The Courses Philosophy

Flamenco empowers the dancer to connect with the audience through the expression of his or her own feelings and vulnerability. Flamenco music express deep feelings of love, joy, rage, sadness, jealousy, flirtatiousness or happiness in a very human and powerful way. This ancestral music was born as a need to express people´s dreams, sufferings, fears or wishes. Majestic Flamenco dance, immersed in the guitar and driven by clapping rhythms, reminds us of primitive dance rituals. These rituals used to gather people around the music to celebrate the emergence of different instinctual energies. These classes will focus on the expression of your inner instinctual energies as a way to empower you to dance and have fun while you do it. Bring with you past experiences, sensations, any memory or insight that may bring inspiration back to your dancer and give sense to your movements. We will focus inwards to find our instinctual energies. Awareness, visualization, relaxation and energetic exercises will create a space where to listen to ourselves, risk improvising and allow the music guide us. The small group will support each individual in his or her discovery and creative process.

About concrete flamenco dance lessons: The classes are an introduction to the different flamenco rhythms: Solea, alegrias, bulerias, tangos and rumbas. During this intensive week you will learn: -to clap and dance following the Flamenco musical accents. - A routine of technique exercises. - two short choreography's, tangos and bulerias. - to distinguish between different types of Flamenco music. - to understand some songs lyrics and the feeling they are expressing.

Palos and Lyrics
Different rhythm patterns and melodies are related to different types of songs called ¨palos¨. We will analyze a few flamenco song lyrics, translate them and enjoy the beautiful popular poetry which reflects the Spanish way of feeling.

Clapping and Dancing
With no flamenco previous experience you will acquire a special sense of rhythm which is essential to flamenco dance. We will practice clapping and off beat exercises.
We will walk to the accents of live guitar until we are able to see the music.

Technique
Every morning we will do a series of exercises to improve coordination, self-confidence, concentration, stamina, elasticity and artistic expression adequate to any age or physical condition. This routine will develop muscles,strength and agility specific to flamenco dance. We will find a safe space to enjoy our dancing physically and emotionally. Back home, you can use a synthesis of these exercises to nourish you against the daily worries.

Choreography's
Part of the class time will be dedicated to learning two short choreography's: tangos and bulerias. These ¨pataillas¨ will enable you to participate in a live flamenco event. They will be simple and appropriate to a beginner level, full of fun, flamenco grace and artistic expression. The teacher will provide a basic structure. You will color it with your own creative movements which will blossom in this safe and judgment free atmosphere. Within each of us lie dormarnt energies which can be awakened through the Flamenco experience to express our true sentiments and beliefs.
You will build your own choreography using your personal background and creative discoveries. In this way you will find your own ¨Duende¨ which is the quality that enables the dancer to connect with the audience through emotional expression. The technical exercises and the choreography will be part of the routine training but the emphasis will be on flamenco rhythm and personal expression.