Dance and Somatics

Training in somatic techniques—holistic body-centered movement that promotes awareness and well-being—provides an effective means of improving dance students’ efficiency and ease of movement. However, dance educators do not always have the resources to incorporate this knowledge into their classes. This volume explains the importance of somatics, introduces fundamental somatic principles that are central to the dance technique class, and offers tips on incorporating these principles into a dance curriculum. The authors demystify somatic thinking by explaining the processes in terms of current scientific research. By presenting both a philosophical approach to teaching as well as practical instruction tools, this work provides a valuable guide to somatics for dance teachers of any style or level.

Julie A. Brodie, an associate professor of dance at Kenyon College in Ohio, is an active choreographer and performer.

Elin E. Lobel, an associate professor of kinesiology at Towson University in Maryland, is the editor of the Journal of Laban Movement Studies, and editorial board member for the Journal of Dance Education and the Feldenkrais Journal.

Julie A. Brodie and Elin E. Lobel

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 235
Bibliographic Info: 96 photos & illustrations, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-5880-6
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8958-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi
Preface: Somatics in Dance     1
Introduction: The Fundamental Somatic Principles     5

1. Pedagogy: Strategies for Teaching and Learning Based on Somatic Principles      17
2. Breath: Bridging the Conscious and the Unconscious      39
3. Kinesthesia: The Sixth Sense for Dancers      61
4. More Than Just a Mirror Image: The Visual System and Its Relationship to Other Modes of Sensing and Learning      82
5. Connectivity to Self, the Environment and Others      100
6. Intention and Initiation in Movement      128
7. Developing a Practice of One’s Own      151
8. Specific Applications to Technique      176

Conclusion      209
A Selection of Suggested Resources      217
References      220
Index      225

• “An excellent resource…highly recommended”—Choice
• “presents ways dance educators can incorporate information from somatic practices into their teaching of technique and why this is important for improving dance efficiency and ease of movement”—Reference & Research Book News