The Movement Lab: BMHV June 2026

Building Movement One Step at a Time

Every month, I'm reminded that dance is built one skill at a time. While choreography is often the most exciting part of class, it's the fundamentals that give dancers the confidence to move with intention.

This month's class with Black Mental Health Village (BMHV) focused on strengthening those building blocks while encouraging students to apply them in new ways. As always, we began with a warm-up and stretching before reviewing one of our recurring fundamentals—spotting. We also continued traveling across the floor, helping students become more comfortable moving through space with confidence instead of simply memorizing steps.

This month, we reviewed the five basic ballet positions before expanding on them with a simple port de bras, coordinating our arm movements with side travel. From there, we practiced winding and unwinding patterns by crossing one foot behind, then in front, before alternating the sequence. Students also explored turns in second position while traveling across the floor, reinforcing the relationship between balance, spotting, and body alignment.

Our jumping exercises focused on leaps from fourth position, with special attention given to using a strong plié to generate power and control. Rather than repeating the leap in only one direction, we practiced it in different facings. Changing direction challenged students to think beyond memorization and begin understanding movement as a transferable skill—one that works regardless of which way they're facing.

To finish class, we combined everything into a short phrase:

Two turns in second → Step → Plié → Leap

Watching students connect individual skills into a complete combination is always one of my favorite moments because it shows that the fundamentals are beginning to work together.

Before wrapping up, we reviewed our Afro Hip Hop movement vocabulary, revisiting the Indian Step, Cross Step, Back Step, Slide, Pivot, Criss Cross, and Dansa. Returning to these movements each month helps students build familiarity and confidence while steadily expanding their movement vocabulary.

Movement Vocabulary

Five Ballet Positions The five foundational placements of the feet that support balance, alignment, and movement in ballet.

Port de Bras-A coordinated sequence of arm movements that develops expression, posture, and fluidity.

Spotting- Keeping the eyes focused on a single point while turning to improve balance and reduce dizziness.

Plié - A controlled bending of the knees that prepares the body for jumps, turns, and smooth transitions.

Leap- A jump with a strong push through the plié.

Class Snapshot

This Month We Covered

• Review of the five basic ballet positions

• Port de bras with side movement

• Spotting

• Winding and unwinding footwork

• Turns in second across the floor

• Fourth-position leaps

• Combination:

  • Two turns in second

  • Step

  • Plié

  • Leap

• Afro Hip Hop vocabulary review:

  • Indian Step

  • Cross Step

  • Back Step

  • Slide

  • Pivot

  • Criss Cross

  • Dansa

    
    

Teaching Reflection

One thing I hope every student takes away from class is that confidence doesn't come from learning the most choreography—it comes from understanding the fundamentals well enough to apply them in different ways.

Every new facing, every turn, and every combination is another opportunity to trust what your body already knows.

Month after month, those individual skills begin to connect, transforming isolated movements into confident dancers.

Join Us Next Month

Whether you're stepping into a dance class for the first time or continuing your movement journey, we'd love to have you join us at our next Black Mental Health Village (BMHV) class.

Each month we explore movement in a supportive, community-centered environment where students build confidence, musicality, coordination, and creativity—one class at a time.

Ready to move with us?

👉 Register for the next BMHV Dance Class: [https://www.bmhv.org/event-details/dance-class-for-youth-at-pruitt-public-library-2026-07-28-16-00]

I hope to see you in class.