Functional Awareness® & Dance Summer Study at Towson University

FA®Summer Study for Dance Educators integrates the principles of Functional Awareness® Anatomy in Action & FA® somatics with the study of yoga and dance techniques.

 

“Thank you so much for all your insight over the past year. Your program significantly enhanced the quality of education that I was able to present to my students in a challenging time and had a huge influence on my own personal practice. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.”
–Laura Halm, Department Head, Baltimore School for the Arts

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July 31-August 4, 2023

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FA Summer Study 

Sample Outline of each day:

9:30am –10:30am Optional movement warm up

10:30am – 12:30pm Functional Awareness® practice & application

12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch break

1:30pm – 3:00 pm Functional Awareness® practice & application

3:00 –4:00 pm – Applied practice in dance training: optional technique class

Overall Learning goals

Participants will:

  • Improve fluency in functional anatomy as applied to dance training
  • Honor individual differences to promote inclusive learning
  • Develop skills to enhance movement potential for all who choose to dance
  • Investigate and embody Functional Awareness® approaches to improve skill and develop conscious practices in self-care
  • Practice verbal, tactile, & visual cues to enhance efficacy in action
  • Integrate practical applications in functional anatomy and somatic practice to support inclusive learning and diverse perspectives in dance

Day 1: Introduction to Functional Awareness® principles & Systems of Balance

  • Learn/review human skeletal structure
  • Examine and explore the Functional Awareness principles of the 4Rs to move toward balance and ease in action
  • Practice anatomical visualizations as a source to improve dynamic alignment
  • Learn about contemporary research in motor learning and integrative anatomy to support dancer wellness
  • Investigate vestibular, visual, proprioceptive, tactile, memory, neuromuscular, & neuro-cognitive systems of balance

Day 2: The Axial Skeleton & Spinal Curves & Expressivity Through Breath

  • Learn/review Anatomical consideration of the spine and the anatomy of breathing
  • Explore movement potential of primary and secondary curves
  • Practice anatomical visualizations to improve spinal expressivity
  • Learn about research in motor learning/integrative anatomy to support dancer wellness
  • Investigate personal patterns in breathing and strategies to invite greater movement potential with breath support
  • Practice and integrate cueing strategies to support and honor individual difference in spinal construct when training others in movement forms

Day 3: The Pelvis & Hip Joint

  • Learn/review Anatomical consideration of the pelvis and hip joint
  • Explore movement potential and considerations in range of motion in the hip jointPractice anatomical visualizations to improve ease in lumbo-pelvic actions
  • Learn about research in motor learning/integrative anatomy of pelvis and hip joint
  • Investigate personal pattern/habits in pelvic and hip joint action, practice strategies to invite greater movement potential and efficiency in action
  • Practice and integrate cueing strategies to support and honor individual difference in skeletal constructs when training others in movement forms

Day 4 The Ankle, Foot & Knee

  • Learn/review Anatomical consideration of the foot, ankle, knee
  • Practice anatomical visualizations and movement strategies for optimal mobilization and stabilization of the joints of the foot and lower leg.
  • Learn about dance science research and data on the knee, ankle, and foot
  • Investigate personal pattern/habits in foot and leg action and employ methods to invite greater movement potential and efficiency in action
  • Practice and integrate cueing strategies to support and honor individual difference in skeletal constructs while fostering enhanced movement potential to meet the rigors of dance.

Day 5: The Arms and Integration of Course Concepts in Action

  • Learn/review anatomical consideration of the shoulder joint and arm
  • Explore movement practices to enhance body understanding of shoulder
  • Learn about dance science research on the relationship of the axial to appendicular skeleton (dynamic alignment of head/spine to shoulder/arms)
  • Investigate personal pattern/habits of the shoulders and employ methods to invite greater movement potential and ease in action
  • Practice and integrate cueing strategies to support and honor individual difference in muscular-skeletal construct when training others to discover fullest movement potential while dancing.

 

* Not ready for in-person? Check out our virtual learning opportunities here >>