhythm.
As for the structure and discipline, which I know well from ballet training.
Ballet is the backbone of dance, especially when engaging in more than one form. It’s not primarily about carriage and posture but about core, having a solid center.
And even more important preventing injury when one is executing difficult moves.
It’s true that some instructors can push students too far at risk not only to physical but also mental health.
But I was lucky and the people who trained me in ballet cared more about longevity of their dance students and also in the case of Peggy Fletcher “heart.”
Parzival probably had to ride a horse moderately well and be able to be fairly in tune with the animal regardless of the decisions he made.
In dance, it’s more about having the proper equipment for the journey.
And I know what a twisted ankle deep tissue injury feels like…so yes there is a big motivation to hold and do things the proper way. It does become ingrained. The only thing that a dancer loses a little is flexibility and endurance in case of tap especially but the latter can be built back. And later on in life having some flexibility is ok… but I’m not gung ho on being gumby!
But if students have injuries I’d prefer to put their health above pushing them to execute something and will gladly work around that whether young student or adult.
But the improv for me is completely intuitive and yes I do “on the spot choreography,” but that’s what makes it so fun! Listening to live music feeling the mood and finding an intuitive movement to match it with no judgment as long as I keep in mind my surroundings and other people about.

🙂