Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance

Contents

• Part I. Art and Science of Imagery
• Chapter 1. History, Theory, and Uses of Imagery
• Defining Imagery
• Historical Perspectives
• Emerging Theories on Imagery
• Benefits of Using Imagery in Dance
• Summary
• Chapter 2. Types and Effectiveness of Imagery
• Direct Imagery
• Types of Imagery
• Imagery Strings
• Making Imagery Effective
• Summary
• Part II. Discovering and Exploring Imagery
• Chapter 3. Discovering Imagery
• Nature
• Movies
• Literary Arts
• Music
• Visual Arts
• Propensity Toward Imagery
• Summary
• Chapter 4. Basic Movement Imagery and Exercises
• Intention
• Whole-Body Sensation
• Space
• Weight
• Music and Rhythm
• Connections Through the Body
• Breath and Flow
• Summary
• Chapter 5. Imagery in Dance Improvisation
• Improvisation and Dance Technique
• Improvisation With Children
• Imagery Improvisation Exercises
• Contact Improvisation and Imagery
• Butoh
• Summary
• Part III. Imagery in Dance Technique Classes
• Chapter 6. Teaching Dance With Imagery
• Elements of Making Progress
• Function and Anatomy
• Effort and Tension
• Alignment Paradox
• Guidelines for Teachers
• Guidelines for Students
• Summary
• Chapter 7. Floorwork, Walking, and Running
• Floorwork
• Pelvis as a Strong Sitting Base
• Upper-Body Motion While Sitting
• Falls to the Floor
• Rolls on the Ground
• Floor Barre
• Stillness and Slow Movement
• The Foot
• Walking and Running
• Summary
• Chapter 8. Plie
• Force Absorption in Plie
• Imagery for Plie
• Summary
• Chapter 9. Tendu-Based Movements
• Battement Tendu/Degage (Jete)
• Rond de Jambe a Terre
• Battement Fondu (Demi-Plie on One Leg)
• Battement Frappe
• Summary
• Chapter 10. Developpe and Other Extensions
• Creating Smooth Action in the Hip Joint
• Extensions to the Back
• Releasing Tension, Embodying Fascia
• Summary
• Chapter 11. Arabesque, Attitude, and Grand Battement
• Research on Imagery for the Plie Arabesque
• Art and Science of Balance
• Grand Battement
• Summary
• Chapter 12. Swings, Arches, and Spirals
• Swings and Arches
• Spirals
• Summary
• Chapter 13. Upper-Body Gestures
• Port de Bras (Arm Gestures)
• Hands
• Face
• Eyes
• Neck
• Summary
• Chapter 14. Turns
• From Crawls to Pirouettes
• Natural Turners
• What You Can Learn From a Spinning Top
• Turning With the Whole Body
• Angular Motion
• Phases of Turning in Pirouettes
• Summary
• Chapter 15. Jumps
• Speed and Leverage
• Anatomical Considerations
• The Foot in Jumping
• Elastic Leaps and Rhythmic Rebound
• Traveling Leaps and Turning Leaps
• Breathing Before Jumping
• Arms and Leaping
• Floors and Soft Landings
• The Sky Is the Limit
• Summary
• Chapter 16. Partnering
• Requirements for Partnering
• Connecting With Your Partner
• Using Imagery in Partnering
• Summary
• Part IV. Imagery in Choreography, Rest, and Regeneration
• Chapter 17. Imagery and Performance Quality
• Expressivity
• Authenticity
• Endowment
• Magical Outfit
• Performance Environment
• Relationship With the Audience
• Your History
• Stepping Onstage
• Summary
• Chapter 18. Rest and Regeneration
• Using Your Hands
• Releasing Touch
• Constructive Rest
• Guided Imagery
• Summary