the dancer’s tool
DESCRIPTION
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 System The Skeletal System The Muscular System. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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!!!!