[Tango-L] dance kinesiology book

[Trini y Sean (PATangoS)]

Hi listeros,

I am so excited about a book I bought recently that I
thought I'd tell folks about it.  It's Dance Kinesiology by
Sally Sevey Fitt, 2nd ed. (1996).  
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028645073/montereybodyc-20

Kinesthetics is the 6th sense they don't tell you about in
grade school.  If you close your eyes and hold up a finger,
it is the sense that tells you that you have your finger up
in the air.  I have found this approach to be quite useful
in teaching and it seems to keep folks interested in
learning tango more than how many steps one can do,
particularly with an older demographic.

Kinesiological analysis has 3 general categories:

1) STRUCTUAL ANALYSIS, which focuses on the bony and
ligamentous determination of potential action, restrictions
on action, and proper alignment.

2) BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS, which focuses on the physics of
motion, application of forces on the lever system, and the
resultant possible actions.

3) NEUROMUSCULAR ANALYSIS, which identifies the muscles and
muscle groups that produce a given action most efficiently.

Sally Sevey Fitt has taught dance for over 30 years at the
University of Utah.  In her book, she also discusses
individual differences, which is important in preventing
injuries.  She also discusses alterations to common
exercises to fit the needs of a dancer.   In the last part
of the book, she includes conditioning exercises to address
specific problem areas, as well as, mini-programs for
problems such as scoliosis and knee injuries.

I think the book is most useful for those working with a
body movement specialist (we work with an Alexander
Technique instructor who includes the skeletal and muscular
systems in her teachinig).  Perhaps those with pilates or
yoga training might get as much out of the book, too. 
Tango teachers should 

I found it while browsing through Borders under the Music -
Dance section.  It's a little pricey, about $80 (460
pages), but I have found it more practical for dancers than
other books I have encountered.  And it breaks down the
skeletal and muscular systems in an easy way.

Trini de Pittsburgh

P.S.  Borders and Barnes & Noble are great places to sneak
a nap while you're waiting for workshops to begin!




PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society 
Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburgh's most popular social dance. 
http://patangos.home.comcast.net/ 



 
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