Download The Dancer`s Tool Notes - Fort Thomas Independent Schools

Thinking about your body from a
Dancer’s point of view.
 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
 The
Nervous
System is the
communication
system of your
body.
 Your brain sends
electric impulses
through nerves to
initiate
movement.
 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

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 bones
The fixed point is your joints
The effort is the contraction of a muscle
 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.

Flexion- bending of a
joint



i.e. Arms moving from
alongside the body to
second position
Adduction-moving
towards center

i.e. Assemble
External rotationrotating outward


i.e. straightening elbow
Abduction- moving
away from center


i.e. bending elbow
Extension- Straightening
of a joint


Internal rotationrotating inward


i.e. turning in
Plantar flexionpointing the foot


i.e. turning out
i.e. releve
Dorsiflexion- flexing the
foot

i.e. rocking back on heels
lifting forefoot
 There
are several
types of muscles:
Cardiac Muscles
 Smooth Muscles
 Skeletal Muscles

 We
are concerned
with Skeletal
muscles. These
are the ones that
create movement.
 Concentric
Contraction- shortening of the
muscle.
 Eccentric Contraction- lengthening of the
muscle.
 Isometric Contraction- no change in length of
muscle.



Raising into releve-Concentric
Holding in releve- Isometric
Lowering from releve- Eccentric
 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.
 Sagittal
plane- moving the arms from en bas
to high fifth
 Frontal plane- bending at the side
 Transverse- twisting at the hip or waist
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!!!!
