modern dance midterm

cervical spine

the vertebrae of the neck

thoracic spine

the chest area of the spine

lumbar spine

the area of the spine pertaining to the lower vertebrae. there are five lumber vertebrae

pelvis

complex bony structure made up of the sacrum and left and right hip bones

quadriceps

a group of four muscles located on the anterior (front) aspects of the thigh. the primary function is to extend the knee joint

hamstrings

-when the hip is fixated and movement takes place at the knee, the hamstrings are responsible for knee flexion.

when the knee is fixated and movement takes place at the hip, the hamstrings will work in concert with the gluteals (minimus and maximus) to produce hip extension.

flexion

to bend it or decrease the angle between the bones of the joint.

dorsiflexion

bending at the ankle joint; there are infinite positions of dorsiflexion

plantar flexion

 straightening/pointing at the ankle joint; there is one position of plantar

flexion forward flexion

flexion toward the front of the body 

lateral flexion

flexion of the spine away from the midline of the body

complete flexion

position at the shoulder joint in which upper arm is raised straight overhead 

extension

 Extension of a joint is generally to straighten it.

lateral

Movement away from the median plane or longitudinal center of the body.

pile

bent or bending; coordinated flexion at the hip and knee joints and dorsiflexion at the ankle joint.

alignment

The ability to efficiently organize the body in relationship to dancing.

coccyx

The tailbone, which consists of three-four fused vertebrae.

dynamics

The use of weight, space, flow and time to create different energetic statements.

flat back

Torso is suspended horizontally in space like the top of a table.

forward curve

the forward bending of the body  

lateral curves

the sierras bending of the body

lateral plane

 The plane that divides the body from front to back. 

phase/combination/sequence/pattern

Terms used to describe two or more movements linked together.

triplet

Three steps usually done in a down (plié) up (relevé), up (relevé) sequence. 

meter

sets of beats grouped together according to a consistent accent pattern. For example: 123, 123, 123, etc. or 12345, 12345 etc.

triple meter

A meter with three apparent beats per measure.

pelvis

A basin-like bony structure formed by the sacrum and os coxae. It acts like a container to hold the organs of the torso and it serves for muscle attachments. It receives the weight of the upper body and passes this weight on to the lower limbs via its articulations with the femurs. 

quadriceps

A group of four muscles on the front of the thigh (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius) that act to extend the knee. 

release

 The relationship of the body with gravity, and the ability to let go of unnecessary muscular tension. 

swinging

Pendular movement consisting of a release with gravity, an arcing follow through, and a suspension. Usually done in a triple rhythm.

tilt

 A movement of the upper body laterally and downward.

turn out

Lateral/outward rotation of the acetabular/femur (hip) joint. 

undercurve

 Shifting of body weight from one leg to another while dropping the weight lower in the center of the curve. 

Upper back arch/high release

 The extension up and back of the upper body and head.

upper back curve

Rounding of the upper back (thoracic curve).

fall

the giving in to gravity, initiated by the breath out 

recovery

the resisting of gravity, initiated by the breath in