In Dance

art of dance takes place in and through the human body

mobile figure or shape, felt by the dancer, seen by others

Parts of the Body:

head, eyes, face, shoulders, ringers, torso, legs, feet, etc.

Whole Body:

body shape symmetrical/asymmetrical, rounded, twisted, angular, arabesque

body systems:muscles, bones, organs, breath, balance, reflexes

inner:senses, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, intention, imagination, identity

refers to the force of an action and can mean both the physical and psychic energy that drives and characterizes movement

Attack:

sharp/smooth, sudden/sustained

Weight:

Strength: push, horizontal, impacted

Lightness: resist the down, initiate up

Resiliency: rebound, even up and down

Flow:

free, bound, balanced, neutral

Quality:

flowing, tight, loose, sharp, swinging, swaying, suspended, collapsed, smooth

1. sustained movement- smoothly, continuously, with flow and control

2. percussive- explosive or sharp

3. vibratory- trembling, shaking

4. swinging- traces an arc or curved line in space- body relax- repetitive

5. suspended

- hover in space

- creates an illusion of defying gravity

6. collapsing

- release of tension

- performed at a slow or fast tempo

http://opd.mpls.k12.mn.us/Energy

http://opd.mpls.k12.mn.us/Body

Minton, S. (1943). Choreography: A Basic Approach Using Improvisation.