Express freedom and feelings through this style of theatrical dance.

The contemporary or modern dance is a style created to express the feelings. As well as the feelings change, so the contemporary dancers. It is important for a dance to express certain individualism, abstraction and passion for the arts. The several modern dancers have little in common besides the rejection of the existing traditions and the desire to re-examine the fundamental principles of the dance as a medium for communication.

History on Modern Dance

The origins of this dance movement come from the end of century XIX when simultaneously Americans like Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Ruth Saint Denis, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey and the German Mary Wingman felt too many restrictions in the ballet to express themselves. Although the movement occurred simultaneously by different artists, we can say that it started in 1900 ' s with the first recitales of Loie Fuller in Paris and Isadora Duncan in London.

Methodology of a modern dance class

Erika & Alfredo

How it is a class of Contemporary? Going to a class of modern dance usually is a experience of great introspection and learning, in which the work is done with different positions on the floor and therefore it is necessary to get dressed in comfortable clothes that do not have zippers or buttons that can be annoying when doing turns on the floor. The students and professors usually dance barefeet or using socks turned from the heel part to the front. The advanced students usually use tights, pants, warmers and special protection for the feet.

As a rule of thumb, the structure of a modern dance class is like this:

Warm Up: Movements to warm up muscles to avoid injuries.
Muscular strenghtening: Preparation through exercises on the floor, jumps or techniques of dance (Pliés, Tendús, Relevés etc)
Stretching: Strechings with exercises in the floor and techniques of contemporary dance (Développés, Arabesques, Fondues).
Center Work: Exercises to increase the balance of the body. (Relevés, Coupés, Passés, Rond de Jambes)
Spot Work: Exercises of turns (pirouettes) to increase the equilibrium when turning.
Diagonals or Triplettes: Small sequences to increase coordination and to do Spot work, jumps and falls.
Choreography: Group dance of a song. (Normally, the most artistic and interesting part)

Contemporary dance in Shanti Studio

Here some photos and videos of the contemporary dance in Shanti Studio, Puerto Vallarta:

“Drawing in the Sea” Modern Dance choreography by Kenya Murillo and Pedro García for the 4th anniversary of Shanti Studio at Teatro Vallarta. Watch video on Youtube.	"Roxanne" Modern Dance & Tango choreography by the teachers Kenya Murillo and Pedro García for the 4th anniversary of Shanti Studio in the Teatro Vallarta. Watch video on Youtube.
"I'm the air" Erika Cueto acting as the element “Air” with the voice of Alfredo Mendoza for the 4th anniversary of Shanti Studio at Teatro Vallarta. Watch video on Youtube.	"Water to Live" Dafne Renteria acting as the element “water” for the 4th anniversary of Shanti Studio at Teatro Vallarta.
"Mother Earth" Joe Fernández acting as the element “earth” for the 4th anniversary of Shanti Studio at Teatro Vallarta.