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Dance Technique incorporating safe dance practice

Performing sequences relative to anatomical structure

Individual differences

Neuromuscular function

The nervous system regulates and directs the activity of the human body. It comprises the central nervous system (the brain, brain stem and spinal cord) and the peripheral system (nerves which radiate to all parts of the body). The autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) regulates involuntary visceral, respiratory, hormonal and cardiac functions. The somatic nervous system regulates movement and the perception of movement and is fundamental to the performance of dance.

The synapse is the junction between the axon of one neuron (the basic nervous unit) and the dendrite(s) of another neuron. The synaptic gap is the space between two neurons and the nervous impulse is facilitated through the release of a chemical transmitter. Synaptic facilitation occurs through patterned usage and the direction of the impulse to the neurons that have been activated in the past and are a prime contributor to motor learning.

Reflexive movement control

There are several reflexes, which impact upon the dancer:

the stretch reflex
reciprocal inhibition
Golgi tendon reflex
the flexor reflex
the extensor reflex
the crossed extensor reflex
the righting reflexes (which contribute to the maintenance of balance).

With each of these reflexes the cerebral cortex can override the reflex and block it. This can be both a help and a hindrance to dancers. Sometimes the blocking allows a specific isolation of motion, but sometimes it causes awkward and uncoordinated movement.

Strictly speaking, kinesthetic sense is the perception of both motion and position, although the common use of the term includes perception and memory of motion, position, motor coordination and integration of sensory information. It is a complex neurological function, which is fundamental to dance performance.

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