Learn Classical Modern Dance

About the Course

Jose Limón & the Limón Technique

José Limón can be added to the list of choreographers who developed their own signature training styles. In the dance world today, it is typical within professional training programs for students to be trained in both the Graham Technique and Limón Technique styles of Modern Dance.

Modern Dance has evolved with each subsequent generation of participating artists. Artistic content has morphed and shifted from one choreographer to another, as have styles and techniques. Even elements of urban dance have become well represented in this genre.

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In this course, we will focus on the basics of the Limón style whose technique was informed by Humphrey's ideas about the dynamics of body weight as the body rose, fell, and remained in suspension during a dance. This technique improves a dancer's quality of movement and adds strength while developing dynamic and exciting movement qualities.

Because of Limón’s unique use of space, weight, and music, it’s an excellent introduction to dance in general. It can be broken down into simple exercises that can be later enhanced to challenge more seasoned dancers. Limón Technique improves one’s coordination significantly. The style differs from other techniques often by; working off-balance, with multiple layers of movements, and with the body in an inverted position. Thus, making; turns, jumps, and extensions more difficult.

About the Course

Jose Limón & the Limón Technique

José Limón can be added to the list of choreographers who developed their own signature training styles. In the dance world today, it is typical within professional training programs for students to be trained in both the Graham Technique and Limón Technique styles of Modern Dance.

Modern Dance has evolved with each subsequent generation of participating artists. Artistic content has morphed and shifted from one choreographer to another, as have styles and techniques. Even elements of urban dance have become well represented in this genre.

​

In this course, we will focus on the basics of the Limón style whose technique was informed by Humphrey's ideas about the dynamics of body weight as the body rose, fell, and remained in suspension during a dance. This technique improves a dancer's quality of movement and adds strength while developing dynamic and exciting movement qualities.

Because of Limón’s unique use of space, weight, and music, it’s an excellent introduction to dance in general. It can be broken down into simple exercises that can be later enhanced to challenge more seasoned dancers. Limón Technique improves one’s coordination significantly. The style differs from other techniques often by; working off-balance, with multiple layers of movements, and with the body in an inverted position. Thus, making; turns, jumps, and extensions more difficult.

After this course you will be able to:

• use dance vocabulary to describe movement;

• understand the foundational steps within the Limón Technique;

• be able to join a recreational modern dance class;

• apply this movement vocabulary to other dance forms.

In addition, you will have improved your:

• ​body’s strength and flexibility;

• coordination;

• musical understanding;

• movement vocabulary.

This is an excellent course for non-dancers interested in learning Modern Dance, beginner dancers wanting to improve their abilities, or seasoned dancers who’ve never studied this particular style but wish to understand the different use of body weight, fall, suspension, and coordination that the Limón Technique offers.

Prerequisites:

• be able to move from sitting to standing comfortably;

• never train while injured;

• attend class in comfortable clothing;

• prepare adequate space for movement;

• make sure obstacles are removed;

• look for anything that may injure your feet like cracks in the floor or tile edges;

• If you are dancing on a hard floor try to take smaller jumps and softer landings (If you have access to a dance studio, the floor will be properly sprung).

Your body is your instrument, take care of it. Drink plenty of water before and after class.

Enjoy!

Arm Articulation

This is the first lesson of the floor exercises and will set the tone of the work to come. Miranda teaches the basic knowledge of the core and arm movements.

Bounces With Release

In this exercise, we will learn to fall and suspend using the body. We will practice how the body is used to generate movement.

Fours on the Floor

In this exercise, we will start to incorporate different elements. This will increase the body's capability and improve coordination.

Swings in Second

Swings are one of the foundational gestures of Limón. In this lesson, we will use the rebound to create motion and drive momentum.

Swings Lying Side & Rise Variation

Students will learn the drop and suspension movement of the leg in the hip socket. This will help us to have an understanding of the leg dynamics and how the leg generates suspension.

Standing Bounces with High Release

Learning to drop the body’s weight helps create momentum. The drop and rebound are learned and perfected through the bounces exercise however, this concept is used throughout the style.

Tendus to the Side

In this exercise, we are conditioning the leg to develop “line”. It's important to nurture an understanding of how the legs move in combination with the feet, adding in the torso movements of Limón.

Degagé Side and Pasé series

We begin to learn to use the leg and foot movement more quickly while we enhance our understanding of the use of the foot. In addition, we continue to strengthen and condition the legs for jumps.

Tendu & Degagé Combination with Lunge

We begin by Incorporating more elements of the Limón Technique into one exercise, enhancing the difficulty of dance combinations. Using more fully the body, the quality of fall and suspension in space.

Plié Series

Pliés develop strength and control in the legs. In addition, it's important to learn how to safely bend the legs with knees over toes, and how to safely condition the legs to land jumps.

Body Swings in Second

Utilizing the fall and suspension while sitting on the floor helps with the coordination of the body, legs, and arms. It is the momentum that builds strength in the core and enables us to lift the body.

Rebounds in Three Parts

Enhancing the coordination of the body with drops, spirals, and turns. The body and leg coordination must work together to harmonize movements in order to create fluid gestures.

Slow Twos

An advanced exercise incorporating the elements learned thus far. This is a fundamental Limón exercise typically connected with the following lesson, Fast Threes.

Fast Threes

Fast Threes is an extension of the previous exercise. In Slow Twos, we move slowly through all the positions but now we incorporate the rebound and suspension. Fast Threes can incorporate movements that are off-balance or with turns.

Parallel Swing Combination

It's exciting that now we can learn more complicated combinations of movement. We can take bigger risks, moving through space with strength and flow. The Parallel Swings use momentum through drop and suspension.

Swings in Attitude With Gallop Variation

Now we begin to explore the fall and suspension of the legs in the hip socket similar to our warm-up in the floor work. Now working in a standing position we introduce the arms and other movements in addition to moving through space.

Developé Series

In the Developé Series, we will learn the slow sequential movement of the legs. We use adagio exercises to improve leg strength and stamina. Now we can apply the strength we developed training on the floor to standing.

Body is Orchestra

Body is Orchestra is taught in three parts; legs, arms, body. This is an exercise for coordination. Each part of the body represents a different section of the orchestra through different qualities of movement.

Piqué Series

The Piqué Series is done in three parts; with arms, with turns, and with jumps. Learning the Piqué position we will be using the position in an exercise, further developing the legs and building strength by moving through space.

Triplets

Triplets are common in Graham and Limón Technique. This exercise uses music in a 3/4 time signature and moves through space along the diagonal. Try and propel yourself forward, strengthening the legs, and giving your dance more dynamic.

Triplet Combination

It is important to learn more complex combinations of movement. If you are a beginner, transitioning from one side to the other may be difficult. With practice, you will enhance this skill which is important for learning choreography.

Grand Battement Across the Floor

Grand Battements build strength in the legs and body in addition to developing flexibility and fast-twitch. Maintain lift in the body while propelling yourself through space. Lift the leg faster going up and sustained while moving down.

Preparations for Jumps

In order to gain height in jumps, it is important to strengthen the legs and calves. This is done through several exercises and variations of movements. To protect the legs, a dancer should begin with a warm-up exercise. The warm-up serves as an introduction on how to use the feet and to land softly.

Jumps Across the Floor

Once the legs have been properly warmed up for jumps we can begin to ask for more height in the jumps and dynamic movement from the legs and feet. Propelling yourself through space is never easy but we are always seeking to challenge our ability to do so, jumping higher and moving out in space.

Jump Combinations

Jump combinations require the full breadth of movement and ability from the body. This is the highlight of the class. We have to combine all of the elements together in one exercise such as strength, coordination, quality of movement, memorization, and the ability to perform combinations on both sides.

Cool Down, Forward Bends & Improvisation

It's important to cool down the body after jumps and high-energy exercises. Congratulations! You've learned a full Limón class. If you'd like to move through the entire class without introductions, skip forward to the final video.

Body Conditioning

It's important to stay strong and supple while dancing. In this video, I share a few of my favorite body conditioning exercises but feel free to add your own. Yoga and Pilates are also great ways to keep fit at home.

Full Limón Class

Enjoy the full Limón dance class without any further breaks or introductions. Once you've learned and perfected the exercises you can flow through the class and each exercise with music. The class is 45 minutes long. Take breaks when needed.