Application of Physics Laws and Principles to Teaching-Learning Dance Techniques

Lei, Li PhD, MA, Dixie State College of Utah, St. George, UT, United States 

The purpose of this presentation is to help dance practitioners understand the integral relationship between dance and physics, and benefit from this understanding.  Movement operates in accordance with physical laws; dance is an art form based on movement.  Dance professionals can benefit by understanding this relationship.  

There are three problems highly relevant to dance education and dance performance:  1) Dancers attempting to learn difficult movements often fail because they are unaware of physical laws that govern the movement; 2) Dancers may waste time learning dance techniques by trial and error without scientific instructions; 3) Even those who do master difficult movements may suffer injury due to incorrect instructions. 

This presentation will provide sample instructions derived from the physics analysis of dance techniques to demonstrate how the scientific teaching-learning method permits dancers to learn dance technique rationally and proficiently, and to protect dancers from injuries.  Although other successful teaching methods in the realm of dance exist, the scientific teaching-learning method derived from the physics analysis benefits dancers by learning dance technique safely, effectively and efficiently.  It also allows dance professionals to balance the development of the artistry of dance with physical laws.

The author has had extensive professional experience in dance and in physics.  She was a professional dancer for eight and one half years and a college professor in physics for nine years, and has been a college professor in dance for seven years.  She received her PhD degree in Dance and Dance Education in 1999 and MA degree in Dance in 1994.  She has been a director of dance department for seven years and an artistic director of dance company for six years.  As an associate professor of dance she has taught Ballet, Modern Dance, Dance Composition, Ballroom Dance and Dance Appreciation courses.