BALAM Dance Theatre: Spirals Abound

A Baroque Dancer's Reflections on the French Small Sword School
by Carlos Fittante

What do Baroque dance and French small sword technique have in common? As part of BALAM Dance Theatre's work to research and clarify its art, I undertook a weeklong intensive study at The French Small Sword School of the Martinez Academy of Arms that offered me rare insights into these fields.

Shown in photo: A practice small sword from the Martinez Academy of Arms

I was inspired and in awe of the physical skill and intelligence of this period martial art form. Both Maestro Ramon Martinez and Maestra Jeanette Acosta-Martinez are true masters with outstanding scholarship, knowledge and experience, and an impressive physical ability to reconstruct this school.

Body Positions

Aplomb was the first body position taught and is a fundamental concept in Baroque dance, as well. This refers to a vertical carriage of the body and a sense of ease and serenity. The implications are profound! In the heat of a duel, one must remain detached, centered, and calm. The arrangement and stillness of the torso is not disturbed.

Many other similarities and some differences were found. A 90 degree turn-out of the legs is used by both; however, the arrangement of the body angle is different, with a three-quarter orientation in the fight technique and en face in dance. In the martial arts form, stepping occurs with the heel first. In dance, the ball of the foot slides on the floor with the heel raised before taking a step.

Droigté (fingering or dexterity) was the most surprising concept I encountered in handling the weapon. The small sword is held between the fingers with a firm but light grip, and the wrist remains flexible to allow for a timely parry and riposte (ward off and respond). Through a minute and precise movement range, the small sword point is partially directed and redirected by squeezing and releasing the fingers, creating mini spirals with the weapon.

These spirals and the use of the fingertips are deadly with the small sword. They seemed akin to the ornamental hand gestures and wrist curls in the dance technique. In dance, the gestural spirals create aesthetic movements that complement the legwork and help express the emotions of the character.

The 18^th century courtier trained daily in dance and fencing. Studying at the Martinez Academy of Arms sparked in me a refreshed and exciting perspective on the Baroque dance movement that I know and love, and I will continue my gentleman’s training in the art of defense. Touché!

For classical fencing lessons in the French, Italian, and Spanish styles, go to Martinez Academy of Arms.

About BALAM

BALAM has performed throughout the United States and internationally at renowned venues such as: Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, American Museum of Natural History, and the Bali International Arts Festival. Its work has received acclaim from audiences, critics, scholars, and dignitaries alike, including critical praise mentioned in the New York Times, Village Voice, and endorsements from the Indonesian Consulate of New York, and the Governor of Bali.

The company's long standing interest in dance research, along with its extensive collection of Balinese masks, and cutural costumes and props, make it a resource for educators, artists, and scholars.

The Deeper Meaning of the "Ramayana"

By Shelley Lynne Cummins, www.jaisriyogis.com/

Shelley Lynne Cummins is a yoga and Oneness Blessing trainer, as well as a dancer.

The first two limbs in the eight fold path of yoga are the Yamas, Awareness of the obstacles in life, and Niyamas, cultivating practices to remove the obstacles. As these limbs are activated in harmony, a balance or zero point arrives allowing causality to permeate. The classic tale of the Ramayana is a perfect depiction of this inner balance Of polarities producing unity.

As a dancer and yogini, I have had the great opportunity to study and dance the Ramayana for many years. Every time I enter into this great epic, new realizations are found. It is likened to the dance of day, going to sleep and awaking again in the morning for a new play. Amidst the routines of life subtle realizations appear as the mystery of unity Dances around in the unseen worlds.

A yogini's reflection of this great great tale.

The Ramayana is the story of the divine marriage within. It is everyone's story with all the players aspects of their self. The story begins with a happy and harmonious marriage of Sita and Rama. Sita symbolizes the balanced female and Rama the balanced male within each individual.

One day Sita is enticed by a golden deer into the cave of the evil demon, Rawana.

The capture of Sita is a metaphor of the ego consciousness trying to gain control over the potential of all. The golden deer represents the possible deception and false allure of the illusion of this physical plane.

Upon hearing the news of Sita's capture, Rama gives his golden ring to Hanuman the Monkey King. He orders Hanuman to deliver the ring to Sita so she will know help is on the way.

Here Rama embodies his higher masculine qualities of protection of the unseen and the absolute creation which lives in his word.

The ring symbolizes the circle of light around the body, known as the merkabah or golden carriage of light.

Hanuman the Monkey King represents our monkey mind constantly chattering. As our mind unites with the purpose of reinstalling causality, it becomes a servant of the heart. In service Hanuman flies across the ocean to deliver the ring to Sita. He is able to tap into the One Heart Mind And use his merkabah to transport himself where needed.

Hanuman delivers the ring to Sita and upon his return tells Rama of her whereabouts. Rama goes to fight the evil demon, Rawana, for the release of Sita.

Rama is fighting the ultimate battle of light and dark in order to regain the feminine intuitive, All knowing, nurturing life force. The light always wins as it illuminates the dark corners and shadows. Rama reunites with Sita and together they live happily ever after in the diversity and play of unity.

And to think we know the whole story, the entire ring in the circle of life.We boldly go on experiencing each section of the ring.

As Joseph Campbell says: We are each a heroine or hero on a great journey.We begin enlightened creating a life of experiences in order to realize and reunite with our all encompassing light.