If you press, the upper body and center of gravity (CoG) needs to move over the leg, and if you spring, the supporting leg meets your CoG in the middle. Which do you prefer? In this post Lauren Warnecke explores the benefits and mechanics of both to provoke thought and conversation.
Technique
Bowed Legs, Tibial Torsion, and Side Splits
A reader wonders wonders how bowed legs might be affecting her second position and side split. She describes a related problem with knee and ankle alignment, leading to my response which focuses on tibial torsion. I provide a useful group of links and tips for working with this rotational deformity. Plus we talk about turn-out and side splits too!
The Achilles Tendon: Dancer Injury and Prevention
Achilles was infallible except for the small injury to his heel that killed him. Dancers, too, are prone to injury and stress of the Achilles tendon if they don’t do a few important things. Achilles tendonitis is the big one but it doesn’t have to be forever. Dancers must take great care and follow the proper steps to prevent flare-ups and further injury.
“Look, Mom, no hands!” — Finding the Balance of Balance
Why is it easier to balance standing up straight than bending at the waist? Lauren of Art Intercepts delves deeper into the science of balancing to answer that question and more.
The Surprising Connection Between Physics and Ballet
Now widely accepted and taught in university dance programs, at first Kenneth Laws’ writings connecting physics and the art of dance were accused of “reducing ballet to a science.” Learn more about Laws, his late start in dance, and his books in this introductory post on his pioneering work in the dance field.
The Stem of Aplomb – Part Three: The Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Coccyx
Having addressed the Cervical and Thoracic spines in previous installments, we now turn our attention to the lower three sections of the vertebral column. Learn about the lumbar spine, intervertebral discs, the sacrum, coccyx, and get a quick and dirty list of the 3 big take-away points about ‘the stemb of aplomb,’ the spine.
