The release of Wii Fit got me thinking – Will dance be the next evolution in Wii technology? This Miami Herald article describes the uses of Wii Fit and the accompanying balance board…
Players use the board to perform aerobic exercises, strength training and even yoga — all while trying to keep pace with an avatar on the TV screen. They also get verbal encouragement and feedback on technique.
Could this balance board also offer appropriate feedback on technique for a ballet barre or for tap dancers? Could a wider dance floor-type board make the Wii more useful for dance movements that are less stationary? Could the board help correct placement issues like pronation/supination (rolling-in or out when standing) or pelvic alignment, provide assessment of one’s take-off or landing from jumps, or actually teach steps – from a jazz square to a pas de bourre to a time step? Would this lead to more do-it-yourself dance training and decreased enrollment in classes? I have not used Wii Fit but am curious to try it out.
What are some of your thoughts? Would you utilize the technology for dance if it were available? What are some other ways you could see this technology being useful for the study of dance?
Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world. Read Nichelle’s posts.
