Classification Of Body Movements Flashcards
Contraction
Refers to a muscle developing tension and shortening. The action of drawing together and reducing in length
Relaxation
When dancing, muscles are in a slight state of tension ready to react to a stimulus but during this time, there is no active contraction
Expansion
Extending one section of the body, increasing its length or width
Middle body movement
The middle area of the body can move to two extremes of contraction and expansion and are sometimes performed with different step patterns to create and increase in overall body movement
Body stretching
Parts of the body can stretch or move in different ways or directions, giving an increase in joint range and length to one or more body parts
Rhythmical body actions
The body moving in different ways to express the rhythm of the music
Hip action
The hips can move in many directions from forward and back to side to side or even form a circling movement in either direction
Pelvic action
Also known as the ‘pelvic tilt’
Backward tilt: tailbone tucks under flattening the small of the back
Forward tilt: the hollow of the back increases stretching the front of the abdominals
Torso twist
Rib cage, shoulder and head facing one direction while the pelvis is turned in the other direction
Isolation
A movement that separates body parts.
(Moving part of the body out of its normal position)
Shoulder girdle isolation
Elevation: raising the shoulders as one (shrugging)
Depression: pulling the shoulders down as one
Protraction: drawing the shoulders forward as one
Retraction: drawing the shoulders back as one
Full and half rotation: this can be forward or back and is sometimes referred to as circumduction
Bouncing
A movement from the knees, feet, or both to produce a rhythmical raising and lowering action
Supine position
Lying on the floor face upwards
Prone position
Lying on the floor facing downwards
