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Pre-Exercises Chat

To get the best one needs to carefully dive deep.

It is assumed that the exercise is a daily routine and the number of repetitions is large.

1. Count
Always count the number of times the exercise is repeated. When this becomes a daily routine, and the number of repetitions is large, then one tends to get blanked out momentarily. One has to be alert to avoid such situations. This is the mental exercise.

This in turn will help in achieving better consciousness and mental concentration. This also helps in achieving a better rhythm of movement. Also the way one counts will effect on the movement. Thus when the pattern of counting is changed, when performing an exercise with constant rhythm, it tends to appear and feel different. This will enhance expressiveness with changing moods for the same exercise.

2. Visualization
You should be able to visualize your self when performing the exercise very vividly, as if you were watching your self in the full size mirrors. Yet you should be able to see through the imaginary image and be able to see all thing, just as clearly. Simultaneously you should be able to see an imaginary counter that helps in assisting you to keep a tab on every hundredth count. Also as said earlier that all dance movements and the related exercises are based on the natural day-to-day activities, so the visualization of this activity is essential when performing or exercising. This is again mental exercise that helps in visualization and helps in planning ahead. Making mind more alert to do various jobs simultaneously.

This part is nothing new. When driving we are very alert about the steering, clutch, brakes, speedometer, gears, about the vehicles ahead and behind us, and yet we are able to look around, talk to others in the vehicle, listen to music, etc.

3. Old Window
In all the exercises we need to stretch beyond the limits. For example if we are able to kick high in an exercise, we will call it 100 %. Then during the dance we should kick only 80 % or less. This will give a good balance and controlled movements. Please note that all the movements in a dance, especially BLD are very controlled movements.

Now imagine that you shift into a house that is not maintained and is unoccupied, for at least a 100 years. Now you wish to open the windows. The best method would be to swing the window back and forth very rhythmically. In the process very slowly to pry it to open only slightly after every fourth push. And in a months time you should be able to open the window at least 25 %.

Exactly similar is the case with the body. Try to reach the desired extreme very slowly, and once you almost get there, then the next thing is to slowly relax.

4. Pain
No part of the body should pain even if exercise is being done for the first time. This should be borne in mind through the exercise. If you sense some pain, try to relax the effort without breaking the rhythm, and experiment with the movement such that the pain eases out. If the pain does not ease out then the best thing is to stop and try the same exercise the next day.

5. Reason for the Exercise
It is very important knowing the reason for the exercise; this helps in using these more effectively in the dance. All the exercises are individual body movements. In a dance all these movements are used together in a very complex manner.

6. Natural Movements
All the exercises are part of the natural movements we keep doing almost every day without knowing. If the same is done consciously then the movements get enhanced and there is a better sense of joy.

7. Breathing
This needs to be regulated, such that the rhythm remains unchanged through the exercise. It should not be labored.

8. Pace
For Example imaging that one has to walk 40 km, non-stop. There is no time constraint. In such a case we would not be hurry. We would adopt a style, pace, breathing rhythm, etc. such that it remains more or less unchanged through out the walk. Thus we would be exerting the bare minimum. However this happens subconsciously.

The idea here is to adopt this attitude and technique very consciously, when performing the exercises.

9. Posture
Posture has to be erect through out the exercise.

To get a good idea of this, balance a 5 to 10 kg load on the head, and move around.

10. Water
It is very important to drink enough water. If you choose to do the exercises in the morning, lets assume for about four hours daily, with a bit of exertion, and rest for about half an hour. And the later half of the day goes by as usual, and then the intake of water is quite right.

One should have some water before the exercise and then continuously keep having small gulps at regular intervals of about 10 minutes. Having the water with a pinch of salt is advisable since lots of body salts are lost when one sweats, and in countries like India it becomes even more essential, especially in the summers.

11. To Win
Attitude is more important. To win is against a competitor is great. But to win against ones own self is the greatest victory.

12. Pairs
Some of the exercises can also be done in pairs. This part is most important. Slight adjustment would be needed to accommodate the partner.