Pendular movement of the arms or legs consisting of a release of gravity, an arching follow through, and a suspension.
Swing (arms & legs)
Letting go of tension or energy
Release
“pike” sit- legs extended with the knees facing the ceiling in parallel
Long sit
Pendular movement consisting of a release with gravity, an arcing follow through, and a suspension
Swinging
A transfer of weight from one foot to the other during which there is a brief moment when both feet are off the ground. This is a rapid movement.
Running
Lying flat on the ground.
Long lying position
The point in the body where all weight balances. Known as your “Core.”
Center of Gravity
Where the head of the femur bone fits into the pelvis
Thigh Socket
Mother of Modern Dance
Isadora Duncan
Movements that take you somewhere in space. There are 8 basic locomotor skills: walking, running, leaping, jumping, hopping, skipping, sliding, galloping
Locomotor Movements
A transfer of weight from one foot or both feet to both feet
Jumping
Sharp or aggressive movement; example: stomp
Percussive
Step, Hop, Step, Hop
Skipping
Shifting of body weight from one leg to another while dropping the weight lower in the center of the curve. Makes a U shape.
Undercurve
Spiraling the spine from side to side causing the relaxed arms to swing.
Arm Tassel
A transfer of weight from one foot to the other foot with an extended moment in which both feet are off the ground.
Leaping
Movement performed with flowing consistency and without accent.; Smooth and even movement
Sustained
Pull apart of two forces; hang by support
Suspend
“Criss cross applesauce“ style sit - with long spine
Tailor sit
An undercurve movement that combines a slide (a sliding step in a plié), an elevation and a landing on the other leg.
Sliding
A twisting action of the spin or joints
Spiral
When the knees and feet are facing directly forward.
Parallel
A transfer of weight from one foot to the other foot with one foot always on the ground.
Walking
The shock absorbing structure of the body. The lift in the pelvis is an underlying theme in modern dance.
Pelvis
“straddle” sit - legs extended out to the side with the knees facing the ceiling
Stride sit
A transfer of weight from one foot to the same foot.
Hopping
to move rapidly back and forth; quiver
Vibratory
movement that is created and performed at the same time.
Improvisation
The shifting of weight from one leg to the other while lifting the body weight up at the top of the curve through space. Makes a hill shape.
Overcurve
Movements that are stationary in space. Examples include: bending, stretching, pushing, pulling, bouncing, swinging, shaking, & twisting
Non-locomotor Movements
the are the bones that make contact with the ground while sitting. The bottom of the pelvis
Sitz bones
Tightening or shortening of muscle; in modern dance, it refers to the forward curving of the spine from the pelvis
Contraction
Movements that imitate everyday gestures or actions (e.g., walking, bouncing a basketball, sitting, opening a door).
Pedestrian Movement
“butterfly”- soles of the feet touching
Diamond Sit
Three steps usually done in a down (plié) up (relevé), up (relevé) sequence; A waltz step.
Triplet
Lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
Hook lying position
A combination of a step and a leap. The overcurve airborne moment occurs after the step.
Galloping
A shape made with the spine (head to tailbone) that creates a "C" shape
C Curve
Part or whole body release
Collapse
Modern is a rebellion against the restrictions of...
Hip Hop
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
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