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Established in 2004 by its founder, Dwight Rodrigazo, and coauthors, Razel Ann Mitchao and Akira Lydia Abao, the Pulling Technique is rooted in the concept of “Pull,” where dancers explore momentum shifts through the body's resistance against gravity. While the technique may appear visually intuitive and carefree, it emphasizes disciplined training to give dancers true freedom and the ability to express and execute the choreographer's ideas. This training is central to articulation, which is why the training exercises in The Pulling Syllabus are integral to The Project DP’s repertoire. The syllabus combines traditional, technical, and progressive barre and center exercises, providing a comprehensive approach to mastering the technique.
The PULLING TECHNIQUE
Teachers' Training Program
The Pulling Technique Modern-Contemporary Dance Teachers' Training Program is an 8-day intensive designed for dance teachers and advanced/professional dancers preparing for careers in teaching the 4-Level course (Beginners Level 1-2, Intermediate Level 1-2, Advanced Level 1-2 and Professional Level) of The Pulling Technique. The program covers teaching approaches, methodology, and practical application through peer teaching and internship experiences.
This teacher’s course is designed to equip educators with a deep understanding of the technique’s philosophy, physical principles, and pedagogical approaches. Participants will learn how to effectively train dancers using The Pulling Syllabus, emphasizing articulation, discipline, and expressive clarity.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The PULLING TECHNIQUE Examination Program
This examination program is designed to systematically assess a dancer’s progression in both technical mastery and artistic application, while also cultivating teaching competence aligned with the standards of The Pulling Syllabus and The Project DP’s repertoire.
It provides a progressive and holistic framework that tracks the dancer’s development from foundational understanding to advanced performance and pedagogy. Rather than focusing solely on physical execution, the program emphasizes the integration of concept, movement quality, and intention, ensuring that dancers do not merely replicate steps but embody the core principle of “pull” in a consistent and informed way.
At the technical level, the program evaluates how effectively dancers apply principles such as resistance to gravity, momentum shifts, alignment, and articulation within both structured exercises and dynamic movement phrases. Equal importance is given to movement efficiency and control, allowing dancers to achieve a sense of effortlessness without sacrificing precision.
In terms of artistic application, the program encourages dancers to translate technique into expressive performance, supporting a choreographer’s vision while maintaining clarity and individuality. This includes the ability to adapt the Pulling Technique across different styles, respond to musicality, and explore improvisation grounded in the technique’s principles.
Beyond performance, the program also serves as a pathway for developing future educators. It introduces dancers to essential teaching skills such as class structuring, effective cueing, observation, and correction. By aligning these pedagogical components with the methodology of The Pulling Syllabus, the program ensures consistency in how the technique is transmitted and preserved.
Overall, the examination program functions not only as an assessment tool but also as a developmental guide, preparing dancers to become well-rounded artists, thoughtful movers, and capable teachers within both professional and educational dance settings.
REQUIREMENTS
The PULLING TECHNIQUE
National Dance Workshop Series
Designed for intermediate (ages 13–15) to advanced (ages 16 and above) dancers, this four- to six-day workshop offers a structured series of technique classes that deepen understanding of modern-contemporary dance. Participants will enhance their skill, knowledge, and movement vocabulary through focused training and dynamic combinations. The program concludes with a choreographic showcase, allowing dancers to apply and perform their acquired knowledge of The Pulling Technique.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
