2 months ago I left Seattle to spend some time investing in my creative endeavors in the big apple, New York City. As I journey through the emotional roller coaster of identifying self worth, purpose, and trust within a new community of friends/human beings, I find myself renewed but lost.
I felt like I was in Hunger Games and I was intruding in different "zones" of art. I spent certain weeks in the fashion/styling zone, clipping back hats and stepping back with my emoji thinking face admiring what I've created. I soon realized through my curiosity of studying and being a part of all these "zones" I lost my sense of identity. I was a everything person. But at the end of the day I had to pull it together and remind myself what zone I was originally from.... Dance.
Just like Katniss, I belonged to a zone but still representative of the masses....representative of everyone that is pursuing the same passions to make Art a reality. AND The bad guy, President Coriolanus Snow was represented by everyday bombardment of societal norms.
So after jumping through hoops and catching janky subway stations, running home in the rain, battling with emotional instability and enriching motivating forces to pursue "art", I come back home to my zone in Seattle.
Here I am with 3 hours more than I had when I left the Hunger Games. I sit with a panel of judges and watched dancers battle 1v1 at World Of Dance, Headbangerz Brawl and this is what I re learned about myself through the scope of dance.
1. There is no rawer dance platform than the battle field. At a battle we got spectators. Observers providing energy to light the stage. The cypher can be your charge or a surcharge. You can either embrace the amazing energy that the crowd gives you and go off or in the midst of battling you may deal with a heavy surcharge of nerves weighing you down. Dance battles is unlike any stage. It's the rawest stage. You're telling your story, you're discovering yourself every time and at the same time people are being blessed to witness the transformation of sound into freestyle movement. Movements that will not be as pronounced or redone the way the were once it passes. That's the beauty of freestyle.
2. A battle field gives you a space to practice Identity & Individuality.
Dance is vulnerable but at the same time powerful. For every time you enter you sign up for a moment in time to be a super hero and exert your powers into the space. By unlocking your true potential you are opening doors for others. Through self challenges, you challenge others to see different and your energy shapes and sculpts other individuals taste style and urge to practice so they can be a better version of themselves.
3. Dance brings out an uncanny feeling that is capable of building a stronger bond between individuals and the community. If its not your first time battling, you are familiar with how it feels to battle someone new. To be matched up with someone different when you surpass a round. You're introduced to a new challenge or perhaps even a guaranteed feeling of confidence that you will "win" this round. Regardless win or lose the last thing to take from battles is #4.
4. You're always gaining whether you win the battle or lose a battle. Even if you didn't win the title you could of gained more than the winner through various facets. The one thing I would advise for those that do enter a battle is to be responsible for what you signed up for. It's a mental test that matures a dancer. If you lose and walk away you have failed and didn't complete the full experience.
Do you want to get better?
Stay and study those that have made it through.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Don't be afraid to partner with your "opponent" and learn from one another.
You're only as strong as your weakest link. It's crazy to think that, Yes I am asking you to help everyone else to get better. The more challenging and inspired your community is the more progressive you will be as an individual dancer.
Imagine everyone is holding a flashlight. Everyone has the opportunity to help contribute to the "spotlight". You can be the best dancer holding up one light but no one else in the world will ever notice. Therefore help other's in your community turn on their flashlight and together we can make notice of our movement.
This has been a reflection of my Dance Battle Zone.
Here are the judges showcase.
The World Of Dance - Headbangerz Brawl Team
Left: Protoman, jess2sick, Donovan, Morris, Free, koolKuts
