Trans as an integral part of Spanish flamenco dance performing

• Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service
  Vladivostok. Russia

An integral part of professional performance of Spanish flamenco dance, in contrast to most other dances, is trance. The article reveals the theoretical basis of trance, researched by the Russian and foreign scientists: M. Erickson, M.R. Ginzburg, A.O. Prokhorov, K. Hoffman, H. Ellis, etc. According to their researches, the state of trance often occurs in the natural conditions of daily life, bringing a psychophysical update to a person, which can and should be applied to dance. Thus, the state of trance is widely used in the tradition of shamanism, from ancient times to the present. According to M.Ya. Zhornitskaya, S.F. Karabanova, I.N. Tolstoys, etc., shamans, performing their ritual dances, enter a state of trance, in which they communicate with spirits. R. Ratka calls the shaman trance a source of internal energy.

An analogy is being made between trance in the traditions of shamanism and in the art of flamenco. It is highlighted that in the flamenco dance performing the state of trance contributes to the increase of expressiveness, fostering the performer’s sensitivity to the complex musical  rhythm of this trend.

V.V. Kozlov calls this a «resource state of mind», which is very productive for any kind of creativity. It is concluded that the essence of this phenomenon in dance is based on the synthesis of the unconscious and conscious, which is achieved through a set of certain psycho-technical techniques of a dancer. Meanwhile, only an experienced flamenco dancer is able to enter the trance on stage, which is possible only at a high level of professionalism.

Keywords: trance, Spanish flamenco dance, shaman, rhythm, duende phenomenon, resource status.