Dance Techniques 2010

112 Understanding the Body / Movement
→ Impulse movements originate with energy that has
been collected in the body’s centers: for example, in
the pelvis with a strong contraction of the abdominal
side muscles, and then released explosively. This might
trigger a sudden and vehement wave movement that
seizes the entire body and continues with reduced intensity,
velocity, and energy out into the limbs.
Impulse movements can also be initiated by a limb
(i.e., arms and legs).
The end points of the extremities (i.e., fingertips, the
hands’ edges, and tops of the feet), as well as the inner and
outer sides of arms or legs can lead a movement, just as
certain parts of the torso and / or sections of the spine can
also serve as pivot and fulcrum points. Frequently used
pivot points for torso bends are the sternum (for example,
when curling forward), and, for bending backwards, near
the vertebrae’s spinous processes at the lower part of the
scapula. Overall, other fulcrum points can also be imagined,
for example, around the waist or the lumbar region.
Articulation and mobilization of the upper body and / or
torso happens in distinct ways:
→ Facing forward and with weight–shifts; 20
→ Twists: rotation around the body’s longitudinal axis,
inward and outward;
→ Curves: forwards, to the side, backwards;
→ Tilts: flexible and stable upper–body tilts;
→ Rounded: arching and contracting movements;
→ With dynamic variations, for instance successive
swinging with elastic rebound, or stopping and falling
(drop).
Torso curving and tilting, as well as contractions, can basically
be executed in all directions while in a deep knee
bend, standing on the balls of one’s feet, or while standing
on one or both legs.
Particular emphasis was placed on bending the chest
during the technique training at LABAN. Bending and / or
tilting of the torso can be partially executed and may only
involve the upper or lower torso, for instance, or alternatively
may include the whole torso (for instance, in a large
trunk bend). The pivot point in this case is at the intersection
of the sacrum and lumbar spine. This movement can
progress successively either rolling up or down, or as an
intra-corporeal coordinated movement with a multitude
of energy influences and dynamic shadings.
Movement combinations are designed with regard to
the joints’ anatomical differences and to the elastic characteristics
of the muscular system (which includes connective
tissues, tendons, and ligaments). Efforts are made to
improve overall flexibility in order to optimize the range
of harmonious movement. The training has a special effect
on movement elasticity, as well as on neuromuscular
interaction and the elasticity of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
It promotes inter- and intramuscular coordination,
20 Shifts can be initiated from other body
parts besides the torso (from the pelvis,
chest, head, or legs, for instance).
21 See also further above in this section
about the topic of the upper–body’s articulation
and mobilization.