Observe

Sidelined, Amelia spent three weeks observing "the drama of the Graham technique" she loved, and Limon technique which attracted her. She longed to experience Limon's freedom and could not achieve the fall, rebound and release of Limon's emphasis on flow.

She'd considered tension in her body as a means of safety and control, but now felt "bound and gagged." She began formulating some theories about reaching "control within the out-of-control.”

She thought of gymnasts and divers, trained to maintain a point of focus within twists and turns by focussing energy in a specific direction.

On return to Toronto, she began testing her ideas on National Ballet students Tim Spain, Karen Kain and David Hatch-Walker, observing that when she sent energy directionally, difficult moves involved less muscular effort, more momentum and greater ease.

She applied this to her own body, gradually recuperating until she could resume performing with New Dance Group of Canada.