IADMS Madrid 2001   [back to the Category]

Facilitating dynamic stability and movement re-education in dance   [read the french version]

Author :   Beverly Witherington, B.App.Sc, MCSP, SRP& al.

Thursday 1 November 2001
6:15 – 7:15 pm

Facilitating dynamic stability and movement re-education in dance: Gender based demands in partner work

Beverly Witherington, B.App.Sc, MCSP, SRP, Neil Johnson, Polly Benge, Embody, London, England

Feldenkrais and Pilates have been applied to the management of musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal pain in Dancers. In addition both disciplines play a crucial role in injury prevention and in enhancing performance technique and the aesthetic in Dance. The Feldenkrais Method explores new patterns of movement and generates increased ease of movement by expanding self-awareness. Feldenkrais is a unique and sophisticated approach to understanding human function, development and learning. The method facilitates exploration of movement, thought and feeling to improve movement patterns. The process stimulates development and learning and improves the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of movement. Feldenkrais allows the re-education of movement patterns following an injury that has resulted in dysfunctional movement. The effectiveness of the method is within the ability to access the nervous system’s own innate process to change and improve. The nervous system develops patterns of both physical and psychological behavior and these patterns are deeply ingrained in our nervous system and often become outmoded or dysfunctional. The Feldenkrais Method provides the means to know what to change and how to change it when it becomes necessary or desirable to create a new pattern of functioning. Feldenkrais has been described as a kinesthetic system based on the acquisition of principles of movement and learning through experiential education. The method places the origin of the problem not within a specific site but within a pattern of movement that creates or maintains pain. New pain-free movement patterns are created which are performed without excessive force restoring efficient patterns of movement uninhibited by unnecessary neuromuscular activity through teaching developmental sequencing of movement and learning. Research into the Feldenkrais Method has described the method as utilizing human cognition to develop attention and self-awareness by improving the capacity to make sensory distinctions that are correlated to improved motor ability. The central nervous system is then able to find its optimum functional patterns.
Pilates is a total body conditioning system that integrates the mind and body to achieve precision in muscle control, strength and flexibility. Pilates has been applied to injury management by medical professionals and has been utilized in the management of spinal pain, involving stabilization training and movement reeducation. Current research has shown that the deep trunk muscle action, that is the abdominal and spinal muscles, are inhibited with functional movement following lower back injuries. A problem in the control of these muscles by the nervous system has been implicated as one of the critical factors in the development of “instability” of the spine and symptoms of low back pain. Pilates focuses on developing abdominal and spinal muscle strength via the appropriate use of trunk muscles as stabilizers therefore creating a vital support for the spine. In addition Pilates corrects muscles imbalances due to injury and postural problems by strengthening muscle groups which are important to obtain maximal efficiency but which are not normally integrated into activities of daily living, work, dance and sport.
Participants of the movement session will develop through experiential learning, a working knowledge of dynamic spinal stabilization and muscle balance. Furthermore the preorganization of movement and neurological patterning will be facilitated to improve quality and effectiveness of movement. The session will conclude with the opportunity to integrate the learning into partner work exploring the demands required across different genders.