Jennifer Chin has been teaching movement since 1990. As a dancer, she began teaching children at the local dance studio, and then moved on to the professional dance world. She has taught at many of New York City’s top dance centers including The José Limón Institute, Peridance Center and Dancespace Center. She has been on faculty at The Martha Graham School, Université du Québec á Montréal, Toscana Dance Hub (now WADE), Brooklyn College, and Montclair State University. She is an instructor in modern dance, yoga, pilates, and embodied anatomy. Jennifer’s yoga practice began in 1997, studying with Dharma Mittra, from whom she received her Yoga Teaching Certification. She has been teaching yoga since 1999. In 2003 she was introduced to the Iyengar Yoga method and began studying embodied anatomy with Genny Kapuler, all of which has greatly influenced her teaching and way of life. Jennifer’s introduction to pilates was with Kathy Grant, one of the first teachers of the technique, at NYU, and used the method to rehabilitate her numerous dance injuries. She then taught Pilates for 8 years at Groundfloor Exercise, a studio on the Upper West Side. In January of 2007, she created LUMINOUSbody, transformative health and fitness, a group for teachers to workshop ideas and give private lessons in yoga, pilates and fitness training.

TEACHING STATEMENT

Jennifer’s teaching aims to empower dancers with the tools to enhance their life as performers. Using her experience from teaching the Humphrey-Limón technique for the past 20 years, her goal is for students to become more aware of the body and discover efficiency in movement. She incorporates anatomical knowledge and strengthening skills into class so dancers can have a long, healthy career.

Dance & Movement

Modern Dance Class is based on organic movement principles utilizing natural body weight and lines of energy in space. Opposition, fall and recovery, rhythm, weight and sequential movement are tools based on Humphrey-Limón technique, which can enable a dancer to gain more precision and facility. This class transforms a classical technique to a contemporary style where dancers can apply what they learn to all dance styles. Movement phrases are designed to challenge the student to develop an inner rhythm, find personal expression and relate movement to sound and space. Beyond technique, class can explore weight, freedom of movement in joints, softness of muscle and correct spinal alignment.  Students learn how to incorporate elements of somatics in order to dance with less tension and more ease.

Mind & Body

In addition to dance technique, students learn how to understand all elements of life as a performer. Principles stemming from yoga, pilates and embodied anatomy are used to supplement a dancer’s training in order to build strength, correct alignment, prevent injury and manage stress. Emphasis is placed on the student building self-awareness. Individual assessment and nutritional counseling aids a student to develop a conditioning regime that will keep body and mind healthy.