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 >>