THE DANCER’S TOOL

Thinking about your body from a Dancer’s point of view.

MAKING MOVEMENT HAPPEN Your body has a variety of systems that

control different functions. The systems that contribute to

movement are:The Nervous SystemThe Skeletal SystemThe Muscular System

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM The Nervous

System is the communication system of your body.

Your brain sends electric impulses through nerves to initiate movement.

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM Bones serve

several functions:They provide

support for the body

Some protect vital organs

Some produce red blood cells

They also provide the “lever” for movement

MOVEMENT OPERATIONS: A lever is a rigid bar that moves a fixed

point when effort is applied to it to move a resistance or load.

So in your body:The lever is your bonesThe fixed point is your jointsThe effort is the contraction of a muscle

JOINTS Joints are the places where your bones

meet. Bones are connected to each other by

ligaments. There are a variety of types of joints in

the body, and each allows for a different range of movement.

DESCRIPTION OF MOVEMENT Flexion- bending of a

joint i.e. bending elbow

Extension- Straightening of a joint i.e. straightening elbow

Abduction- moving away from center i.e. Arms moving from

alongside the body to second position

Adduction-moving towards center i.e. Assemble

External rotation- rotating outward i.e. turning out

Internal rotation- rotating inward i.e. turning in

Plantar flexion- pointing the foot i.e. releve

Dorsiflexion- flexing the foot i.e. rocking back on

heels lifting forefoot

MUSCULAR SYSTEM There are

several types of muscles:Cardiac MusclesSmooth MusclesSkeletal Muscles

We are concerned with Skeletal muscles. These are the ones that create movement.

MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS Concentric Contraction- shortening of

the muscle. Eccentric Contraction- lengthening of

the muscle. Isometric Contraction- no change in

length of muscle.Raising into releve-ConcentricHolding in releve- IsometricLowering from releve- Eccentric

MUSCLE ROLES Agonists- the contracting muscles that

produce movement Antagonists- a muscle that either

lengthens to permit movement or co-contracts to support movement

Synergist- help control movement, keep the body connected, help neutralize movement

Stabilizers- muscles that fixate a joint. They hold a joint firm in order to allow other movement to occur.

MOVEMENT PLANES

MOVING IN DIFFERENT PLANES Sagittal plane- moving the arms from en

bas to high fifth Frontal plane- bending at the side Transverse- twisting at the hip or waist

SUMMARY Your body is a COMPLEX tool. Understanding basic principles of how your

body works will allow you to move more confidently and efficiently.

You must care for your tool. Proper alignment, control and breathing are very important.

Your body is able to DEVELOP both strength and flexibility. DO NOT think that just because you can not do something exactly right the first time that you are unable to do it. IT TAKES HARD WORK AND PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!